(12-03-2014 05:08 PM)Travesty444 Wrote: I've heard you can't trust a Colombian chick as far as you could throw her, doubly for DR chicks. Brazilian and Mexican seem more GF material.
This is fairly funny because the only two LTRs that I have ever had were with a Brasileira and a Mexicana. And I had absolute horrible experiences with Colombianas (relationship potential-wise anyways).
Quote:The priorities are:
1) extremely reliable internet
2) somewhere more accepting of foreigners it would be great to make local friends
3) hopefully a bit friendly for Spanish and SA newbies
4) have a nice apartment and lifestyle for $2k a month
Something tells me DR would be more of a week/weekend type trip.
Mexico is a possibility, but Colombian chicks looks-wise are more my taste.
I left Argentina out because I think I'd need strong Spanish to break in.
The only developing countries I've been to were India and Thailand. I did Thailand wrong as a pre RVF newbie backpacker circa 2008. That said I think I could live in a place like BKK or Chang Mai, but not much poorer of a place at least until I toughen up to the living standards.
I am guessing Colombia falls between them.
OK. First of all, while much of LA is developing country status, some of them are actually a lot more developed than people think. Places like Chile, Mexico, Panama, Brazil, and Argentina are actually middle-income and have parts of cities that feel no different than NA.
I've been to Thailand and I think there's a pretty big difference between that country and the more developed countries in Latin America.
Everything you said makes perfect sense and you've obviously already done some homework.
Argentina, I would agree is more of an advanced level of Spanish place. The people are a little more stand-offish here than most of LA and actually, frankly, some people here are just straight up dicks. However, that being said, Buenos Aires has the third highest standard of living in the region and is a fantastic city. But I think a second tier city like Mendoza could be something to look at, I loved that city and the people were super friendly.
Won't go into Brazil too much because your preference is for Spanish (that being said, you could switch to Portuguese right now and not lose too much opportunity cost).
Ecuador is a pretty good country for a starter. I think for friendliness and expat acceptance it's one of the best. It was recently voted one of the best for expats in the world and after spending a month and a half in Quito, it doesn't surprise me. Super cheap, uses American dollars as currency, easily to do side-trips on the weekend or whatever, the mountain area Spanish is quite easy to understand, and the people are friendly. The downsides is the talent isn't fantastic there, the food is kind of mediocre, and the internet/efficiency of things is not the best.
Lima could be an option, although I have never been there so can't comment.
I just spent a week in Montevideo and thought the city was fantastic. It's pretty developed, super chilled out, the girls are nice and cute, and it's right across the Rio de La Plata from Buenos Aires. I could see myself living there, good food but it could also get a little boring after a while.
Panama City or San Jose could be an option. Lots of English speakers, lots of expats, good talent for girls, and fairly safe choices for a beginner of LA. I personally couldn't do San Jose, it's kind of a shit hole, is a prostitution center, and too many Americans around. I am interested in Panama City though.
Paraguay and Bolivia are kind of gongshows, as are the three countries in the north and Venezuela.
Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Hondarus, and Belize are on the very underdeveloped side. I wouldn't trust the internet there, nor are any of their bigger cities much to behold.
Mexico is probably a good option. Close to home, great food and culture, endless places to explore. Mexico City is great, I just made a post about it in a similar thread to this today. It's probably my favourite city in LA behind Rio.
Colombia, well Bogota and Medellin are cool cities. Don't know if I could stay in Medellin for too long though, it lacks a lot of things outside of nightlife IMO. Bogota is pretty cool, but its pretty rough and tumble. Cali is an option.
I also think Santiago is a good option. I don't know why, but this city seems to get ignored on this forum. I have only spent two nights there (I am planning on going for a week in the very near future), so I don't know it well. But I know it is quite developed, is expat friendly, and clean. Much more expensive than the norm though.
I don't know the Caribbean well enough to comment, only been to Cuba.
There are also 2nd tier cities that can be great if you find your niche. Places like Pereira, Bucaramanga, Trujillo, Belo Horizonte, Cordoba, Mendoza, Merida, Puebla, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Maracaibo, and Granada are places that don't get talked about a lot sometimes but places I would enjoy setting up roots in. Also, with second tier cities if you find the right circles, they can be a lot more welcoming than the bigger or capital cities in Latin America.