Colombia is 8th best country for retiring: Forbes (Ecuador is first)

[Bacchus4.0]

http://colombiareports.co/colombia-8th-best-country-retiring-forbes/

Ecuador topped the 2015 list, which featured 12 American nations.

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Colombia was bettered only by Ecuador in the South America region.

Forbes named Colombia’s cost of living, health system, climate and biodiversity as the primary reasons for its impressive ranking in 2015.

Forbes noted the low cost of living for retirees in Colombia as a key reason, stating that a couple could live comfortably for just US $1,200 per month.

The report identified the health system of the country as “one of the best and most affordable” and a key reason it is an attractive and popular destination for foreign pensioners.

[99th_Monkey]

1. I can't think of Columbia, without thinking "drug wars"

Does the report factor in public safety ?

[Bacchus4.0]

2. I assume it is but not sure how much it is weighted. Mexico is up there too.

Its actually from International Living, Forbes links to that article.

[COLGATE4]

3. The drug wars are essentially a thing of the past. Colombia

does have crime problems, particularly in the major cities as in the US but they are not likely to affect the average American living there except for randomized street crime (pickpocketing, purse snatch, etc.). The less developed areas often have a strong guerrilla presence which could well be dangerous to an American wandering around there.

[forest444]

4. Apparently not.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_intentional_homicide_rate

The table of countries ranked by murder rate puts Colombia's at #12. They have practically the same number of murders the U.S. does, but less than one-sixth our population - and that excludes most Dirty War deaths, since these are often disingenuously classified as "disappearances." Of course, 'disingenuous' is Forbes' middle name.

[Bacchus4.0]

5. its still on the best places to retire list n/t

[Judi Lynn]

6. Colombian Company Specializes in Stylish Bulletproof Clothing

Colombian Company Specializes in Stylish Bulletproof Clothing
By Ms. Purple on October 18th, 2013 Category: News

A Bogota-based company specializes in fashionable clothes that will protect wearers against gunshots and knife attacks. One such bulletproof jacket can withstand ammunition from a variety of weapons such as a 9mm, a .44 Magnum and a 3.75 revolver. The protective clothes – now sold in 18 countries, have been worn by the Vice President of Colombia, Francisco Santos, Hugo Chaves – the former President of Venezuela, the Price of Spain and even by action film star Steven Seagal.

Colombia is notorious for arms and drug trafficking and is considered one of the most violent and dangerous countries is Latin America. High-level dignitaries an businessmen here try to protect themselves as best as they can, with owning bulletproof cars and vests being the most typical life-saving accessories. During their University years, Miguel Caballero and John Murphy noticed people’s pressing need for safety and started a profitable business creating stylish and lightweight bulletproof clothing. While citizens are safe in their bulletproof cars, once they get out, they became vulnerable to attack. “Most of these people ride in armored cars, so they need something to wear when they step out of the car and walk into their home or restaurant,” said Murphy – who left the partnership but still sells the innovative garments he and Miguel designed.

After creating the stylish clothing, there was only one more problem standing between the two and financial success – a material that would absorb the shock well enough. Caballero and his former partner used to test their products on themselves to assess and validate their quality. When talking about Kevlar – the material used in the early versions of the products – back in 1996, Murphy said “It’ll stop the bullet, but you’ll have a bruise and maybe a couple of broken ribs.” The pair found that Kevlar was safe but not stiff enough to absorb the shock of a lead projectile shot right into someone’s stomach as Murphy painfully discovered after a shooting demonstration in which he played the human target and ended up with a big bruise. “I couldn’t walk for three days. And that’s when we decided that we had to improve our product,” he said. Thankfully, according to Murphy, “Now getting shot is very easy. “I’ve been shot 15 times. It’s like a punch, like you’re hit with the end of a bat”.

Caballero carried on developing and designing the line of clothing, putting all his efforts into tailoring items that are not only bulletproof but also lightweight and comfortable. Talking about the protective vests security guards used to wear before he started his business, he says “All the time, those guys did not use the best, because it was very uncomfortable and very heavy.” Traditional bulletproof accessories were not only heavy but also restrictive and very warm and people generally hated wearing them. They used to weigh about 4.5 kg ten or so years ago but thankfully, the weight has been brought down to a mere 1.2kg. And anyway, they weren’t fashionable at all – another reason not to be worn by people who wanted to look their best even in life-threatening situations. “They used leather jackets and suede jackets. I came up with a way to put the two characteristics together – security and fashion,” Caballero adds.

More:
http://www.odditycentral.com/news/colombian-company-specializes-in-stylish-bulletproof-clothing.html

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