[ikoko]

I’m heading to Central or South America for a couple months and want to get feedback from members currently living abroad in SA.
I’m looking for a decent sized city where I can get a nice furnished apartment for around $600 a month, where I can get decent internet and a good quality of life.

I have done Costa Rica (San Jose) Venezuela (Caracas), Argentina (BA and Rosario) and Colombia (Medellin and Bogota). I enjoyed all of them except Caracas and am thinking of returning to either Argentina (Cordoba or Rosario) or Colombia (probably Cali or Barranquilla) as I think these two countries have the best combination of low cost of living and social life.
But before I return to a country I have already been to I want to get feedback on other Countries/cities. The obvious elephant in the room is Brazil (Fortaleza/Salvador/Sao Luis/ Florianopolis) however, the problem I always encounter is that rents sky rocket from December through Carnival. Can anyone chime in and let me know if I’m wrong about this?

Also does anyone have anything good to say about Lima, Quito, and Santiago? Not really terribly interested in these cities given that I like tall women, but if I could get a nice apartment for significantly less than in Argentina or Colombia I would consider it. Thanks.

[Trav_Ler]

I'm about to wrap up a three-month stay in Ecuador. Not many girls that I find attractive, but there are a few (both my landlady and her daughter have been sending IOIs, and I may take advantage of the situation on my way out).

Quito has polluted air and an oversupply of street criminals including muggers (a young gringo couple got daylight mugged near the hostel I stayed at, out in the open in an area everyone expected would be safe during the day) and being the capital city it won't be cheap.

The second tier towns can be quite pleasant. I've been paying $150/month for a room in a large house in a smallish city up high (warm days, cool nights, no mosquitoes), and am told apartments can be had for $300.