Why YOU Won't Make It In Colombia | Why Most Expats Leave
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- čas přidán 26. 05. 2024
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Why You May Leave Colombia
We've seen it over and over again. People moving to Colombia in order to become an Expat and leaving again after a few months.
In this video, I'll talk about the reasons those Expats didn't make it in Colombia and how you can make sure to make it long-term.
Reasons you may leave:
- Budget
- Can't adapt
- False expectations
- Visa
The above listed reasons are just a few of so many other reasons why people left Colombia. Important is to know that those things are avoidable and should help to make a reality check for each and everyone who considers moving to Colombia or another foreign country.
Make sure to watch the video till the end in order to get all the necessary details.
Don't hesitate to contact us with any Expat questions you might have. No matter if you've got questions about Medellin, Bogota, Santa Marta or Colombia in general. We would love to support you on your journey.
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ABOUT THIS CHANNEL
This Channel's mission is to help and educate Expats, soon to be Expats and travelers.
In order to simplify their Expat and travel journey abroad.
We provide information, especially for Latin America.
Are you planning to visit or even relocate to Panama, Colombia or Ecuador?
No matter where in Latin America you'd like to relocate to, we'll provide you with all the needed information you need, in order to get around safely and to settle down.
#HowToExpat #WhyExpatsLeave
I lived in Pereira for 7 years. 100% gringo. 0% latino. Bought a house, car, had a job, learned the language, had zero problems.
Your math is wrong
@@jellycream1964 truly? And what math is that exactly
Pereira Is one of my favorite places in Colombia, why you left i may ask?
Periera has serious traffic issues .. I'm a pueblo type guy and I also like a little higher elevation to cool off .. but Pereira is a nice place .. Lenos resteraunt ... Argentina steak house .. I travel hours just to go there to eat .. amazing
@@papaxxbear my work visa was up, my parents were aging and needed more help, and was ready for a change of scenery, also the dollar had really strengthened against the COP, so I sold everything and converted back to USD for a tidy profit. Nothing specific really though.
In ANY country, if you want to be an expat, you have to be adaptable, flexible, and open minded.
David Holt: ...And have a reasonable budget!
Exactly. Well said.
And be willing to bend ober sometimes you know
If you get drugged that’s not to open your mind c on o man
And be willing to bend ober sometimes you know
If you get drugged that’s not to open your mind c on o man
And be willing to bend ober sometimes you know
If you get drugged that’s not to open your mind c on o man
Leaving a country with the excuse that the natives do not speak your language is stupid, the language of the country must be learned out of respect for the culture you are going to and also as an intellectual exercise. English speakers are taught to speak English. Let go of laziness and learn the local language, make an effort.
Funny thing is, if you say that in the United states, people might call you racist
Wish that worked here. Illegals are outnumbering legals and Spanish is spoken as often as English . Those who come in legally work on English and are doing well. Any country should require that all transactions be handled in the language of the country. Quebec requires all businesses conduct their business in French even though it is a part of Canada.
@@angstvision7108 yes, if i would be in US i will learn english.
I guess what's good for the goose isn't good for the gander... Here in the U.S. we are expected to cater to every foreign language there is... And pay for it to...
@@rray1953 Bullshit. I don't know why you guys fall for lies.
I immigrated to the U.S. they teach you English in school. They cater to you learning it like you did in school.
Almost everyone learns English.
The problem is racist having an issue with people speaking another language period, or having an accent(especially a thick one), or some granny not learning it, or a refugee or something.
There's also different levels as you learn it. And some people will always be stronger and have more understanding in their first language.
You adapt to Colombia, Colombia won't adapt to you
This applies to any foreign country, making an honest wholehearted attempt to speak the native tongue and blending in with the locals should be the goal.
Not really true Have you been around the world? The number 1, 2nd language is English! It is the language of Money around the globe!
If an American says this, they are called racist or xenophobic. Funny how other countries tell foreigners that they need to adapt and assimilate to respect the culture but Americans and western countries in general are told they are bad if they ask foreigners to learn English and respect the history of our country. Hypocrisy much?
Nah... California will bend over backwards to adapt to any foreign entity...
No shit Sherlock
@@augustbrante8117 Business ... Not money. And most tourists/expats deal with PEOPLE, not businesses and business deals , you dummy.lol
I'm born a American of Haitian immigrants .
I've lived in Haiti as a child and visited as a adolescent boy.
I heard Colombia is a big step up from Haiti infrastructure.
I think I'll do fine , I live in a very small room and crowded house anyway in New York City .
Go for it brother 🇭🇹
SAD - IF COLOMBIA has a better infrastructure than HAITI!
@@dexterspeights3484
Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The infrastructure there is SHOCKINGLY bad. Colombia is an order of magnitude better off than Haiti.
Yoooo Haitian Colombian American here!! I love it in Colombia.
"People culture not business" and thats what makes Colombia so special!!!
Literally why I moved. Tired of the hustle 24/7 mentality
I have been here seven years in Marinilla. Colombia is amazing. The culture, people, food, scenery. What you said is true. It's different but beautiful. My wife is Colombian, so that helped with the visa, plus I am retired. Living on the family farm. I am so lucky and happy to be able to live here. No heating or air conditioner expenses. Keep up with the good work. Like to meet you. God bless everyone.
*Same lifeboat brother!* 👍🏻
I would love to move there marry a nice woman. I don’t want games just a good family woman, how hard is it to find . Also I have about 6000 US dollars a
month to live on
@@richardparker460 I was lucky. I met a wonderful Colombian woman in the USA. I am sure you can find a good woman here, but you have to watch out they don't just take advantage of you. That is true anywhere. Six thousand a month will give you a good lifestyle here. Everything is less expensive here. No high overhead bills. Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. God bless.
How much is farmland there?
@@davidswindells3171 Are you kidding me saying that six thousand dollars US will give him a "good" lifestyle in Colombia!!! 6000 american dollars is over 22 million pesos!!! For that kind of money you live in Colombia like very rich rich person not a good living. Very good lifestyle you have with 6-8 million pesos which is roughly 2000-2200 dollars, so please be realistic. Minimum salary in Colombia in 2024 is 1, 300 000 pesos. The good doctor is making about 3-4 thousand dollars, so imagine having 6000 dollars in Colombia doing nothing.
When I moved to Medellin it took me one day to adapt, adjust and get the rhythm & the beat. Under normal gringo circumstances to say that would be either impossible or a complete fib but prior to coming here I had lived in Miami for a very long time and the Latin vibe there was the ideal cultural incubator.
What worked for me and why I made it here was having gradually nurtured the ability to deal effectively with circumstances as they are and how they present themselves instead of dwelling excessively on how things should be and could be if Medellin would only just be the way it was back home. Fuggeddaboutit.
"nurtured the ability to deal effectively with circumstances as they are and how they present themselves instead of dwelling excessively on how things should be and could be" -- AN IMPORTANT KEY TO A HAPPY LIFE ANYWHERE! GRACIAS
I agree. I have spent a lot of time in Miami, and when I finally visited Medellin, I found it incredibly easy to navigate. I felt incredibly at home quite quickly, and I was very happy there.
@@christophercobb249 So true. If a person truly understands Miami then they'll hit the ground running here in Medellin; especially Medellin.
Comparing Miami and Medellin is very inaccurate for a lot of reasons. The only similarity is that Spanish is common.
@@itsniquenique45 After 33 years in Central Miami and 8 years in Medellin I think I'm entitled to my opinion. For much of the year the weather is almost identical. The greenery is very similar and in many cases identical. The music vibe is so similar that it's hard to tell the difference. The body language, religious affiliations and general customs are closely tied together. That Spanish is common is a big deal. Here in Medellin I have quite a bit of contact with gringos who moved here but who don't speak it and they have an extra hard time adapting. When I arrived I already spoke Spanish and my transition was a matter of days.
There are areas of Miami Dade County that are not overwhelmingly Latin; a phenomenon which is not to be seen here in Medellin but the Latin vibe has penetrated absolutely everywhere.
I am colombian living in the US, there is a sad truth I have to add, in Colombia there is alot of corruption, nepotism is big in the labor market/force in Colombia, especially in the high end jobs of the country, heck even in the government itself there is alot of nepotism, and to me that is a despicable practice, basically in Colombia it's not what you know, its who you know. You could have had graduated with great college degree and be a brilliant professional and asset to any company or institution, but if you don't have family or friends that are close proper "connections" to hook you up, you will probably have a harder time landing that job. In Colombia its polularly known as "palanca," if you don't have some "palanca" GOOD LUCK. Also there is age discrimination in the labor force too in Colombia, the older you are, the more challenging it can be to land a good job in Colombia (ridiculously a 35 or 40 year old is seen or considered "old" in the labor force while in the US its seen as in your prime) and sadly Colombia does not have laws or legislations against it. In the US there are strict laws against discrimination (and even on nepotism), but in Colombia that is non-exsistent. Sorry not to sugar-coat one of the truths or downsides of living in Colombia but it had to be said. Thank god I live in the US.
It is simple overall. Thousands of Americans, Canadians and?Europeans move to Latin America while MILLIONS of Latin Americans have or want to move to the US, Canada or Europe. It is what it is...
In US people start getting discriminated after 50 for most jobs.
@@Jack51971 It's because we don't have opportunities like she is mentioning. Is very hard to grow up as a professional, to get a good and well paid job, it's not an economic culture as well
Lived here for over 10 years now and love it. The people are wonderful. Retired gringo from America.
I am a minimalist and I know well the cost of living in Colombia. I can live there with $600 dollars without denying myself any of the basics. (living expenses plus some travel). The problem is, if you only speak English you will mostly be overcharged for everything.
If you don't mind me asking, are you planing on moving there with that budget and what city there would be able to match that budget ?? I didn't think that would be possible thnx.
I am an expat living in Bogota and I am very happy here! I learned so much from the people here 🙏🏼
Chess
Great comments and insights, Sam - very important and valuable. Thank you for posting.
Thank you, your content is very informative and educational. Keep the excellent work. Thanks.
Very good video and I agree. Been in Medellin for 4 years now. Love Colombian culture.
Good video 👍🏽 had plans on coming this summer but you know what messed up my plans 🦠
Thank you for your candid video! Excellent!
No this is great advice thank you for the content I’m going to do some more saving before I visit
I'd suggest just visit Colombia for a month or two. If you like it just visit again every once in awhile. It's very difficult to live in Colombia long term, it's just not set up that way. You can stay for 6 months in any calendar year on your Visa.
Great points! Thanks! 👍🏼
The part about the smaller houses is very true. However, I lived and worked there for 3 years. I have since returned and purchased my retirement home. I just love it. The food, the culture and the people. The service is really really slow. even McDonalds is slow jaja.
Good information, nice points to consider
*Samuel I've come to finding myself the most opinionated member now over 13 years here full-time starting in Calarca Quindio now Pereira, Risaralda resident expat commenting on the overall side of expating in lovely Colombia other than Medellin, YES, Sam is totally correct that times are very different than those in the U.S.A. but I will say that the Colombian Government and all branches Federal, Departmental, and Local are presently treating all citizens, residents and visitors with the utmost respect with correct national and local news available 24/7, Retired law enforcement NYPD I tell it as I see it!*
*GOD BLESS*
Visited Colombia in 2015 as a tourist and fell madly in love with it. Been trying to figure out how to move there ever since.....
@@kyfarmdogsaerial3299 *At this time with all that's happening contact me here on youtube I'll try and guide you throughout a process not to easy but well worth it!*
Federal?? Wtf. This is not a federal country. This is a centralised country mate. This is not the States or Argentina or Mexico. We do as the French
Calarca is a nice little town .. cheap living even for a very descent spot .. highway is a quick jump away or a 15 minute bus ride into Armenia .. they just finished the tunnel heading to ibaque .. must say I really enjoyed calarca .. always drop in anytime I am around
Can't wait to visit Colombia. Seriously considering moving abroad. We've been to Mexico and enjoyed it. The culture is addictive. We are looking forward to visiting Colombia. Looks like a great experience.
Bro Mexico isn’t Colombia. Do your research.
@@jeffswanson4594 I realize that. My comment was simply comparing a country we have visited to one we'd like to visit.
Great video!
Sam, you are one the best and the most honest person who explain all the facts the simple way. Very informative.
Thanks 😁
Thank you Sam, and I'm glad that I first one who comment at this video :) Is there a Spanish school for a long term study? What I found was for short term for those people who visit Medellin for like one or two weeks. I do not know how the Universities over there provide the Spanish courses and their qualities. Could you please make a video about it?
Very nice video. A lot of common sense.
Gracias. Un saludo
I was one of the original "gringos" living in Medellin, starting from 1991 when most people would not dare visit Colombia, let alone Medellin. Those were the best years of my entire life. After receiving the residence visa in 1995, I went back every two years to not let it lapse. A year ago, I decided that I would like to buy property and retire there one day. However, the entire process was so full of convoluted paperwork that I gave up. In fact, after being connected to Medellin for over 30 years, I think I might have finally given up on it.
Yes, while both the security situation in Colombia and the tourist infrastructure have improved over the past few years, it is not the same country I fell in love with back when it was "dangerous" to visit... So while I might have "given up" on Colombia as an expat/resident, it did take me 32 years to get to that stage...
Thanks for that , I plan to visit Colombia next March
Hi Sam, thank you for continuing to share the best videos on How To Expat. I watched many of your videos once my wife and I decided to move to Colombia once we retired. To your point, preparation is key. You are one of the remaining expats who are still in Medellin. Only the best survives. I have yet to run into you and your wife. My wife and I moved from NY, to Medellin, immediately after we retired. We do not intend to leave. We love it here. There were many take away from this video. However, one resonated with me the most - Colombia is more of a people society. If one is inpatient and always in a hurry to have things done, this is not the place. As you mentioned, one must adopt to survive. There is not a lot to adopt to since Medellin and I am certain Bogota are like many other cities in the US and Europe in terms of technology, culture, style and so forth. Thank you for what you do my friend.
Thanks a lot
I’ve had an apartment in Medellin for 12 years, been married to a Paisa for 8 years. I’ve adapted and can live there, but we choose for now to live in the states, my wife’s preference right now too.
Michael I am from Colombia and live in Miami. Thank God your wife wanted to live in USA. I guess she wanted to save her marriage. It is very difficult for a man not to get "into temptation knowing that too many young pre-pagos" and other young girls who think all foreigns are rich to go after all foreign men. My husband RIP was cuban and wanted to live in Colombia but I did not liked to go back to my country specially because I could not stand the way colombian married men behave like if they were single fooling around. Kuddos for your wife, very inteligente woman who really loves you.
Great points.
My wife has family in Costa Rica and Nicaragua so we have lived there and spent a lot of time in both. We expect things in Colombia to be fairly similar.
We live in the US now and look forward to a slower, less stressful life. Four years til retirement....
In comparison to Costa Rica , Colombia doesn't have gringo enclaves in the form of gated communities or only english speakers towns apart from colombian culture.
An regarding Nicaragua, I think there is no comparison in infrastructure in what we could call main cities.
I mean , a city in Nicaragua is an intermediate town in Colombia.Of course this depend on which region of Colombia you are compairing with.
I guess in Colombia you have more options in sizes of cities, temperatures at what you would like to live , places to explore once you have decided your home base, and level of services and infrastructure.
Great information 👍
Thanks!
Sam as usual your video is right on point. Language is definitely a potential issue that you didn't expand on. I am an American Gringo with a Colombian girlfriend who lives in Sabaneta. Thank goodness she is bilingual as my Spanish is only rudimentary. Stay Safe, Stay Healthy - Thank you as always for posting
From an Italian-Colombian I say he is mostly correct in all his opinions and recommendations. A very important factor is whom you get to be friends with locally. None of my foreign friends have a complaint about life in Medellin, the good the bad and even the ugly. Saludos!!!❤️
GREAT VIDEO. Truth spoken from a local's perspective.
You bring up a lot of good points. After watching your video, I think I was born Colombian because I have vacationed here several times for long periods of time and I absolutely love the culture, the people, the food and just how unified the community is. Small spaces don’t bother me and I am extremely adaptable. I can’t wait to move here. 10 years. If I can make it 10 years, I will be coming… I’m in Medellin right now (my wife’s home) and have been here for 2 weeks and I don’t want to leave…
This is all great advice
I love the realistic points. Thanks for the great video as usual. Can't wait to re-book with you guys as soon as the world is ready for travel again!
If you are going to be an expat, you have to adapt to the culture you live in, to a certain extent. Just learning some of the local language is a massive bonus in enjoyment, friendships & appreciating the culture you reside in. You don't need to be fluent.
If you move to another country and expect everything to be like your home city/home culture in Europe or the US, why even go abroad???
People who go abroad and ask this one question (constantly), will never be happy. "Why do they do that"? I had an American friend visit Thailand, and all day long he wanted to know "why they do things like that". I told him "because that's the way they do it". And stop asking that question.
Also some expats move to a culture with a slower pace, and they enjoy the laid back attitude, but they want all the businesses and services to run perfectly on time, like in Switzerland. Laid back and perfectly organized never go together.
Well said!
Hi Sam. You are doing amazing job to show Colombia in reality with all pros and cons. Medellin is paradise for adapted expats. There are places where is safety and health care are excellent. If somebody live in city later can be found cons: traffic, air pollution, services.
Good option is mini retirement / tim ferris/ for 1 years and 2 working years in usa, uk.
These tips are very helpful. Would you please make a video about the current personal tax structure for colombia? For example, are there federal, state, county/municipal taxes and are all progressive? I found a few documents but most were in spanish, so a translation would be greatly appreciated.
Liked, commented, and subscribed for the algorithm :)
Thanks, we did a video here: www.how-to-expat.com/post/taxes-in-colombia-real-talk/
1500 is an insane amount of money anyway with normal workers in colombia making maybe 3 400 dollars a month, i stay in a fully modern furnished 40sqm appartment with all the amenities and a balcony for 200 dollars a month. and even that is a gringo price. groceries cost me a 100 bucks a month sex basically arrives free to ur room and the rest is just alcohol money. 600 dollars a month gets u a nice life here.
What do you mean about the free sex?
@@friedpickles342 when ur white and young ur attractive here.
@@ValnirAesling how would I as an American living in Colombia get US Dollars into Colombia to be able to spend or convert to live on
@@friedpickles342 hundreds of ways lol atms work here. western union cash dont worry about it too much
300-400 is minimum wage, the average salary is 1400-1500 per month
Medellin is beautiful, I was there in December, I loved it but I would rather live in rural Colombia.You showed a video of Cartagena .
I lived in Colombia in the 80’s when it was pretty crazy. I lived again in Medellin for 7 years in early 2000’s. I owned an ice cream store with a friend in La Mayorista in Itagui. You make some very valid points. The one suggestion I make to ANYONE looking to move to another country/culture is to RENT. Do short time at first. Then longer term. NEVER buy straight away!. So many gringo’s go to a place and get struck with like you say, the “Honeymoon” phenomenon! The other great point you make is, if you are struggling where you live now? You WILL NOT make it somewhere else. I know this sounds crazy. ESP since you see that most things are cheaper where you want to go! It just doesn’t work that way!
Good information in this video amigo! I have seen so so many gringo’s lose their asses over the years. Either because of business deals, women, cheaper living or all the above! RENT FIRST and keep you house in your home country for as long as you can! That’s the best advice I can give anybody!
I love Colombia! I live in Costa Rica right now and still have my small place in USA that is also paid off. Costa Rica is insane now to live. It has become exactly what I left in the USA. Plus the prices are on average MORE than in USA!
Good Job! ☮
I’m from Chicago, and black I absolutely loved it so much I’m still great friends with people there, was thinking of retiring there, being from Chicago I felt at peace and felt love, I didn’t realize how dark Chicago was until I left
If you are open minded Colombia is the best country to live in. So easy get friends and people are so friendly. I never travel to a country that have so much to offer as Colombia. And I been all over the world. I live in Norway, the most expensive country in the world to live. Some examples. a beer on he city cost 8 US dollars and 1 pack of cigarettes cost 11 US dollars for 20 cigarettes. A frozen pizza cost 7 US dollars. 0,5 Coca Cola cost 2 is dollars. And I can live easy here with 1600 US dollars per months. So I got e very hard time believe you can live for that amount in Colombia. Last time I lived there in 2012 I used around 500-600 US dollars per month and I did party a lot.
You say that American retirees with $1500.00 monthly pension will not be able to make it in Colombia and they have to return to America. You need to clarify this point a little more. Are you saying that the cost of living in Colombia is higher than $1500 a month? If so, then the cost of living in the USA must be much higher than Colombia. If they can't make it in Colombia, then where else can they make it?
He said Americans wishing to live on Social Security between the ranges of 1,200 and 1,500 couldn't make it because “a lot of them had difficulty finding their brands of cereal or no cereal at all.”
His English is bad and I think he struggles to express the point he is trying to make. Essentially the point I think he's trying to make is this. The lower the budget we use to live with will result with us having fewer accommodations which we are accustomed to as Americans. This will make many people unable to adapt and leave. If my only issue is going to be finding my favorite brand of cereal I don't think I'm going to have a big issue. Give me a kitchen, a small room. and internet and I'll be happy.
The same thing happens with New Yorkers who moved to Florida they end up moving back to New York. Bottom line is if you're accustomed to big houses and cars or a desperate struggling American you have to be able to adapt.
My wife is Colombian I’m from El Salvador 🇸🇻 and we are looking to retire in Río Negro, and yes you’re right the condo we decided on, is roughly 90m2 it will tiny, that’s as you said 30% of current place.
I’m learning a lot from your videos.
Most places have staples like Rice so you don’t get diarrhea. Gyms are also becoming more popular as to satisfy your tastes
Thank you.
Do you still want donations? My mom made me donate the last time.
Bosnian-Colombian born in Italy here. I live in Northern Italy (touristic centre of Verona) with around 450 euro per month. I lived in Colombia in 2020 with less than that... A lot of people live beyond their means. If somebody offered me a 4000 CHF in Zürich and I could only save 1k CHF (900 euro), I would refuse it. I can already make 2 k euro/month doing deliveries with my bicycle here in Verona and save most of it. Also a lot of people outside Italy/Spain have children before even having financial stability: they put the cart before the horse or shoot themselves in the foot. When there is a woman in the middle, expenses sky rocket. I have the intention to go back to Bogotà, but next time I am probably going to try to avoid working-class neighbourhoods. My Bosnian father made it in the early 90's, with my mother. He was 25 and had a house with 8-9 bathrooms, another "big" flat (for Italian standards), a car and money in the bank account: in Colombia. All of that is gone now. Tschüss zäme!
Hi there! Hey so what if we are avid campers and would like to buy a few acres in the "country" or anywhere outside of "town" preferably with a clean stream, and camp with the plan to farm, growing vegetables and herbs, living minimally?
Hay muchos lugares
I'm mexican lived my whole life in california i got a colombian residency when i had a kid with a colombian girl in medellin and i love colombia
The honesty in this video is so welcome, I hate when people sugar coat things. I'm personally not yet deterred, do you have a feel for what that reasonable budget would be if not $1200-1500? Just trying to plan ahead
$1200-1500 is plenty.
What about personal safety issues?
I don't think "not making it" is a very good term. For somebody to try something new, especially living in a foreign country with a different culture and language, and then decide after all that it's not ideal, they still made an effort to expand their horizons and grow. I think they deserve credit.
The biggest problem for me in Colombia are rapidly rising costs and high taxes.
I grew up very poor, so regardless of things being cheaper there or not, I’m still gonna save and bargain shop, you know. Also, smaller spaces don’t really bother me too much, I feel like I’d do fine there...well I hope I do anyway. I have to admit, the currency in Colombia seems a bit confusing 😅
I’m thinking of buying plots of land out there since my parents are from there, does anyone have any knowledge on this?
About the budget. I understand it makes a big difference whether you own or rent. If you can afford to buy a $50-100k home, does that make it easier to live comfortably for around $1000 a month?
Yes
Hi,Sam if Im America retire guy, I'll wont need a Visa to stay in Colombia?,otherwise my two children are amaricancolombia citizens( I'm not)can't I apply for Colombia citizenship
Una residencia
Been living in Bogota for 15 years no problem adapting with the peeps, food is great and the lifestyle is even better,. Colombia is the best
Man, you killied it :) Everywhere you go if it's a poorer country, once you get there, your budget is on steady decline like the stock market & it will never recover. You'll have fun for a while but reality will catch up with you. Any job you get there will pay garbage money than in your country, you set up a business but soon you'll realise the locals aren't marketing oriented or simply lack purchasing power due to their week economy. If you imported a nifty Chevy or any European cars, you'll find the cost of maintening it there is way higher because of: cost of importing parts, bad roads, the way the locals drive or their road layout system etc... You can't showcase your wealth as it causes jealousy & make you a target for being mugged, extortioned or kill. You don't know the land law exemption clauses so any property you baught could be at risk because you're not a national.
If you started a family there & decide to U turn home, your family may split up should you partner say no. Your now have to sale your house for a mediocre sum because you're in hurry to bail out. When you find yourself back home, the new reality sets in, cost of living is now way higher than when were there. You're stuck because you can't afford getting the life standard you once had with what's left in you pocket. You're now fucked! :) That's when you finally realise the grass was actually greener in your lousy richer country :)
Hello. What is the housing / apartment costs?
Cheap round trip flights to medellin? Thanks
Google my friend..... what rock have you been under?? 🤨
I'm from Canadian. I moved to Colombia almost 4 years ago. Only trouble I had before was keeping a visa. I'm retired.
Thank you for the info. Planning to move out of the US. Spanish is my first language. Want to go where it is more laid back. Tired of being catagorized on a constant basis. Being treated like a nobody. I am very respectful of other cultures. All I want is to belong to something positive.
William I am from Medellin and I have been living in Miami for too many years. I cannot live in any lain country because I cannot stand the people. I really do not have any complex that affect too many latins. I never felt that people in USA treat me like nobody because in Medellin if you do not have money you are also NOBODY. They even categorize all people asigning "estratos" to diferent areas of the cities, to show everyone how poor or rich you are. Even going to the doctor they ask first What your estrato is. To me this is horrible and more discriminatory that anythng here in USA. In Medellin they treat you according to the money you have. When people are friendly is because they are targeting you as someone who can give them something. You cannot trust people there. I wll never g back to live in Colombia. I have my own condo in Miami, get all type of food that I wantes, go to any place enjoying both cultures and feel free without watching all over afraid of a thief around every corner.
@@ofirrifo6018Thank you for your input. I am happy that you are contempt here. But I do not feel a part of this anymore.
Is there a minimum age for the retiree visa, if I'm retiring youngish?
Hi I intend to take my first tourist trip to Columbia in a few weeks. My ultimate goal is to apply for an ex-pat visa. The issue with getting international health insurance is the most troublesome part. I googled international insurance in Columbia and got quotes like $600-$1200 per month. This would be half of my full social security income. Can someone explain to me what I am missing here or something I don't understand?
Good article; use bulletpoints and summaries to explain your major points more clearly
I think it’s important to note that most people who move to Medellin eventually leave. Most who move to other parts, tend to be more permanent.
You can't expect everyone talk to you in English. In this case you have to stay in your country. I speak Spanish, English and Italian and if you are close minded you're not gonna make it abroad.
Dude I would love it their
I get your hook now. You tell people why they CAN'T do something so they will try and do it anyway. I am still coming in August and will be applying for a retiree visa. Then again I have lived all over the world.
Best of luck!
My absolute dream city in Colombia to retire is Valledupar. Why Valledupar frist I love the hot weather second I love Vallenato music Third I enjoy the hospitality of the people from the coast los Costeños. I have many friends in Colombia from Santa Marta Valledupar and Barranquilla. The costeños and the Paisa are the friendliest people in all Colombia
Hi Sam Scott here from ñew zealand like to come to Colombia and travel around couple years would i struggle cause cannot speak Spanish
Hi Scott
If you're planning to travel around and not only staying in tourist spots it is surely recommended to learn Spanish. At least the essentials.
@@HowToExpat thank you sam for your advice from Scott new Zealand b careful virus
I
I've lived a simple life growing a family on a limited budget in a 650 sq ft cottage for 40 yrs with a small refrigerator and a sink and small gas stove...no appliances really...get 2k per month in social security...Love cultures from everywhere working as an RN all over the NYC metro area.. have 2 expat Columbian friends that have told me great things about living in your country.
speak some broken spanish to get by in a basic way...love people..The question is ..
are there any places for rent with 1 or 2 bedrooms and a bath outside the urban and suburbs but in the countryside for rent that would be practical ...My need is for natural beauty, and the city occasionally for what it of course offers, in a simple way..dunno ifthis is the forum to be asking such a question, but am giving it a shot..I really appreciate your video and common sense advice.
Look forward to many more.
I have a question, my wife have duel citizenship, Colombia, and USA. We want to sell our home and move to Santa Marta area. My plan is to pay cash for a small home, or maybe an apartment with around 100- 150k us. With that being said, would we be able to live comfortable with only 1500 a month social security?
Hi Joel,
I answered your question in the email you sent us. 😊
Si con 1500 vivirán bien
im always so surprised how ppl move abroad and expect the country to change for them?? i did a study abroad to italy w ppl and they did NO research and were sooo culture shocked. maybe im delusional a bit bc i really expect to be able to make a good life and become a part of the community when i move to Colombia in a couple months! im truly excited to go honestly! especially to experience that metro system in medellin!
1500 dollars a month? Are you getting bumped fro gringo prices? My friend lives in a 2 bed apartmentin medellin for like 700 a month.
How does it work?
I'm a Mexican American, so I should have a very smooth transition into Colombia once I make it there. Haha. 👌
I'm a usa citizen...stay in Mexico. I love Mexico. Always had good vacations there. Would love to retire there very soon. Stay in Mexico! The best food too
Oops you said Mexican American..why not try Mexico? Go there..you'll never want to leave
@@loriw3731 haha. I agree the Mexican food looks so much better and want to visit there for a few months to experience the food, but I think for me Medellin is better. I won't know until I get a remote job though. :/ *Fingers crossed. Haha
Wish you much luck...see you in Merida, Mexico
@@loriw3731 haha. Maybe!
Great video great info. I will have about $3000 U.S a month retirement after tax and will have a $10000 emergency fund set aside. Do you think I would have enough income to retire in comfort in Medellin?
Yes that's fine
@@HowToExpat thanks
Yessssssssssssssssssssssss
Easily. I live in Medellin and I can live on $1000/month. With $3000 a month you should be able to save half of that.
No proboem, but build that nest egg. 10k sounds low.
You made quite a few generalisations there fella!
This is absolute best video on the subject I have seen.Very down to earth,very professional.
Thesr other clowns produce something like a cheap Class B movie compared to a Ridley Scott
I'm not sure I understand why someone who's looking for better prices wouldn't make it. Aside from luxury goods (cars, smartphones, etc), things really are much cheaper in Colombia. Especially if you stay away from big cities.
If I live on 8,000 USD per year in my country (Canada), what's stopping me from living on 4,000 USD per year in Colombia?
how do you live for so cheap in canada?
@@asadb1990 Cutting costs. I bought a super cheap house in a rural area to save on housing and I rarely buy anything that I don't need.
But it costs me more to live now than it did when I initially posted because the price of food increased a lot since then. It makes it even more imperative that I move away.
@@BigSlimyBlob ok but what you do for a living?
@@asadb1990 I used to do translation part-time, now I'm working on fixing my house and preparing to liquidate my assets at the best rates possible. When it's time for me to leave the country, I don't want the process to eat up an entire extra year.
@@BigSlimyBlob canada has so much space, but its wasted and untapped. cheaper accommodation would be nice if paired with healthy job market.
My parents moved to Medellin in 2007 before the gringo CZcams explosion. That was the last time I visited. I thought it was expensive for what you get back then I can only imagine what it's like now that it's become the 51st state. LOL. My advice to gringos moving anywhere in Latin America: if you see a lot of gringos in the city... run. Perfect your Spanish and stay in a small town thats safe at night...avoid the urban areas unless you're a Tesla, Amazon, Apple stock millionaire.
Correct. I lived in Colombia for 5 plus years.
City life is expensive regardless of country. In Veracruz city rents for dumpy 2 bedroom apartments downtown are about $400 US ...semi luxurious $900-1200 US ....luxurious $1500? With ocean views so be the judge or look at Mazatlán....dirt cheap in dumpy areas
Most intercontinental moves are exactly the same whether it's Asia Africa,the Carribbean, Latin America
I live on 1000 a month quite nicely. We own a country place so no rent. Myself and my wife. And have done so for over 15 years.
I own a moto, no car.
Our services are low 30 usd.
We may move and buy a house. So things will change.
One thing I've noticed expats often refer to some neighborhoods
In Medellin in particularly which are e extremely e expensive. Both in services energy, rent, food - everything. So your synopsis is correct given the locations a lot of these people want to live.
I personally look for something nice, but doesn't have to be high rent areas.
I still still struggle with a lot stuff, cultural things.
On the other hand i feel like i could adapt to anywhere in the world, poverty..I've kind of gotten used to.
That's a big one
I've learned to see the person, and i think most of th times people see that, at least i hope so.
In the end anybody wants is to loved, listened to, felt like they have value. The rest is just bullshit.
Do most of the apartments come un-furnished?
That depends, in all bigger cities you'll be able to find companies that offer furnished apartments.
At 3.52 you show a right-hand drive car with GB number plates !Why ?
It's called a B-roll
Love the variety of potatoes. Biggest problem is I don’t really like arepas. Bakeries are mid. Local dairies are da bomb!
What is the best city for expats in Colombia
Would an English teacher be able to get a Visa to work there?
You could and I did.
But be prepared for derisory minimum pay.
I got tired of working for 5 dollars an hour.
You'll get a 6 month work visit which will cost you 400 dollars, and I mean you, not the language school!
Colombia is not just Medellin.
$1500 at 3.5xrate = 5,250,000 pesos amonth. 5mil pesos a month not enough?
$2000 at 3.5xrate = 7,000,000 pesos a month. 7mil pesos a month should live well in Colombia?
I think to have a nice 3bed room apt with balcony in strata 5/6, and eat out all the time, and travel to fincas on the weekend.....you may need at least $3k USD a month?
You live very well here with $1500 right now. The minimum wage here is $218,39 so you would be earning almost 8 times that.
Right now, $1500 = 6,032,985 pesos, that is stratum 5 level
I live in NYC and I have a friend who lives in a small city near Medellin called, I believe, Rionegro. My friend tells me that one can live in Rionegro very well with $2000.00 a month and sometimes less.