Expat Advice: Moving to Medellin, Colombia
What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?
Medellin
Name three things that you wish you had brought and three you wish you had left at home.
3 Things to Bring:
*Any imported products and electronics (computer is a must) - prices higher
*Unlocked cellular phone - buy chip here for $3 and no contract required, free incoming calls
*VOIP phone modem such as Vonage - do not count on cheap Magic Jack or Skype (poor quality) to talk free to friends and family in USA
3 Things to Leave:
*health insurance - $34/mon here
*sell house - prices start $100k
*anything for keeping warm or cooler - will not use as perfect climate 365 days / year
International Moving Quotes
What advice would you give someone preparing to move to your area about the actual move, choosing a neighborhood and finding a home?
I would not consider any areas other than Medellin for relocating now. Can find lower costs in the countryside, but can be dangerous. Also would look in the suburbs of Envigado or Sabaneta (south end for a more serene life) as the central city could be dangerous and noisy. Prices in Poblado are much higher - starting above $250-500k and is an urban jungle.
What type of housing do you live in? Is this typical for most expats in your area?
look for US designed/constructed condo - real estate values here are appreciating rapidily (similar to Panama 10-15 years ago) and dollar is falling so NOW is a good time to invest here (do not waste money on rent)
US style housing is NOT common here - typical housing is more european (my 1st apartment) with smaller box rooms and closed in feeling, miss the US kitchen and bath design including appliances in typical housing here (my new condo is US design and is good), much construction here is NOT equal to US standards (no inspection process) and could require much money for repairs
How did you choose your neighborhood and find your home or apartment?
Found Medellin from a friend - climate is perfect 75 days, 65 nights for sleeping(other cities climate can be much colder), good infrastucture equal to USA (drinkable water - no bottled water, low cost hydroelectric, same voltage - no convertor, natural gas in ground) and products / services (from USA, we are very accustomed to finding everything we want) and the people are very friendly / helpful
Find a good English speaking real estate agent (Andrew - Apartments Medellin) because they will generally understand also more of your needs. The local agents tend to help their friends and do not show what you will want (no MLS services here). Look for US designed and constructed housing or you will miss all your conveniences (from experience)
Are your housing costs higher or lower than they were in your home country? What is the average cost of housing there?
costs are MUCH lower as average wages are US$300 / month. With $500 / month, you can live like a king - Utilities $100 (no heating or cooling required), health $50 max with insurance and co-pay, food $250 (buy local grown/made products), other $100 for restaurants ($5 dinner), taxi $5 or bus / metro $0.65 / trip
housing starts at $100k for good quality US style design - do not waste money on rent as real estate is a good investment here
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Comments about this Report
guestGood information to know. What about safety: walking around casually, whether day or night. How easily do women accept foreign men there? How easily do the men accept Gringos living there?
philaninaThank you for your input. My husband and I are looking at moving to Colombia and have been focusing on Medellin. Are you able to share what the job opportunities are like. We are both teaching English in South Korea at the moment but the main reason we are heading to South America is so I can improve my Spanish speaking skills. We are quite open to whatever opportunities are available. I look forward to hearing what your thoughts are. Cheers
guestI found this information to be very helpful. I am just starting my research on relocating, which I will do during 2012. I need all the info I can gather.
guest$500 a month? That is straight up bullshit! You can't live in Medellin on that unless you are a grungy back packer who lives in squalor. Truth is, Medellin is pricey, and the apartment prices are as high (or higher) than many U.S. Cities.
guestThis person repeatedly keeps saying... buy don't... rent. That is bad advice unless you are already a experienced resident of Latin experience and you know everything about your new area... job, living, etc. Latin culture is different. You can lease today and move next month... there is not credit to be damaged by breaking a lease like in the USA or Europe. NO one gives a crap; they just want the rent paid in cash on the first of the month.
ColombiaGringoIf your interested in meeding other people in town you should look up the Medellin Entrepreneurs Group. People from late 20s to 60s go every Saturday and talk about running businesses, getting visas, and other expat stuff. Its a FREE networking group, contact me for more info, and location. Usually its in El Poblado Medellin, Cheers, James 444 6634, 313 390 7109
ColombiaGringoThe paises are very friendly people. If you use common sense you wont have problems. Their good neighborhoods and bad ones, and rules you should pay attention to like not using an ATM on the street, you shouldnt take people you dont know back to your house like new friends you meet at a bar, or nightclub. Dont flash fancy watches or jewlery around, (even if its fake), dont cash out large amounts of money for dollars, 200 bucks max, and dont get involved in black market business. Low profile, friendly people do not run into problems here if they have common sense. High profile flashy people tend to offend more people and run into problems. In El Poblado Medellin i walk at all hours of the night and have not had a problem yet since 2006. Email me or call if your moving to the area and need info, James 57-4-444 6634, or in the USA 415-240-4698
sticking202ONLY IN MEDELLIN THEY HAVE THIS GROUP
guestAre you required to have car insurance to drive in the country?
guestIf you get bored of the "Paisafood" please check this brilliant restaurant www.facebook.com/restaurantelatorre which is located in Marinilla at 1/2 hour drive from Medellin.
ColombiaGringoif you rent a car of course, but if own a car you have to get whats called SOAT, which covers personal injury but not damage to your car or their car.
guestThis is very good information to know. Thanks. Robert from North Carolina
guest$500 (about 1 million pesos) per month would be a bit tight but you could do it if you stayed away from El Pablado and lived like a local. Food and transport is very cheap and a room can cost as little as $100 per month or less. Safety can be an issue but if use common sense you should be OK. El Centro at night can be unsafe. Speaking some Spanish is very important if you want to have a good experience in Medellin,. If you speak no Spanish you are going to have a tough time of it (like me in the beginning). All in all I would definitely recommend Medellin. It is by far the best city in Colombia in my very humble opinion.
snahalapazYou may get an apartment with US$ 500 in El Poblado area, but it's not going to be furnished for sure. But you need to give yourself time. You can also live in Envigado which is really a nice area and many expats are living there as well.
mmontesI owned an apartment offering to rent in Laureles for US$450.00 brand new
GringaGirl17Can anyone tell me about the health insurance for $35/month? I'm on a professional fellowship. So, I have to pay for my own health insurance.
NYPD8905I am not buying nor investing in Columbia. but I want to rent an apartment. in central area in City. I don;t like the campo. I;ve been done that road. you can get robbed at any time day or night. I am a city boy anyway. New york .Miami .Los Angles, Las Vegas. where would I go to look . I am moving to Medellin , where would I start. like an agency or real estate agency. what kind of numbers are we talking about. $500 -$1000 is what I can do. what about electric charges per kilo watt hour. I know some countries charge you double or triple for using more then 200-300 kilowatts per month.What about Pobalda. could I ,would .should I live there. and why not? . I have lived all over central America. and Caribbean. also .do I need air conditioning in Medellin?
spank12Who is this Andrew? A real estate agent? Contact information, please, Tks Gary
