Colombia Forum

cafetero
Joined 2015
Posts: 2328

6 years ago

Friendly foreigners living in Colombia

6 years ago

When I meet an expat here in Colombia I am open to the idea of friendship, but I first determine his or her motivation for being here.

A large group of expats are here for retirement, like me. They like the climate, they like the people and the culture, and the cost of living allows them a better lifestyle than they might have enjoyed in their home country.

Then there is the segment of the expat population here to work. I´ve met engineers, architects, teachers, non profit workers, missionaries, ministers, sales reps, government workers and writers. So far all of them I have met have been friendly.

Then there is the group that Jayvee describes in the other thread. Malcontents who have nothing good to say about anything and will go out of their way to say disparaging things about whatever topic comes up. One of the frequent posters on this forum is an example of this group of malcontents. Even if they can afford to be here, or even if they can afford to go back to their home country, they still stay here and bitch about everything and everyone. Their attitude often spills over into outright trolling on the forums, looking to stir up a fight wherever they can.

There was a small group of these malcontents in Medellin a few years ago and collectively they managed to ruin about 5 different forums with excessive trolling and outright threats. One of them was violently explosive and took to driving around Colombia on his motorcycle attempting to terrorize other expats. He wound up in jail after one attack on an expat´s house. I definitely tend to politely avoid the malcontents.

The group that I really avoid, and the one that I mentioned as not being your friends, is the group of foreigners who come here for drugs, sex and criminal intent. Maybe once a year there is a news article about an expat or group of expats caught with drugs or with underage girls or some other crime. Sometimes the news article is because one of two of them got shot. Recent years have had news stories in Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla and Cartagena.

So, when it comes to meeting other expats in person I politely steer the conversation so I can determine their reason(s) for being here. Almost always they are friendly and open and we get along fine.

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

Living in Colombia Guide

Expats in Colombia discuss the pros and cons of living in Colombia. From the Colombian people to driving to taxes and more. As challenging as it can be, expats in Colombia clearly find that there is a lot to love about a country that is a surprising expat hot spot.

Colombia Forum
Join our Colombia forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Colombia.

Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Colombia.

Best Places to Live in Colombia

If you're considering a move to Colombia, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Colombia in 2023.

Healthcare in Colombia

Our guide to healthcare in Colombia covers public and private healthcare in Colombia, hospitals, vaccinations, prescription medications and more.

Cost of Living in Colombia

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Colombia.

Moving to Colombia Guide

With its bustling cities, beautiful beaches and friendly Colombians, Colombia is an increasingly popular destination for expats of all ages. Expats in Colombia offer insightful tips for those moving to Colombia.

Real Estate in Colombia

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Colombia.

Pros & Cons of Living in Colombia

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Colombia.

Retiring in Colombia

Advice for people retiring in Colombia.

10 Tips for Living in Colombia

If you've recently arrived in Colombia, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Colombia.

Additional Information:

Visit our Colombia Index for a Full List

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

Contribute
Help others in Colombia by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Colombia.