Living in Colombia: Cost of Living, Healthcare and What to Know About Living in Colombia

Living in Colombia

Last updated on Feb 10, 2022

Summary: Expats, digital nomads and retirees talk about what it is really like living in Colombia. They offer advice about meeting people, cost of living, finding a home and more.

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Is there a lot of crime in Colombia?

We asked people if there is a lot of crime. They answered:

"People talk about it, especially on the Facebook groups. But we never see it, and we feel very safe," commented one expat who made the move to Medellin.

"Medellin is like any big city; it has its share of crime. But statistically, it ranks safer than many US cities. Much less gun violence than in the US," remarked another expat living in Medellin, Colombia.

"Crime... people are concerned for me in Colombia & ask me this all the time. MY ANSWER? If you keep your nose clean & KNOW where you should or should NOT be? You wouldn't have any more problem then you might have here in the states. I'm sure there are places where YOU live that you KNOW to stay away from, or NOT go there after dark. AND of course, you get into "shady" things... you'd have a problem here too," added another expat in Cali.

What are the schools in Colombia like?

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About the Author

Betsy Burlingame is the Founder of Expat Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Some of Betsy's more popular articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Italy, 12 Things to Know Before Moving to The Dominican Republic and the Living in Panama Guide. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.

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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.

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

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Cost of Living in Medellin, Colombia

Expats in Medellin enjoy a far lower cost of living than in major cities in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. However, work is scarce and low pay unless you are transferred there by a large company, so you'll need an established income stream to make it as an expat in Medellin.

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Expats in Colombia have taken full advantage of this South American nation's miraculous comeback after decades of chaos. Digital nomads have also found there way to Medellin, its second largest city, for a wide variety of reasons.

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Expats in Colombia face unique and inconsistent challenges in managing their finances, and that means persistence is needed. Here are some basic tips from expats living in Colombia - their insights are based on their actual experiences managing their finances while living there.