What do I need to know before retiring in Colombia?
When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Colombia, they said...
"A person can develop a beautiful life here, however, it will take time and not happen magically .The assets of this city are well worth the investment. Be kind to yourself and patient. Don't believe all you hear. Everyone (expat, other) has their best visa person, you can loose a lot of money on that one. Just because someone has lived here two years, or in four Latin countries, does not mean they are experts, at all. Find the ones who have lived here fifteen years. Listen to what people say, put what they say through your own filter system, use your head, you can do this. You can do this! You will make mistakes, everyone does! It is part of moving abroad. You will have to put some effort into this and give yourself three years in the long term. One has to learn how to live here, the resources are excellent and again, Medellinguru.com is very helpful. It is worth the investment of your time and energy to learn how to do this," mentioned another expat when asked about moving to Medellin, Colombia.
"Before retiring in Colombia, expats should research the various options for health care and find out which insurance policies cover them for short-term and long-term care. Another important factor to consider is the preferred location in Colombia, as this would determine the cost of living, expat amenities and the availability of services and activities. It is also important to familiarise oneself with the local culture and understand the local laws and regulations that may affect expats. Lastly, expats should choose the right visa or residency status to ensure they are pension and tax compliant," commented one expat who made the move to Colombia.
Colombian Visa ServicesConnect
We have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
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Colombian Visa ServicesWe have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Connect
Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
Other Questions:
- What should I pack when moving to Colombia?
- Where should I setup a bank account in Colombia?
- Will I be able to find a job in Colombia?
- What is life like in Colombia?
- What do expats in Colombia appreciate most about the local culture?
- What do expats find most challenging?
- Is there a lot of crime in Colombia?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Colombia accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Colombia like?
- What are healthcare services like in Colombia?
- What are medical services in Colombia like?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Colombia?
- What are emergency services like in Colombia?
- Will I need to travel to see a specialist?
- Are common prescription medications available in Colombia?
- How are local medical facilities in Colombia?
- As a foreigner living in Colombia, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
- What have your experiences during the pandemic with the local healthcare system been like?
What do I need to know before retiring in Colombia?
If you live in Colombia, newcomers to Colombia would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International
and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University
with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
