Digital Nomad Life in Medellin, Colombia

"Expats in Medellin often join clubs and activities such as salsa dancing, language exchange groups, and outdoor activities like hiking and biking. Expats can also meet people by attending local events such as festivals, concerts, and art exhibitions. Additionally, many expats find it helpful to join online forums and social media groups related to their interests, such as expat groups, language exchange groups, and hobby groups. Finally, many expats find it helpful to join local meetup groups, which are often organized around specific interests or activities," said one person in Medellin.

"Life for expats and digital nomads in Medellin is generally quite enjoyable. The city is known for its vibrant culture, friendly locals, and stunning natural beauty. The cost of living is relatively low, making it an attractive destination for those looking to stretch their budget. The city is also well-connected, with reliable public transportation and a growing number of coworking spaces. The climate is mild year-round, with temperatures rarely dipping below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. With its vibrant nightlife, delicious cuisine, and welcoming atmosphere, Medellin is an ideal destination for expats and digital nomads," explained one expat living in Medellin, Colombia.

"In general, in my opinion, this is a very fine, large Latin city of over four million. Being Latin, families are very strong, work is strong, socializing is very strong and the people of Medellin are some of the nicest you will find worldwide. They welcome expats. This is a very diverse city, thirteen universities, excellent medical facilities, clean, excellent food, water, air (seasonal concerns). Worldwide metropolitan city that is very difficult to beat. You will look long and hard to find a better worldwide city," said one person in Medellin.

"One of the best ways to find a place to live in Medellin is to use online resources such as Airbnb, Craigslist, and local real estate websites. Additionally, you can also contact local real estate agents who can help you find a place that meets your needs. Additionally, you can also ask friends and family who live in the area for recommendations. Finally, you can also look for postings in local newspapers and bulletin boards," explained one person living in Medellin, Colombia.

"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)," said one expat in Medellin.

"Before retiring in Medellin, expats should research the cost of living and the availability of healthcare services. They should also familiarize themselves with the local culture and customs, as well as the language. Additionally, expats should consider the safety of the area and the availability of activities and amenities that suit their lifestyle. Finally, it is important to research the visa and residency requirements for living in Colombia," said one expat in Medellin.

"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," remarked one member in Medellin.

"Expats in Medellin appreciate the city's vibrant culture, which is characterized by its friendly and welcoming people. They also enjoy the city's rich history, which is evident in its colonial architecture and traditional festivals. Additionally, expats appreciate the city's diverse cuisine, which features a variety of flavors and ingredients. Finally, expats enjoy the city's mild climate, which allows them to enjoy outdoor activities year-round," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Medellin.

"I find people here to be very warm and inclusive, when you meet a family you always become one of them right away and they are your friends from then on," explained one person living in Medellin, Colombia.

"Lots of really friendly people in Colombia, If you are lost you must not be surprised if someone escorts you for half an hour to take you where you wanted to go," said one expat in Medellin.

"The language is a problem but of course it become less as I learn. One must be very careful as to where you go do to the problems of crime," explained one expat living in Medellin, Colombia.

"The only documents Colombia required were Apostilled Letters from Social Security and our passports. We received our 3-year Pensionado visas within 3 weeks, and our Cedulas a few weeks after that. The process was about a third the cost we paid in Panama, and that process took about 6 months and required two trips across country to Panama City," said one expat in Medellin.

"If you plan to stay in Medellin for an extended period of time, you will need to obtain a visa or residency document. Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a tourist visa, a student visa, or a work visa. You may also be eligible to apply for permanent residency or citizenship. It is important to research the specific requirements for your situation and to contact the Colombian embassy or consulate in your home country for more information," remarked one member in Medellin.

"It is important to be mindful of cultural norms when visiting Medellin. It is considered rude to be late for appointments or social engagements, so it is important to be punctual. It is also important to dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. It is also important to be respectful of local customs and traditions, and to avoid making negative comments about the country or its people. Additionally, it is important to be aware of the local language and to avoid speaking English in public, as this can be seen as disrespectful. Finally, it is important to be aware of the local laws and to avoid engaging in any illegal activities," said one expat in Medellin.

"Nothing really bad a few minor things. I decided that I should address my friends father as Don Perez but in my tounge tied Spanish I said Don Perro which would be "Sir Dog". Again I have a Colombian friend watching me and giving me tips," remarked one member in Medellin.

"Medellin offers a wide range of healthcare services, including primary care, specialty care, and emergency services. Primary care services include general medical care, preventive care, and health education. Specialty care services include cardiology, neurology, oncology, and orthopedics. Emergency services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and include trauma care, critical care, and ambulance services. Additionally, Medellin has a number of public and private hospitals, clinics, and health centers that provide comprehensive healthcare services," explained one person living in Medellin, Colombia.

"Expats and digital nomads living in Medellin often appreciate the city's vibrant culture, friendly locals, and affordable cost of living. They also enjoy the city's temperate climate, which allows them to enjoy outdoor activities year-round. Additionally, Medellin is known for its excellent public transportation system, making it easy to get around the city. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the city's high levels of air pollution and crime to be a downside," said one digital nomad in Medellin.

"Like: The weather is awesome. Public transportation is excellent both locally and other cities. Domestic airfare is cheap as well. The Colombian people could be the nicest people anywhere. The city is really clean (coming from Boquete, Panama, that is so refreshing) and you can drink the water out of the tap. Utilities and wifi is modern and efficient. Appointments run on time, no "latin time" here but many businesses close 2 hours for lunch. The country itself is amazing from the Caribbean beaches to the Amazon in Leticia. The cost of living is very low. Even without insurance, doctor's and prescription medicine are very low cost. Don't Like: The pollution is bad. Sometimes it's worse than bad. There's pica-placa (cars can only be used in the city based on the last digit of your tag) but there's so much traffic, it has no effect. With all the great things Medellin has to offer, it's pollution that is causing us to move. ," commented a person living in Medellin, Colombia.