I'm a little young to be thinking about retirement XD but I have planned a trip to Colombia and if I love it there, then I'll certainly come back to this post once the retirement time comes

hahaha...well, as a Retirement Coach, I would definitely say it is never "too young to think about retirement." 🙂

It took me 15 years from graduation to retirement. If I knew about geoarbitrage, investing, and financial independence when I was 21, I could have quit working at 36, instead of 41.

With amazing weather and beautiful, I guess Colombia would make a great country to retire to.

Hi Soham,

Yeah, it's an amazing country. Much more than it gets credit for. Definitely check it out when you have a chance.

Hello. I am Retired US Army Veteran. Whom recently visited Columbia. It would be nice to know you as I complete my Relo and immigration process to Columbia. I am Looking forward to Retiring in Columbia.

I am along the same line of thinking. I have lived in Singapore, Dubai, and South Korea

Hi Keno,

Thanks for reaching out. Also, thank you for your service. I'm not currently in Medellin, as I prefer to stay less than 183 days in Colombia per year. If you are unaware, Colombia has a tax on worldwide income and does NOT have a tax treaty with the US. If you stay longer than 183 days, you will be consider a tax resident in Colombia and potentially (depending on your situation) be taxed both in Colombia and the US. Contact an expat tax expert to make sure you understand in the implications. I love Colombia. I hate taxes.

If you need a recommendation for taxes or anything else in Medellin, let me know.

Cheers,

Marco

you can live in Medellin on $600/month, specifically in La Estrella, Itagui or Sabaneta, to the south of the city. With the exchange rate oscillating between 3,500 and 4,000 pesos per dollar, I live very comfortably, including excellent private health insurance, no co-pays, no out of pocket. Been here 4 years.

Hi Brigitte,

Thank you for reaching out. You absolutely can live in Medellin for $600 per month. You can also live there for $6000 per month. Okay, that last one was hyperbolic. I don't think you could reasonably spend $6000 per month without burning dollar bills to heat your house 🙂

Your point on living comfortably on $600 per month in Medellin is very doable. Did you see my post on the Cost of Living in Medellin? My comfortable low-end budget living in Laureles was $850 per month, back when the exchange rate was near 3100 COP. When the COP hits 4000, my $850 is closer to $650.

It's been a while since I've been back in Medellin. I'd like to ask you a few questions if you don't mind. I will send you an email.

Cheers,

Marco

Can you help in submitting my Retirement Visa for Colombia? If not who can?

Hi James,

Thanks for reaching out. I can help with the visa. I'll send you an email. The visa team needs some basic details (age, citizenship, etc.) to get you the correct information.

Cheers,

Marco

I would like the same information that James is requesting as I posted on the SM Facebook page. Is it oppressively hot at
the beach where I would prefer to live rather than the city life I am doing in the USA

What insurance are you using

Hi Frank, the type of insurance you need will depend somewhat on your visa situation. For example, if you need to apply for a digital nomad or retirement visa, you'll need a specific type of insurance with specific coverage. Once you receive legal residency, then you are allowed to access to Colombia's excellent public healthcare EPS. If you need a price estimate or clarification on the type of insurance required, fill out the form here and I'll have an Insurance specialist assist you.

Hi Frank, which information were you looking for? Do you mean the visa information? My recommendation for the best places in Colombia that aren't the beach (because it is very hot and humid), but not Medellin or Bogota are the towns/small cities in the Coffee Triangle.