American Expat Lives Like a KING in Colombia for $1k per month
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- Опубліковано 20 тра 2023
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Wes is an American digital nomad that moved in Colombia and now lives big on just $1000 per month. As he explains the cost of living in Colombia is ridiculously low compared to the US so his 3-bed apartment costs only $300. We makes his money by running a UA-cam channel called Where's Wes and that income is more than enough to cover the living expenses in a country like Colombia. I think that moving to Colombia to work there as a digital nomad or even retiring in Colombia is a very smart move if your income is low because the cost of living in Colombia is in some cases one tenth compared to big US cities. Watch the entire interview to get a better idea of what Wes likes about this life and let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Check out Wes's Channel: youtube.com/@WheresWes
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I went to Colombia for a medical reason and now I'm thinking to get a second home rent it out and go I think with 2K is more than enough for me and my family.
USA it's a factory for work
I feel the same way about usa. I went to Argentina and fell in love with the culture and close friends and family. I felt like I had endless energy and always happy, in the United States I feel like my life is the same thing every day.
the usa is not a country - its a business
I tell folks "The USA isnt a community, it's someone's investment portfolio and nothing more"
No joke here in jacksonville fl for atleast you see all the middle eastern living like kings..while kids riding in parents money and drug dealers doing drug dealer things you have middle eastern just balling and thats because they are 10 times rich here just like Indians the indian people that migrate to the usa they already good back home
That’s exactly correct. The USA has become a giant cash register, screwing everyone for as much as possible.
Canada is no better I'd love to gtfoh as well
The world is. Some "businesses" are better ran and more profitable.
Much needed content. I recently visited Colombia and fell in love. I'm doing my research on such a big move now, and this video was great. Thank you for sharing.
The divide between Colombians is about social status. It is one of the most unequal countries in the world.
P.s. I was born and raised in Colombia.
I agree. There is no middle class, you are either VERY VERY rich or dirt poor earning 1,000,000 pesos per month.
yeah buts thats if you make pesos
@@FelixTheTravelerso what about the people earning 3 mill a month?
Thanks for taking the time.
Great video. Very real and practical.
Just happened on this video from happenstance and you guys really hit it on the head , I came down about a year and a half ago for 10 days and ended up staying for 3 months , had to come back to the US to see my grandmother who is suffering from advancing Alzheimer's and felt I would spend as much time with her before she passes before I come back down for good. Seems like that maybe ill be coming down semi permanent in about a year so hopefully we can connect over a beer or something when I get boots on the ground , people in the US have no idea what they are missing. Good luck with your youtube stuff guys , wish you the best and hopefully ill catch up with you when I come back to paradise.
I like your videos and your positive attitude however the title of the video is misleading. I visit Medellin every 2 months and you cannot live like a king on $1,000 a month. You can barely get by on that if you are an American and used to living with modern amenities. A Colombian that has grown up there may be able to because they know how to make the peso stretch a lot further. I say this through experience and spending a lot of time in Colombia. Check this out and this is me underestimating the costs of what it would cost to live in Medellin for most American men. Rent one bedroom apartment ($500 USD minimum monthly) not extremely luxurious just average. This is if you get your utilities included if not plan on another ($50 USD monthly) Food ($300 USD minimum monthly) this cooking at home 90%of the time or eating street food not fine dining. Colombian health insurance ($50-$125 USD monthly) this is a requirement if you plan to get a visa or even if you don't get a visa good luck if you get in an accident in a taxi or break your leg in a hole on the sidewalk or something else more serious. Socializing going out to grab a few beers with friends (most people who visit Medellin or live here do this ($125 per month minimum). Girlfriend or Prepago whatever floats your boat ($200 monthly minimum) Lets face it you see some ugly men in Medellin both foreigners and locals with some beautiful girls and I assume they as helping them some way or another whether it be gifts or cash. Even if you have a regular girlfriend in Colombia birthday gifts, Christmas, etc., its going to cost you. Taxi/Transportation costs ($50 USD monthly). Travel costs to return to home or to go visit other cites ($100 USD monthly). Cell Phone minutes/data ( $25 USD monthly). Slush fund ($250 USD monthly). These are all lowball figures and this adds up to $1650 conservatively. This is not living like a King either. This is modest living with a good life and probably a good amount of happiness. You can definitely live a lot better than you ever could in the U.S. for that amount of money. Higher end living will cost you $4000 per month or higher. This is my 2 cents coming from experience.
I appreciate your comment but you can 100% live very well on $1000 per month. I was just at my friend apartment which I’m releasing a video about and he had a beautiful 3 bedroom//2 bathroom apartment for $500 USD. I earn in dollars so I don’t mind going over the $1,000 mark but I disagree and know you can live on that number per month because a lot of the expenses you mentioned I don’t have. Either way I appreciate your comment.
@@FelixTheTravelerThank you @TheGiantTraveler1 for taking the time to reply. I agree you can live in Medellin for $1,000 per month but definitely not like a King maybe a Prince haha. We each have our own opinion and it comes down to personal choice and how you want to budget. Keep up the good content and stay safe.
@@greg617ma Thank you for watching.
@@als6308 Yes Sir, I visited the Philippines a few years back (Cebu, Angeles City, Bohol and others). Quite similar with there being different costs to live but you are not living like a King in those countries either for $1000 USD per month. The figures I mentioned in my original post are realistic in my experience.
Thanks
The issue with that 1000 number is you really can do it for that price but not in Medellin. I live in pereira and I live comfortably for about 1k a month in a strata 6 apartment . My apartment is only about 250.00 a month for a 3 bedroom ( brand new btw)
Shout out from Chicago-Pembroke Township, IL, USA! Thanks for both of you for sharing this informative episode! AMEN-RA!
Very nice collaboration right here. New to your channel and Def liking your content.
Welcome aboard! Any other videos you would like to see?
i lived in colombia since 2016. you can live like a king for about 25,000 a year. KING. big baller. but you can defininetly live ok at 12,000 a year... just average, normal. roomamtes, not going out much. also, the women are the same everywhere, just find a hardworking colombian girl. a girl that works, close with her mom and dad. doesnt drink party or smoke vape. a girl that is in good shape. etc. at the end of the day you still need to learn how to maintain a relarionship with any women, the problem with colombian men is that they are all machistas.
Amen! Im saving up with my pension and shipping out too
Hola guys, I'm an american living in Manizales. My timeline is similar to that of Wes as I first came here in late 2019, then chased back to the states when covid came in March 2020. I sold my farm in SW Colorado and moved here in 2021. I connected with the director of bands at the U of Caldas and helped mentor students with jazz improv there to get some personal connection with the city. After a year in an apartment in Sancancio, I moved to a farm just west of the city where I am now. I'm always surprised by hearing of other Americans living here because I almost never see any here. I agree with your comments about the culture here and the entitlement attitude in the states. Americans want the highest wages in the world but want to pay Walmart prices for everything. I don't miss any of the personal possessions that I got rid of (everything) but I do miss my friends there. My spanish is just OK and it gets me what I need when going into the city. I haven't yet travelled to much of the rest of Colombia but I did like Medellin but won't live in that big of a city. I haven't found the women here to be any more beautiful than other places although like any place, there's the occasional stunner. Like you say in this video, the Visa application system is disfunctional as I have been in that process for two years and only now am close to getting a retirement visa. Fingers crossed. Would love to connect with you guys sometime to network about life here.
Medellin reminds me of a cross of Miami and Denver. It’s got the energy of both.
I’ve spent most the last year in Colombia. I’ve loved it. I’ve been to Medellin, Bogota, Santa Marta, Pereira, Manizales and a bunch of small Pueblos. My fav is Manizales. I’m not a party person and it’s a lot safer than the big cities. The people are nice. Lots of young people from the Universities. It’s geographically interesting too. Built on a ridge so it goes narrowly for miles.
I like how conservative most folks are here. There isn’t the constant gay or trans message on everything like America. Its a big contrast. They don’t hate gays or trans people but it’s not on every beer bottle, advertisement, tv show and cereal box. I don’t hate gays or trans but I’m sick of hearing about who people want in their behinds. It’s none of my business and I’d appreciate not hearing about it every time I see something america related.
Colombians are awesome people. Women are feminine and sweet for the most part. Dudes are dudes. Kids are spoiled but well behaved. Wes is right about race. There’s every kind of person represented and zero racism. I love that.
I don’t see myself leaving. Starting a streaming show based on birds so give me a follow if you’re into nature. 😊
Yeah I'm getting tired of hearing about LGBTQ issues, especially trans issues and lawmakers and treatment for kids gender affirming care. I mean wtf USA keep talking about an issue that only affects less than 1% of the population ? And allowing trans in sports. Blah blah
@@RubbingPotatoesYou vill do as you're told or face the consequences, jawohl!
Gracias!
NO wonder folks are leaving the US the rent is crazy, the city people are cold. Three hundred for a 2 bedroom, thats beyond dirt cheap. Everything in the US is over-rated and expensive, to me!!!
Rent prices in the USA are crazyyyyy.
Once you’ve lived in Colombia for a while, you appreciate the United States. The grass is always greener.
thx
These two guys appear to have good values and have created great lives here in Colombia. They are as sick of the USA as I am and have chosen a better path.
You hit the nail on the head. Life is peaceful in Colombia.
This is a statement of general economics, but enticing more Americans with American salaries to come to a place with lower rent will undoubtedly increase the the cost of living in the respective city. It's all relative
I’m coming to medillen colombia for 1-6 months on March 5th would love to meet some ppl from USA or Europe so I have lots of friends there immediately I don’t know much Spanish but I got some translators…I’m 39 year old male from florida…Lmk it will be an amazing time
$300? Got me an upper class apt, maintenance included and some change left
I think the minimum to live in Colombia is about $2000 to $2500 month,resident of Bogota since 2008 and that’s how I see it ,if owning a vehicle as a gringo don’t cheap out with just the basic soat you want the full service where they send a lawyer to the accident scene ,about 2,500,000 cop yr
💯
Yeah right $1000 is not enough..... The rental prices are extremely high in the affluent neighborhoods..
Question: Do you have any idea on what it takes to bring a pet (cat specifically) to Colombia?
I feel bad for Wes he was run out of Colombia because of a bitter women. He shouldn't have rushed into marriage. I feel like hes a lost puppy these days. Life in Colombia is great of you dont rush in to drastic situations.
Another great interview! Hey Felix, do you agree with Wes on the issue of safety? Do you have concerns or is a matter of using your common sense as with anywhere? Thx!
Am an independent international traveler who has been traveling for over 40 years. I live by a simple rule. I treat every single person that I meet the same way that I want to be treated, it has worked out very well for me. Also, I stay away from the tourist areas and live in local neighborhoods like the locals. This has worked out very well for me. I lived in Buenos Aires Argentina for over 10 years.
That’s a good rule to live by. Just to confirm you have been there for 10 years straight?
@TheGiantTraveler1 Yes, but now I travel back and forth from Chicago to Buenos Aires Argentina every year. I just returned from a 4 month tour of South America in April of this year. This included Argentina 🇦🇷, Brazil 🇧🇷 and Uruguay 🇺🇾. I purchased a home in Mar Del Plata,Argentina. This is where I plan on retiring one day. God willing 🙏 🙌 ✨️. Oh yeah, I was in Buenos Aires when the national Argentina football team won 🏆 the world cup it was awesome 👌 👏 👍 😍. 0
Europe and USA is expensive as well
I am also an expat living in Brasil. Man you really cam live like a king if you earn just 800 dollars a month
Just avoid those big cities such as Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo
What part of Brazil do you recommend?
Thank you for the content. Which area would you recommend raising children? Living on $800 a month
70-80k? Holy cow I’m making 20-30k if I’m lucky here in Denver.
USA is good marketing and that's it
4:50 - The culture of the US is, "Let's get crazy rich so we can flex on everyone whose not rich!"
Pretty sad that is the culture that exists. Beyond that there is no culture
I like Colombia. The food is meh but life is a lot cheaper if you have US dollars or Euros. Some areas are very dangerous but same in USA. Just depends what someone wants and what they can tolerate. Pros and cons everywhere.
Is this the same guy who recently moved from Colombia? I think he said he's moving to Asia now, after divorcing his Manizales wife.
Yes
I agree with everything on this video except that there is no division in Colombia and the crime. I think the perception of latin american countries being more dangerous than the U.S is because they are smaller and more concentrated. In the U.S. we have plenty of dangerous areas and violent crime but it's spread across a 50 states and a population of 330 million people so it gives the impression of more safety. But growing up near Detroit Michigan I have seen everything happening in latin america happen in the U.S. Also the myth that there is no difference between black and white etc that isn't exactly true. All latin american countries suffer from classism and there is racism in Colombia. It is the same system of colonialism that established everywhere else in the America even though it is not as pronounced in the U.S. but I just watched a black colombian woman on instagram who I believe is vice president talking about the resistance she experienced while in office in Colombia. Nevertheless I love Colombia and have had a wonderful time there. There is no culture in the U.S. and the people of latin america have a different type of warmth that isn't found in the U.S. I'm so glad to hear you guys explaining this because i try to explain it to my friends and family in the U.S. and they just don't get it.
We Americans definitely have a culture, and it is very pronounced. Self-sufficiency, patriotism, and love of country, generosity, and community. Just because liberal areas have turn their back on this does not mean the rest of us have. Our culture in my opinion is stronger than Colombia’s. I have been living in Medellin for two years. Songs and soccer do not make a strong culture. And I love the people of Colombia. But they are no better than us. Just on the surface. They are more polite, and they are churchgoing humble people. But they will never embrace you as Americans embrace immigrants. That’s a fact.
I realize my question is late, but I was wondering if you have to have fluent Spanish to survive in Colombia especially for a first year visitor. Thank you in advance.
I’m not fluent and I live here.
Thank you for the response. Very much appreciated 🙏 👍.
Basic Spanish and willingness to learn but fluent is not necessary
I need them long term rental links
Book a consultation
@@FelixTheTraveler 🙌🏾
One great aspect of CO is that there is no Islam threat. Colombians, and most Latin Americans, will not give up pork, alcohol or sexual freedom for a culture of hate.
Oops, I only see Geno's UA-cam channel, not Wes's.
Updated it.
Hello brother! may I ask you this question which is I am getting SSI, and can I still get SSI if I move to Columbia or not? If I can, then I really love to live there. I can take photos for wedding for poor people for free. Thank you.
@trantom5977. I hope you don’t mind me answering your question about SSI.
My answer/suggestion: It will not impact your SSI to live in Colombia (or other countries).
Having said that, I recommend that you have your SSI deposited into a bank/credit union in the United States. From there, you can either electronically transfer funds to another bank in Colombia, or do periodic ATM withdrawals at certain locations in Colombia.
I’m nearing retirement, so I have researched this topic to a degree.
Get reliable information about that. Someone told me that SSI can't be received if you move overseas. You can receive Social Security but not SSI.
Great interview guys working on creating my MSI so I can actually leave this country, and I think US is a great place for opportunities but not to live...
Let's talk about Colombian men... what are they like? Kinda tired of hearing about just the women lol
Nobody lives like a king for $1000 a month anywhere. Sure, you can have a big apartment in a neighborhood with very few foreigners, and you can eat OK every day. But "like a king" to me also means being able to go to gourmet restaurant with a date, traveling around, staying in hotels, driving a nice car, owning a computer, stereo equipment, cameras etc. that isn't 10-20 years old, etc.
Where do you live?
@@FelixTheTraveler In Bulgaria. Before that, I lived in Cartagena and Medellin for six years. And before that in Playa del Carmen.
@@FelixTheTraveler In Medellin, I typically spent about $3000 a month on average. I didn't live like a king at all.
@@thomashilmersen711 Then your overpaying. Spending $3000 a month on what?
I spent about $600 on electricity, gas, property taxes, building administration, gas, water, internet/TV, gym membership and cell phone service. I lived with my girlfriend, so we spent about $900 on food, wine and other stuff from the supermarket. Another $500 for restaurants. About $350 for gasoline, car maintenance, car insurance, car repairs. On average about $100 for clothes (for me only). $200 for electronics, camera stuff, etc.. $250 on average for air travel. And another $200 for travel inside of Colombia, excluding gasoline (ie. toll roads, hotels, snacks, etc.)
Well thanks to the technology you guys can have that opportunity to live in any country you want. 20 years ago you can’t do that.. Thanks UA-cam
UA-cam changed my life!
Man I need to figure out how to make $ online myself
I will make videos about I do it. Make sure you are subscribed with post notifications on.
The interviewer 'nailed it' when he said USA has NO culture. Those words are worth billions because it's absolutely true! It has cultures of those who come from other countries and import their cultures and share it among their local communities but the USA has NO defined culture (s) of it's own!
What website you find apts in Columbia
You cannot get an apartment in Colombia without either a visa and established credit or a Colombian citizen who owns property to cosign for you. It’s called a fiador. Or you pay your lease term upfront. After you have lived here, you can get an apartment. Otherwise it’s AirbnB or VRBO.
I gotta VISA but you still need Colombian credit such as movements in your Colombian bank account.
My retirement will be 100k a year how well can I live on this amount ?
What you think in a country in which the peoples making 5k /year in avarage.
Let me tell you I bought a apartment in medellin, and the womans in there are same or worst that the ones in miami,life is really good away from bogota and medellin
Which part do you like?
I have lived in 3 cities in Colombia. More safe than the USA? OR CANADA? yes Colombia is more safe.
Which cities did you live in and what do you like most?
I'm Canadian some how I doubt that
@@cleazy______5624 Yea I doubt Colombia is more safe then Canada.
That’s bullshit. Americans, Canadians and Europeans die down here all the time from robbery and scopolamine. It is only safer than the most dangerous of US cities. Definitely far more dangerous than the average American town or city. I’ve been living here for two years I know what I’m talking about.
What % of the labor force in Colombia makes $1.000 a month. The minimum wage in Colombia is $1.130.000 pesos or $270 usd a month and very few make 3x the minimum wage.
Maybe 5% makes $1,000 USD equivalent in COP
@@FelixTheTraveler what about the other 95%?
@@CARACAS1 Minimum wage or less.
@@FelixTheTraveler you're not very smart, are you? According to you, 100% of the labor force in Colombia make less of $1000 usd. 😂😂😂😂 ...your answer is that of a 5 year old kid. 😂😂😂😂
THERE RIGHT IN MOST LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES DOMINICAN REPUBLIC FOR EXAMPLE YOU CAN RENT A THREE BEDROOM FOR 300 BUCKS A MONTH OR EVEN BETTER JUST BUY S HOUSE ONCE YOU PAY IT OFF THAT'S IT IT'S YOUR NO PROPERTY TAXES LIKE THE STATES
Yup property taxes are like $200 a year for a mansion.
2024 you cannot retire $1000 in colombia.
What‘s about crime, kidnapping? I thought it would be quite dangerous there?
Do come back to the good Old USA.
Stay safe . strong . Hope for the best
Thank you for watching.
But don't they charge gringo's an american price when you try to move to Colombia?
Depends where you go.
You can’t just get an apartment in Colombia. You need to either pay the lease term upfront or you need a Colombian cosigner that owns property in the country called a fiador. And yes, you will get screwed hard by a landlord that knows that you don’t know what you’re doing. Airbnb or VRBO are your options otherwise
This asian guy got that price because his wife is Colombian and she represented the transaction.
NOT TRUE. MANIZALES IS VERY CHEAP!
Manizales is very cheap. Medellin is not. Bogota is not. Cartagena is ridiculous.
@@FelixTheTraveler Ok does Manziales seem like it is receptive to Americans, since it's not a tourist city?
It's not even about the women reallly, the quality of life your us dollar can buy you compare to living in America is insane. You can't live a great life in the us unless you're slaving away 100 hours weekly to earn 10k per month. Meanwhile 2k a month you live like KING outside of the us and you get treated better not just by women but everyone.
You nailed it on the head. You need LOOOOONNNNNNNG money to live a decent life in the USA, bring a 10th of that long money and you’ll be more then good.
What do you do for a living. I don't work like a slave or my ex-wife. She makes 350k a year and I make around 150k and go to cali colombia every 6 weeks
Looking for a new topic? Where can an American woman meet a great Colombian guy?
That’s a tricky one…You can meet one but you might be in rotation with like 5 other girls.
Not true specially now that the dollar is losing value against the Colombian peso.
That is true but 4,000 COP to $1 dollar is still pretty good.
Much rather be where they speak English - I'd be a fish out of water with all those Sanish speakers. -- The Philippine's are as cheap in many areas and almost everybody speaks English. Belize too is an option. -- The language is a huge obstacle for many and very 'uncomfortable'. -- If you speak the language you have it made. -- If language was no issue I would prefer Argentina myself > cause I love beef !
11:46 but you still have to have money or no honey and honey im all it forms thus NOT true love. The way I see it as opposed to living in denial is that they are providing a service. Just like you talked about the cost of living and quality of life. Well that how i view it too. Fee-males are cheaper and provider better quality services down there. But make no mistake. Its business not love. And there is NOTHING wrong with that but dont basterdize the word love when love is not really taking place. Thus why respect is better than love or one can say can be a form of "love".
coLOMbia.
LOL
Wes is now divorced.... haha
He has been there for 3 years and still calls it Columbia
JAJAJA
Hey gorgeous men please gaid me cause I am moving to my Colombia. I have no. One . Sooo help me 🙏❤❤
The usa is good 2 make $$ n leave
New Orleans is probably the only City in the US that has a real culture..
I believe that
Ignorant
Agreed, I say it all the time! They have the richest culture in the country
i went to colombia for a a surgery for 7 month and came back… i sick and tired of fees and fees, feeels like in 5 month everything went up by 30%
you guys sound like a bunch of babies.
Your my child
Painfully superficial conversation. You guys are you proud of yourselves aren’t you?
I love weird haters like you.
@@FelixTheTraveler classic example of two guys who failed in western society and act like they are all that in the Latin scene.
Don’t believe the hype of UA-cam!
This guy left Columbia 😅
Colombia*
There's no culture in the US? Every city is the same? Bullshit! You need to travel more and read more. My spouse is an exile of Colombia. They fled Bogota in 2016 due to rampant crime, corruption, and poverty.
Correct the USA has no culture
USA is the worlds culture. A mixing pot experiment. It has good and bad. @@FelixTheTraveler