Living in Medellin, Colombia: How Much It REALLY Costs...
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- Опубліковано 28 жов 2023
- ✅ Get Your FREE Moving to Medellin Checklist here: medellinmasterclass.com/check...
📃Get my Cost of Living Spreadsheet here:
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
🎬 How to Rent Like a Local in Medellin:
• Medellin Rental Guide ...
🚑 Everything You Need to Know About Health Care in Colombia:
• Health Care in Colombi...
Too many people are making videos talking about Medellin monthly cost of living being as low as $500, which is a total lie - unless you want to live in the middle of nowhere or share a room with 6 other people!
So in this video I'm finally revealing my complete monthly cost of living breakdown - everything from rent, to food, to activities and more.
If you really want an honest breakdown of how much it'll cost you to live in Medellin, then stay tuned.
G'day, my name's AK and on this channel I explore expat life in Medellin, Colombia. Whether you're considering moving to Medellin or just visiting Colombia, I've got you covered. Join me as I show you exactly what living in Medellin and Colombia as an expat is really like.
#medellin #colombia #medellincolombia #usexpat #travel #digitalnomad #expat
✅ Get Your FREE Moving to Medellin Checklist here: medellinmasterclass.com/checklist
📃Get my Cost of Living Spreadsheet here:
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oHzR6_J5YP6iFuka3_68iDNJOxOmp72CO3LmoZiY4EQ/edit?usp=sharing
🎬 How to Rent Like a Local in Medellin:
ua-cam.com/video/dJMn-noZ9CE/v-deo.html
Do you still have to use Check Mig to enter into Colombia?
Yes you do
@@AKJoel ok thank you.
I'm currently living in Cuenca Ecuador. I'm going back to NYC to be with my family for the holidays. After that I'm going to Medellin. Thanks for this information.
No worries! Hope you enjoy Medellin :)
Solid Intel brotha. I knew the cost of living was low but this is incredible.
And can you imagine it was even cheaper 12 months ago? I was renting on AirBnb (which is a ripoff) and still only spending around $1000 a month total including all expenses lol
thanks for the detailed feedback, this is important information and I honestly thought it would be more expensive (except the rent)
wish the other youtubers were methodological like you
Glad it was helpful! 😁
Important video, I love the numbers and realistic facts.
I'm interested to go to Columbia with a friend who's expating there.
You've been my first channel on Columbia and I just subbed
Glad you found it useful mate! 👍🏾
Come on down brotha, been here since the 2000s, a lot has changed, some for the better and some for the worse. Definitely dont just stay in Medellin and explore other cities like Bogota, Pereira, Armenia, Cali, Sant Marta etc. Medellin is a great city with incredible weather and the surrounding environs outside the city are gorgeous. And when you get down here dont believe what the Paisas tell you about Bogota and how it's soo cold. There is a big rivalry between the Paisas and the rollos (people from Bogota). The paisas will tel you that Bogota is cold when in fact sure its colder then medellin but compared to NY, Toronto or DC it's actuallt very mild. Bogota has much more business opportunities than medellin, the architecture is much nicer, the traffic is worse than medellin but Bogota is a much more international city with waaay better restaurants, nightlife and muuch more interesting things to see and do than medellin. Medellin seems like a small town compared to bogota. If you stay/live in the right neighborhoods of bogota and live a short walk/bike ride from your job then Bogota traffic doesnt even really effect you. Bogota is a very underated city and has much much more to offer than Medellin. I've lived in colombia for over two decades so you can trust me. Also, Bogota is filled with gorgeous women just like Medellin if you know the right people, have the right group of friends and go to the right spots. Same as in any major US/Candian city there will be throngs of beautiful women just like in Toronto, Miami, LA or NY. Don't believe what the paisas say about Bogota.
Hey man I watch all your videos, they are awesome Joel
I appreciate that!
Keep the great videos coming mate hope to meet you one day can’t wait to get out of Melbourne lol
Get out of there mate, best decision I ever made!
@@AKJoel I here you man working in the construction industry as well all it is. Is work and sleep haha
Life's too short for that mate
Good information Joel!!!
Glad it was helpful Anthony 😁👍🏾
I was in Medellín last week and our guide kept showing up apartment buildings that are around 30k to 50k. Seems like buying would be cheaper that renting if you’re staying long term. I loved Medellin and found everything very inexpensive. Going to beautiful restaurants and having a three course dinner and cocktails for two and spending $40 including tips was refreshing.
I've heard this guy mention that you have to be colombian to buy a condo, so idk. 50k would def be a steal. Pays for itself in 3 to 5 years depending on rent.
In which area did you find these 30k - 50k apartments??
You can buy an apartment as a foreigner but unless you've built up Colombian credit over a few years, you aren't getting a loan from the bank and you'll have to pay with cash upfront.
@@AKJoel I don’t remember anymore. That’s what our guide kept saying to us when he would take us to the different Miradores. Obviously not in the middle of all the action. It’s the areas a little farther out close to the different amazing miradores.
Thank you for that!
You're welcome!
Thanks!!
Anytime!
I totally disagree with rent prices. the prices you mentioning are for the term gringo not for locals. For example, I spoke to several dentist in Medellin about getting braces and they offered me a different price from what my colombian friend received from the same place. my recommendation is to know someone who lives there and trust to help you get a great deal. The same scenario with taxis gringo high price locals low price. I have visited Bello, poblado, Pereira, ibague, cartagena and bogota. $1500 is ridiculously high ask any locals next time you visit Medellin.
The prices I mentioned are 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom fully furnished
It must have been a long time since you looked for an apartment in Medellín. I'm in the middle of it, and no, these are not gringo prices, but today's reality.😢
This is so true, I was born in Cali, CO but lived in the USA for most of my life and I always have my cousins represent me instead of me doing it on my own because then they take advantage.
Vegan, animal rights activist here in NYC. Thank you for aligning your actions with your morals, being vegan, and respecting the right of others to be left alone. ✌
My pleasure!! 🙂
My home base is in the greater New York City area, if you're ever in town look me up. Otherwise, my girlfriend and I spend three months of the year in Santiago, Chile, and 6 months traveling out of a backpack somewhere in the world. Hopefully one day we can share a meal together. 🤟🌱
Fantastic effort to detail all this. 🎉 I’m in envigado in a studio and I pay $1260 pesos (330 USD) it’s doable and is in a nice neighbourhood. Agree on smart fit but outside core hours it’s pretty decent - only thing is lack of air con in mains area here in 1/2 in envigado
That's a great price for rent. Congrats!
I was sitting in a cafe today and saw you walk by and yelled your name 😂
Great little cafe that one!
I'm going to Colombia in Feb for the first time!
You're gonna love it!
the exchange rate changes often I've noticed[being Canadian it sure makes a difference between US$ & CAN$!] 100,000 cop [today]=$25.71US but $35.16CAN$, something for Canadians to think about b4 going[still a great deal $1can= 2843.71 cop[minus any exchange fees from bank...]watch out for those! check atm fee's with your bank for out of country fee's also
Another great video! Do you recommend Airbnb or is there another option you prefer? Since talking to you a few days ago I have decided to just stay when I come in March instead of come back to the US for the month. Thanks for the videos!
AirBnb is great for when you first arrive here to try out different areas and see what you like, but once you decide on a place and want to stay 6+ months you definitely have to start looking to book through the local route using local real estate agencies to find much cheaper places.
@@AKJoel Thanks so much. I have a place booked for my first month and was going to try a different area for 3 months to see what I like. I am more excited than anything.. I CANT wait!
Enjoy!!
Medellin is amazing! I have been there twice, going again for my third exploration trip. I hope you have an amazing time!@@tradiavereen678
Hello Joel. Another very informative vlog. Have you tried InDrive? Unlike Uber you offer a price and then a driver will either accept or make a counter offer. In many cases the cost of the ride is lower than Uber.
Yeah I really like inDrive, except for the fact that you need cash, which I don't always have on me. Uber is easier cos it just uses my card for payment.
I just got back from my second trip a few days ago. My GF uses inDrive. We were in Comuna 13 and we couldnt get an Uber but inDrive worked. Same another time in El Centro at the palace Mall So I would think a good strategy is to have both@@AKJoel
You don’t add shopping, or nice restaurants! If you like designer t shirt, only that would be 600 usd for one t shirt! If you go to a nice restaurant would be like 100 usd if you only have some drinks and off course much more with bottles of wine!
I'm not that kind of guy so it's not in my personal budget lol
Very interesting is apartments really that expensive? Its like
Taxi $1
Barber $1
Meal $1
Massage $1
Apartment $3000
😅🤔
Hahaha this made me laugh, but actually it's true!
The digital nomad visa has changed rental prices dramatically. The difference between 2019 and now is shocking - though the same thing happened in my hometown of Atlanta over that same period
Yeh in the last 12 months AirBnB pricing has absolutely skyrocketed. Also the USD has fallen from 5000 to 4000.
@@AKJoel in 2017 it was 2,800 and it was still cheaper than today.
Damn haha big changes!
Hello Joel ! Thanks for that very detailed breakdown. As someone who lives a good life in Medellin I concur. You simply can't live here on 500 bucks a month , it's ridiculous to say so. I'm just curious what gym you found?? I absolutely agree with you on that point. I presently go to Smart fit and it drives me fucking nuts, people just sit on the machine when they're done their set and pull out their phone and start texting 5 friends, or worse, start watching TickTock videos, and it's absolutely crowded! They don't give up the machine, or voluntarily offer to inter-change sets. Zero - 0 gym etiquette !! Drives me nuts!
I think Sabaneta is another area worth mentioning. I got a very nice place on Airbnb and then arranged a private deal with the owner for about $750 US a month. With regards to your cell provider , yes this has happened recently especially with Claro I noticed as well my data/ gigs have at least doubled and my plan has stayed the same price.
One last thing I forgot to mention when I watched your last video with Andrew. I'm still laughing my ass off when you talked about slamming the taxi doors here. My wife still gives me shit although I'm super careful. It seems everybody here thinks the door is going to fall off the car when you close it with normal force...lol... Saludos!!
What do you expect about the taxis, they're a step up from a go cart. The taxis in Colombia are pieces of shit and dangerous..imagine getting into a high speed collision in one of those tiny junk cars.
Hey Tom, yeah the gym culture at Smart Fit is absolutely bananas haha I couldn't handle it any longer!
You're right about Sabaneta, however it can be a bit quiet for some people and too far away from Laureles and Poblado - so you can feel isolated. Especially for new visitors to the city who don't speak English. That being said, a mate of mine is moving there next month - he found an awesome place for only $550 a month!
My hubby is Colombian and it drives him nuts when I close his car door too hard. Then when I try to close it more softly, the car door light goes on saying the door isn’t fully closed lol 😂
Wow 1500$ ?
I am in California and my mortgage with property tax and insurance total payment is 1450$ .
Everything else you described does sound more cost efficient compared to USA .
Well it's $1500 in the most expensive neighbourhood in the city which is overrun with tourists who are staying short term - hence the prices have skyrocketed recently. That's 1 reason I don't live in Poblado haha
What happened with Internet is, Colombia is getting closer to the World Top in Internet speeds..
1. LA Fitness in LA was $50/mo unless you paid money upfront to lower the monthly payment 🙄
2. I thought you had to have health insurance to get a visa?
Thanks for sharing, great info!
1. Oh wow - when I was living in Seattle I went to LA Fitness, but my mates just let me in as a guest so I never actually looked at the price haha.
2. I believe that's a new rule, because when I got my student visa last year they never asked for proof of health insurance. Now it's mandatory. However, I currently don't have a visa - I'm just on the tourist stamp of 90 days, which I extended for another 90 days to total 180 days.
Hi there, I’m thinking about moving to Colombia with my wife who is Colombian and I am Dominican, we have 2 kids. How do you recommend I look for a place there? What website or do you recommend I look in person? Thanks!
Check out this video, I think it'll answer a lot of the questions you have!
ua-cam.com/video/dJMn-noZ9CE/v-deo.html
We spent 3 weeks in Medellin in 2018, looking for a possible retirement place. We stayed in several different neighborhoods during that visit. There were so many videos about how great it was, springtime climate year round, etc. Here's what we found: It was hot as Hades there (January), air quality was terrible, and it was full of older single men blatantly on the prowl. We'd go to recommended "hot spots" only to be surrounded by these geezers and their prostitutes. It was probably the grossest place we've been - EVER, and we've been all over the world. Plus, Colombian food is not exactly da bomb.
I agree with everyone you said - you can't go to the "hot spots" mainly Parque Lleras because it's filled with these types of guys you mentioned. I stay well away from any of those areas and I have an amazing life here and basically never see those types of people.
In regards to the air quality - yes it's bad haha, but you can get cleaner air by living higher up the mountains in areas such as Envigado - at the bottom of the valley in Laureles is the worst.
It's true though that some parts of Medellin have definitely been ruined by tourists and are extremely "gross" as you said - but that being said a lot has changed since you were here in 2018.
From what I've seen the % that these tourists make up is decreasing by the day. More and more families, couples and entrepreneurs are moving to the city which is overall increasing the quality of expats you'll meet here.
Let's face it, Medellin has something for everyone, from gross to beautiful. @@AKJoel
That sounds superb. What time is the next flight from LHR, I'm on my way 😂🤣🤣
more good information.
Cheers Paul! 😁
what prepaid plan do you get for your cellphone? like which company?
I use Claro
560 US around 800 AUD to live a comfortable middle class life with all nesscessties, thats amazing... unlike in aus where the rents keep going up and services are decling everything is getting more expressive , doctor visits, grocery, rent etc
Just to make it clear that's not including rent haha so all in closer to US$1500 p/m
@@AKJoel not bad , glad your enjoying everything Joel, keep up the good videos
Do you really take signing lessons in Medellin??! Would really like to know. I want to move there (I was born in Cali, CO and live in TN, USA). I would like to take violin classes and singing classes, wondering if there are yoga classes and classes in general for young kids (I have a 7 year old).
Yes I do take singing classes - I've also seen yoga classes advertised around the city. Basically most activities, you can find here!
The prices at the beginning of this video was true, gentrification is the real problem, in many places in Colombia it is possible to live with 400 USD, "ex-pats" should pay taxes in Latin countries.
I’ve been living in Medellin for 3 months. These are my living expenses as a single man.
Laureles/ Belen apartment airbnb~ $600-700 dollars a month
Food~ eat out twice a day
$300 dollars a month, can be cheaper but that’s a minimum for me if you don’t cook. I love to eat out and try new restaurants . Lunch is usually the cheapest meal of the day costing 3-4 dollars a day.
Transportation ~ 40 dollars a month. I pay for my friends Uber.
Hanging out/party~ 100 dollars a week. I go out a lot, more than the average and usually pay for everything. So I spend 400 a month on that.
Smart fit gym international plan ~ 30 dollars a month
Total: $1,470 USD
If you really want to save by going out less and cooking at home you can bring that total down to at least 1000 to 1100 USD while living upper middle class.
This is a fare assessment
Most Colombians I know make 1.3 to 1.5 million a month. Which is 350 dollars, but live with 2 roommates and split rent. Most Colombians also work 50 hour work weeks ,which Is 6 days a week and 10 hour days.
That's a very realistic budget, however I'm not sold on the $1000 a month comfortable lifestyle for a foreigner. You got a great deal on your $600-$700 apartment btw, well done!
Daaaamn my rent alone in Florida is $1500…. 🤯
Joel! Can you recommend here your barber shop?
It's called Beardman Barber, located on Calle 10a
thank you, I appreciate it, and which employers do you recomed? :)
Prices for a single person and 1 bedroom apartment is $900-1000 AUD. Per month. Pretty good, unfortunately not Thailand cheap though haha
How much in Thailand?
@@AKJoel about $350-$400.
Higher end $650-$700 for a big, ultra modern spot. Pretty good for our Aussie dollar but a lot of drawbacks compared to Colombia imo.
$1500 USD for renting an apartment in the best part of town still seems quite expensive. I'm quite surprised honestly. That's certainly more than what we were paying to rent a 3-bed house here in Melbourne. But having said that, other expenses are low.
Also, IDK if you've made a video on this or not, but in the supermarkets there, can you find all the kind of stuff we can get here in Australia? Stuff like different types of cheese, fish and such. I'm guessing it's gonna be a bit more expensive if you wanna eat the same stuff as you'd eat back home.
You're right - most things are super cheap except rent lol You can still find affordable rent in the best part of town ($600 a month) but you have to go through the local avenues and rent unfurnished.
Also they definitely don't have the variety of options here as they do in Aus, but you can still get different varieties of things!
What gym are you going? Don’t want to go to smart fit once I move over there
I don't wanna post it online cos i wanna keep it empty, but I'm sure if you do some research you'll figure it out haha👍🏾
@@AKJoel hahaha but you also need people to spot you but will do some research, thanks!
I noticed you did two bed room so for one need room how much should I knock off the price ?
Good question. I'd say:
Poblado $1200
Laureles $750 (depends on area)
Envigado $650
That's with an actual separate bedroom, not a studio.
@@AKJoel sounds good brother ..I’ll look around in Poblado my goodness that’s cheap does your vip included list of agencies or persons that can provide furnished one bed room apartments as you mentioned?
Last I checked our Rent Like a Local list had 20+ local rental agencies who can help you find a long term property without paying gringo prices (we're also constantly adding to and updating the list)
3 years ago the hotel I was staying costs me around $22 and now the same hotel is charging for $60 😢
yeah things have definitely increased in price!
exchanging cash is a big loss in Colombia, and banks charge a lot for transactions outside the home country.
southern Europe, especially Portugal, is a better deal, though apartment rentals are better value in Colombia.
The budget you give is more for like kinda middle class person in Colombia, so if you don't pay for many amenities like you do, like tennis classes for example, you can easily live in Colombia for $400-$450 If you are single.
The rent might be a problem though. $400 is almost impossible in Laureles or Poblado, unless you live with roommates and split the rent. Unless you meant expenses not including rent?
@@AKJoel Yes, including rent. You have to think that laureles and poblado are the most expensive neighborhoods. And yes I meant splitting the place.
There are more neighborhoods to live in than Poblado and Laureles in Medellín. Poblado and Parque Lleras isn't even as cool as it once was 13 yrs ago. Now it's just a gentrified commercial mess with some restaurant prices approaching North American Levels. With all due respect people have found Poblado many, many years before you did but you think you're living in paradise. Poblado is far from the paradise with few gringos it once was 10-20 years ago. Now it's just a gentrified and over commercialized mess with super high prices that were not so high back a decade or more ago! It's become a giant tourist trap essentially, it wasn't like that when I first moved to Medellín many years ago.
I've always said in my videos that I don't like Poblado - there's much better places to stay in Medellin
You can't live for $400-500 bro 😂
What’s the name of the gym you found that you enjoy?
Sorry mate, I don't wanna advertise it all over UA-cam so that it'll stay empty 😅😅
I wouldn’t want UA-cam to know where I worked out either 😅
Bodytech is an overall better gym than smart fit.
It’s higher quality, more expensive and less people
Using the numerical system, you've done the high end of 6, why not do a middle of the road 3/4, which i do think most ex-pats would prefer.
I did another video which was living on $5k a month, which I think is high end. My lifestyle seems pretty middle of the road to me! I don't even eat out lol
Did you use a service to find the maid?
My girlfriend found her, I'm not actually sure how, but before when I lived alone I found maids from searches/recommendations in Facebook groups
Top of the day to you
Cost of living/rent for Belen ?
Belen is cheaper than Laureles - monthly rent around $700-$800 I'd say for a nice place. Beautiful neighborhood too, one of my favorites!
@@AKJoel awesome, this is important to know. Thanks for the response
i live in Vancouver Canada lol i spent that today lol
marriott suite in medellin is $1200 a night, its expensive everywhere thats nice.
I don't think anybody who's living here long term is staying in the Marriot lol
These expenses are for a single person, or someone living with a partner.
I'm single and dating, so it's much more expensive for me going out on dates 3-5 times a week trying to find a partner.
That's true!
It seems like the prostitutes are cheap there, because everybody has one.
I can say Bogata is not cheap it's pretty close to US pricing.
I would take the gym out, and add 15x bottles of local beer per day to the list.
hahahahaha that'll only cost you $15 max
Are these gringo prices?
Some things like ordering all my meals on Rappi from a supermarket are definitely things that most Colombians probably wouldn't do, but I don't mind spending more cos its convenient and saves time.
I'm starting to think bro just don't want other blokes coming there 😏
😂 just trying to give people a realistic look at cost of living
@@AKJoel lol no doubt just giving you a hard time... Good video. I haven't been to Colombia in 20 years so I'm sure things are much different.
Wow - yeah it's even changed a lot in the past 12 months, I can't even imagine how it would've been 20 years ago.
His rent figures were high because for some odd reason he quoted for a 2 bedroom instead of a 1 bedroom or studio.
1500 is quite expensive
Where are you comparing to though? Not expensive compared to major cities in the US, UK, Canada, or Australia.
The rise in cost is due not only to the organic influx of gringos there but because of all the UA-camrs like you who over promote the place to make a living off UA-cam instead of just enjoying the place for what made it special to begin with.
Medellin is booming, deal with it mate 👍🏾🇨🇴
@@AKJoel Taylor Swift song: haters gonna hate.
Hahahaha exactly!!
The budget only works when living alone, once the colombian girls start to get their hands on me i tend to spend alot more. Beeing single in colombia is almost the only way unless you earn alot of money.
😅 or you can just date women who don't take your money lol
@@AKJoel They always do it brother, its only a matter of time. 👀
By the time I finally get to move there, it'll probably cost $2500 to live in Envigado.
Haha it'll never get that bad!
@@AKJoel Crossing fingers. I'm going to do my first trip with my wife next year.
Looking for a maid once a week. Do you have any recommendations?
We have a list of our personal contacts but that's a paid product - otherwise your best bet would be to head to the Medellin Facebook groups and search "maid" and see who's been recommended.
Do you speak spanish?
I do! I'm probably upper intermediate level - I have some full interviews on my channel in Spanish
Your nice furnished 2 bedroom in Nashville would be $3000
Is Nashville an expensive city in relation to the rest of the US?
@@AKJoel I’d say it’s on the same level as Atlanta and Chicago. LA is more expensive and NYC is off the charts.
Yay, for vegan!
Going on 4 years now!
What happened with Internet is, Colombia is getting closer to the World Top in Internet speeds..