Medellín is one of the world’s most livable cities thanks to its efficient public transportation system, friendly locals, ample green spaces, and weather that most people would describe as perfect. It’s never too cold or too hot, so utility bills stay low because you don’t need to heat or cool your home.
Its varied cosmopolitan offerings almost put it on par with the world’s top metropolises… However, unlike comparable destinations, life in Medellín
is inexpensive, particularly for American retirees. The U.S.-dollar-to-Colombian-peso exchange rate accentuates the already-low prices.
This city has a special energy, which emanates from the fun-loving locals, known as Paisas. They’re undeniably proud of their city and famous for
their friendliness.
Paisas are also famous for their colorful regional culture. As an expat, you can experience this culture simply by sticking around for a year and living out its jam-packed events calendar.
A world-renowned flower festival happens every August; the International Poetry Prize, International Jazz Festival, and International Tango and World Latin Dance Festivals are held every year…
There are museums all over town, including open-air ones like the Botero Sculpture Park, where all you need to do is walk around to marvel at the iconic, larger-than-life statues to take in fine art.
There’s opera in season, symphonies, theater, orchestra performances, and major concerts… There’s also great shopping, dance clubs, nightclubs (even for the silver-haired crowd), and fine dining…
With its vibrant art, music, and culinary scenes, the city’s energy is infectious. It’s easy to feel this and be a part of it, whether by checking out the street art, sitting down at a new restaurant, or signing up for salsa lessons. No matter what your interests are, you’ll never be bored here.
Colombia offers straightforward paths to residency, including visa options aimed at investors and retirees specifically. It’s also a regional leader when it comes to health care, and some of the best hospitals in Latin America are found in Medellín. This is a city where you can have your health care needs taken care of to a high standard and affordably.
You’ll find several top-tier hospitals here, including the JCI-accredited Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe and Clínica Medellín. Both public and private facilities are available, although expats pay for private insurance to use the private facilities where standards are highest.
Medellín has become a hub for medical tourism because of the affordability, quality, and advanced equipment and services on offer. Plus, many medical professionals have undertaken training internationally and speak English.
In addition, Medellín offers a high quality of living at a very low cost for North Americans. All in, a couple could live well here on around $2,000 a month. For a single, budget around $1,800 a month.
There’s budget flexibility, so you can go even lower with your cost of living if you live in a local-style home and shop for local products rather than imported ones. On the flipside, you can opt to live in a high-demand area like El Poblado, shop for imported products, and live large. But even at that end of the spectrum, you won’t break the bank.
Rents average from $500 to $1,000 per month. Electricity bills stay low thanks to the great climate and transportation costs are negligible. The standard public transport fare for a person over 60 is less than $1.
Sincerely,
Sophia Titley
Editor, Overseas Living Letter
