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    How Much Will It Cost You To Live Overseas?

    The only honest answer is, we have no idea. And neither does anyone else. The only one who can answer that question is you. Here’s the most important thing to understand about budgeting your new life overseas…

    Super Cheap

    • Chitré, Panama
    • Santa Marta, Colombia
    • Phuket, Thailand
    • Dumaguete, The Philippines

    Cheap

    • Medellin, Colombia
    • Boquete, Panama
    • Kyrenia, Cyprus
    • Hua Hin, Thailand
    • The Algarve, Portugal

    Affordable

    • Valencia, Spain
    • Cascais, Portugal
    • Las Terrenas, The DR
    • Pisa, Italy
    • La Rochelle, France
    • Mazatlán, Mexico

    Luxury

    • Ambergris Caye, Belize
    • Kotor, Montenegro
    • The Panama City Beaches
    • Paris, France
  • Resources

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    • Living & Retiring Overseas
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  • Home
  • Countries

    Top Destinations:

    Whether you’re looking for fun and sun, a peaceful retirement, or the chance to earn some extra income, you’ve got a real world of opportunity open to you… In short, we’ve done our best to narrow down your best options, but only you can decide the right country for you.

    • Spain
    • Portugal
    • Panama
    • Belize
    • Colombia
    • Cyprus
    • Mexico
    • France
    • Montenegro
    • Browse All Countries

    Best For:

    • The Best Places To Retire
    • Health Care Abroad
    • Cost Of Living
    • Investing in Real Estate
    • Establishing Residency
    • Gun Laws In The World
    • English-Speaking Countries
    • Safest Places For Retirement
    • Best Places In Latin America
  • Budgets

    How Much Will It Cost You To Live Overseas?

    The only honest answer is, we have no idea. And neither does anyone else. The only one who can answer that question is you. Here’s the most important thing to understand about budgeting your new life overseas…

    Super Cheap

    • Chitré, Panama
    • Santa Marta, Colombia
    • Phuket, Thailand
    • Dumaguete, The Philippines

    Cheap

    • Medellin, Colombia
    • Boquete, Panama
    • Kyrenia, Cyprus
    • Hua Hin, Thailand
    • The Algarve, Portugal

    Affordable

    • Valencia, Spain
    • Cascais, Portugal
    • Las Terrenas, The DR
    • Pisa, Italy
    • La Rochelle, France
    • Mazatlán, Mexico

    Luxury

    • Ambergris Caye, Belize
    • Kotor, Montenegro
    • The Panama City Beaches
    • Paris, France
  • Resources

    Global Living

    • Living & Retiring Overseas
    • Raising A Family Abroad
    • Foreign Residency & Citizenship
    • Offshore & Diversification

    Making Money

    • International Real Estate
    • Banking
    • Employment
    • Investing

    Follow Us:

    • Meet Our Experts
  • Real Estate

    Buying Real Estate For Cashflow

    • Discover tips and strategies used by global property investing veterans

    Explore Our Latest Posts

    • Learn how to invest and purchase property abroad…

    Go To The Overseas Property Alert Site

    • How To Become Independently Wealthy And Fund The Lifestyle Of Your Dreams
  • Conferences

    Upcoming Events

    • Explore Our Events Site

    Live and Invest In Spain Conference

    Offshore Wealth Summit

    Argentina Workshop

    VALENCIA, SPAIN

    Sep. 17-19, 2025

    PANAMA CITY, PANAMA

    Oct. 15-17, 2025

    VIRTUAL

    Nov. 13, 2025

    Learn More About This Event
    Learn More About This Event
    PRE-REGISTER
    Learn More About This Event
    PRE-REGISTER
    • MORE EVENTS

    Contact Our Events Team

    Toll-Free U.S. and Canada:
    1 (888) 627 8834
    From Outside North America:
    1 (443) 599 1221
    Working Hours
    Monday – Friday 08:00 am – 17:00 pm EST.

    Reach us with your questions by email at: events@liveandinvestoverseas.com

  • Store

    Unlock The World

    • Access Your Library

    Overseas Havens Reports

    • Expats' comprehensive destination guides

    Conference Kits

    • Hours of coverage  from our latests conferences

    Lahardan Books

    • Titles on living and investing around the world
    • Explore Our Store
    Your passport to a life well-lived abroad

    Services

    overseas living letter offers affordable retirement guidance
    The Simon Letter Wealth Protection Insights
    Global Property Advisor Global Investment Opportunities

    Our Customer Service team is here to assist with any questions or concerns CustomerService@LiveandInvestOverseas.com

  • My Library
Live and Invest Overseas
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THE 10 BEST PLACES TO RETIRE IN 2025

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Home Countries Colombia

From Virginia To Medellín: Life In The City Of Eternal Spring

How Our Overseas Move Saves Us US$5,000 A Month

by Wendy Howarter
Aug 29, 2023
in Colombia, Retirement/Living, Testimonials
0 0
Panoramic view to Medellin, Colombia cost of living budgets

iStock/Yuki Mao

The expat community has expanded quickly in Medellín, Colombia, since Virginia couple David and Carole Wallis first arrived.

Over the past few years, they have made great friends, bought and remodeled a home, bought a car, and established a new life in the City of Eternal Spring.

But how did they end up in Medellín?

Dave takes up the story…

“In 2011 we were considering overseas retirement and researching options. We attended a Live And Invest Overseas Conference in San Antonio to see which countries might be viable options. I was a police sergeant in Virginia for 30 years and I wanted a place where I could afford to retire, instead of working until I dropped dead.

“When we first visited Medellín, the exchange rate was US$1 to 1,700 Colombian pesos. I watched the dollar go up against the Colombian peso, and we returned in February 2016 and bought an apartment.”

When it came to finding a home, the couple were clear on what they wanted.

“We wanted three bedrooms, a decent kitchen, a large living space for a large TV, and a pool,” says Carole.

“We made our offer long distance from the States. The place we chose needed a kitchen remodel. It took six weeks and was completed on time. We were very pleased with the results and the contractor. We had a good experience although I know others who weren’t so lucky.”

“A bit of advice for anyone buying a home here: open a brokerage account first, while you’re in Colombia, and bring your money here before making any offer,” says Dave. “Also be present for the paperwork and to decide when to exchange your funds to get the best rate.”

“We shipped most of our furnishings from the States,” says Carole. “Because you ship by weight, it was less expensive to bring appliances than to buy new in Colombia. Our total cost to ship everything, including all taxes and port fees, was US$13,000 door to door.”

“We also brought our dog Bear from Virginia,” adds Dave. “It was a straightforward process. You need a USDA certified veterinarian report and documents from the USDA office 10 days before traveling. In the Medellín airport, after you clear customs, you bring your paperwork to an office and pay the fee to bring your pet into the country. Medellín is a very pet-friendly city, we bring our dog everywhere.”

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“The vet care here is excellent and reasonably priced, including end of life care, which we unfortunately experienced in 2018 when Bear passed away,” says Carole.

“We got a new puppy, Sami. When he got sick, an overnight stay in the vet ER with 24/7 care cost us 195,000 Colombian pesos (US$47). Also, our vet speaks English.

“We had very little Spanish before coming here. We worked with a tutor for a year, taking classes twice a week. We also tried classes at the local university but we only lasted a few months. It was too rigid and stressful for the lifestyle we wanted. We will never be fluent but we get by on a day-to-day basis.”

Medellín has an impressive public transport system and the couple spent a few years here before choosing to buy a car.

“We bought a used 2019 Ford Escape with 4,000 kilometers on it,” says Dave. “The price was similar to U.S. prices. We pay 110,000 Colombian pesos (about US$26) for gas every month, vehicle insurance runs 243,000 Colombian pesos (US$60) per month, and body work is cheap and fast.”

I ask the couple to share some of the things they like and dislike about life in their adopted home.

“It’s difficult to make phone calls because of the language barrier. I’ll ask a friend to help me, or I use the WhatsApp phone app so I can type and translate,” says Carole.

“I also miss certain luxury foods like prime rib. Dave misses bourbon and Amazon although it’s getting easier to ship here. Also, you will need to shop in the States for larger sized clothes and shoes, as the Colombian people are generally smaller.”

As to the positives…

“The people are great, we love the climate, especially because we don’t need heat or air conditioning, and we enjoy a good quality of life at a great cost of living,” says Dave.

“We live a similar lifestyle spending approximately US$3,000 per month as opposed to US$8,000 in the States. We could live more frugally, but we don’t want to, and we don’t have to,” says Carole.

“We have EPS, the basic insurance. Our cost is approximately US$35 per month as a couple. For quick appointments, and to ensure an English-speaking doctor, we just pay out of pocket. The system is not difficult, it’s just time consuming.”

I ask the couple to share some advice for those considering a move here…

“Remember the expenses you still have in the States, like insurance policies, when considering your overseas budget,” says Carole. “Also, beware of Facebook groups and forums because people like to complain and some don’t even live here. Also, El Poblado is much more than just Parque Lleras (the club and nightlife area).”

“Decide what standard of living and creature comforts you want,” adds Dave. “Do you want part-time living, your dream home, or an adventure without strings? Then you can decide about shipping things when you move. There’s nothing that you need that you can’t get here…”

For this couple, the benefits far outweigh any downsides.

“I love our big group of new friends and entertaining them,” says Carole. “Medellín is our home now.”

Sincerely,

Wendy Howarter

Contributor, Overseas Living Letter

Tags: 'Colombia''Expats Overseas''Foreign Residency In Colombia'
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Wendy Howarter

Wendy Howarter

In 2014 Darren and Wendy Howarter left their rural, small-town life in Northern Illinois, USA, and full-time careers to start a new adventure in Colombia, South America. Darren enjoyed selling fine wine and spirits, while Wendy was an attorney for more than 23 years. Since settling in the city of Medellín almost six years ago, they now enjoy a semi-retired lifestyle in the City of Eternal Spring. Darren tracks and trades the U.S. stock market while Wendy is pursuing her passion for writing. They have been conference presenters for the past several years, and enjoy sharing their overseas trials and tribulations, along with tips about moving to Colombia.

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HOME

Top Countries

  • Spain
  • Portugal
  • Panama
  • Belize
  • Colombia
  • Cyprus
  • Mexico
  • France
  • Montenegro

Best For:

  • Health Care Abroad
  • Retirement Living
  • Cost Of Living
  • Investing in Real Estate
  • Establishing Residency
  • Gun Ownership
  • English Speakers
  • Safety
BROWSE ALL COUNTRIES

Budgets

How Much Will It Cost
To Live Overseas?

Super Cheap

  • Chitré, Panama
  • Santa Marta, Colombia
  • Phuket, Thailand
  • Dumaguete, The Philippines

Cheap

  • Medellin, Colombia
  • Boquete, Panama
  • Kyrenia, Cyprus
  • Hua Hin, Thailand
  • The Algarve, Portugal

Affordable

  • Valencia, Spain
  • Cascais, Portugal
  • Las Terrenas, The DR
  • Pisa, Italy
  • La Rochelle, France
  • Mazatlán, Mexico

Luxury

  • Ambergris Caye, Belize
  • Kotor, Montenegro
  • The Panama City Beaches
  • Paris, France

Resources

Global Living

  • Living & Retiring Overseas
  • Raising A Family Abroad
  • Foreign Residency & Citizenship
  • Offshore & Diversification

Making Money

  • International Real Estate
  • Banking
  • Employment
  • Investing
Meet Our Experts

Real Estate

Overseas Property Alert 

 

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VISIT SITE

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Discover tips and strategies used by global property investing veterans

READ MORE

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Learn how to invest and purchase property abroad…

EXPLORE

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Learn More About This Event

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MORE EVENTS

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From Outside North America:
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Working Hours
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Reach us with your questions by email at: events@liveandinvestoverseas.com

Store

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  • Hours of coverage  from our latests conferences

Lahardan Books

  • Titles on living and investing around the world

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