People often ask me what motivated me to leave the U.S. for Colombia. Most of the time, the askers are Colombians themselves, many of whom would do pretty much anything to get a visa to the U.S. or Canada and can’t understand why someone would willingly choose to move to the “disaster” (their words not mine) that is Latin America. And I do sometimes ask myself, what kind of person abandons the comforts and stability of the developed world for the relative chaos of the third world? Many of the Colombians and Latin Americans I’ve met along the way even look at me like I’m crazy when I tell them I actually like living here. But Latin America does have its perks, otherwise, why would hundreds of thousands of foreigners leave their old lives behind to come live down here? Below are some of the most common reasons expats have given me for deciding to move to Latin America.
A lower cost of living. The cost of living in Latin America is often a fraction of what it is in the United States, Canada and Europe. I hesitate to call this a positive because the price of this lower cost of living is often an exploited, underappreciated workforce, but it’s hard to deny that this is one of the top reasons foreigners decide to move south. Basically, you can have a higher quality of life here for less. You can live comfortably in most Latin American cities with $1,500-$3,000 a month. In Bogota, you can get your nails done for $3.50-$5, you can have a daily maid who cooks and cleans for the equivalent of $300 a month and a good meal at a high-end restaurant will rarely cost you more than $15 . Plus, you can rent yourself a decent two-bedroom apartment for $400 a month.
Nature. In one word, nature in Latin America is spectacular. Unlike the U.S. where you have to drive at least a few hundred miles to notice any significant temperature or geographical changes, climate and vegetation changes by altitude rather than latitude here. In two hours, you can go from freezing snowcapped mountains to sweltering, tropical lowlands. Whether you want beaches, jungles, plains or mountains, it’s usually just a short drive away.
A happening party scene. I don’t think I’m being subjective when I say Latin Americans know how to party. In fact, I’ve talked to a lot of expats who decided to move down here exclusively for the party life. Whether you’re into salsa, rock, techno, heavy metal or hip-hop, most mid-sized cities have something for everyone. And unlike the U.S. where 30 seems to be the cut-off age for all night partying and debauchery, grandma and grandpa like to get down just as much as the twenty-something crowd and they’re not opposed indulging – or overindulging – in a little rum or aguardiente. Many Latin Americans I’ve met strongly believe that partying is as essential to a happy, fulfilled life as say, a job and friends.
A more laidback pace of life. It seems like every other weekend in Colombia is a holiday weekend, and this goes for most of Latin America. Unlike the U.S. where workaholics are a common occurrence, relaxation is accepted and expected here. Somehow, the days just seem to last longer and there’s time for more. Some bigger cities are taking a more U.S.-based approach to work, but small town shops still sometimes close down for lunch.
People are nice. They often go out of their way to help you. Sure, there are some bad apples just like anywhere else, but for the most part, people do their best to make you feel welcome and at home. They worry about and fuss over you and do what they can to give you a good impression of their country.
Business opportunities. I’m no business woman, but Latin America definitely offers incentives the entrepreneurial among us. Foreign investors often benefit from low corporate tax rates, a cheaper workforce and a growing middle class with increasing purchasing power.
But none of these is the reason I decided to move here. My reasons are more intangible. I can’t even really articulate them to myself: Almost my entire family lives 3,000 miles away, I’d be making more money in the U.S., I’d have a familiar social network and 24-hour convenience stores for when I get a late night junk food craving. So what made me leave all of this behind to move to Bogota, where I had no job lined up and a social network consisting of my 78 year-old grandmother and her equally elderly friends? For sure, it’s not always rainbows and butterflies: There are times I seriously consider going back home. Sometimes it’s lonely, frustrating or seem like it’s more trouble than it’s worth. I miss my family and my friends and wonder what kind of life I’d have back home. So I don’t really have an answer for why I moved here, expect that somehow, I’m happier here than I was in the U.S. Maybe it’s just a phase, maybe I’m looking for my roots (my parents are from here, after all) or maybe it’s just a better fit for now– After all, I do get by working just three or four hours a day doing what I love . All I know is that right now, it feels right.
For more of my experiences in Latin America, check out my blog. For information on places to visit in Latin America, check out my articles on Brazil, Nicaragua, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. Or, take a look at the negative side of Latin America as I see it.
This sounds almost too good to be true (aka I’ve got some questions)!
How ecologically friendly is Columbia? Is there recycling or composting? Are there national parks dedicated to preserving nature?
How bad is the drug trade? I’ve heard some horror stories about Columbia regarding drug cartels. Please comfort me.
Do you get gyped because you’re white? Is it safe to be white in some places?
I’ve wanted to live in South America ever since I’ve been a kid (it’s been my dream to open up a Bed & Breakfast along a beach or a jungle. Tee hee!), and I want to thank you for the information you’ve provided. It’s useful and down to earth.
Jessie
PS. One more question. You say you arrived with no job prospects. What are the prospects like for foreigners?
Hi Jessie,
1.) I can’t tell you that Colombia is at the forefront of the green movement — the concept of recycling is just getting started. There are national parks dedicated to preserving nature throughout the country, and many of them are nearly unvisted because of Colombia’s long-running (but now somewhat undeserved) reputation.
2.) How bad the drug trade is depends on where you live. If you live in Bogota, you’ll have no idea you’re in a country with a major drug cartel problem, as Bogota is actually safer than Milwaukie, Washington D.C. and Philly. Other cities like Cartagena and Medellin are a bit more dangerous, but still relatively safe for the average gringo.
3.) Yes, you’ll get ripped off for being a “gringo” every once in a while, especially if you look particularly foreign, but I don’t think it’s a major issue. In Bogota and most touristy places it’s perfectly safe to be white — if you are six feet tale with white blonde hair and blue eyes, you’re going to stand out and people will stare (and I don’t recommend that you walk around by yourself drunk at 3am), but as long as you exercise normal precautions, you should be Ok.
4.) There are a lot of different visa types available (may want to contact the Colombian embassy in wherever you’re from to investigate different types) but if you have money the easiest thing is to get a business visa. Once you get your visa situation in order, I’ll be honest with you and tell you job propsects for foreigners are not fantastic — a lot of foreigners teach English, or you can try getting a job at a university or going through a multinational, but it’s definitely not easy.
Hope that helps — let me know if you have any more questions!
Hi Jisel!
I agree with ALL your statements wholeheartedly! I just spent 10 days in Medellin, and I HAVE found MY PARADISE! I can’t explain it either, alot of my reasons are intangible as well. However, I found Medellin to be among the CLEANEST (no litter) big cities I have ever visited. I was even in Comuna 13 (not exactly tourist friendly) and even that was litter free. And EVERYWHERE (yes, even Comuna 13!) the people are genuinely proud of their country, city and neighborhood. Even the poorest take pride in their small homes. I am particularly AMAZED that the poorest of the poor are NOT bitching about what they haven’t got, UNLIKE the US! I could go on FOREVER! OH, HEY!, you can even DRINK THE TAP WATER in Medellin, and BOY!, are they PROUD of that fact! LOL! (I DID TOO!) I could live like ROYALTY on what I earn HERE in the US, and I only make a good, not great, salary. I am looking as we speak for employment opportunities, and I am ALREADY making good progress! When the real estate market in the US recovers so I can recoup what my home is actually worth, I AM OUTTA HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tedd
Hi Tedd, I’m glad you enjoyed/agreed with the points made in the article. Medellin is a great city — I lived there myself in the summer of 2007 and had a wonderful time.
I am a retired teacher in the USA and am working hard to prepare to move to either Panama or Costa Rica. Hopefully, I will be ready for this move in six months.
What I am hoping to find is simple but also challenging. I want to find a place where there is a balance of safety, decent cost of living and a good quality of life. It’s simple because I would think just about everybody is looking for the same things. It’s challenging because it is getting harder and harder to find.
I have lived in many parts of the USA, researched others, and sadly am hard pressed to find this balance anywhere in the USA, yet my trips to Central America show a different climate where these things are possible.
It comes as no surprise that so many people my age are looking elsewhere to spend the rest of their lives. This choice is simple but still challenging.
I have been to so many countries and nothing in the world compares to the totality of Latin America-in my view Peru especially but I think it is the same all over the continent. The music, the culture, the food, the people, the pace of life, the party (which doesn’t end at any age), the spectacular natural beauty (go to Machu Picchu and the ruins are secondary to the natural, and quite incredible beauty of the mountains), the kindness of the good people and their generosity even when they have nothing, the passion (it isn’t just a stereotype)… it isn’t rich economically but it is rich in every other way. The one thing for me that it lacks, is my family-and that is the one reason I am not living there anymore. Go go go-you won’t regret it!