What Expats Must Learn About Life in Colombia...

[@tomreider9622]

This is my second time in Medellin in the past two years. My first time I stayed in Poblado and made all the mistakes you mentioned. Spent way more than necessary, accepted the exchange rate at the ATM´s, wore clothes that made me stick out, didn't speak Spanish too well and hung out with someone who stole money from me. This year, after a lot more research, including watching some of your videos, I'm spending way less for a lot more. Wearing clothes that make me look more like a native, speaking Spanish at a much higher level and being more careful about who I associate with. I stayed in Belén for 3 months, Sabaneta for 6 weeks and Itagúi for 6 weeks. Today is my last day here before returning to the US. I really enjoyed my time in every neighborhood and am looking forward to coming back again next May. I never felt in danger, even going out at night but I stay very aware of my surroundings. The only incident I had was when I was sitting at an outside table of a Heladera catching up on the news on my cell phone and I saw this guy approaching me a little too close out of the corner of my eye. As he got next to me he reached for my phone but I was already pulling it away. He mumbled something to me and walked away. Other than that I used my phone on the street all the time just like the natives do and never felt afraid of it being stolen. Hopefully by the time I come back my pension visa will have been approved and I can stay longer. Love this place, the people and the prices.

[@wanderingdoc5075]

Curious how old are you and do you think it's a place you would live at long-term?

[@STEVEANDTHESTORIES]

I live in Los Angeles; I've been robbed twice in nine months. One of these robberies resulted me ending up in the hospital. I've been to Colombia several times since 2018. I practice common sense and I had no issues. I feel much safer in Colombia then I do in Los Angeles. Not to mention that I feel that I'm being robbed every time I go to a restaurant because of the unreasonably high prices.

[@AKJoel]

Twice in 2 months?! wow that's very unfortunate! Also your last line about the restaurants made me laugh hahaha

[@shabadime10]

Missed the best Colombia Duo on KZbin

[@AKJoel]

✅ Get Your FREE Moving to Medellin Checklist Here: medellinmasterclass.com/ ☀BOOK a Life Redesign Consult with AK: www.akjoel.com/consultations

[@kenswindle4860]

You need to take a lot more precautions than just holding your property close to you. You need to travel with a cheap burner-phone with no information on it and carry a throw-away billfold with a few dollars and no working credit cards. Those are just a couple of pro-active safety tips. There are many other things to be actively on the defensive.

[@AKJoel]

In my humble opinion all that is overkill. You definitely don't need a burner phone. It's not like hundreds of foreigners are being robbed daily. I'd say the only time you'd need the burner phone and no working credit cards is if you're planning on going out for a few drinks and staying out past dark.

[@nycrypto_investor]

Knowing how to speak the language is the key to surviving Colombia.

[@AKJoel]

Not just for surviving but also for having a complete experience!

[@nycrypto_investor]

@@AKJoel Agreed! 👍🏻

[@VintageCustomCars]

Great video guys, I am coming to Medellin in January, let's have a drink and talk! Greetings, Edmundas.

[@AKJoel]

Glad ya enjoyed the video mate! Enjoy your time in Medellin!

[@squishyplums2415]

Guy on left has awesome shirt.

[@AKJoel]

Yeah it's an absolute ripper, I love it.

[@squishyplums2415]

@@AKJoel You have a nice shirt too.

[@BestFriendOfJesus]

Good to know

[@Redpillpoppa]

I really appreciate the information. Is there a school in medellin you recommend to learn spanish?

[@WanderingWolf365]

personal tutor - WW

[@AKJoel]

A good friend of mine took intensive classes at Total Spanish and he loved it - he learnt super fast!

[@MedellinBuzz]

Damn! What's up with my hair? LOL Great video!

[@AKJoel]

Haha mad scientist style 😂

[@elvdell5582]

It kind of cracks me up sometimes the advice people give (not in this video). It's not that it is bad advice, but it isn't always practical. The fact is you aren't a local. What you are really saying is that if prices are too high, you need to be willing to walk away, or search for what you want at the price you want. Often, the locals know you aren't local, and will up their prices. If it is something you need and is hard to find, it can be a real challenge. You don't get to negotiate prices on AirBNB. Even as an expat, before you can walk the ground, search for a good apartment, you are most of the time relying on AirBNB. That just is what it is. And since you are talking to expats and not vacationers it makes a lot of sense what you say. Good video. Good advice. I really wish locals would get the message about gringo pricing. That topic is always a chicken or the egg scenario. It isn't as if foreigners move to a cheaper country and think... hmn... I want to pay higher prices. Of COURSE, if they can get it for local pricing they would do so. As you say putting in the groundwork will absolutely help.

[@AKJoel]

I'm glad you mentioned all the issues with problems negotiating and expats being overcharged etc. We have modules that deal with all those pain points in our Masterclass, so now I know we did our research properly when we built it! Thanks haha

[@elvdell5582]

@@AKJoel That’s pretty cool.

[@climatehealers7454]

I would love to see you travel out to Fincas outside of Medellin and show the countryside.

[@AKJoel]

I head to a finca a few times every years so I'll make a video next time I'm up there.

[@drepagaming]

Everywhere has dangerous areas, its a fact of life. Lived in Medellin (Laureles) for over 6 months and never had an incident or felt unsafe. Only people I know who had negative incidents such as being robbed, were intoxicated at the time.

[@AKJoel]

Yeah you're probably one of the smart ones who doesn't do stupid things - like 99% of us lol

[@AnthonyHinesnusn]

Hello guys, I enjoy your watching your Medellin videos. When will the next masterclass begin? ...and how can I enroll in the course.

[@AKJoel]

Hey Anthony, we're in the final stages of completing the course. It should be up very soon. If you enter your details at : medellinmasterclass.com we'll let you know when the course is ready for purchase 👍🏾

[@cassiec5096]

One tip I would add: learn a little of the country’s history to understand why it is as it is. This is especially true in Antioquia and with elections on the horizon, will help you under the nuance of what’s going on. And a sneaky extra tip: don’t forget breakfast and lunch are the main meals - dinner is just a social occasion and incredibly overpriced. Have fun, it’s an amazing place!

[@AKJoel]

True - there's an incredible free tour in El Centro which teaches you about the last 100 years of Medellin - I highly recommend it!

[@LuisFigo4]

​@@AKJoeldo you know what's it's called? My wife often doesn't want to go on these tours because she's a Paisa...but once I convince her she's is almost always happy she went

[@johnhawks5035]

Do you guys have any comments about pocket translation machines?

[@hliang4]

Hi AKJoel thank you for the useful content, I have a question about useful specific groups that are available for expats, investing and hobbies?

[@AKJoel]

Hey mate check out this link! www.mdecommunity.com/

[@tadroshood]

@@AKJoelhi bro i was wondering if you know that dude red beard whos bashing au the girl in medellin i was curious why he try to convince all the people to not going there? donyou know something about it?

[@AKJoel]

I only know what I've read in the Colombian news about him. Apparently he's wanted for crimes related to sexual exploitation.

[@tadroshood]

@@AKJoel ohh okok thx for the awser

[@mawkishdave]

Thanks for all the videos, I am in Medellín now and spent the first few days in El Centro and today I am moving to Laurales (?). I wanted to get a idea of Medellín cheap. If either of you want a drink hit me up and I hope your arm is ok. Sorry on my celular

[@AKJoel]

Laureles is awesome, you're gonna love it mate!

[@mawkishdave]

@@AKJoel I do, can't wait until I move here. If you are looking for ideas for a video how about on the public transportation. That is really needed for us from the USA where we have to get in our F-350 to drive 6 meters to the grocery store.

[@AKJoel]

Public transport is a waste of time - Uber anywhere within the city costs between $2 and $5 ! So true about the F350 though hahahahahaha

[@davidmercado2329]

One recommendation make actual paisa friends and understand the culture that’s the best way to enjoy more the city

[@AKJoel]

Yup having local friends in any place you live is a must.

[@vmcla]

FYI in CAnada, life in prison means 25 years… MAXIMUM. Only the US uses life in prison to mean exactly that.

[@LuisFigo4]

Why would you go to Zara for anything?

[@AKJoel]

hahaha I've heard the have decent clothes, no?

[@WalkyBalbowa]

Where do you guys recommend learning spanish? I have looked everywhere for the best options.

[@AKJoel]

Online or in person?

[@WalkyBalbowa]

@@AKJoel online if you have some recommendations!

[@AKJoel]

Try this platform, it's great value: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYWrnYipe7CrhLc

[@marcorosales7450]

Foreign people think that Colombia is only Medellín, we have a lot of cities and towns too much safer than that city.

[@AKJoel]

Good point. I've visited all the major cities as well as some of the smaller ones. The other areas of Colombia are great to visit, but I wouldn't live anywhere else but Medellin.

[@darran719]

Is Turbana decent to live in?

[@AKJoel]

I've never even heard of it to be honest

[@gregp7605]

Personally, I wanted to love Colombia. I found the "adaptations" anxiety provoking. Every expat I met who lived there more than 2 years had their robbery story. I found the constant harressment, being stalked walking alone, friends telling me about the latest hotel /restaurant robbed during the day at gunpoint?! The morning blood on the sidewalk of the park that I used as a path to my office. I believe my eye color made me a target as I tried to dress to fit in, and I am not thin with dark features like the men in this video. I felt strange having to adapt to after dark precautions and more. I hear you adapt or get used to it? Personally, I had to ask myself why?

[@AKJoel]

I have a couple of safety related videos that I think you'll find very useful so stay tuned!

[@Robertplatt420]

Pégalo y préndelo ya 🔥

[@AKJoel]

Como?

[@toblue7451]

Sirs ? I heard that "Really" there "isn't Much of a Reason" to got North of San Bernardino Street ??? Ol West

[@AKJoel]

To be honest I've never even heard of San Bernardino Street lol

[@toblue7451]

Sir: Perhaps I got the name incorrectly ? However, It was "San (something)", which almost ran thru the center of the City ? Thanks@@AKJoel

[@cicaizrogace8054]

Bravo za vegana. 🎉🎉😊🎉🎉

[@nellywilmerding6304]

Do you guys know a good lawyer. And a account

[@AKJoel]

Absolutely. We recommend Nexo Legal: nexo.legal/contact/?rc=100005

[@ohno-zx4if]

El Pabloto is the worst experience in Medellin. Me personally I love floresta and the surrounding areas.

[@AKJoel]

I can see you're not a newbie haha you're spot on!

[@ohno-zx4if]

@@AKJoel the one thing I hate about Colombia is that I like to dress sharp and go out for a few drinks. I was always able to meet girls in Miami or New York City when I went out alone but in Colombia I’m nervous to go grab a drink alone. I just watch a video on dcrob how a girl was Cleary caught on video drugging a guy and I definitely don’t want to be that guys. I’ve become a daytime person in Colombia.

[@AKJoel]

It's actually pretty easy to avoid the drugging and robbing - just don't pick up girls in bars or invite them over as soon as you meet them on dating apps haha

[@ohno-zx4if]

Don’t walk around with an iPhone and there’s a 85% chance you won’t be targeted. Have a phone that you carry with you that doesn’t have all your personal information on it. So if they do steal it which they probably won’t it won’t matter because it’s now your main phone with all your banking and credit card information.

[@AKJoel]

You can have your iPhone but don't be walking in the street speaking on it and effectively showing the whole world that you have something of value in your possession.

[@ohno-zx4if]

@@AKJoel once they see that iPhone almost certainly you’ll become a target. iPhones are a hot commodity in Colombia. Who wants to actually worry about limited usage of a phone basically hiding it. I brought a brand new phone from Claro for 100$ I used a dummy email address left all my banking off this phone I don’t even use my real name on this phone. I use it and take it out everywhere. I’ve even had guys sit next to on park benches and on the metro purposely to see if it an iPhone when they realize it’s a budget phone they walk away. If you notice on KZbin 95% of stolen phones are iPhones. You really got to be crazy to carry your main iPhone with all your personal info on it in Colombia. Simplifying your life with a phone that you’ll hand over with a smile of anything where to happen. Try going to the barrio called Santo Domingo I bet my balls you won’t make it out of there with that iPhone

[@AKJoel]

I don't go to any dodgy barrios so that's why I'm not so concerned about using my phone.

[@windandraven]

More of a nomad-focused video, but informative for noobs.

[@AKJoel]

Noobs are usually the ones who seek information videos on KZbin - experts are the ones who make them lol

[@rob3774]

I lived in Medellin from the mid to late 2000s to early 2010s, before the word got out and before parque lleras was teeming with hookers on every corner and the nicest bars were just Fondas and shot bars. Back then you could go out to parque lleras and meet well cultured, educated and very sexy girls in the bars/clubs in lleras and frequently got one night stands with dime pieces. I'm an attractive, blonde 6 foot gringo so I had that benefit and I'm very entertaining and funny, so I've been told by many people. But back in those days you could pickup like nobody's business in Lleras and gorgeous girls from good Paisa families would be the picking. I'm not speaking of barrio girls either these were strata 5-6 girls from poblado. Fifteen years ago Lleras was like what Provenza is today but 10X better and minus the skanky hoes on every corner.

[@yolofrank]

stay away from the animals in Australia lol

[@AKJoel]

They will get you haha

[@carlosparedes2381]

The Mexican looking guy talks about Colombia if is was a violent country, look at Detroit ,Chicago , LA and even NY then you can talk about a Latin country do more research first. But I see you love my country right! 😅

[@AKJoel]

I've covered the crime statistics between Medellin, LA, NY & Chicago in many videos before. The levels of crime in Chicago are actually worse than in Medellin!

[@Gierboo]

Lol every gringo should watch this video before going to Colombia lol fellas do not give papaya 😂

[@AKJoel]

I feel almost stupid saying these obvious things sometimes, but it seems people never learn and keep making the same mistakes lol

[@PurgeZombies]

u guys act like what u say dont happen in the states...if u grew up in the hood in ny u would learn not to leave your stuff anywhere

[@AKJoel]

I completely agree with you, but you'd be surprised at how many people come here, leave their things unattended and then cry when it gets stolen!