As I took a leisurely stroll along one of the tree-lined main streets in the city of Bucaramanga, I kept asking myself, “Why haven’t more expats heard of this place? It’s heavenly.” I’ll admit the name is a little strange. When I told my daughter that I was taking an exploratory trip to check out Bucaramanga (pronounced boo-kara-MAN-ga)...
I’m in Bucaramanga, a Colombian city of a million people on a mesa in the Andes mountains. You get the benefit of dramatic mountain views but with flat, pedestrianfriendly streets. Since arriving here from my home in Medellín (an hour’s flight away) I’ve been checking out the best neighborhoods to live.
I’m living a lifestyle I couldn’t come close to in the U.S.,” Robert Venhuizen, 68, says. “I have enough money to do what I want.” After working for decades as an independent manufacturing representative in Holland, Michigan, Robert decided to retire at age 50. “I was just burned out with materialism,” he says.
When David and Carole Wallis thought about retiring in the U.S. on David’s police department pension, they figured they could afford to have either health insurance or food, but not both. This reality led them to consider retiring overseas...
My love affair with MedellÃn, Colombia began after only my third day in the city. I woke to the sound of the birds chirping in the tree outside my window. I spent the day wandering through the neighborhood taking in the sights and sounds of my new surroundings. Fruit vendors were calling out to me announcing what they had to sell.
Our families and friends were not shocked about our decision to move to Medellín, Colombia," says Jeff Raheb. "Most thought it was a good move. Actually, about one-third of them are jealous.” They have good reason to be. “Medellín is truly First World,”
In January 2013, my husband and I bought our 1,313-square-foot, three-bedroom apartment in Medellín for just under $177,000. Recently, I found out that the value of our property had soared 60% in less than five years. I was shocked but delighted. We love where we live and wouldn’t change a thing.
When Aaron Brabham decided to move to the Colombian city of Medellín nearly a year and a half ago, he knew exactly what type of place he wanted to live in. “I’m really a penthouse kind of guy,” he says. “I was looking to live in the lap of luxury for much less than I could back in the U.S. I work at home as a digital marketer, so I like to have lots of space.”
The first two times I visited the town of Santa Marta, on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, I was a tourist who just wanted to relax on its superb beaches, eat its amazing, fresh seafood, and soak up its vibrant nightlife. And Santa Marta delivered.
When you ask expats why they chose Medellín, Colombia’s City of Flowers, the first answer is almost always the weather. I have to agree. Daytime highs in the low to mid-80s F and evenings in the mid-60s F mean you never need to wear more than a light jacket to be comfortable. Our apartment doesn’t have a thermostat; I just open or close the windows to regulate the temperature. Having great weather means you can be outside all the time to enjoy the city. And Medellín has something for everyone.