A lot of this really just has to be accepted as the trade-off necessary to realize the benefits of a much lower cost of living, and for most of us a more interesting lifestyle. One thing I've found over time is the more you can skew your service providers and personal relationships towards more upper-estrato individuals, the less frustration you will encounter.
That is a fact. In the beginning when I moved to Colombia 🇨🇴 I was hanging out in lower strata areas and people and lots of fakeness and poor relationships occurred. I don’t like judging based on money but in Colombia you have to. Once I started hanging at the tennis club things were easier
Sabaneta is nice! I'm in Belen right now. If you haven't been yet, go eat at Big Boy restaurant. They have two of them next to each other on the corners. Thank me later.
Guys as you know I love living in Colombia and wouldn't consider living anywhere else. This video is simply a list of reasons why SOME foreigners might not enjoy it here. In my videos I try to be honest and give my own opinion PLUS the pros and cons that I've heard from many other expats, so that you can make up your own mind on whether you want to visit or move here. If you don't believe that every country has both positive and negative aspects (including Australia, which I've spoken about many times) then I don't know what else to tell you. No one is forcing you to watch, if you're not getting value from the videos then go somewhere else. I'm here to help those who want it 👍🏾
“I love living in Colombia and wouldn’t consider living anywhere else” then the clickbait thumbnail reads: “why did I move here?” (along with a panic expression).
I have lived and travelled throughout the world and there is incompetence and bad service throughout it is not limited to one region or ethnicity.. I now live between Colombia, Australia and Canada and can honestly say that I am always relieved to return to my home here in Envigado.. life is what you make it where you make it.. thanks for the continued content AJ.
Three other reasons that will apply to some people depending on their situation are: 1. Taxes- Colombia taxes on worldwide income and they have a wealth tax on total assets. I think many expats who this would apply to just ignore this and don't declare anything. But it's something you should consider before making a move. 2. Long term visas- there are not a lot of easy visas for long term residency. Temporary visas are pretty easy for student/digital nomad visas. And if you're of retirement age with social security or a government pension then the retirement visa is also straightforward. But if you're in your 30's-50's then the main options are the marriage visa, the property investment visa or the business investment visa. But all 3 require either a substantial financial or personal relationship investment. 3. Real estate- this is more a personal opinion that Joel and others might disagree with, but I'd be reluctant to investment a lot of money in real estate in Medellin. I am no expert but things just seem to be overpriced. I've been considering buying to qualify for the investment visa. The combination of higher property costs, so many new apartment buildings being constructed, and the potential for new regulations against Airbnb and short term rentals makes me worry that the a purchase will not hold its value over the long term.
Great comment mate, here's my feedback: 1. Agree, you need to understand the tax implications and how they affect you. 2. True, if you don't satisfy these visas then there's no other road to residency. 3. The viability of real estate investment is something each person needs to determine for themselves, but we're actually finding demand going up for Medellin real estate lately.
Great to get your perspectives from a fellow Aussie. After living and working for years in USA I moved to Guadalajara in 2018. First visited Medellin in 2012. Loved it. My couple is Colombian, from Cali/Popayan, so we plan to visit at least a couple of times each year.
One thing that was tough for me in Medellín were the motor exhaust fumes. I felt AMAZING up in the mountains. But as we would drive back down to the city, I would start to get head and stomach aches. For me, this is the #1 reason I couldn’t move to the city. However, I loved towns on the outskirts like Barbosa!
We have lived in the city of Pereira for nearly 10 years but now realized how much we love the outskirts. We are moving near via condina which is 10km out and has a good french/english/spanish private school for our 4 year old. The good thing is the place is only 3 km from many local stores and the finca even has 2 sloths that visit frequently. We will keep our city home for airbnb but it'll be nice to have for times we want to get back into the city here and there.
Sounds very similar to Thailand where I lived for 7 years - except the crime which is MUCH lower there. And because all of the reasons you mentioned plus a couple more like corruption, these countries will be developing countries forever. They don´t WANT to change - but are always jealous of the rich foreigners.
YEP. One thing Colombia has over Thailand, though, is superior food and lack of pollution. I love the Thai people, but holy hell, my lungs burned for at least a week in Bangkok, there's no way living like that doesn't take years off your life.
Developing countries do not want to change? Or "developed" countries do not want the rets to be "developed"? And what is the measurement of "development"? Access to money but spending it in psychiatric medication because depression? I live in Europe and I have seen more bureaucracy here than in Colombia just to mention one thing.
Hey AK, as a traveller, most points will not bother me most of the time. I got used to it. Last year, I was 6 weeks in Medellin. I loved it. Will revisit Colombia, for sure! But the safety issue would hold me back from living there. I was in Thailand last month and am now in Bali and next week in Australia. The freedom of safety is invaluable in terms of life quality. Again, I love Colombia, but that is a major factor for me. Why live in danger when you can do something else that you want at any time of day? I know your arguments since I watched most of your videos, but it's simply not for me for the long term. Great vid again. Cheers
As a Colombian who is also a US Citizen and have lived in the USA for over 23 years... It embarrases me to admit that all of these are so true. They are so behind the times, nothing is efficient, nothing is on time, no good processes for anything. I actually don't understand why so many people want to move to Colombia. I have not been in 7 years!
In most of latin America they let you eat and never give you the bill hahajsjs you have like 20 mins then just chase someone down like they know you have to pay what is the problem
I chose to move to Costa Rica. Some of the same issues exist. However, they are somewhat more efficient than Columbia. Getting Residency and a Costa Rican driver's license is a breeze! However, going to a bank, you take a number, sit, sit, sit, and sit some more. The positive thing is, I learned patience, and how to live a stress free life!
Some of these things are a defense mechanism against fraud/corruption and cheating which are prevalent in Colombia. Bureaucracy and inefficiency in governmental bodies guarantee jobs for many people, particularly with the current government. Respect for time is, to various degrees, a cultural thing pretty much across latinoamerica
13 дней назад+6
You may not know this, but in Colombia, we order candidates from highest to lowest professional and intellectual capacity to choose a person for a public position. The contest is held in the last three places. In the migration offices, almost always the last one wins.
Yep. Im colombian.. and if u live in the city and have a nice car and nice bike. good luck.. what a stressful life. Always worry that they will rob you at gun point.
Just an FYI- Getting your visa and getting your cédula are two completely different issues. Allegedly, they switched companies that manufactured the cédulas and that is what is causing the delays. Colombia- used a similar excuse a couple years ago with issuing colombia passports.
I don’t necessarily agree with the bad service - it really depends on what you mean. If you mean timely and proactive that is hit and miss - but overall friendliness and extent of service to the cost of service I would say that is completely incorrect at least compared to US standards and costs of service.
Hi AJ, I am a Colombian who also lived in Australia for quite a while. I have to say that I mostrly disagree this time. "No dar papaya" cannot, and should not be seen as not being sympathetic towards crime victims. It should be intended as "don´t be an easy target" and admitedly sad as it is, wearing a gold chain or a Rolex makes you a target. On the puntuctuality, while it´s true that Colombians are not puntual, showing up 1 hour late in a business setting is totally unaceptable! I certainly have not experienced that sort situation, but say a 15 minute delay is very common. I cannot speak about how Migración Col works, but in general, say with DIAN tax filings everything is done 100% online and it tends to work very well. The same can be said about banking, medical appointments, etc,. In general, I find that costumer service is Colombia is excellent. There are exeptions, but in Colombia more so than in any othe place I know, people go the extra mile to service you.
Hey mate, just for the record I 100% agree that "no dar papaya" is a necessity in a country like Colombia. Showing people that they won't get sympathy for just going around carelessly adds an extra level of awareness that's needed to survive here. I was simply speaking from many comments that I've seen from foreigners that come here. They hate the "no dar papaya" culture and this might be a reason they won't like living in Colombia.
I can't remember now but I have a video on this, it's in there somewhere lol if it wasn't the CheckMig then it was the online form that you need to fill out to extend your tourist visa.
#6 - Colombian time jaja, it's the same in all Latino Countries I have visited and all my Latino friends call it "tiempo marron"😁 Yes, if you actually need something to start at 7pm, you tell people 6pm👍
Also if the meeting is a party and it’s at 7:00 pm. Most people won’t like to be the first to arrive “ Is considered lame” so people on purpose will arrive at 7:30. That thing of “ tiempo marrón” sound like something a NoSabo kid would say.
Wow 5 years ago everyone was like " omg Colombia is so great, it's a paradise " now all those gringos move there and live there for 5 years and now they're all like , " um I don't know, now maybe Colombia is not for me 🤣🤣🤣🤣
If you Americans don't know how to get around in the hell of Medellin, things are going to go badly for you, and a man from Manizale tells you, a Colombian from the city of Manizales Caldas, and from Mexico City I send you greetings, take care, success.
I've been in Medellín for a month and the customer service has been average to good for me so far. Frisby is the lone exception; good chicken, but the workers are not great there!
Side question, has anyone been required to pay a fee on the CheckMig site? Another tuber mentioned that now you have to pay that $84 fee. I havent been back since Nov and wasnt sure.
Good example of the No de Papaya attitude. This explains why there is limited sympathy for the passport bros who are so often found robbed and/ or drugged. When a girl you just met asks if she can bring her girlfriend to your house, you're supposed to say no. And the gringos who say yes, are considered stupid.
Spirit had cheap flights to Cartagena so a friend and I went. Lots of sex tourism and scams. Hagglers on the beach were next level annoying. Never felt completely safe. Im an experienced traveler, can speak Spanish, and knew most of this going in but i will not go back there. Im not writing off the whole country though. I did hear nice things about Medellin and other places and i want to go back, just giving yall a warning about Cartagena.
Number 5 and 7 are linked and they are the exact things that I complained about when I was there. And this is coming from someone born, raised, and still living in a third world country.
The Check Mig form is a disaster. I mean to the point the government should have to pay a big fine for not doing anything to fix it. How do you have an English section and can't find the country of the United States because it's spelled with an E, Estados Unidos?!?!?! Remember, I said it's the English section. Make it make sense!!
I'm in SE Asia right now, been traveling here for the past 3 months - Colombia is 100x better than all these countries. The quality of life vs cost of living is unmatched.
@@AKJoeli think if you are an influencer with a great remote income the world is your oyster. I am teaching English here in Colombia and the working conditions for locals seem brutal here in Bogota. It all depends on how you earn. I think I will be leaving as working a typical 9-5 here has major cons.
My Colombian wife and I have been married 9 years and to register our marriage I have to show a marriage certificate that is was generated no more than 3 months ago and to get married here in Colombia I have to show a birth certificate that has been generated within the last 3 months, guess i'm going back to the states to get this.
It is funny how people think that leaving USA you will find the same life and standards that you have in USA. Life is a trade off. You leave USA only for economics reasons and you are expecting the perfect country to live with $1000 or $2000 dolares. Money than in usa put you under poverty level living in the hoods. Colombia ia not perfect has a lot of issues. It is a third world country. But if you adjust to the Colombia way of living is a very nice place to live.
You can’t generalize like that. I live in Cajica and nothing of what you mentioned is true. Maybe Medellin but I’ve been to restaurants with excellent customer service. I’ve never had an appointment arrive more than 15 minutes late. This video serves no purpose than to reinforce stereotypes. Not cool.
Don’t give Papaya apply to all the countries, if you don’t trust me I can give you few examples of European and American cities where if you walk with walk in certain with Apple Watch l, gold necklace ask tablet you will be robe with 90% of probability
Did you really need to post this now with all the beating Colombia is currently taking in the media? You’re doing a disservice to the country that welcomed you.👎
We can tell the difference from bad leadership to the country itself. I love Colombia very much, it’s the current leader that embarrassed himself. I hope for a better president for Colombia in the future. (I’m American born to Colombian legal immigrants)
Something I don't see anybody mention is that if you live in Colombia for over 6 months in a year, you're legally obligated to pay an insane amount of income tax (compared to what I would pay in the US). You can easily just live 6 months in Colombia and then 6 months somewhere else but there are a lot of people from the US, Australia, or Europe who are living in Colombia the entire year. Are they paying 40% to the government? Or are they just not claiming anything?
I read around and found this out also. Wouldn't leaving after 6 months be a "must?" Staying past 6 months will also put you in violation of your tourist visa, no?
These are all good points. In fact, the fact that one cannot trust most Colombian business people, nor that contracts will be enforced, is one reason why the country is still poor. The other is the lack of consideration for the value of time. You end up spending a LOT of time in lines, waiting for people to show up, etc.
i did have that experience with waiters who don't realize they're waiters, but only one place and I think they were shocked when we just got up and walked out. I'm def not gonna ask the waiter to be a waiter lol
With due respect, and I say it as a Colombian... why an American would consider moving to Colombia? 😂 Don't you watch news and see how hundreds of thousands try leaving the country to go to the US, even risking their lifes crossing the dangerous Darien Gap and then dealing with dangerous coyotes in Mexico just to cross there, and still facing humilliations as we all have seen... but still they are willing to face that rather.than staying in Colombia? So.. why an American would consider Colombia? serious question, I don't get it, Latin America is the worst area of the whole world, and I say it as a Colombian, and you guys with US passport, why would leave America for Colombia? 😂
i have no sympathy for gold chain-wearing fools in the USA as well. lol if someone robbed your big ass gold chain while you wandering around late at night downtown in the hood, that's on you. honestly, colombia needs to adopt the Mexico digital migration process for flights. no check mig, just arrive hand boarding pass, passport (and visa if required) answer questions, and stamp. or go back to immigration card handouts on the plane. no more check mig nonsense
Really you just gonna blame tourists for a single thing about wearing gold chain, let’s face fact you should be blaming criminals too cos they do the same things too and why you throwing hate around when you could be doing the same things as well. It’s not like he asked for to get robbed unless if he’s dangling the gold chain and arrogantly posing it for the camera which I don’t like that. If anything you should be putting blame on gringos that are using Colombian underage girls for sex tourism which is disgusting for real and I mean under the age of consent. That’s the thing I don’t like about it. But apart from it, you can dislike the Colombian criminals from robbing a gold chain and at the same time you can tell that gringo is just naive and should’ve known better cos well in Colombia they looking at you as if you are food and going to rob you.
Why would someone live in a country where they couldn't wear what they want to wear. So I can't wear what I want to wear, jewelry, watch ect, and walk down the street with it on me? Why would I live in a country like that?
That's what happen when a country is going down the hill under " (socialism)". It wasn't that bad when I was living over there . Unfortunately everything in life have a price. I do live peacefully.......under minus 15 degrees average, for most part of the year😢. Complaining? Not at all. It's what it's!!! We have to make choices. Good luck Joel!! Sorry to hear about that❤.
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
📺 FREE Moving to Medellin Webinar: www.medellinmasterclass.com/registerwebinar
✅ Moving to Medellin Guide (eBook): www.medellinmasterclass.com/checklist
Patience is definitely a virtue down here in Colombia
A lot of this really just has to be accepted as the trade-off necessary to realize the benefits of a much lower cost of living, and for most of us a more interesting lifestyle. One thing I've found over time is the more you can skew your service providers and personal relationships towards more upper-estrato individuals, the less frustration you will encounter.
you really have to, the 83 average IQ of the country is painfully obvious everywhere you go.
That is a fact. In the beginning when I moved to Colombia 🇨🇴 I was hanging out in lower strata areas and people and lots of fakeness and poor relationships occurred. I don’t like judging based on money but in Colombia you have to. Once I started hanging at the tennis club things were easier
I’m moving to Sabaneta soon.
Love the weather , the people , and prices.
Good food too.
Sabaneta is nice! I'm in Belen right now. If you haven't been yet, go eat at Big Boy restaurant. They have two of them next to each other on the corners. Thank me later.
Guys as you know I love living in Colombia and wouldn't consider living anywhere else.
This video is simply a list of reasons why SOME foreigners might not enjoy it here.
In my videos I try to be honest and give my own opinion PLUS the pros and cons that I've heard from many other expats, so that you can make up your own mind on whether you want to visit or move here.
If you don't believe that every country has both positive and negative aspects (including Australia, which I've spoken about many times) then I don't know what else to tell you.
No one is forcing you to watch, if you're not getting value from the videos then go somewhere else.
I'm here to help those who want it 👍🏾
“I love living in Colombia and wouldn’t consider living anywhere else” then the clickbait thumbnail reads: “why did I move here?” (along with a panic expression).
I got my bike jacked at gunpoint in las Palmas in Medellín ☹ Riding a nice bike is also a no-go unfortunately.
Pedal or motor bike?
Is concealed carry a thing in Colombia? Or are only criminals allowed to carry firearms?
@@squishyplums2415 Aluminium frame road bike (specialized). It's a mid-range bike (cost like 6 million pesos).
I have lived and travelled throughout the world and there is incompetence and bad service throughout it is not limited to one region or ethnicity.. I now live between Colombia, Australia and Canada and can honestly say that I am always relieved to return to my home here in Envigado.. life is what you make it where you make it.. thanks for the continued content AJ.
My friends and I call the time delay thing as “Latino time”. Definitely applies to most South American countries. Hola from Ecuador!
Three other reasons that will apply to some people depending on their situation are:
1. Taxes- Colombia taxes on worldwide income and they have a wealth tax on total assets. I think many expats who this would apply to just ignore this and don't declare anything. But it's something you should consider before making a move.
2. Long term visas- there are not a lot of easy visas for long term residency. Temporary visas are pretty easy for student/digital nomad visas. And if you're of retirement age with social security or a government pension then the retirement visa is also straightforward. But if you're in your 30's-50's then the main options are the marriage visa, the property investment visa or the business investment visa. But all 3 require either a substantial financial or personal relationship investment.
3. Real estate- this is more a personal opinion that Joel and others might disagree with, but I'd be reluctant to investment a lot of money in real estate in Medellin. I am no expert but things just seem to be overpriced. I've been considering buying to qualify for the investment visa. The combination of higher property costs, so many new apartment buildings being constructed, and the potential for new regulations against Airbnb and short term rentals makes me worry that the a purchase will not hold its value over the long term.
Great comment mate, here's my feedback:
1. Agree, you need to understand the tax implications and how they affect you.
2. True, if you don't satisfy these visas then there's no other road to residency.
3. The viability of real estate investment is something each person needs to determine for themselves, but we're actually finding demand going up for Medellin real estate lately.
Great to get your perspectives from a fellow Aussie. After living and working for years in USA I moved to Guadalajara in 2018. First visited Medellin in 2012. Loved it. My couple is Colombian, from Cali/Popayan, so we plan to visit at least a couple of times each year.
One thing that was tough for me in Medellín were the motor exhaust fumes. I felt AMAZING up in the mountains. But as we would drive back down to the city, I would start to get head and stomach aches. For me, this is the #1 reason I couldn’t move to the city. However, I loved towns on the outskirts like Barbosa!
Normal in urban environment in the mountains, unless they have winds that push the fumes out
I noticed that today. I think there is a “bowl” effect where the smog settles to the bottom of the valley.
I agree and it seems worse at certain times of the year too.
We have lived in the city of Pereira for nearly 10 years but now realized how much we love the outskirts. We are moving near via condina which is 10km out and has a good french/english/spanish private school for our 4 year old. The good thing is the place is only 3 km from many local stores and the finca even has 2 sloths that visit frequently. We will keep our city home for airbnb but it'll be nice to have for times we want to get back into the city here and there.
This is spot on and by far the worst part of Medellin
Sounds very similar to Thailand where I lived for 7 years - except the crime which is MUCH lower there. And because all of the reasons you mentioned plus a couple more like corruption, these countries will be developing countries forever. They don´t WANT to change - but are always jealous of the rich foreigners.
YEP. One thing Colombia has over Thailand, though, is superior food and lack of pollution. I love the Thai people, but holy hell, my lungs burned for at least a week in Bangkok, there's no way living like that doesn't take years off your life.
Developing countries do not want to change? Or "developed" countries do not want the rets to be "developed"? And what is the measurement of "development"? Access to money but spending it in psychiatric medication because depression? I live in Europe and I have seen more bureaucracy here than in Colombia just to mention one thing.
Thailand may be more polluted, but when it comes to food, Thai is 2nd to none.
Thai food is much better @@petertrzos6645
Hey AK, as a traveller, most points will not bother me most of the time. I got used to it. Last year, I was 6 weeks in Medellin. I loved it. Will revisit Colombia, for sure! But the safety issue would hold me back from living there. I was in Thailand last month and am now in Bali and next week in Australia. The freedom of safety is invaluable in terms of life quality. Again, I love Colombia, but that is a major factor for me. Why live in danger when you can do something else that you want at any time of day? I know your arguments since I watched most of your videos, but it's simply not for me for the long term. Great vid again. Cheers
As a Colombian who is also a US Citizen and have lived in the USA for over 23 years... It embarrases me to admit that all of these are so true. They are so behind the times, nothing is efficient, nothing is on time, no good processes for anything. I actually don't understand why so many people want to move to Colombia. I have not been in 7 years!
Because you are Colombia you gonna feel everything is bad …🫢🫢
It's a good place to visit and I do, but I could not live there.
Love your content Joel💪🏾
Thanks mate!!
Your #4 confuses me
I travel to Cali/Palmira every year and customer service is always very good
In most of latin America they let you eat and never give you the bill hahajsjs you have like 20 mins then just chase someone down like they know you have to pay what is the problem
I chose to move to Costa Rica. Some of the same issues exist. However, they are somewhat more efficient than Columbia. Getting Residency and a Costa Rican driver's license is a breeze! However, going to a bank, you take a number, sit, sit, sit, and sit some more. The positive thing is, I learned patience, and how to live a stress free life!
I was thinking of coming to Colombia to find my future wife. After considering the pros and cons, it's better to stay single.
@@onesri6108 I’m Colombian and I would really, really have to consider marrying a Colombian woman. Some good exist but that’s the minority.
I feel you bro, I have lived in Straya and now I am in Colombia, also married to a Colombian so I really get you 🤣
Champion!!
Some of these things are a defense mechanism against fraud/corruption and cheating which are prevalent in Colombia. Bureaucracy and inefficiency in governmental bodies guarantee jobs for many people, particularly with the current government. Respect for time is, to various degrees, a cultural thing pretty much across latinoamerica
You may not know this, but in Colombia, we order candidates from highest to lowest professional and intellectual capacity to choose a person for a public position. The contest is held in the last three places. In the migration offices, almost always the last one wins.
Yep. Im colombian.. and if u live in the city and have a nice car and nice bike. good luck.. what a stressful life. Always worry that they will rob you at gun point.
Just an FYI-
Getting your visa and getting your cédula are two completely different issues. Allegedly, they switched companies that manufactured the cédulas and that is what is causing the delays. Colombia- used a similar excuse a couple years ago with issuing colombia passports.
Strange, I went to Colombia in mid Decmeber of 2024 amd I wasn't asked about a check mig form. I got in with no issue. Is this still enforced?
Trying to make it work on Maui now... luckily I can afford it but there's other challenges (services, culture, food, etc.) as well..
Even among colombians, being late is really annoying... Just a lack of respect
I don’t necessarily agree with the bad service - it really depends on what you mean. If you mean timely and proactive that is hit and miss - but overall friendliness and extent of service to the cost of service I would say that is completely incorrect at least compared to US standards and costs of service.
Hi AJ, I am a Colombian who also lived in Australia for quite a while. I have to say that I mostrly disagree this time. "No dar papaya" cannot, and should not be seen as not being sympathetic towards crime victims. It should be intended as "don´t be an easy target" and admitedly sad as it is, wearing a gold chain or a Rolex makes you a target. On the puntuctuality, while it´s true that Colombians are not puntual, showing up 1 hour late in a business setting is totally unaceptable! I certainly have not experienced that sort situation, but say a 15 minute delay is very common. I cannot speak about how Migración Col works, but in general, say with DIAN tax filings everything is done 100% online and it tends to work very well. The same can be said about banking, medical appointments, etc,. In general, I find that costumer service is Colombia is excellent. There are exeptions, but in Colombia more so than in any othe place I know, people go the extra mile to service you.
Hey mate, just for the record I 100% agree that "no dar papaya" is a necessity in a country like Colombia. Showing people that they won't get sympathy for just going around carelessly adds an extra level of awareness that's needed to survive here.
I was simply speaking from many comments that I've seen from foreigners that come here. They hate the "no dar papaya" culture and this might be a reason they won't like living in Colombia.
@@AKJoel"No dar papaya," in America we call it, never let your guard down.
@ Hey mate. I do get you and appreciate your channel and your love for this country. Tu casa mi casa!
LOL. Must be a Latin thing, because many of those issues happen in the Dominican Republic also.
Yeah you're 100% correct - I've noticed these things in basically all Latino countries lol
GREAT CONTENT
What is the mistake you found in the Checkmig application AK?
I can't remember now but I have a video on this, it's in there somewhere lol if it wasn't the CheckMig then it was the online form that you need to fill out to extend your tourist visa.
One of the things that surprised me is that there is no Postsl service in Colombia.
That's not true. It's called 4-72.
#6 - Colombian time jaja, it's the same in all Latino Countries I have visited and all my Latino friends call it "tiempo marron"😁 Yes, if you actually need something to start at 7pm, you tell people 6pm👍
Also if the meeting is a party and it’s at 7:00 pm. Most people won’t like to be the first to arrive “ Is considered lame” so people on purpose will arrive at 7:30.
That thing of “ tiempo marrón” sound like something a NoSabo kid would say.
“And they still show up late” lol.
Thanks bro
I’ve never waited 15 minutes for a menu in a restaurant, and I’ve lived 25 years in Colombia.
I have been having unusually great experiences w/ customer service lately, but in Sabaneta
I am Colombian but it really annoys me when people are not punctual
I miss Walmart super center for food.
Wow 5 years ago everyone was like " omg Colombia is so great, it's a paradise " now all those gringos move there and live there for 5 years and now they're all like , " um I don't know, now maybe Colombia is not for me 🤣🤣🤣🤣
What kind of visa are you using to stay there for 3 years?
I have the marriage visa now, but before that I had 1 year tourist visa, student visa, then 1 year tourist visa again.
If you Americans don't know how to get around in the hell of Medellin, things are going to go badly for you, and a man from Manizale tells you, a Colombian from the city of Manizales Caldas, and from Mexico City I send you greetings, take care, success.
You should do a vid on what the language schools are like there...
Good idea, will add that to the list.
Centro Catalina is the best
I've been in Medellín for a month and the customer service has been average to good for me so far. Frisby is the lone exception; good chicken, but the workers are not great there!
Frisby is the bloody Colombian KFC
What did you expect? 😂
Side question, has anyone been required to pay a fee on the CheckMig site? Another tuber mentioned that now you have to pay that $84 fee. I havent been back since Nov and wasnt sure.
Scam
Retired in Colombia visa nightmare get used to it.. assistants are mandatory
I ve been raised in us we a
AlWays say dont be green so this is normal for minorities/ imigrants/urban people
And don't get me started with the "no hay sistema" or "plataforma caída".
Love your video @AK Joel. When I went to the restaurants they were pretty quick with me.
6:37 or say “en punto”
Good example of the No de Papaya attitude. This explains why there is limited sympathy for the passport bros who are so often found robbed and/ or drugged. When a girl you just met asks if she can bring her girlfriend to your house, you're supposed to say no. And the gringos who say yes, are considered stupid.
Your not exactly setting the social scene on fire not wanting to meetup with anyone.
I think this is targeted to a certain type of person,, maybe a non worrdly and or spoiled wealthy westerner
Spirit had cheap flights to Cartagena so a friend and I went. Lots of sex tourism and scams. Hagglers on the beach were next level annoying. Never felt completely safe. Im an experienced traveler, can speak Spanish, and knew most of this going in but i will not go back there. Im not writing off the whole country though. I did hear nice things about Medellin and other places and i want to go back, just giving yall a warning about Cartagena.
@@mikeeyy14 I don’t really care if you go to Columbia but you can’t compare the two. Cartagena is a horrible place.
Number 5 and 7 are linked and they are the exact things that I complained about when I was there. And this is coming from someone born, raised, and still living in a third world country.
For the girls you know it
The Check Mig form is a disaster. I mean to the point the government should have to pay a big fine for not doing anything to fix it. How do you have an English section and can't find the country of the United States because it's spelled with an E, Estados Unidos?!?!?! Remember, I said it's the English section. Make it make sense!!
What made you go there did you try other places like se asia
I'm in SE Asia right now, been traveling here for the past 3 months - Colombia is 100x better than all these countries. The quality of life vs cost of living is unmatched.
@@AKJoeli think if you are an influencer with a great remote income the world is your oyster. I am teaching English here in Colombia and the working conditions for locals seem brutal here in Bogota. It all depends on how you earn. I think I will be leaving as working a typical 9-5 here has major cons.
@@AKJoel wow did not expect that most people heading to Asia I will find out soon when I retire
@@AKJoel what part did you live in
@AKJoel I don't believe you. First of all 100x is gross exaggeration. Why are you in SE Asia for three months if Colombia is 100x better?
Wallaby
Anyone who lives in a major city practices basic situationsl awareness in terms of crime.
Except for some gringos in Medellin it seems lol
@@AKJoel they probably give it up when in vacation mode
i would strongly recommend that no one come to Colombia. The situation political situation is dicy definately do not buy.
@@donTeo136 I adhere to this. Selling property right now is extremely difficult. Seems to be getting worse with the clown in charge.
My Colombian wife and I have been married 9 years and to register our marriage I have to show a marriage certificate that is was generated no more than 3 months ago and to get married here in Colombia I have to show a birth certificate that has been generated within the last 3 months, guess i'm going back to the states to get this.
It is funny how people think that leaving USA you will find the same life and standards that you have in USA. Life is a trade off. You leave USA only for economics reasons and you are expecting the perfect country to live with $1000 or $2000 dolares. Money than in usa put you under poverty level living in the hoods.
Colombia ia not perfect has a lot of issues. It is a third world country.
But if you adjust to the Colombia way of living is a very nice place to live.
The customer service 😭
Migration paperwork in Colombia is as slow as in Europe 😅
You can’t generalize like that. I live in Cajica and nothing of what you mentioned is true. Maybe Medellin but I’ve been to restaurants with excellent customer service. I’ve never had an appointment arrive more than 15 minutes late. This video serves no purpose than to reinforce stereotypes. Not cool.
Don’t give Papaya apply to all the countries, if you don’t trust me I can give you few examples of European and American cities where if you walk with walk in certain with Apple Watch l, gold necklace ask tablet you will be robe with 90% of probability
Did you really need to post this now with all the beating Colombia is currently taking in the media? You’re doing a disservice to the country that welcomed you.👎
I posted this just before all the Trump news came out, nothing I can do about that lol
We can tell the difference from bad leadership to the country itself. I love Colombia very much, it’s the current leader that embarrassed himself. I hope for a better president for Colombia in the future. (I’m American born to Colombian legal immigrants)
He is telling the truth, which he has experienced first hand, nothing wrong with that, Ever.
@@CapitanJusticia lmao well you voted for change.
Something I don't see anybody mention is that if you live in Colombia for over 6 months in a year, you're legally obligated to pay an insane amount of income tax (compared to what I would pay in the US). You can easily just live 6 months in Colombia and then 6 months somewhere else but there are a lot of people from the US, Australia, or Europe who are living in Colombia the entire year. Are they paying 40% to the government? Or are they just not claiming anything?
There's many forms of legal tax management you can do to minimize your tax obligations - check out my video on tax for more info.
I read around and found this out also. Wouldn't leaving after 6 months be a "must?" Staying past 6 months will also put you in violation of your tourist visa, no?
These are all good points. In fact, the fact that one cannot trust most Colombian business people, nor that contracts will be enforced, is one reason why the country is still poor. The other is the lack of consideration for the value of time. You end up spending a LOT of time in lines, waiting for people to show up, etc.
i did have that experience with waiters who don't realize they're waiters, but only one place and I think they were shocked when we just got up and walked out. I'm def not gonna ask the waiter to be a waiter lol
Sounds like nigeria and most 3rd world countries lol but I have been cartegena so many times, customer service is right on time
With due respect, and I say it as a Colombian... why an American would consider moving to Colombia? 😂 Don't you watch news and see how hundreds of thousands try leaving the country to go to the US, even risking their lifes crossing the dangerous Darien Gap and then dealing with dangerous coyotes in Mexico just to cross there, and still facing humilliations as we all have seen... but still they are willing to face that rather.than staying in Colombia? So.. why an American would consider Colombia? serious question, I don't get it, Latin America is the worst area of the whole world, and I say it as a Colombian, and you guys with US passport, why would leave America for Colombia? 😂
Come to Germany and you will know what is frustration, paper, papers and more papers, bureaucracy, only cash to pay everywhere
i have no sympathy for gold chain-wearing fools in the USA as well. lol if someone robbed your big ass gold chain while you wandering around late at night downtown in the hood, that's on you. honestly, colombia needs to adopt the Mexico digital migration process for flights. no check mig, just arrive hand boarding pass, passport (and visa if required) answer questions, and stamp. or go back to immigration card handouts on the plane. no more check mig nonsense
Really you just gonna blame tourists for a single thing about wearing gold chain, let’s face fact you should be blaming criminals too cos they do the same things too and why you throwing hate around when you could be doing the same things as well. It’s not like he asked for to get robbed unless if he’s dangling the gold chain and arrogantly posing it for the camera which I don’t like that. If anything you should be putting blame on gringos that are using Colombian underage girls for sex tourism which is disgusting for real and I mean under the age of consent. That’s the thing I don’t like about it. But apart from it, you can dislike the Colombian criminals from robbing a gold chain and at the same time you can tell that gringo is just naive and should’ve known better cos well in Colombia they looking at you as if you are food and going to rob you.
Why would someone live in a country where they couldn't wear what they want to wear. So I can't wear what I want to wear, jewelry, watch ect, and walk down the street with it on me? Why would I live in a country like that?
That's what happen when a country is going down the hill under " (socialism)". It wasn't that bad when I was living over there .
Unfortunately everything in life have a price. I do live peacefully.......under minus 15 degrees average, for most part of the year😢. Complaining? Not at all. It's what it's!!!
We have to make choices. Good luck Joel!! Sorry to hear about that❤.
Peru is much better
No is not.
@@ShadowHawk-g8f yup, let’s all move to Peru.