You want more real practical information about Expat-Life? DOWNLOAD OUR FREE E-BOOK NOW: how-to-expat.com/the-real-deal-e-book Real practical information we gathered through our trips and while relocating to Colombia.
I'm retiring in a foreign country, I love the USA but you need $$$$$ to retire here. Never thought about Colombia even though I was born there some 50+ years ago. Might be time to go home. 😎😎😎
I was born here in the USA. I've been to Colombia 4 times in the last year. Can't understand why anyone to leave there to come here. I'm out of here in about 5 to 6 years.
Of the places, I lived in Colombia my favorites were 1) Cartagena - beaches, islands, island seafood, island aquarium, nightlife, night weather, definitely the walled city, with its shopping and cafes, racially mixed, nearby int. airport 2) Cali - weather, downtown shopping, malls, exercise parks, racially mixed 3) Medellin - shopping, weather except for after it rains and I need a jacket, friends
In Barranquilla (130 kms from cartagena) you can find residential properties much cheaper than in Cartagena. Also, from Barranquilla You can visit santa Marta and Guajira which have the best beaches un Colombia, and fly to Miami or anywhere un the interior if you want variety.
Thanks for the helpful insights! We just added Colombia for the 2019 holiday vacation. Medellin and Bogotá are on our list but Cartagena reminds me so much of Hoi An in Vietnam, very colourful and well preserved.
@@HowToExpat the background music was at a good low volume and gives a nice bland to your video, i understood every single word nd im not a english native speaker ;)
I am a big fisherman therefore I love Cartagena. I love when the fishermen pull their nets certain times of the year. You can get fresh fish right on the beach when the boats land. I just cannot get fresh fish in Medellin. Hate it. Fresh "salt water" fish. However, it is just too hot and humid. Plan to spend another $250 a month on A/C bill for 8 of the 12 months. That's in addition to the more expensive rent. Obviously you are on the Coast so it will be more expensive.
I'm thinking about moving to Cartagena to open a dance school... but I'm still not sure. I went there 3 times and I loved it! I'm trying to escape the canadian cold weather and a boring 9 to 5 job... Would a dance school be a good idea for Cartagena? (I already speak spanish)
I have family in Cartagena and lived there on and off. I think that would be a good idea. I would recommend living there for 1- 3 months, it's a small area. I that time there will give you a good idea if you want to stay and especially what type of dance you want to teach. The humidity is brutal!! In the hot seasons and in the rainy seasons cartagena is known to get flooded in most areas which is definitely something to consider. Any more info, feel free to let me know. Also you NEED TO DRINK BOTTLED WATER!!! It's happened many times that I'm not careful and I'll have diarrhea for two weeks straight!! But you do have acces to antibiotics over the counter. There not as strict as the states. I hope this helped.
I traveled to Barranquilla a few days ago, and now I’m rewatching all your Cartagena videos. I’m trying to decide where I want to live when I relocate to Colombia. I hope you two can do a Barranquilla video soon.
If you want you can send us an e-mail with what you are looking for so we can point you in the right direction. contact@how-to-expat.com We would be happy to help ;)
@@michael901 We haven't been to Barranquilla but I would check it out if you are interested and don't worry more about safety in Baranquilla than in Cartagena.
Am in Medellin right now. I'm more of a mountain guy but I enjoy visiting all kinds of places. Will be checking out Cartagena and Santa Marta soon. Looks great!
I lived in Cartagena when I was like 11 to maybe like 14 so like 4 years I lived in Columbia South America with an uncle well adoptive uncle and I went back to America when I was like 14 but I can tell you it was beautiful that I loved it in Colombia especially in Cartagena I did not want to leave but I had to cuz my time there was over.
Another pro of Cartagena could be that it’s only about an hour and a half flight to Miami. I hate Colombia but just in case someone is interested. And don’t expect beautiful white sand beaches and crystal clear blue water. The sand is horrible and the water is dark. For beautiful water you have to go to the Rosario islands by boat.
nice video , what is the current rate of prostitutes there ? Do they have 10 s or are they mainly focused on 6 - 7 - 8. The old center of Cartagena is beautiful but the street sellers are a problem. You can't walk 5 min without being bothered.
That is a BIG PROBLEM for me!! The woman then to charge state prices $100 $150. That's my experience!! The majority of the places charge you american prices
how about islands.? Which service and island(s) do you recommend if you went to one? I hope it's less invasive. I also seen that they place their hands on your feet and start rubbing/massaging. So, my wife and I wanna keep it to a minimal and want to visit beach clubs and islands. Any recommendations?
I’m thinking of moving to Cartagena from Spain, and open a tourism related business, but I’m a bit unsure because of the rainy season. How much does it rain during the rainy season, is it a lot of rain?
I have a friend doing business there and it's not that bad. Take a look at this weatherspark.com/y/22604/Average-Weather-in-Cartagena-Colombia-Year-Round
Monica Salamanca thanks a lot, the question is whether it rains for entire days, or when it rains it’s only for a couple of hours and then stops? I have seen the charts regarding rain and during some months it rains 100 and 200 liters per square meter and that is a lot! But if that amount of water falls in a period of 2 or 3 hours then it’s not bad, but if it falls gradually during several days, then that’s a lot of bad weather.
@@p.c.h.6721 Honestly Cartagena is a good place for your business, right now there is one direct flight from NY to Cartagena and I know AirCanada will have another direct flight from Toronto. And it's because tourism has been growing like crazy for the past years. So regardless of the rain, I think it's a great business opportunity that probably you don't want to miss. Maybe you can try to contact some expats that are currently living in Cartagena if the rain really concerns you.
Monica Salamanca Thank you for all the information, it helps. We are currently living in the South of Spain, and opening a business here is not easy, you need many licenses and there’s already a lot of competition, so we thought of moving to another country with good weather, not as expensive as Spain and start a business, and Cartagena seems like the right place.Let’s hope for the best! Take care.
@@p.c.h.6721 revisa la pagina del IDEAM que es la entidad que estudia los climas. Ahi podras ver las temporadas con bastante precision. www.ideam.gov.co
Cool video! ok so I'm looking to move to Central/South America next month all the way from Asia. I have a number of interests including Cartagena but still unsure. These are the very important ticks im looking for: 1.Beach city 2. Med to Large City (pref over 1 mill ppl) 3. Eternal Spring climate (20-27 degrees) 4. Not too touristic .5 Safe . Maybe you know of something i havent found yet :D thanks
What is a nice non tourist-y residential part of Cartagena an expat that speaks Spanish can live thats relatively close to the beach and attractions but where regular Colombias live?
@@andreaam805 In Europe, many people do speak English although English is not their native language (it isn't my native language either). In Colombia, I also know a lot of people who speak English (because it's so useful to know English), but the problem is that good education is not accessible for everyone in Colombia.
you do know people in cartegena are also colombians even though they dont look like you..?? Seems like thats more of a personal problem you have than native colombians... Also seems like your info is more for other europeans or white amercians
@@HowToExpat You do know that there are expats and gringos of color ! You should say that you would like the demographics of this channel to be all white instead of say that it is for gringos. Now I know it is not for me or any expat that looks similar to me .
@@kirkwardy3481 Off course we know that, my wife isn't white either. This Channel is for Gringos and a Gringo is a foreigner no matter skin color. BUT, sometimes I can only speak from my own experiences and not for anybody elses. Here for instance you got experiences from someone other than me: ruclips.net/video/cKQ_84y3MZc/видео.html
@@kirkwardy3481 I was thinking the same thing as soon as he said it. When he said people of color I took that as a plus for somewhere to expat too. He brought up his wife and I think I saw her in a video and she could pass as a white person just like him.
Did you listen to what he said? He said absolutely nothing offensive. Geez! Stop looking for something to be offended about. There are plenty of real problems if you need a cause!
Cartagena de Indias (Cartagena of Indians or Cartagena of Indigenous) was attacked by Pirates of Caribbean they were European Pirates who arrived in the Caribbean Sea and also the CD was attacked by the British Empire when Colombia was a colony of Spain and a territory of the Spanish Empire in the Americas in the gold age of Pirates, the 17th and 18th centuries). I think the directors of the field Pirates of Caribbean she'll film a film in Cartagena because in the history the city really was attacked by Pirates of Caribbean and by the British.
I love Santa Martha as well but the beaches are an issue. Water is nice and pretty. However, too many dogs running loose on the beach. That drove me nuts. Free running dogs mean one thing. Look where you walk. If you love to dive or fish you must take the time and do a day trip to Taganga. Almost no one knows about Taganga. Its only about 40 minutes by taxi or bus from Santa Martha. Fishing village. Beautifull beach and landscape. I could not stop taking pictures. If you look I have one now for my youtube profile
i'm a new subscriber, also, I happen to be a [very eclectic, christian raised] spiritual seeker..committed uncovering answers to the world's largest mysteries - both spiritual AND scientific..which, I do believe will someday be discovered to be 2 sides of the same EXACT indivisible coin..and/but then not even that kind of mental/psychological division will be possible for humans to be able to take seriously anymore ...but oh, well, in the mean time, cant help but wonder, as I experience my OWN fallibilities, total imperfections, can't help but wonder because: I DO wonder why EXACTLY would *tptb* in that city/region CHOOSE to name that neighborhood, *"Gethsemane??"* because re: the story of *Gethsemane,* it's not EXACTLY a happy, wonderful moment or situation..and maybe it's just ME? but not sure I'd want to name a new home community after that particular stage of, albeit, a very interesting story? but not sure I'd want to give it a name of that STAGE of said story, which was not a wonderful stage at all.😐
You want more real practical information about Expat-Life?
DOWNLOAD OUR FREE E-BOOK NOW: how-to-expat.com/the-real-deal-e-book
Real practical information we gathered through our trips and while relocating to Colombia.
I'm retiring in a foreign country, I love the USA but you need $$$$$ to retire here. Never thought about Colombia even though I was born there some 50+ years ago. Might be time to go home. 😎😎😎
It's time bro.
I was born here in the USA. I've been to Colombia 4 times in the last year. Can't understand why anyone to leave there to come here. I'm out of here in about 5 to 6 years.
Good luck buddy!
Of the places, I lived in Colombia my favorites were 1) Cartagena - beaches, islands, island seafood, island aquarium, nightlife, night weather, definitely the walled city, with its shopping and cafes, racially mixed, nearby int. airport 2) Cali - weather, downtown shopping, malls, exercise parks, racially mixed 3) Medellin - shopping, weather except for after it rains and I need a jacket, friends
Very good points! I'll be there this week! So exciting!
Really good video! Your pro's and con's are very realistic. Mosquitos are a big deal for me and you are one of the first ones to mention them.
Who could dislike miami. So cartagena is for everyone. I can't wait to be there in May. Pumped
In Barranquilla (130 kms from cartagena) you can find residential properties much cheaper than in Cartagena. Also, from Barranquilla You can visit santa Marta and Guajira which have the best beaches un Colombia, and fly to Miami or anywhere un the interior if you want variety.
Thanks for the helpful insights! We just added Colombia for the 2019 holiday vacation. Medellin and Bogotá are on our list but Cartagena reminds me so much of Hoi An in Vietnam, very colourful and well preserved.
Turn off the background music...annoying, hard to understand you and is not needed.
Thanks, Noted, we changed it in the newer videos.
@@HowToExpat the background music was at a good low volume and gives a nice bland to your video, i understood every single word nd im not a english native speaker ;)
I liked it
So rude.
Shut the fuck up KAREN.
I am a big fisherman therefore I love Cartagena. I love when the fishermen pull their nets certain times of the year. You can get fresh fish right on the beach when the boats land. I just cannot get fresh fish in Medellin. Hate it. Fresh "salt water" fish. However, it is just too hot and humid.
Plan to spend another $250 a month on A/C bill for 8 of the 12 months. That's in addition to the more expensive rent. Obviously you are on the Coast so it will be more expensive.
I'm thinking about moving to Cartagena to open a dance school... but I'm still not sure. I went there 3 times and I loved it! I'm trying to escape the canadian cold weather and a boring 9 to 5 job... Would a dance school be a good idea for Cartagena? (I already speak spanish)
its agreat idea i live in cartagena
Guuuuuurl go ahead, don't think twice pack your stuff and go. If it doesn't work, come back but make sure to keep your winter jacket tho!
I have family in Cartagena and lived there on and off. I think that would be a good idea. I would recommend living there for 1- 3 months, it's a small area. I that time there will give you a good idea if you want to stay and especially what type of dance you want to teach. The humidity is brutal!! In the hot seasons and in the rainy seasons cartagena is known to get flooded in most areas which is definitely something to consider. Any more info, feel free to let me know. Also you NEED TO DRINK BOTTLED WATER!!! It's happened many times that I'm not careful and I'll have diarrhea for two weeks straight!! But you do have acces to antibiotics over the counter. There not as strict as the states. I hope this helped.
talk to me this is my phone +573168170110
talk to me this is my phone +573168170110
I'm going to Cartagena!
excellent, Cartagena is a good place to live and we can help you realize that dream, here is a list of your future home bieninmuble.co
I traveled to Barranquilla a few days ago, and now I’m rewatching all your Cartagena videos. I’m trying to decide where I want to live when I relocate to Colombia. I hope you two can do a Barranquilla video soon.
If you want you can send us an e-mail with what you are looking for so we can point you in the right direction. contact@how-to-expat.com We would be happy to help ;)
I read that Barranquilla is not as safe as Cartagena. Whats your experience?
@@michael901 We haven't been to Barranquilla but I would check it out if you are interested and don't worry more about safety in Baranquilla than in Cartagena.
Am in Medellin right now. I'm more of a mountain guy but I enjoy visiting all kinds of places. Will be checking out Cartagena and Santa Marta soon. Looks great!
Cool, enjoy your time in Colombia :D
Thanks my friend for the great info.
Sam is so awkward in these beginning videos haha. His camera presence is way better in the new ones.
Gotta love the old videos lol
I lived in Cartagena when I was like 11 to maybe like 14 so like 4 years I lived in Columbia South America with an uncle well adoptive uncle and I went back to America when I was like 14 but I can tell you it was beautiful that I loved it in Colombia especially in Cartagena I did not want to leave but I had to cuz my time there was over.
An opinion rather immature and one-sided. Cartagena is colorful and charming. Wherever you choose to live, stay positive and make the best of it,
Great Video!🇨🇴🇨🇭😘
By far the best RUclips video about Cartagena. Very informative thank you
Thanks a lot😁
Another pro of Cartagena could be that it’s only about an hour and a half flight to Miami. I hate Colombia but just in case someone is interested. And don’t expect beautiful white sand beaches and crystal clear blue water. The sand is horrible and the water is dark. For beautiful water you have to go to the Rosario islands by boat.
Imagine not wanting to move some where because the people are too dark-skinned.
Guys I've visited Cartagena, it's a vacation town and a tourist trap.
nice video , what is the current rate of prostitutes there ? Do they have 10 s or are they mainly focused on 6 - 7 - 8. The old center of Cartagena is beautiful but the street sellers are a problem. You can't walk 5 min without being bothered.
That is a BIG PROBLEM for me!! The woman then to charge state prices $100 $150. That's my experience!! The majority of the places charge you american prices
how about islands.? Which service and island(s) do you recommend if you went to one? I hope it's less invasive. I also seen that they place their hands on your feet and start rubbing/massaging. So, my wife and I wanna keep it to a minimal and want to visit beach clubs and islands. Any recommendations?
Good information!
Wow! Beautiful place
I like your opinions. I want to live on the edge of rural town close to transportation and I like the fall/spring weather.
Then Pereira, Manizales or even Medellin or the rural area Rionegro would be an option.
I have been there i love it I’m Colombian :3
Great job Sam - Detroit
I’m thinking of moving to Cartagena from Spain, and open a tourism related business, but I’m a bit unsure because of the rainy season. How much does it rain during the rainy season, is it a lot of rain?
I have a friend doing business there and it's not that bad. Take a look at this weatherspark.com/y/22604/Average-Weather-in-Cartagena-Colombia-Year-Round
Monica Salamanca thanks a lot, the question is whether it rains for entire days, or when it rains it’s only for a couple of hours and then stops? I have seen the charts regarding rain and during some months it rains 100 and 200 liters per square meter and that is a lot! But if that amount of water falls in a period of 2 or 3 hours then it’s not bad, but if it falls gradually during several days, then that’s a lot of bad weather.
@@p.c.h.6721 Honestly Cartagena is a good place for your business, right now there is one direct flight from NY to Cartagena and I know AirCanada will have another direct flight from Toronto. And it's because tourism has been growing like crazy for the past years. So regardless of the rain, I think it's a great business opportunity that probably you don't want to miss. Maybe you can try to contact some expats that are currently living in Cartagena if the rain really concerns you.
Monica Salamanca
Thank you for all the information, it helps. We are currently living in the South of Spain, and opening a business here is not easy, you need many licenses and there’s already a lot of competition, so we thought of moving to another country with good weather, not as expensive as Spain and start a business, and Cartagena seems like the right place.Let’s hope for the best! Take care.
@@p.c.h.6721 revisa la pagina del IDEAM que es la entidad que estudia los climas. Ahi podras ver las temporadas con bastante precision.
www.ideam.gov.co
Good summary and is more or less my own assessment of Cartagena, too.
Thanks! :)
Cool video! ok so I'm looking to move to Central/South America next month all the way from Asia. I have a number of interests including Cartagena but still unsure. These are the very important ticks im looking for: 1.Beach city 2. Med to Large City (pref over 1 mill ppl) 3. Eternal Spring climate (20-27 degrees) 4. Not too touristic .5 Safe . Maybe you know of something i havent found yet :D thanks
What about Salinas in Ecuador?
@@HowToExpat searched about it before, but population in under 100,000, so its a small town, which means not much to do :/
@@HowToExpat Salinas is cloudy (no sun) for six months per year, but temperatures are nice.
I am from Texas and I love it there.
Is it super humid like in Texas? Am thinking of going there for a stretch but don’t want a super humid place.
Very good information thanks
What about the weather? Like hurricanes or earthquakes...
Cartagena does not experience Hurricanes. Just tropical storms. No big earthquake risks either
In the rainy season there is alot of flooding!!!
What is a nice non tourist-y residential part of Cartagena an expat that speaks Spanish can live thats relatively close to the beach and attractions but where regular Colombias live?
I tapped this vid by accident aha but I'm glad i did. Have you nade a vid in santa marta yet please?
We are on it😉
@@HowToExpat awesome subscribed bro thanks
*123 You got 800 likes because you are 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯.*
I have been to Cartagena twice. I don't feel like a lot of people speak English.
Surely not outside Boca Grande and the historic Center.
Well it’s a Spanish speaking country that’s kinda obvious 😂😂
@@andreaam805 In Europe, many people do speak English although English is not their native language (it isn't my native language either). In Colombia, I also know a lot of people who speak English (because it's so useful to know English), but the problem is that good education is not accessible for everyone in Colombia.
you do know people in cartegena are also colombians even though they dont look like you..?? Seems like thats more of a personal problem you have than native colombians... Also seems like your info is more for other europeans or white amercians
You are exactly correct the demographic of this channel is gringos. Unfortunately we can't speak for/to everybody.
@@HowToExpat You do know that there are expats and gringos of color ! You should say that you would like the demographics of this channel to be all white instead of say that it is for gringos. Now I know it is not for me or any expat that looks similar to me .
@@kirkwardy3481 Off course we know that, my wife isn't white either. This Channel is for Gringos and a Gringo is a foreigner no matter skin color. BUT, sometimes I can only speak from my own experiences and not for anybody elses.
Here for instance you got experiences from someone other than me:
ruclips.net/video/cKQ_84y3MZc/видео.html
@@kirkwardy3481 I was thinking the same thing as soon as he said it. When he said people of color I took that as a plus for somewhere to expat too. He brought up his wife and I think I saw her in a video and she could pass as a white person just like him.
Did you listen to what he said? He said absolutely nothing offensive. Geez! Stop looking for something to be offended about. There are plenty of real problems if you need a cause!
Cartagena de Indias (Cartagena of Indians or Cartagena of Indigenous) was attacked by Pirates of Caribbean they were European Pirates who arrived in the Caribbean Sea and also the CD was attacked by the British Empire when Colombia was a colony of Spain and a territory of the Spanish Empire in the Americas in the gold age of Pirates, the 17th and 18th centuries).
I think the directors of the field Pirates of Caribbean she'll film a film in Cartagena because in the history the city really was attacked by Pirates of Caribbean and by the British.
I love Santa Martha as well but the beaches are an issue. Water is nice and pretty. However, too many dogs running loose on the beach. That drove me nuts. Free running dogs mean one thing. Look where you walk.
If you love to dive or fish you must take the time and do a day trip to Taganga. Almost no one knows about Taganga. Its only about 40 minutes by taxi or bus from Santa Martha. Fishing village. Beautifull beach and landscape. I could not stop taking pictures. If you look I have one now for my youtube profile
The beaches in Zazue are way better than any you will find directly in Santa Marta 😉
Ive lived around loose dogs in Asia and had no issue, as they mind their own bones lol.. how about in Santa Maria? Would you say they can be vicious?
@@michael901 Not in my experience
@@michael901 No. the dogs are not vicious. They are nice but they don't wear diapers bro. I do not like watching where I am walking on the beach.
@@CarltonsTravelAdventures I feel you on that
Have u ever been to Cali Colombia
Excelente! Gracias
Does the rain cool it off any? Mosquitoes? Oh NO! I’m Black so I want to see some Afro Mex.
Does it have good internet connectivity?
It does in most expat/tourist areas.
i'm a new subscriber, also, I happen to be a [very eclectic, christian raised] spiritual seeker..committed uncovering answers to the world's largest mysteries - both spiritual AND scientific..which, I do believe will someday be discovered to be 2 sides of the same EXACT indivisible coin..and/but then not even that kind of mental/psychological division will be possible for humans to be able to take seriously anymore ...but oh, well, in the mean time, cant help but wonder, as I experience my OWN fallibilities, total imperfections, can't help but wonder because:
I DO wonder why EXACTLY would *tptb* in that city/region CHOOSE to name that neighborhood, *"Gethsemane??"* because re: the story of *Gethsemane,* it's not EXACTLY a happy, wonderful moment or situation..and maybe it's just ME? but not sure I'd want to name a new home community after that particular stage of, albeit, a very interesting story? but not sure I'd want to give it a name of that STAGE of said story, which was not a wonderful stage at all.😐
Goddamn! You mean Coka Ina built all those high rise?
I was looking for cost of living(rent, food & entertainment) and safety which this vid never mentioned.
You don’t sound amrerican! where are you from ?
Switzerland :)
Medellin or Cartagena ?
Totally depends on what you are looking for :)
We will make a video about that in a bit so stay tuned and subscribe :D
Will do!
Cartagena is a good place to live and we can help you realize that dream, here is a list of your future home bieninmuble.co
Pass port bros
Garde la pour toi ton opinion.
Your ok but little to much feelings and emotions.
A long time to say nothing
i prefer to see the view not you.
wow... entitled much? what about appreciation? Nevermind...
They call them "Gringo."
Thats how you sound to a spanish speaker
@@jhonhernandez9210 I am Greek.
White columbian 😂
Colombian
There is no U in Colombian..
This guy's is soooooo boring got me uninterested in the 1st min
Cartagena is not a good place to live at all.i was born there and it is awful