Medellin Reports

[Gringo Trooper]

Does anyone know about or have first hand experience of having 2 passports and living abroad?

For example, I have a USA Passport and am a citizen of a second country in Europe (so 2 passports total).

Therefore, has anyone done this before to live in Colombia for a year?

For example, enter with one passport (stay for 180 days), leave next door for a day (I. E. Ecuador, etc.); and then return to Colombia with your second passport and stay another 180 days.

Cheers.

[Surfer500]

Come on... And Ron Medellin?

J2 bee knows all Colombians have tried rum, perhaps he was having a rum and coke when writing his post, and mean't to say gin or something else, but I don't think rum.

[Surfer500]

Within sections of medellin the estrata can vary. As for example, Envigado has approximately 20% in Estrada 5 and 20% in Estrada 2. All depends on the location of the building. Like anywhere else the price of real estate is dependent on location and location and location. I was interested in getting a lease just before the pandemic but obviously now I have to wait. The real estate agent that I normally go thru for short time apartments was going to work with me on that. At the time 550 USD per month was doable in laureles. Everyone has different requirements. For me it is a quiet area near a gym and parks. AC is a must and strong reliable Wi-Fi. Above all safety. I stay in residential areas where I walk out at night to eat or watch a movie with a girlfriend. Never had any issues or felt unsafe. If I can not go out at night in the section I am in, I don't want it. In order to determine if a place is a good deal or not you need to know the exact location.

Very true and somewhat perplexing as to how they determine Estrata levels in Medellin. I don't know the percentages, but in the Manila barrio in Poblado, there are apartments that are Estrata 4, and the same applies in the Patio Bonito barrio in Poblado where there is a mix of Estrata 5 and 6 apartments. Besides location as you mentioned I also believe the age of the building is a factor that is used as well.

[Surfer500]

But you end up paying less over time with the 1 year lease than you are paying with a month to month or day to day. For example the apartment I stay in in Thailand you can rent by the day for $16 ($480/mo). Because I have a 1 year lease I end up paying less than $5/day at $140/mo. So by having a lease, I pay the same for 1 year as I would pay for 3.5 months not having a lease. So it makes no difference if I am not here for 6 months, because at 3.5 months I have already gotten my money's worth compared with a day-to-day or month-to-month stay.

Perfect logic, I agree, but Thailand isn't Colombia, and for higher end rentals in Medellin, you will not be getting a nice apartment in either Poblado or Laueles at 33% of the daily rate if you rent by the year. To further compound things, unless someone living in a rented apartment has a Colombian Cedula, they will not be able to get utilities. Anyone in Colombia who does not have a Cedula, meaning a foreigner, will be in the Country on a tourist visa, so they will have to find an apartment that includes utilities and cable and that will drive the monthly cost up. I don't know how things work in Thailand, but I'm guessing that you pay for your utilities separately as I know you need AC there.

Right now in Medellin due to the Pandemic, there are luxury Penthouses renting as low as 50 to 60 % of the pre-pandemic rates, but none of the owners are renting at 1/3 of the pre-pandemic rates. Owners of apartments have monthly association or management fees if there are Portero's, along with cable and electrical services, and property taxes. So renting at 1/3 might be a viable option to just cover operating costs, but it's unlikely you will find an owner who used to get $ 3,000 a month for a Penthouse dropping his price to a $ 1,000 a month for a years lease.

Now when it comes to apartments in the lower strata neighborhoods of Medellin, apartments without AC and basic TIGO cable, and no building administrators, I can see the rates being 1/3 for a years lease as you have described, so no argument that you can save money leasing for a year when it comes to living like a local in a lower strata neighborhood.

[IamLookin]

Within sections of medellin the estrata can vary. As for example, Envigado has approximately 20% in Estrada 5 and 20% in Estrada 2. All depends on the location of the building. Like anywhere else the price of real estate is dependent on location and location and location. I was interested in getting a lease just before the pandemic but obviously now I have to wait. The real estate agent that I normally go thru for short time apartments was going to work with me on that. At the time 550 USD per month was doable in laureles. Everyone has different requirements. For me it is a quiet area near a gym and parks. AC is a must and strong reliable Wi-Fi. Above all safety. I stay in residential areas where I walk out at night to eat or watch a movie with a girlfriend. Never had any issues or felt unsafe. If I can not go out at night in the section I am in, I don't want it. In order to determine if a place is a good deal or not you need to know the exact location.

That is $500 a month for a brand new 3 bedroom apartment. My HOA fee in US is more than that. Why do you think it is seriously expensive?

[JohnDarkSmith]

That is $500 a month for a brand new 3 bedroom apartment. My HOA fee in US is more than that. Why do you think it is seriously expensive?

Well, to me (and this is the key here) when I put everything on balance, it looks seriously expensive, partly because I made the comparison with what I pay close to Paris (500 $ USD a month after conversion), my apartment certainly being a bit smaller, but I would still expect to pay less if I was to rent in Colombia. I realize that it depends on each person needs, and approach of the activity.

For example, if I can only stay there 6 months, then it is 6000/6 = 1000 $ a month.

I personally (also?) pay more than I would if I was trying to restrain to the minimum.

Hey, actually I was trying to figure out the reason why 6000 $ a year was a great deal, now I think I have a clearer view, I have just had a small discussion with PN who shared a few details with me.

Have a nice day guys, and please post reports!

[Mr Enternational]

Every Country's visa requirements are different, and in Colombia, you will not be allowed to stay in the Country for more than six months a year on a tourist visa, so your saying that you would rent a place year round yet plan on using it only six months a year. Makes sense for budget digs if all the utilities and cable are included, because if not, you need a Cedula to obtain service. Most guys probably aren't going to want to stay in Prado living as a local, yet for the Poblado Penthouse guys, myself included, it would seem odd to pay for something I could only be able to use six months a year, yet have to pay for a year.

But you end up paying less over time with the 1 year lease than you are paying with a month to month or day to day. For example the apartment I stay in in Thailand you can rent by the day for $16 ($480/mo). Because I have a 1 year lease I end up paying less than $5/day at $140/mo. So by having a lease, I pay the same for 1 year as I would pay for 3.5 months not having a lease. So it makes no difference if I am not here for 6 months, because at 3.5 months I have already gotten my money's worth compared with a day-to-day or month-to-month stay.

headed over to my buddy's apartment in Prado Centro. He pays US$250/month for this place. 3BR 2BA. He said the utilities are in his name except for the cable. You need a cedula for the cable because they do a credit check. He found someone with good credit and gave them 150K to put it in their name.

[Questner]

Strata of the area will influence the cost of an apartment dramatically, let's say when it drops from predominantly 6 to 3; Spanish version of wiki posts all barrios and stratas (socio-economic development) and distribution within an area.

[JjBee62]

I tried renting the normal way & was told this, then I found the apartment for a year & furnished off! Pollo negro is out!

If you paid for the year up front you can get around a lot of the crap. If I understand correctly, the rental agent is responsible for the rent if the renter doesn't pay. Since the rental terms are usually 12 months, if a gringo signs a lease and bails after 1 month the agent is stuck paying the owner. That's why most gringos have to get a Colombian to co-sign.

[Nounce]

Are you sure renting a place 6000 USD (even for the year) is a great deal? I mean, to me, it actually looks seriously expensive, send us a few photos from the appto, would'nt you mind?

That is $500 a month for a brand new 3 bedroom apartment. My HOA fee in US is more than that. Why do you think it is seriously expensive?

[PolloNegro]

I always wonder doe these events only happen to me, because many BM's seem shocked when I state what I have done and why I did it. 3 weeks ago everyone in Medellin was telling me that because I was a gringo and my girlfriend was a Vennie, we would not be allowed to rent an apartment, that I would continue to have to rent the airbnb where I am currently staying. Nothing is wrong with the place I stay now, it is just too small to accommodate everything that I was trying to do. Rumor has it, that most gringo's abuse these women and return to America then the once girlfriend has to fend for herself.

I promised my girl that I would make sure that she was good for the next year and when I am able to leave, I would return throughout the year to visit. A few facts, I have had this woman living with me since late April and I have not been poisoned, I have not been sick, I have not had any item stolen from my place and I have not contracted any STDs. So in a 4 month span, if someone cooks, cleans, wash clothes, and has sex with me when I want and how I want, out of respect, I make sure that they are financially stable for the accommodations that they have provided. Given my history with chics in Medellin, even myself, I am very surprised no one has robbed me or poisoned me because over a 3 year span, I have learned a lot about the women of Medellin.

People are people and they have many strange ideas about Americans and many Colombians and Venezuelans have a deep rooted hatred for Americans, trust me I found this out the hard way. Many of these working girls have shown me that they are just as opportunistic as people growing up in the Ghettos of America. I grew up in the Ghettos of america and I know what it is like to live hand to mouth. Many have confided in me and told me, that they all think gringos are stupid, rich, and wasteful with money. I can easily see why they think that after spending 3 years here mongering.

One of the harsh realities of being Afro-Latino is the fact that many Colombians and Venezuelans have never see wealthy Americans of color, especially if they are not actors or athletes. It doesn't make it easier if you are an American without a foreign cedula and your girlfriend is Afro-Latina Vennie without the proper documents. Colombia exploit Vennies without papers, just as America exploits blacks without education. My girlfriend and I looked for about a month before we found someone who was serious about renting us an apartment. After the paperwork was notarized and presented to me and some reliable Colombian friends of mine, the guy who the agency sent to complete the deal was so nervous when I gave him $9,000,000 pesos cash, that it was only then that these people have never seen people of color who really have money at their disposal. I told the guy that no one was going to harm him and that he was safe and we walked him to his car parked downstairs, but it was hard to realize that many of these people have never been around $3000 usd cash. It is what is though.

As a business man, I have worked in the same profession for the past 27 years, 22 of those years, I built my career and over the last 5 years, I have been at the top of my professional career. I have owned my own businesses since 2013 and I know how business works and numbers work. I came to Medellin for a Medical procedure and every penny that I have spent since I have been here will be added to that medical expense, so this all works in my favor. No matter what I spend here in Medellin, it will be contributed to my medical expense and it will probably get me my biggest income tax return ever. While living here in Medellin, I have ways to receive payment for services without it ever affecting my business numbers, so as far as income; it appears that I stopped working back in March. I have an accountant to help me with things like this. So if Colombia wants me to pay income tax on the money I earned up until March, no problem.

I am still amazed that many people act as though the world has not changed since the quarantine, it has and those of us who were ready are truly capitalizing by working from home. I work for myself from home so no one tracks my income, because I can have payments re-routed to other accounts that have nothing to do with my business or me. It has always been the American way, it has never been about how much income you make in America, it has always been about how much income they can prove you made in America. As far as Colombia goes, it looks like I only spend money in Colombia, it does not look like I earn a penny when I am here. As far as the Colombian government is concerned, I am here to have my teeth fixed and that is my original reason for coming to Colombia in March. As a good faith gesture to show many who know me from Park Botero, I want them to see, that all Americans are not here to mistreat chicas who work the streets and even when we leave and return to America it does not mean we will make every chic that we have banged suffer until we return again. I have always been the kind of guy to treat people the way that they treat me. Pollo Negro is out!

[Surfer500]

There is nothing odd about it at all. It is the same thing that me and other friends do in Thailand. It is the same thing that my buddy has done for years in Medellin. We do not have any special visas, only tourist visas. Things are so cheap that if you travel to a place often you fare better getting an apartment on a long term lease. Now for guys that have to have the Poblado penthouses this does not work out so well. But for guys that can stomach normal local living it works out great.

Because you get a place is not saying you have to stay there 8 months straight. But what I spend for a 1 year lease ($1700), some people will come drop that on a hotel for 2 weeks. My buddy's place in Prado Centro for 1 month ($250) is probably what guys come spend to stay at the Mansion for 3 or 4 days. Then he does not have to worry about lugging all kind of shit back and forth either.

He said the $6000 included utilities and him furnishing the place. Next year he will not have to buy furniture again and will be paying way less.

Every Country's visa requirements are different, and in Colombia, you will not be allowed to stay in the Country for more than six months a year on a tourist visa, so your saying that you would rent a place year round yet plan on using it only six months a year. Makes sense for budget digs if all the utilities and cable are included, because if not, you need a Cedula to obtain service. Most guys probably aren't going to want to stay in Prado living as a local, yet for the Poblado Penthouse guys, myself included, it would seem odd to pay for something I could only be able to use six months a year, yet have to pay for a year.

[Blakman]

What I miss, what I miss. Anybody know the real scoop between slapshot and technically ex wifey. Most 18 year olds don't give up living in a penthouse, free gourmet dinner, top shelve liquor, tussi. You think she found out the Tito's was really smirnoff. Gimmie the scoop yall.

Blakman always blessed.

[PolloNegro]

There is nothing odd about it at all. It is the same thing that me and other friends do in Thailand. It is the same thing that my buddy has done for years in Medellin. We do not have any special visas, only tourist visas. Things are so cheap that if you travel to a place often you fare better getting an apartment on a long term lease. Now for guys that have to have the Poblado penthouses this does not work out so well. But for guys that can stomach normal local living it works out great.

Because you get a place is not saying you have to stay there 8 months straight. But what I spend for a 1 year lease ($1700), some people will come drop that on a hotel for 2 weeks. My buddy's place in Prado Centro for 1 month ($250) is probably what guys come spend to stay at the Mansion for 3 or 4 days. Then he does not have to worry about lugging all kind of shit back and forth either.

He said the $6000 included utilities and him furnishing the place. Next year he will not have to buy furniture again and will be paying way less.

No need to travel with luggage for a year, plus I put myself in a position to work stress free for the next 3 months. My girl knows the rent is paid for the next year, and Friday alone, I recovered more than 80% of the $6000 that I spent. For some the Quarantine has been disastrous, for me it has been a financial blessing. Pollo negro is out!

[SJobs]

Now for guys that have to have the Poblado penthouses this does not work out so well. But for guys that can stomach normal local living it works out great.

A good Poblado penthouse with one to two bedroom, panoramic view of the city, and a jacuzzi cost about 3000 dollars per month, that is still a steal compare to California. The good ones are almost never available. A upside of the covid situation is that a lot of good penthouses are available now, for me, it make sense to sign a year lease, when I'm not in Medellin, I can very easily Airbnb it out.