Why I Was FORCED to Leave the US for Medellin, Colombia

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The United States is going downhill. I hear this almost weekly when speaking to those who have moved to Medellin, Colombia to call it their new home.
In this video, I chat with a former Atlanta resident who shares his story of moving to Medellin, Colombia, and why he feels the culture in the US is beyond repair.
Tired of the hustle and grind, he found a refreshing change in Medellin's laid-back lifestyle and welcoming community.
He talks about what he sees as issues in the US, from the fast-paced, impersonal life to a lack of genuine connection, and why Medellin feels like a breath of fresh air.
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G'day, my name's AK and on this channel I explore expat life in Medellin, Colombia. Whether you're considering moving to Medellin or just visiting Colombia, I've got you covered. Join me as I show you exactly what living in Medellin and Colombia as an expat is really like.
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7 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 97

@AKJoel Месяц назад

📞 Book a FREE Medellin Relocation Discovery Call here: bit.ly/medellinmasterclasscall

@CityZoe Месяц назад

He's telling the truth. This is me right now. Wake up, look at your phone, get ready for a job you don't want to go to for 8 to ten hours. Go to the gym, go home and eat dinner. Get ready to do it all over again the next day. I've visited Cartagena twice in 7 months and I want to move to colombia. I'm actually going to medellin at the end of August.

@Faust598 Месяц назад

You got this man 👊

@fenb2067 25 дней назад

How's your spanish Zoe? I'm going to Medellin in Sept and been practicing close to year, but still not good. I'm a little gun shy because of my spanish proficiency.

@user-eq4nf7gi9w 25 дней назад

Medellin is great. Especially the weather. Definitely make sure to check it out

@chillwill9 Месяц назад

Smart young man. It took me 20 years in the military plus another 20+ years in the corporate world to wise up. I simply got burned out in America. I made the move to Colombia at 63. I'm 65 now and happy here.

@tinotendakunaishe7952 Месяц назад

well done sir. im 49 and im getting out too. just need to buy a property and rent it out then im ghost

@DerwinDaDestroyer Месяц назад

What city you living in?

@overlookresident9862 Месяц назад

Please be careful out there. It must suck to live on edge all the time not being able to enjoy yourself tranquilly knowing that you have the risk of getting robbed, drugged, and worse getting killed. It's just not worth it.. because even though you've been there for two years, maybe something have not happened right now because living in Colombia is like having a bunch of zebras crossing a river full of alligators and even though they might not get you right there, there's always that possibility or chance tomorrow.. and it could be for the silliest thing. someone has to do is pull up with a gun in their motorcycle and you could be relaxing sitting down having lunch or dinner at a restaurant, etc., or simply walking on the sidewalk ... so many ways that I have seen... Just not even worth investing time to move to Colombia. There are many other safer countries to go to nearby that are better. If you're looking for a more tropical destination, there are definitely safer ones out there or if you're looking for something mountainous climate similar to Colombia there are other places as well in any other country.

@luicastillo8630 11 дней назад

@@overlookresident9862 Did not get attention in Colombia sad man?

@sweettfpvillain462 Месяц назад

100% relate to this guy! The best decision I ever made was leaving Miami for Colombia. Got myself a finca outside Medellin, grow all my fruits and vegetables and started a part time business. Its been 3 years and have no desire to ever return.

@diose0078 Месяц назад

Do you speak Spanish?

@bestlandhomeschool 23 дня назад

I’m from Colombia (Santa Marta) but have lived in the ATL for 24 years. I have a 40 acre farm here but looking to move back to Colombia. We shall see.

@TroyLeonardoMcCloud Месяц назад

Actually met Brett when I worked for a team in ATL, he told us about his upcoming move to Colombia at the time and I was inspired. You can tell he was moving there with the purest of intentions (peace of mind) even though another party at the table obnoxiously accused him of moving for the women. Good to see him doing well and living the dream, plan to head that way in the near future myself.

@DerwinDaDestroyer Месяц назад

I would have told the other party that, that's the cherry on top

@gamerzbangerz Месяц назад

As someone who lived in the US for 5 years as a European it is very refreshing to hear someone who grew up there to make these observations. I love the winning mindset of Americans but I feel like the level of individualism is way off the charts and people there are detached from their communities because they are too distracted with their own self bubble which involves catching the last dollar to keep head above water for an inflated lifestyle.

@TroyLeonardoMcCloud Месяц назад

Had the chance to meet Brett when i worked for a team in ATL, he spoke about moving to Colombia and planted that seed to relocate within myself, You could tell he was leaving for the purest of intentions (peace of mind) even though another party accused him of doing so for the women. Nice to see him doing well and living the dream, definitely the confirmation I needed to move forward with leaving the US.

@juanvaldez7633 Месяц назад

While I can certainly identify strongly with all the concerns Brett mentioned regarding the U.S. hustle and grind culture, personally I'm glad I sucked it up and earned enough money over many years so I could retire comfortably here in Medellín on just my Social Security pension. And believe it or not, if you take care of yourself you can still live a pretty full life in your mid-60s - I mean, you're not going to spend a lot of nights "partying like it's 1999" at this stage, but then if you have good sense you won't want to either. Furthermore, I would definitely not want to be in the position of still having to earn money by some means just to survive here like many younger expats. And I think over time, Brett may find that appearances can be deceiving and start to learn that the culture here may be a lot more "transactional" than he currently believes.

@TravelingEddie Месяц назад

Brett is right on the money 🤑💰 with what he said. Joel I Left the US 🇺🇸 back in 95' and moved to my mom's hometown of Envigado. Went back in 2010 but couldn't flow with the rat race and came back to Medellin in 2012. If you ever wanna interview me, by all means. Nice interview. I was born in NY but grew up in South Carolina, NY and Georgia. Been here for a total of 26 years.

@branden7357 Месяц назад

It's intriguing how those who criticize the U.S. often overlook their own reliance on the stability of the U.S. dollar to leverage it against other currencies. 🤔 The truth is, a robust U.S. economy made from the work of its citizens is crucial for maintaining a strong dollar, which has significant implications for global financial markets. Comparing the U.S. unfavorably to countries like Colombia overlooks the intricate interplay between the U.S. economy (its hardworking citizens) and the strength of its currency to help you live your dream life in Medellín. 😒

@emilianopimentel4076 Месяц назад

preach!

@joannr3799 Месяц назад

Good point!

@JuanGArangoTV Месяц назад

He is not telling any lies. One is fed up of it all here. I can't wait to move down there to be able to meet people like this guy over there in Medellín.

@markkeogh18 Месяц назад

Medellin is great in many ways but its really hard to create an income here. Things are cheaper than USA but so are wages, obviously. If you have a dependable income or pension in the USA, great. But how to make a living in Colombia?

@metodifitness8824 Месяц назад

I live in Atlanta and completely relate. It’s an extremely isolated life, probably set on purpose like this.

@jeffschueler1182 Месяц назад

This is nothing new, I knew this back in 2017. I retired from my 30 year career, sold everything that I owned and moved to Mexico for four years, then on to Medellin where I have been ever since. Americans have become greedy, selfish, self-centered and worst of all, isolated in their own little worlds. I pity the millions of Americans who believe that money, cars, homes and material possessions will ever make them happy. On a positive note, I absolutely LOVE Medellin and the warm Colombian people!

@burtonknows9201 Месяц назад

PREACH!!

@diose0078 Месяц назад

You not afraid of crime there?

@HILEYWOODTV Месяц назад

Kudos to you Brett! Im a native of Atlanta and I know exactly what you're talkin about. I'll be back in Medellin in December to acquire an apartment. Hope to bump into you and or Joel while I'm there.

@user-rw311 Месяц назад

The average American male no matter how rich or how poor lives like a castrated caged animal. I will be selling my house in the next year or two and definitely coming back to Colombia. I did a trial run in Colombia and spent the last two years there and I never once felt home sick I never once missed the USA. I actually dreaded coming back home. America is in a loneliness epidemic people sit home and do nothing with there lives. Dating has become absolutely impossible in the usa. Life in general as a human being felt normal again in Colombia. I'm 45 years old and done with work and done with the USA.

@metodifitness8824 Месяц назад

Same here brother

@maverickgoodson2268 Месяц назад

The “hustle and grind” thing is very much exaggerated and anecdotal at best. Most people in the US work a 5 day, 40 hour work week. Compare that to Colombia which has a 6 day work week. I guess it’s good for an expat who makes money from the U.S. (or other developed country) and spends it in Colombia (with a good exchange rate) and doesn’t have to work as much to get by. But to say it’s a cultural issue in the U.S. is very much exaggerated.

@luisvelez647 Месяц назад

I disagree, the US has a profound hustle culture not seen in any countries besides maybe Japan. We work to live and that's the truth. Most people who work full time are exhausted and have barely enough to pay their bills and enjoy their free time

@maverickgoodson2268 Месяц назад

@@luisvelez647 once again, most in the U.S. work a 5 day work week. Colombia (the country of comparison in the video) has a 6 day work week. Sure, this guy can go there and work less. But Colombians (the people in the culture) can’t. When people talk like the guy in the video, it comes across as lazy. And most of the people I know in the U.S. have no problem living within their means. And the U.S. also has a lot more safety net programs for those who can’t. By the time most people in any country reach 25, they have realized they will have to get up and go to work. May as well find something that you like to do.

@MachineGunPepe Месяц назад

@@maverickgoodson2268Most people dont qualify for the US "safety nets" you are talking about. Just take the L.

@shadez7650 Месяц назад

To be high earning, yes it is a hustle and grind culture. I lived outside of DC and was making $200k+ a year but in order to make that kind of money ypu gotta be putting in 80-100+ hours a week. Ypu don't have any time to enjoy anything, no work life balance because the cost of living has gotten so out of hand in the US, more and more ppl are having to work more and more hours and getting less and less for their money and can't afford more of the essentials.

@kentcovington Месяц назад

I’m also from Atlanta, moving to Medellin soon. With all respect do anyone else’s opinion, I think the US is still a fantastic place to be. It has its flaws like any place. But it is such a vast country, with many different cultures and ways of living. It is, to a large extent, what you make of it. US living doesn’t have to be a grind. I’m not fleeing the US. I am instead DRAWN to the wonderful things Colombia has to offer, which I believe or a better fit for me right now at this stage of my life.

@JurassicJerkyAmazon Месяц назад

Left Newport Beach Ca 3 yrs ago! Medellin Colombia 💃🏽💃🏽🕺🏽🇨🇴

@MetodiSpasov Месяц назад

He needs to make a RU-vid channel. Great perspective, calmness and voice.

@Bruce_Quin Месяц назад

A rich guy is living good in Medellin. What a surprise. I like that Joel is creating a community since we lost our Irish pub.

@paxtecum4814 Месяц назад

What a smart man. He's still young and want to get freedom.

@isaiahrawlison7211 20 дней назад

I’m looking into Bolivar and Atlántico departments, laidback coastal lifestyle, good food, good people, cheap housing, good vibes. 🌴

@javonkelly4996 Месяц назад

While watching this, I just replaced the US with Canada 🇨🇦... It's the total same message... I'm ready to move ✈️

@jeffschueler1182 Месяц назад

Joel, thank you once again for such insightful, accurate content. Espero encontrarte algún día caminando por la calle.

@travelescapesOFFICIAL Месяц назад

yep!

@ts4426 Месяц назад

I echo this man's sentiments.

@gregorriusadolphus2729 Месяц назад

great interview! For me, the worst part about living int he U.S is the PEOPLE lol, I'm 46, and I. learned earlier (like in my mid 30's) that materialism and the rat race was not it. I stoppee buying expensive clothes ane German cars and climbing the corporate ladder..the stress was too much. I moved to a very Latin city (San Antonio) so the people are very friendly and unlike most cities in America, you can stop and talk wit strangers. I purchased a small home, live under my means, work in a field where remote work is more the norm now (small tech firm), eat healthy and exercise. I travel frequently for working vacations but I enjoy my job. So I'm achieving a higher quality of life but what I do is not the norm. You really have to make an effort (and have good disposable income) to enjoy things in the US as you would in other countries. The issues it is so expensive to buy healthier food. You gotta put gas in the car and drive 20 minutes to hit the hike and bike trails. Going to a good museum is easily $20-$25 a ticket...double that for a local concert. And then you are surrounding by a bunch of people who are indeed very transactional. I noticed this early on, too-90% of my close friends, are all from either foreign countries, or first-generation Americans like myself (Nigerian parents but born and raised in the U.S.). Foreigners and people of those immigrant backgrounds seem to value friendships and connections and are more genuine than people with "deeper" American roots. I solved the issues of living under my means and not giving a f'ck what the Jones's are doing, but I cannot change the environment (costs and people), so that has me looking to move abroad.

@bestlandhomeschool 23 дня назад

I’m from Colombia. I live in the ATL right now and also spending 10K a month. He’s telling the truth. I’m tired. I’m watching these videos because I’m considering returning to Colombia. We shall see.

@craigthurmond988 Месяц назад

The guest is clearly highly intelligent and insightful, and all of his responses were thoughtful, however i would like to see another interview with this gentleman somewhere around year 2 or three 3 here in Medellin. In addition, if this gentleman has experienced other parts of the U.S. he will be compelled to admit that Atlanta is DIFFERENT!!! Very few Adults there, especially people of color, have roots that go back further than one generation. This is not a criticism of the interview, I agree with everything that this gentleman said, but there was a lot left on the table

@markkeogh18 Месяц назад

So I get that he was spending 8 grand a month in Atlanta and can have a similar lifestyle in Medellin for half of that. What I don't understand is how you create a similar income in Medellin. The minimum wage in Colombia is like 300 dollars a month maybe. Obviously these people who come to Medellin have a guaranteed, dependable fixed income already and they're making it stretch by moving here. Right?

@MotivatedActionGroup Месяц назад

Great episode! I’m originally from Atlanta, moving back from San Francisco soon. I agree with Brett about the US Culture. I’ve lived it for over 60 years. I’m looking at locations to retire to and Colombia is one of them. The 4 months I spent there in the last year were wonderful.

@joannr3799 Месяц назад

I am 68 and still work part time like most retirees I know. My husband is Colombian and he is 60, he will retire at 62 and we are planning to live 6 months in Medellin and 6 months in the States. Life has changed and is much harder compared to when I was young when people were much friendlier and caring, not anymore everyone is out for themselves.😢

@burtonknows9201 Месяц назад

At 25, life in the U.S. is difficult for most people. The burden of student debt, the high cost of living, and a host of other factors contribute to most young adults not relocating out of the country.

@thisisagtv Месяц назад

What he said about people in the US being in competition is the impression I got from visiting medellin, locals are very egotistical and materialistic

@skytrailwarrior8326 Месяц назад

Catched a glance of that disgrace of an opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics... I wouldn't want to raise my kids in a country that teaches them that this is normal. Also- family as an institution is under attack in the US. Things are quite the opposite in Latin America, where family is everything. The safety of life seems to be improving in Colombia, whereas the US is getting worse by the hour.

@vivahernando1 Месяц назад

France is not the USA what are you talking about

@wixmich08 Месяц назад

Please! Not everybody lives like this, if you do that is on you. You are responsible for your choices and actions. Take care.

@shadez7650 Месяц назад

He ain't lying. The grind is getting completely out of control and it is the number one thing making life completely miserable. I made almost double what he was making, and I couldn't enjoy enjoy any of it or time with my family. Living abroad whether it is the Philippines or central/south America. The culture in the US needs to change or it will cause the country to implode. I live abroad now and I am much more happy and have so much less stress.

@burtonknows9201 Месяц назад

Unfortunately, the gentleman is right. I retired at 53. Then, the municipality I retired from declared the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history. I was forced to go back to work at 59. Now, I can't retire again until I am 72 or 70. Totally sucks.

@celtgod3 Месяц назад

The only places in America where people can say hi are smaller towns or certain sections of the country who just have it more in the culture. Bigger cities definitely prioritize grinding out.

@summerchanel4297 Месяц назад

The guy is right about the US. As an American, I can contest that we live in a very fast paced culture ...work work work, make money. We don't know how to slow down. That is why I think some Americans have downsized to either mobile homes like RVs or tiny homes and relooking at how much we consume. We can live on much less. I know Medellin is a slower paced culture, a very intuitive type of culture but I will say life is about balance. Can't be extremely slow nor be extremely fast paced. We have to find the happy medium.

@efexzium Месяц назад

Yo but colombia is exactly the same as 🇺🇸 only difference is they work harder for less money 💰

@Queloquehay Месяц назад

8k to 10k a monthly expenses in Atlanta lololol…I mean yeah bro u said u had a penthouse…sounds like he was living above his means in Atlanta

@vivahernando1 Месяц назад

That is a lot for LA or NYC. Atlanta that is outrageous

@bestlandhomeschool 23 дня назад

I currently live in ATL and I’m spending $10K a month. He’s not lying. I make more than 10K but still. I’m tired.

@goonzaaleezz Месяц назад

It’s true Same thing here in Australia But do you know how bad the conditions are for the majority of citizens of Colombia?

@AKJoel Месяц назад

Absolutely we do - hence why a lot of us expats do charity work to help out the community that's welcomed us. Feel free to contribute here: www.globalgiving.org/projects/unlocking-potential-english-classes-for-45-kids/

@tinotendakunaishe7952 Месяц назад

I live in NY, I make about 120K and still rent is easily one third of my income

@HuascarLopez-f2x Месяц назад

Social life in the United States is abysmal and inadequate. Studies have shown loneliness in the United States affects life span more than smoking and drinking. Social connections are difficult to establish, routine dominates your existence, and consumerism drives American culture. When you are invited to a social event, conversations are encircled by small and superficial talk. I lived in a couple of cities in Colombia for work and had never been as happy with my life. Colombia has its problems, but what country doesn’t? If you feel hopelessly alone in America, unable to date, and unable to escape the relentless cycle of paying the bills, take a trip to Colombia to check it out.

@zakwan10 Месяц назад

These are interesting videos, but living in a developing country like Colombia is not sustainable long term, finding a job that pays well that allows for savings is extremely difficult if not impossible. I am a Canadian certified teacher, worked in Pereira and absolutely loved it but my middle class salary which was good by Colombian standards, did not allow any savings for the long term in hopes of a retirement so I had to quit and come back to Canada.

@kenswindle4860 Месяц назад

Joel, I love your videos. Everything your guest said it true . . . and wildly incomplete. Let me give this topic a little perspective. I have been married to a wonderful Colombian woman for 23 years. She loves her family and friends there. And she absolutely does not want to go back and live there - at all. Colombians are literally risking their lives everyday to try to sneak into the U.S. without permission. The opposite is not true. Can you live very well there on $4,000 / month? Yes. That is $48,000 / year. What is minimum wage in Colombia? $250 per month, or about $3,000.00 per year. What is the average income in Colombia? For a highly qualified extremely highly qualified professional, maybe about $20,000 per year. So good luck if you, as a foreigner, think you are just going to roll into Colombia, get a Colombian job and make the equivalent of $48,000 per year. The point is that Colombia has get a lot of things right that the U.S. gets wrong (like your guest says), but Colombia also has a LOT of problems that the U.S. does not. Anyone who thinks (as your guest seems to indicate) that Colombia is a land of peace and love and no problems definitely does not know much of anything about Colombia, and this is coming from somene who genuinely loves Colombia and its people.

@richexperiences1 Месяц назад

Great interview! Brett, wise move on making the great escape while you can still enjoy it. And even wiser move for starting to learn Spanish. It makes all the difference between people who successfully make the transition to South America, and people who come running back with their tails between their legs. I've been largely out of the States for a couple years now (just come back and visit from time to time) then I'm out again lol. I'm in Medellín now and it's a great city, but I don't exclusively call it my home and regularly explore other cities in Latin America too (even smaller cities off the beaten path).

@Dividenddream Месяц назад

Mostly, men want to leave the US for Colombia, rarely any women. I wonder why mostly men, hmmm lol

@vivahernando1 Месяц назад

I don’t 😂

@CoachatCole Месяц назад

Because American have the best deal. They have their own money without the social stigma of being responsible providing for someone.

@AKJoel Месяц назад

There's actually plenty of female expats here - you just don't see them posting all over RU-vid lol

@Dividenddream Месяц назад

@AKJoel You do see them, but let's be honest its overwhelmingly hombres. You know that, lol

@boopershane9670 13 дней назад

you brought up a good point. i noticed in Colombia that they do not worry about your skin color. Im in the south, and all they talk about is light-skinned people. its ignorant

@QB-ul5lq Месяц назад

Me to

@KurtRWalker Месяц назад

America has many things to consider and trends that are less than ideal but after many months in South America (Love Colombia! Cant wait to come back) and just got back from taking my family on a big tour of Europe, I still feel grateful to call America home and be able to come back here. Entitlement is definitely one of the things that happens with many, they need to travel and see how much better they have it than they think, less whining, more creating value :) My lens though is that I am an entrepreneur, and living my purpose with a life of contribution and impact. Context matters.

@MARVINCOLON705 Месяц назад

me. in medellin now and love in it. florida is to costly

@fitnessdatabase3280 Месяц назад

All facts

@You-DeserveBetter Месяц назад

These people want to make USD then complain about capitalism. Let that sink in 🤣. Very few even the Aussie wants to be paid in Colombian peso. That relaxed lifestyle is why Colombia so cheap. It’s why Spain lags behind Germany and other Northern European countries

@jjmarcgagnon2386 Месяц назад

i find the video interesting as usual Joel, however this one is somewhat different when this fellow talks about America. Living in Colombia, He should know that America is a continent not a country.

@burtonknows9201 Месяц назад

Oh PPPLLEEEAASSEEE! Just go away.

@vivahernando1 Месяц назад

It’s both right or wrong. When people say American they associate it with the USofA because it is a/the world superpower. North, South, and Central America are discrete places but most people from those places just name their country.

@JurassicJerkyAmazon Месяц назад

🇺🇸MEN - HAD ENOUGH ?!? 🛩️ Exit The 🇺🇸 🏍 🏌🏽‍♂️🏎 🚁🛥🍾 💃🏾💃🏾🕺🏽

@CoachatCole Месяц назад

American women have it better in the U.S. When they work they get to keep their money.

@philipk9783 Месяц назад

Problem is you need money to escape the rat race.

@edwardmille8879 Месяц назад

2016 Trump was elected I knew things were going to get real bad. I'm married to a Colombian so I started getting ready to depart. Living in Santa Rosa 12 miles out of Periera growing coffee. No racism, no mass shootings no want to be dictator. Life is good