Want To Live In Colombia 🇨🇴? WATCH THIS FIRST! 

MY MOVING TO COLOMBIA COURSE IS NOW AVAILABLE!!! You can purchase it at mynewcolombianlife.com If you want to schedule a consultation, email me at: weslythomasmusic@gmail.com or DM me on Instagram: @wesleezy

Colombian society is very family- oriented. Living in Colombia as a gringo without the help and support of a family is going to be a challenge. Love the videos Wes 👍

This is the realest video on Colombia from a RU-vidr. Been tired of hearing "Colombia is safe if you know how to move". Quality of Life And peace of mind involves feeling safe. That's why I personally would only visit.

colombia is one of the best countries in the world where i ever was. the people are pure and amazing and respectfully and happy ❤ love for my people in colombia i never wil forgot how the people treat me i always go back

Wes I've been going ot Colombia 3-5 times a yr since 2016 for as long as a month at a time & yes I speak Spanish. I agree with most of your points bc of the people in Colombia. Some of my best friends are Colombian. You are missing out on a BIG part bc you are not a cyclist. Colombian is a cycling paradise!! Hands down! How do you think I know? Stunning scenery, leg breaking climbs, inexpensive home cooked food everywhere & on... But I'm Canadian & no matter how much I tell people about Colombia - Canadians don't believe it, but that's typical Canadian culture, ppl are homogoneous & close minded. AmoColombia!

Being safe can be a little subjective, my experience as a person born and raised in a 3rd world country and then visiting other developed nations and then moving to Canada and become a Canadian is that I have already seen so may scams ,robberies and crimes in my country of origin living as a child and young adult that give me exposure knowledge and tools to counter these thing better then an average American or Canadian or European etc who was born in these countries and have never experienced or seen extreme poverty and crimes like that so I feel more safe there because compared to an average gringo I am better prepared for these situation

A great video, thanks agree with everything you said! I haven't been to the Philippines in twenty years but look forward to visiting soon. I wish more YTers would just tell it like it is but few don't, thanks.

Thank you, for sharing. Columbia some what sounds like Thailand, but a bit more unsafe. I would like to visit Columbia.

Thanks for being upfront, honest and unbiased… much respect.

Great info man. Very on point. Taking your survey now.

Your comments on the "hustle culture" and advantage-taking are spot on. This is very true, but people don't like to say it outright.

Excellent video Great honest informations Very helpful Thanks Wes

Fantastic vlog man thanks for being straight forward and to the point ☝️

This is one of your greatest videos, and you speak truth! I have heard these things from the Colombian 's that I talk to and everyone of them wants to leave

Can't wait to visit Colombia

Thank you for a very real and honest video on Colombia. Many RU-vidrs I see talking about Colombia, It’s all oh it’s graded safe. Yeah you have to worry a little but, as long as you know what you’re doing it’s OK.

As a Colombian myself living in Cali i appreciate your statement 😊

Thanks for your honest opinions of how things are going in Columbia. It is such a beautiful country, what a shame that, at least in the larger cities, corruption is allowed to run rampant and that the quality of living for locals gets degraded.

Thanks for the great information. 👍

For those of you not familiar with Colombia, Paisa is the culture of the region of Antioquia where medellin is located. I’m married to a Costeña (a girl from the coast). I had lots of fun dating in colombia, but it’s true, most of the girls I dated were from other regions.

I'm in Medellin and I've been here a month. I'm pretty sure I will get the nomad visa and stay until that's up but not here. Even though I'm enjoying myself I feel what you're saying about the safety issues and the toxic expats. I don't necessarily feel like I'm in imminent danger all day everyday but there's certainly a sense that danger is never too far away. I tried meeting and hanging out with some expats and really felt like I was in MORE danger with them because they weren't moving very smart - which is the bare minimum for safety in any area of the world. As for the women... this is not a place where the thirsty will survive, literally. You better be able to think with the right head when dealing with women out here. A month isn't that long but based on my experience so far, I have zero faith I'll find a wife in Medellin 😆 Thanks for another solid video man 👊

Nice to hear your realistic and pragmatic views. I think when you have children that your concerns about safety in Colombia will be even stronger.

Thanks! You are realistic and accurate!

Uber is the cost that KEEPS me in Colombia, it's so low. It is like a permanent low-paid chauffeur service.

If you take high paying jobs and freedom away from USA its a shit hole. If you take away low cost of living and women from Colombia its a shit hole. Point is you can always look at things negatively. Its all about perspective.

Good video Wes, I agree with most of your points. Especially the business end of the story. Everything you try to do, you pretty much have to have your lawyer with in your pocket. Then trying to find a lawyer who you can trust, is a nightmare in itself.

this dude is straight up. I like it. thanks for saving me so much time.

Great video with many factual points. I visit Medellin every month as my non-paisa girlfriend lives there lol

I think im the minority, the only reason I would move to Colombia is to live in the rural areas (Not near Medellin & Bogota & areas where there's rebel fighters) in not so much known areas. But this can be applied to other Latam Countries.

Good job. I can't disagree with anything you say except about Medellin. I've lived here full time for almost 8 years. I walk the streets every day and enjoy life here a great deal; which means that I've adapted to and overcome all the true but negative aspects you point out. If I ever get mugged I'll just give it up. I only carry enough money (no credit card) on me to get through the day and my phone is nice but not expensive to replace. But like I say, so far nothing like that has happened. Living in Miami for 33 years helped me a lot. I am still going through a little culture shock but basically when I moved here I hit the ground running with good Spanish skills & the right rhythm. I may have gotten taken on a few little scama but my happiness does not depend on winning every battle. Also, I'm retired so I don't have the stress of hustling around the big city and it takes a lot more than before to upset me. Big picture I'm way ahead. Again, what you have to say in this video is really accurate and well put. Kudos.

New suscriber! I really enjoyed your video. I totally agree with your point of view of Colombia. My wife and I retired in the states and moved to Medellin , going on 4 years. We love it here. However, we have had to learn to swim with the SHARKS. We are both fluent in Spanish, becuase we were born in Panama, but moved to the states when we were both very young with our respective families. I really looking forward to reviewing your past videos as well as future videos. We would like to move to Panama but we are enjoying the cost of living here in Colombia. All the best to you and your family... God Bless!

I see, I was going to say, some Gringos defend colombia more than Colombians lol especially on the Facebook page.

I'm so glad I live where I live here in Colombia. Much fewer problems and few gringos also. US expats in any country complain too much, so it is best to avoid them.

thank you . very interesting

I want to move to colombia eat in your restaurant visit your church and play with your beautiful 🐕 I think I will love Manizales despite the 🌧. Nice video Bro.

Agreed. I was just in Cartagena for a couple of weeks and I hated the s3x tourism in my Airbnb building. And we had to wear bracelets. It wasn’t like that when I was there in 2019

I didn't go for the women or the cost in the beginning. I went for family. And I went back for the climate, the nature, the friendship. The cost of living and the women were literal bonuses in my reasons for returning. I'm talking Medellín.

You always have great advice Wes. Truth is though even in the US I am a realtor and real estate has gone crazy with both home prices and rents! And food, the same. Right now in New Jersey a dozen eggs are $7. My husband is from Itagui and we are hoping to live 6 months in Colombia and 6months in the states and only because of the cost of living on US dollars and because of his family being there. I love the Colombian people, their music and food. And there are scammers everywhere in the world now. It’s sad but you always have to be on your guard. Enjoy your trip!

I enjoyed your video and agree with almost everything that you had to say. I met a lady in Barranquilla and we are going to be married soon and living here in Costa Rica for six months and in Colombia for six months. I moved to Costa Rica 20 years ago and it has changed dramatically over the years, especially in costs. And you are very correct about people in Colombia being family oriented. By in large, the Columbia women are much more attractive and fun to be around, then others that I have met in Latin America.

I am a Colombian living in Canada and I approve this statement

Excellent. Looking at Philippines too.

This is accurate.

Thank you, Wes, for your content. I'm will be traveling to Medellín and Cartagena next month. I'm a Mexican American who was born and raised in Orange County. So my Spanish is pretty decent. Both parents are from Mexico. When I was younger, I used to go to LA a lot. Now that I am turning 29 next month, I hate it. Too dirty crime everywhere and don't get me started on the homeless population. I'm excited to go check out a new culture.

Thanks for keeping it real brother! I'm in the Philippines now. I've been here for a year now. I went to Medellin in 2019 and was going to relocate there but chose the PI instead and now regret not going to Colombia. Not that I don't like the Philippines, though. One thing that's interesting is that the Expats here are just like the ones you described in Medellin. New subscriber!

I make very clear to anyone who asks that it is the chicks that are the main reason I choose Colombia, second the weather on the coast is pretty darn good too.

Hey Wes, We are a Turkish couple living in Kusadasi, near İzmir, who are going to visit Colombia for 6 months starting on November. Glad to come by your video. Thanks for a great video. Please come be our guest in Kusadasi if you can, would love to exchange some information and meet you.

An you post a link to the how to play a gringo . I want to read it so I can learn thire playbook

Agree 💯 with you. We were in Medellin 3 weeks ago. Wanted to buy an apartment And everyone wanted to get ahead of us. Providing different information. I like to add if you want to buy a real estate

The irony that you think this is a foreign playbook , its the domestic playbook but with more steps playpackages

In Latin America, if a deal is fair to you and fair to me, I lose.

I’m moving to Columbia soon

Hello Wes, great contents. I would like to apply for retirement visa! Is there an agency in Medellin that you would recommend for this process?

I just came back from Colombia after 2 years there, I would never go back. May try Argentina next time.

This dude kept it 100…. No Columbia for me.

Summed it up perfectly. Take away the women and the prices and you are not left with much, for most that is probably 80%. Maybe food quality, nature, and family values, but it is the combination of all the above that makes Colombia special.

Hey brother I invested in a piece of land in Puerto Colombia…what advice you give me ?

God bless brother 🙏🏼 i’m from Montreal 🇨🇦 i’m christian would love to meet a Christian colombian girl , i speak Spanish . What would be your advice brother? What is the name of your church?

I am trying to look at Colombia from a retiree perspective when I have a fixed source of income and not interested in women because I have a wife and because of my age. Cost of living and good affordable health care system is on top of the list of priorities for people like me. Europe is nice but more expensive and not easy to get a residency status in in general with few exceptions. Portugal is probably the most attractive country in the world as an overall package: cost of living, safety, health care, getting visa process, culture, food, people, etc. But it is considerably more expensive than Colombia or most Latin American and Asian countries popular among expats. I still keep Portugal as my number one destination for retirement but decided to take a closer look at Colombia before I make a move. Most American and Canadian expats-retirees living in Colombia I had a chance to talk to like it there. Especially ones who live in smaller cities like Manizales, Armenia, Pereira and Bucaramanga or nearby these towns. I guess most of what you said in this video is coming from a perspective of a man of your age and I believe you spotted it all accurately. I wonder what would you be saying from a perspective of an elderly person looking for an affordable retirement safe haven...

Relationships can work,my girlfriend is from Colombia and we have been together for twelve years and it has been good all the way, we live here in my homecountry Sweden.

You'll be good. if you got street smarts. Ive been to mexico city 2018 by myself and Medellin 2020. You are right, if you have game in the states youll be good in MDE.

Columbia might be a little nicer than Mars, but tickets are still available. Have you considered another planet?

@whereiswes I'm looking to buy a farm house on an acre of land with fruit trees near San Onofre, Colombia. Where's the best place to look online or how do I go about doing that? I do have family living in San Onofre btw.

You have referred to "Expat pages" and facebook groups. Can you share some links to these places you are referencing? Thanks.

I'm a Colombian living in Bogota and I can say that by watching a lot of videos by expats who decide to stay, there's another popular reason and it's the people, how kind they are. Also somebody mentioned how good it feels to ride bycicle here. Some people including myself don't wanna move out because we're family people, yes we fall in love with other countries but that doesn't mean we have to go live there. As a Colombian woman I didn't know that women traffic happens a lot, I've lived in the capital for my entire life and I think it's more common in Medellín.

Petro will prove you wrong Wes That's the reason I'm moving to Colombia.

Urguay is safe and the most peaceful country in America.

I'm Haitian and for me Colombia reminds me a lot of Haiti. I agree with many points you've touched about expats. What I've notice you mentioned is that people who really has money, they wouldn't choose Colombia. But rather Europe and Asia. There are other beautiful develop countries or islands that you fail to mention. Like Africa and the Caribbeans.

Practical tip: take a look at the declining value of the dollar relative to the Colombian peso. It has gone from a high last year of around 5100 to now is skirting 4100 per one dollar. This is an enormous decline, and the decline is speeding up. I can't recommend enough---if you are thinking of going get there sooner than later, and make sure to exchange dollars for pesos in a larger chunk rather than in small amounts. When I was there in December 2022 in Medellin I was getting around 4700 per one dollar. I keep going back to Colombia every few weeks starting in Feb 2023. When I left Bogota in May the rate had gone down to 4400 in exchange houses. Now, yesterday, when I checked, the official rate (much higher by at least 100-200 pesos), it was down to below 4200! Again, Colombia is getting MUCH more expensive for USA residents.

is there a reliable online shopping platform for Colombia or a way to get stuff from amazon? Thanks

Hello Wes, I have been considering Manizales and surrounding areas for the past few weeks with plans to visit that area next week, still up in the air as I'm almost ready to just chuck it all and head out of the country. How safe are the areas around Manizales? I am just looking for a safe low cost of living area for me a woman in my 60s. To add, I was prices out of a beautiful area a few years ago in Sarasota, FL.

Another great video speaking much truth, but that's only in my humble opinion. Not sure I agree with everything but for sure 98. 6% of what you say is spot on, including the part about food! Funny story about crime in Medellin, I lived in Medellin in 2021 and most of 2022. And I definitely agree you have to keep your head on a swivel even as the Piasas do here in the city. I've been fortunate I've never been robbed here in Medellin. Ironically my Paisa wife (this would be the part where I don't agree, where you say pretty much all Medellin women are looking to milk gringos) but I digress... As I was saying my Paisa wife and I just returned from Mexico after spending six months there. And in one of the safest cities, Guanajuato, I was pickpocketed by a very slick street criminal...go figure. But I definitely agree it's just plain nuts to say Colombia is safer than the States or Canada or Mexico, there is no comparison to any of the above. Suerte!

Sounds realistic to me.

Thanks a lot for sharing your insights and experience in Colombia. I was actually contemplating the idea of living in Colombia as a digital nomad due to its affordable cost of living and proximity to Venezuela, where I have relatives. However, given my Venezuelan-American background, I ultimately realized it may not be the ideal choice. The challenges of not being fully trusted as a foreigner, a Venezuelan, and an American could prove to be quite distracting. Fortunately, there are other countries that offer a more neutral environment with a lower cost of living. Or perhaps a tad pricier but I wouldn't mind investing a bit more for a better (or neutral) treatment. Nevertheless, I truly believe that Colombia can be a fantastic destination for expats, depending on their individual goals. As a linguist, I can attest to the fact that Colombians speak proper Spanish with well-enunciated words at a moderate pace, making it an excellent country to learn the language. All in all, it all boils down to two fundamental questions: What do I truly desire? And how much am I willing to sacrifice?

Bro im headed to cali colombia first trip there i will have a place in San Antonio do you know a guy who can take me around thats trustworthy..

Your in Istanbul? How do you like that neighborhood? I could see Istanbul area from my apartment. I have friends there. For me ..I would need an outside the city home. Manizales is 20 hours on 4 off. It's a great city.

Just a heads up, your email handle might get your responses sent to the spam folder. Email providers filter addresses that look suspect.

The expats are jacking up the cost of everything in Colombia and I would hate the expats if I am one of the locals. lol

Hey wes, I really disagree on food diversity lacking. I just created a video about a dish from my region in colombia and I plan to make a video on that subject of variation in food in the future. Hate to be that guy but paisas and rolos are known to be terrible cooks in colombia and the number one female chef in rhe world 2022 is Colombian Tastes in food is subjective and while there are tons of food cultures more varied than colombia, as a Colombian living in the USA but hands down it is my favorite. No one in my family can imagine living without it , even due to cultural bias. It is no slouch in the kitchen however and it can compete with some other cultures. That is a long topic for another video of mines. On the concept of paisa culture..i feel you are too harsh on Medellin, and Manizales is also paisa culture. The issue that I see is that foreigners only go for the paisas with the skimpy outfits, plastic image, and fast life chasers. I know gringos in the USA with decades long marriages to paisas. Fyi I'm not a paisa I'm valle caucano.

What about cities such as Pereira?

We are retired at 55 and 60. We are cool weather lovers….hate the heat. We are in Nicaragua, my wife’s home country but even here in the mountains it is way too hot. Our income will be about $2000/mo until my wife turns 62 and starts getting her social security check. We speak Spanish. We just want a low cost place to live, that is fairly safe with cool weather and decent healthcare. In some of your videos, Manizales sounded wonderful….this video it sounds awful ???? We have thought about Turkey but have heard inflation is out of control.

How you said is easy to get a visa. I have been trying to get a visa for my husband, unsuccessful. Can you help me with contacts for visa. I would like information On real estate to buy an apartment in Retiro

Coming from Maldives. When I go to Brazil for business. I always carry 1 cheap dummy phone and I keep my iPhone in a hidden belt bag. I never use the phone in public. Always indoor. Sadly this is the reality of travelling to Latin America. Crime is rampant. I can't use my camera or anything in public.

manizales is where 1 of the investment properties is I'm interested in....is it a nice city?[I'm Canadian & have stayed in Colombia over 8 months], how remote is ChinChina? thats where another property I'm interested in is...safe towns[manizales ranked safest town in one article I read

What about overall in Cali.

Seen more viable relationships in Cali, Bogota and Cartagena. Rarely hear anything good coming out of Medellin

What do you hear about Paraguay? 🇵🇾

Colombians are very traditional people

I think you're spot on when you say that the primary appeal of Colombia is the women. It's not like Colombia offers nothing else, but the primary demographic that visits COL and spends money there is going for the women. If you removed that from the equation, it's likely COL wouldn't have as many visitors.

Thanks for the video. I am looking to go out of the USA as it is falling apart and I am doing webinars and trading stocks so the time frame works. I am a yogi also but I also desire to get to know good people , I need high speed internet but also I am gay how is that there? I know you may not know well but want to still meet good people- not into the scene but like good people

I live in Colombia. It's dope. Have DR/PR fam and lived in DR too. I speak Spanish though. I never tried to link with Ex-pats. I made friends by going outside, going to parks, etc......... Love the sports/outdoor activity. I love the adventures available in Colombia. I love the Colombia's food. The 'bureaucracy' .... 100% I dont feel I'm in 'danger' in Colombia BUT I do know........ there's dangers similiar to America here in cities -- but not as bad as the US. Not all the gangs and random violence. In some of the 'rural' areas by coastlines .. you have to research each to know which these are..... Shit.. be careful.. the Guerilla Armies/Cartels are savage (100% by the definition). Dominican Republic = far safer than Colombia. Im US born , urban culture, so I know how to move in pretty much any situation and never really uncomfortable. And I know most people are NOT like that. Street smart/savvy. IN DR the people may want to hustle you but they dont even think about killing a normal thing. Colombia has some serious savagery to it in some corners and there's drugs in South America that have destroyed some people's mind. The alcohol is an issue in all Latin AMerica. I think it causes MANY ISSUES across Latin America from violence to abuse. That's a concentrated issues in LA. I def agree, i like oither places where the people have fun without this as a common fabric to their events/gatherings.... I do think people of color can fit in better here and will be less of a target, like anywhere outside of Central/West Europe. When i say POC, i mean non-anglo saxon ... people who come from culture that has native/african rootage. I agree with the culture incubating distrust here. City dwellersare VERY PESSAMISTIC in Colombia and if they aren't 'distrusting you' at first, you may want to just 'keep an eye' on why not lol But I find people from outside the city or who are 1st generation to the city can be more laid back. As for DATING: - If you can't speak Spanish you're 99.9% likely foolish for even trying to form a relationship in a Spanish-speaking country. EVEN IF they speak English, you should be aware of whats going on as an adult trying to function. - If you're 'lame' and not going outside to understand the day to day life, it will be hard. MUCH BETTER to make friends, share jokes, share thoughts so you can understand the norms of a place - Dont 'pity' a woman/man in a foreign place......... b/c everybody has the same potential in this life. Maintain standards and morals. Look for a diamond shining because you don't know what a raw diamond looks like nor what to do with it unless you're a psychologist or something - Does the person you're dating have a stable life? If not.......... good luck *tisk* - Dont get caught up in hanging around with easy women/men or you will corrupt yourself into thinking thats' normal and fall victim to your own low standards And stop saying "Passport Bros" because there's A LOT OF WOMEN doing the same thing as the men in 2023. "Passport Sis" I guess is a term we need to begin using as well. Stupidity is in all groups.

Hey Wes are you in Europe or Colombia ?😊

You need to change the name of your youtube channel to "Holier than Thou"

So basically Colombia is exactly the same as every other place just, Colombian.

Disagree about the food..i live in the usa and still prefer colombian...my sifu is cantonese crom guanzhou with family in toisan ,guangxi province and he says he has never seen sucha good cook in as my mom.

I've been in Colombia for 17 years and I can tell you living in a small town is far safer than living in the big cities. Even cities as small as Rionegro are becoming pretty dangerous. But, once you've lived in a small town for a few years you become part of the community and there is more mutual trust. It is, however, very troubling how the country is becoming more and more socialist and getting way too close to China and Venezuela.

You take the women out of the equation, you take out 50% of the draw, IMO 😀 rest 50% is remote work paradise, cost of living, EST time, Weather. Non-stop flights to USA!!

That playbook is trash

Let me clear a few things up because it seems Wes is struggling a little bit. I was on a trip to cartagena and a guy who worked in a hotel once told me that all women want money. He is right (to a degree) because you can’t be broke and try to have success with Colombian girl. Now does that mean that they will directly ask you for money? Some will and other won’t. The ones that won’t will still require you to have it indirectly because they will not pay for anything. You can have success with Colombian girl and I’ve seen my fair share of American men enjoy long sustained relationships with them. Those men that do speak spanish and don’t lead with their wallet. I have a buddy that married one and they have two kids. Many American men use places like cartagena as a place to get drunk and have cheap (or not so cheap) sexual encounters. They don’t want to speak the language or never want to venture out and get submerged into the culture. Knowing this the women treat them accordingly.

I want to go because I love reagatton music and I love Spanish and want to learn the language well and it’s a way to start new with different people while still being cheap I actually like Spanish culture and want to explore the life there. I care less about a girlfriend…. I didn’t even know anything about y people go there to meet woman that’s just creepy and they need to work on there social skills apparently

First and foremost hows your health? I saw some of your videos snd the 1st i remember you said in usa was wack rent was alote. Prices going up and that your dad was sick with diabetes and always complaining and stressful with high blood pressure. U said you were arguing cause you had a car accident. Then you left and went to Colombia and church and meet your wife and got a good job and apartment and paid cheaper then USA. Usa same Routine and super expensive. I need different routibe and i would like to meet a colombiab gitl son Anables y bonitas. Blessing s man.