Here’s the truth, Medellin delivers. I’m going to dive into why it’s the best city in the world for American Veterans seeking a healthier, affordable and more enjoyable life. The kind of life that you deserve after your service, with a quality of life that you won’t find within the country we fought for.

Culture

The culture is where Medellin shines, you’ll feel at home and welcomed throughout the city. I feel a certain warmth, respect and community that’s hard to find in the United States. The camaraderie feeling throughout the local and expat communities is something a lot of Veterans miss about the military.

Medellin is a place that has transformed – going from a dangerous place to one of the most desirable locations in the world. It’s innovative, full of art, beauty, music and the year round beautiful weather doesn’t hurt either.

The cities own past in overcoming it’s own adversities is something that Veterans can relate and aspire to. It’s a place where you can heal and live in the present. There’s a focus on outdoor restaurants, festivals and a slower type of living.

“Medellin doesn’t just accept Veterans, Medellin embraces Veterans.”

Healthcare

There are two Veteran healthcare centers in Medellin that work with the Foreign Medical Program of the VA. This means that they can treat any service connected injury or disability. For any service connected care, you’ll pay zero out of pocket and they’ll take care of you and send the bill to the VA.

Juvante Medellin
Purple Heart Health Center

For Veterans, private healthcare is top notch and affordable. You’ll pay between $80-150 monthly depending on your age, coverage and medical needs. This is going to give you access to English speaking doctors, great facilities and everything you or your family would need.

One Veteran I met said he pays $17 for a 90 day supply of a medication that costed him $195 in the states. Another Vet I spoke with in Medellin recommended ColMedica that he’s used for three years and has had great service. But there are lots of options, there’s a good reason why Colombia is a hub for medical tourism and healing.

Immigration

If you’re a Veteran moving to Colombia, the first thing to know is that you get 180 days in the country per year before a visa is required. So don’t rush and stay for a bit to see if it’s for you. The most relevant visa option for most Veterans would be the Pension Visa. Which you’ll qualify for if you have VA benefits, social security or a retirement. The only potential hiccup with this is that if you’re VA rating is solely PTSD or a mental health condition.

I have heard of Vets getting denied for having psychiatric disorders but haven’t spoken to anyone personally who has, I would recommend consulting with an attorney. Don’t attach unnecessary paperwork to your visa application that makes you look like a lunatic. Then you’d need proof of your pension, a criminal background check and some simple paperwork. Every Veteran that I’ve spoken with has gotten approval within 90 days and most have used lawyers to streamline the process.

Other Visa options can include student visa options, marrying or knocking up a Colombian (I don’t recommend this lol) and buying a property over $100,000, digital nomad visas and more. As always, money greases the wheels of life so the more you have the better you are. What visa option you choose will depend on your personal situation.

Cost of Living

Everyday expenses around the city are surprisingly affordable. One thing that stuck out to me during my last visit was how inexpensive, easy and safe using Uber to get around was. The public transportation, including the Metrocable is clean and simple to use. Dining out is economical, especially if you’re eating local meals ($4-7) but even classy rooftop restaurants aren’t going to break the bank.

Medellin is still a place where you can rent a furnished and centrally located one bedroom apartment for $500. Double that to get a luxury apartment and you’ll probably be in the middle depending where you want to be. You’ll hear a lot of different numbers regarding rent from the expat community because it differs quite a bit neighborhood to neighborhood and lifestyle to lifestyle. Somewhere like El Poblado is a international bubble and the most expensive area and Sabanata is going to have less luxuries but more quiet and affordable.

Why Medellin is THE SPOT for Vets

• Year round 70 degree weather.
• Low cost of living with an extremely high quality of life.
• Strong sense of community.
• Vibrant and growing Veteran population, check out this group of Veteran Expats of Colombia.
• Plenty of nearby adventure, excursions, nature and mountains.
• Easy travel connections, Medellin flies direct to New York, Miami and other American cities.
• Some of the best nightlife and restaurants in the world.
• A fantastic fitness and sporting culture, especially for cyclists and futbol fans.

Your New Home?

If you’re yearning for a fresh start or a new chapter, Medellin deserves a serious look. Paisas, the people native to this beautiful place prioritize respect and have pride in their city. For a lot of Vets, there’s a sense of personal connection that fills that gap we all feel after leaving the military. Medellin just has this rare mix that vibes well with Veterans and it provides you with an opportunity to thrive. It’s not just a city worth visiting for Veterans, it’s a place worthy of being home.

Thoughts and Resources

After a quick 10 days in Medellin, I fell in love with the place. I’ve been before but that was before I could speak any Spanish and I only went alone. This time, going with Sgt Sosua and Rico and linking up with other Veterans there really makes me consider a more permanent move. I love living in the Dominican Republic but Colombia has a lot to offer.

Check me out on Instagram and TikTok where I talk about Vets abroad and sign up for the free membership at Veteransinparadise.com where we put out a monthly newsletter for Vets overseas.

Read my friend Unc Jae’s article on his life in Cartagena, Colombia as a Vet and subscribe to Sgt Sosua on YouTube.

If you want the Veterans Guide To Moving Abroad, shoot me your email or you can purchase the physical copy on Amazon. If there are any resources that should be added to this article, please let me know for Vets in Colombia and I will include them. If you’re a Vet living in Medellin, reach out and when I get back there, probably sooner than later, we can link up. #LFG

Check out my other books, resources and articles on my LinkTree and hit me on on Instagram.