Here’s the truth, Medellin delivers. I’m going to dive into why it’s one of the top cities for American Veterans seeking a healthier, higher quality and more enjoyable life. The kind of life that we deserve after our service and the kind of life we won’t find in the country we fought for.

Culture

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. As someone who’s lived in Thailand and the Dominican Republic, it’s nice to be in a place where it’s spring everyday of the year.

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 great nightlife.

“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

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.

Note: The 6 months you get per year without a visa resets on January 1st.

Some Veterans have gotten denied for Visas who have high ratings of PTSD or psychiatric conditions. I’d recommend using an attorney, there are lots of options available and the medical clinics or Veteran community here can point you in the right direction.

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. You’ll also need healthcare or some type of insurance outside the Veteran clinics to qualify for the visa.

Cost of Living

Medellin isn’t the place to come if cost of living is your top priority. It’s more expensive than people think. That doesn’t mean you can’t live cheaply here but prices like everywhere else in the world ain’t what they used to be.

Medellin is still a place where you can rent a furnished and decently located one bedroom apartment for $600-$800. Double that to get a luxury apartment. 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. Facebook marketplace is a good place to look for apartments, like everywhere in the world it’s best to get an apartment on ground here and not try to lock one down before you come.

Why Medellin is THE SPOT for Vets

• Year round 70 degree weather.
• A great Veteran owned restaurant in Laureles – EL PARCHE
• 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

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 Veteran if Cartagena appeals to you.

Check out the Veterans Guide To Moving Abroad on amazon or shoot me a dm and I’ll get you my free QuickStart guide for Vets moving overseas. If there are other resources to add to this or ideas let me know.