I lived in Medellin for about 3 years and I never felt unsafe. I think the life altering event that occurred pushed a lot more people into criminal enterprises. I moved to a smaller city about two and a half years ago, and I love Colombia. I met a lot of nice ladies on Latin American Cupid. The criminals who want to rob you are not going to chat with you for a month online when they can find someone on Tinder in 15 minutes.

Colombian here living in states and wanted to thank you for your fair & balanced view. I thoroughly enjoy the words of wisdom you share

Thanks for the continued great content and helpful information. I will be going to Medellin in a few days and your channel has been crucial in my preparation. You the man AK👊 Nuff love from Toronto, 🇨🇦

Me and the wife going to medellin for Christmas. I am from Detroit Michigan so I know how to conduct myself in any environment. People say Detroit is dangerous but I never had any problems you just have to know where to go and not to go I think that rule is universal. We will be staying in a 5 star Hotel in El Poblado and then venture out from there

So I watched the video to the end and all I can say is WOW, and unfortunately I would take those threats seriously. I've lived in Medellin, my wife is from Medellin. We actually met on a language exchange platform a few years ago. As you say there's a lot of great people and great places in Medellin. However it's just the fact you do have to keep your head on a swivel there and if you're not from South America this is something that some people can't get used to, or they have to learn the hard way. On a lighter note as I was watching the video and you got to the part about "some Colombians don't even have the concept of time" I had to call my wife over to my laptop and translate that part as I was laughing out loud !!! it's so flipping true and she's extremely guilty of this as well!! Hope you're enjoying Brazil, keep making videos, follow your gut instincts and your intuition ...Cuidete...Suerte!!

Your comments about the rain really struck gold with me because I experienced something very similar. Back in 1982, I was working in Richmond, CA for a major oil company (first job after graduating university) and was assigned to work on automation design in support of a huge refinery expansion in the Deep South of Mississippi on the Gulf Coast. I decided to transfer and work at the Mississippi location to broaden my life and work experiences, so I moved from the SF/Bay Area to the Deep South. I got there in June '82 ready to hit the ground running so to speak. That is when the weather totally derailed me. It rained hard every single day during June, July and August. I would come home from work and be stuck inside because it would be continuous rain. My life consisted of get up, go to work, get home, and drink beer stuck in the house, go to bed. Rinse and repeat. The summer months were also extremely hot, and the humidity was brutal. I soon realized that I had to get off my rear or I would end up fat and depressed. My friends were runners so i took up running to get out of the house and stop being a coach potato. I learned that the optimum time to go out running was to begin my daily runs at 5 am, to avoid the heat and humidity build. I really hated that rain! It took me about three months to get used to the stifling heat and humidity, but I got to the point of going water skiing on Saturdays out on the boat all day in the heat and sun with no issues (got a great tan too). In my transfer papers, I made sure I had set up a way to move back to the SF/Bay Area so after living in the Deep South for three years, I opted to transfer back. My belongings were professionally packed up in a moving van in early-December (in the worst rain ever, now cold) and I drove back with the goal of getting to my new place at least one day ahead of when the moving van arrived. Got my stuff unloaded off the van, organized as best I could, then I drove non-stop to Salt Lake City, UT, hung out with friends and had a great time powder snow skiing at some of the best locations. During my final months in the south, I connected with good friends back in California and joined in on renting a ski cabin for the 1994-95 winter season, so after I was done skiing in Utah (Snowbird, Alta, Park City), I drove to the ski cabin located right next to the Squaw Valley (now called Palisades Tahoe) ski resort and spent the last two weeks of December hitting the slopes. Looking back, living in the Deep South was like living in a foreign country because the pace of life was much slower, and it took a long time to get used to the southern accents (still English, but much different as every southern state had a different dialect) and much of the food was deep-fried (fried chicken. fried fish, fried oysters, fried shellfish, etc.) which was much less healthy. Food, Climate, Language, Life Pace are exactly as you describe it. It was jarring moving to the Deep South of the USA. Since 1985, I have lived in the SF/Bay Area (except for three years in Utah, 1991-92/92-93/93-94). Weather is good in the Bay Area, no humidity, food choices are as diverse as you wish, outstanding hiking and biking trails. It is an expensive place to live, but I had a very good job and retired well-funded. I don't have to be "always on" "head on a swivel, constantly checking out who is around me" where I live. I don't need to look for a lower cost of living. I hate to be late. I get irritated by lackadaisical people. I can afford to live here because of choices made early on. I don't speak Spanish and find learning it is a real pain. Been married twice, been there done that and not looking to repeat. So, maybe Colombia is not for me.

Your channel is gonna blow up, I feel it! Keep pushing out content

Valuable video. Honest. And pretty balanced. It's a shame you got threats for posting your opinions. Stay safe, enjoy life, and I totally agree, when it no longer feels safe, you gotta ask yourself is it worth it. I love Colombia, but it is certainly not without it's dangers.

Great video. I loved Colombia, people, weather, beauty, etc. and I had lots of similar feelings that you expressed well here. As watch your more recent videos, I feel like something has changed. You've made the adjustment, you don't mind always looking over your shoulder and not feeling like you can relax. I return in a couple months and I am going to give Colombia another try.

Great video! I've been living here in Poblado for a few weeks now and have just started to notice that fellow expats are not always... of the brightest intentions. Luckily, have have several local Colombian friends to associate with and I usually go out into the city with them. No dar Papaya!

I came to Medellin in 2021 knowing only 20 words and 5 phrases of Spanish Language. I was then able to use public transportation. Order food at restaurants , visit parks , and use Google Translator to date Medellin girlfriends that knew less English. After 6 more trips my Spanish beginner pre- A1 level is 200 words and 30 phrases. I’m familiar with more words and likely get to the A1 level next year. I’m familiar with many grammar concepts.

The lack of time awareness is a frustrating factor when trying to connect with people. Consider having a backup plan for when a lunch slowly develops into a dinner.

Love it when they show up 2 hrs late for a date with a smile and no explanation. Nothing to do but get used to it

I've been to Medellin 4 times this year and plan on going back right after Christmas. Best city in the Western hemisphere.. if my son wasn't 12 I would already live there because I work remotely amd can live ANYWHERE amd work 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Thanks for the “short” by providing the table of contents 👍🏾

Tremendous amount of great advise on this channel by you and in the comments. It has really provided great information to help evaluate where my next winter, 3 month destination will be. Thanks

Great video. As someone that bounces between Los Angeles and Medellin I agree with everything you said. Dont sweat the comment threats from the keyboard gangsters. Keep up the good work.

Had me at mates in Seattle. Good choice

You seem like a really nice and honest person and as an Australian I was really angry to hear people threatening you. Keep doing you

Thanks for this video and for being transparent about the unsettling situation you found yourself in. I would like like to watch the follow up video to this (if you made one) about what made you stay in Medellin following the death threats. Can you link it here please?

These videos are great mate. Nice one 🙌🏻

Very interesting and informational video - Thank you very much! 🙏🏻☺(I am also sorry to hear that you received some bad comments that made you to reconsider to stay much longer in Medellin.) But your travel goes on 🙌🏻 now in Brasil and i am happy for you two! Always good and safe travels! Greetings from the country, where we are at least 5 Minutes prior the agreed time 😄⏰ -Karim

Fantastic video with a lot of valuable content. The TLDR; list at the start perked my interest to watch the whole thing, which I did. Subscribed.

I'm really sorry they're doing that. I will pray for your continued safety

Well I love your videos and hope you keep making them. Thanks as always for being honest and helpful.

100% on all of this. i live in a neighborhood that isn't exactly 'hipster' and i pay around 250 US for a studio. my paisa friends think 'm paying too much but i trust my landlord, and i really like my neighborhood. as to the expats on social media..agreed, and constantly amazed at why most of them stay here as so many of them seem to to hate it so much. come back soon man..we need more people like you here who buck the stereotypes of the typical 'gringo'.

We appreciate all these valuable consejos!

AK - this is a great video! Thanks for making it. It’s a shame that people have threatened you like this. I hope you’ll stay in Medellin because I’m planning on moving there for part of the year and I’ve connected with Andrew. I think people in any city can feel like newcomers are ruining things for the locals, and some newcomers do. Here in Denver, Colorado I’ve seen people move here, buy huge SUVs they don’t need and then live 30-45 minutes from where they work. When we already have a traffic problem and air pollution problem this isn’t attractive. However I’ve never threatened anyone and apart from a few close friends, I’ve kept these thoughts to myself and I’ve welcomed dozens of new people our city. Again, thanks so much for all of the detail you provided here and for your candor. Great job!

I do remember reading medellin was name city of the year in 2013 when i first started reading and doing history lessons of medellin, I even fell in love with the name.

All true BUT 1) as just about everywhere else in the world climate has been pretty screwed up in Medellin this year with much more rain than usual + the influence of La Niña ocean currents 2) you can “train” locals close to you to better respect appointment hours by explaining that in your culture it’s rude to be late: I have a few friends who have learned to be on time and even message me as they get closer to me (I am sure they only apply that to me); many restaurants do the same thing by keeping your reservation no more than 15 minutes from the agreed reservation time, and it works. So you have to be proactive on that front 3) I agree with your assessment of Colombian food BUT I make it a point to never ever give a negative appreciation of their food to local friends: be it as it may Colombians are very proud of their food and, although they won’t tell you, feel really insulted if you criticize their food 4) being patient, patient, patient is a survival rule here; bad service and delays do not get better, in fact they get worse if you do not keep your composure and smile despite your rage: that is a general rule for most of Latin America, and not specific to Colombia. 5) “gringo prices” were brought in by…gringos: they are too often ready to over tip and over pay for anything, and have themselves created expectations which were not here before (apartments are often owned by gringos who see it an investment and milk other gringos for as much as they can, not having the slightest interest in Colombia, it’s culture, and it’s people)

Great video, very informative and honest. Thanks for the content.

Very good video Mate, always insightful and helpful

Great HONEST video!!! .. I was going to wait till the end to leave a comment but at minute mark 11:30, I had to stop and just say , preach brother preach!! I don't get why these KZfaqrs keeps saying it's the city of eternal spring. I left Vancouver Island in the winter to get away from all the rain the only difference here in Medellin it's a bit warmer but just as much rain!! And yes Spanish is a must in most parts of Colombia. :)

Great information and content. I agree with everything you said cause I spent an enormous amount of time there before the influx of gringos and it was way different back then than now especially in 2015 and 2021

Hey Joel, not a bad video but regarding the weather Colombia is currently affected by La Nina depression system which is causing the unending rain season! And regarding the food all opinions are valid and they are very traditional about their food which might be a big shocker to someone that comes from a multi-ethnic country where food is being influenced by many differet cultures! Enjoy your travels!

Hey there! I do not know how the situation is Medellin is nowadays, as it has been almost six years since I last travelled there. But in Bogota there are plenty of vegan options. And yeah, Colombian food might not be as exquisite as Peruvian (IMO) but there are plenty of tasty dishes. Moreover there are restaurants from all world cuisines (again, I am speaking from the Bogotanian side of things) BTW, I am so sorry about those threats

Good job Joel. Cheers.Merry Christmas 🎄

cartegena is safe, all cities have bad areas, [i;ve been in colombia for over 6 months and had zero problems] canadian friend has been there 4yrs[got married], lives in gated condo with a view of Caribbean sea....i'm going down in a month to possibly buy a condo in or near his building :) I wouldn;t do what you;re doing[making videos] just draws attention to you as you can tell by the messges you got!! be safe! great info btw

Hello Joel. I really enjoy your vlogs. I am seriously considering a long term stay or move to Medellin.

For me Medellin is heaven. Love it.

Thanks for sharing these insights AK Joel! So helpful ...so sorry you are receiving those messages! Curious - What is dating in Colombia like for expat women looking to date Colombian men?

Also - you are spot on about the rain. I was in El Poblado this past week and it seemed to be drizzling nonstop which wasn’t a big deal. I ran into a guy selling umbrellas for $15,000 COP. I probably overpaid, but it was well worth it.

I’ve been trying to get a remote job for extremely long in order to move to Colombia. It’s my dream. It’s nearly impossible.

I was there 3 times starting 1996 last time was 1998 and some things don’t change there being late for dates , and the food is bland , if you want to get in trouble fast you will find it there very quick , you need to be on guard at all times that is why I prefer Santa Cruz Bolivia or Asuncion

Awesome video, much appreciated!

I've been to Medellin recently. I thought the food was great! But then again I was coming from the Dominican Republic where you better like rice and beans!

I visited brazil and Argentina are very safe

I been going to Colombia for 15 years and never had any issues and been living in poblado for parts of the past 5 Years or so. Always use UBER most of time and taxis during the day. Luv the city but crime is on rise and looking at Portugal and España.

Great info!

looking forward to this one.

Thanks gift sharing the ugly. Continue to be safe. Update is on your journey to Argentina.

a guy tried to rob me in miami and I told him I aint giving him shit. He said dude I have a gun and I got out the car and stood in his face and told him to shoot if he wants coz I aint giving him shit! Dude said "you crazy man" and walked off. lol

Oh! Dude...The highlights??? Whaaaaa....?

Hello Joel How do I find the language exchanges you were talking about. Thx

So disagree with some of your comments (and after having viewed a lot of your content, that's not the norm cause I agree with you 99% of the time. 1 enternal spring. You literally moved next door to the Amazon rain forest, and Medellín is a lush city, how do you think it's that lush? Duh. And while it does rain almost daily, the showers are usually fleeting, the clouds pass quickly. That doesn't change the fact that the temperature is in the upper 70°F during the day, and mid to low 60°F at night, the whole year. I can't think of anywhere else with such consistent good weather. 2 the food. I hear the same comments on the expats groups regarding the food, but from people I know personally, they disagree big time. The food is great, but it comes from a culture that doesn't over season, or use a lot of sauces. Sauces are a huge source of calories, which helps contribute to the better health and fitness of the average Colombian. Colombian gastronomy is based around high quality local food, and it's not a global menu since tourism is in it's infancy. So while I agree on the lack of variety, I disagree big time on the quality and taste of the food. 3 lastly, the escopolomine. I've been traveling to Colombia since 1980, and have yet to meet a single person that has gotten drugged. Unfortunately the average gringo in Medellín is the lowest common denominator of human being, just looking for coke and hookers. If you look for the worst of humanity, you'll find it.

Good Spanish is a must in South America

Thank you for posting not just this video but all your others I’ve been watching yours and a few other guys like life with David and where’s Wes even though they are kind of strange lol no offense David or Wes your just odd guys xD but I enjoy you guys and oh! I can’t forget geno Perez adventures he’s a freakin AWESOME guy that man! But I’m getting off track, I appreciate all you guys videos and I can’t wait to finish up my duolingo or as much as I can take of it before I can’t resist coming! I’m starting my passport application next week and hope to come for a month or maybe more in a couple or few months :D

Listen people. If you feel unsafe in other countries, stay in your bed in your country. I was 3 times in Colombia. I didn’t liked it. I’m living in Panama close to the beaches. Warm, some Americans call it hot. Anyway. Going in restaurants and foreigners starting conversations. Most foreigners in Panama living in areas with 24/7 security. In the skyscrapers in Panama City or “closed communities “ in other places around Panama. I put it in brackets. Why? If the community has some restaurants, you just drive to the gates and say… I booked a table at the restaurant! And you are inside. So what is the point of the security? Right. Doesn’t work. So when people ask where I live and I tell them, they are shocked. “How can you live outside of a closed community? Is it not dangerous…..?” No. It’s like living in your own countries neighborhoods. I do build my own house. Not in a gated community. I am respectfully to my neighbors and they respect me, and most importantly, they keep an eye on the house I am renting in the moment. Nobody walks around the neighborhood without the neighbors knowing.

thanks for your video, have been to Medellin twice, one week at a time, in '21. I am making plans to come to Medellin in February,'23, main purpose is to study spanish.Your video was good information for me, will checking out your other videos......thank you....

From what I heard, you have only lived in Medellin, so my advice is not to generalize that Colombia is like this or like that as your experience is only based on Medellin. Medellin is very different from other cities like Cali, Bucaramanga, Cartagena, Manizales or Bogota. It would be great if you get some time to travel around Colombia!

Never heard of Spring showers bring May flowers? Spring does rain and it's not that long I've been in Belen since November 2021 arrived in August 2021 staying in hotels

What neighborhood you live in? Looking to move to Medallo as my family live there already. Colombian food is not great. Although keep in mind that we eat rice, beans, pork rinds, etc for every meal of the day. In terms of meat, it is not the best. The pastries are not that good either. Although empanadas, pan de bono, buñuelos, pan de yuca, etc are my weakness.

I'm black and live in Chicago. Colombian food is NOT BAD. He's hating, lol. It's just not cosmopolitan like the big modern cities like Hong Kong, Japan, NY or Chicago. Brazil has WAY LESS flavor in their food, unless you're doing Steakhouse.

Good video, I might not stay in Medellín long term, rental prices are just insane here for any place that is well furnished and has the right accommodations. I also don't like the high crime. The weather is a touch too hot for me. I think I'll go to Argentina.

The soups are good

I'm coming to medellin on the 7th December in 5 days time, I fly in at 7pm. Will it be safe for to get an taxi/uber straight to my hotel I'm staying at?? loved this video has its made me aware of the possible danagers ! keep up the good content mate

Great video. Where are these great language exchanges that you speak of? The ones I've been to have been pretty much a joke. They're largely just gatherings and a ploy to sell drinks.

My friend, I'm from another region in Colombia living in Medellin since 2019. Paisas are the most double face people I have ever met. They "act" nice from the get go but they are not sincere. Beware.

Great, well balanced video! The messages you got were probably from people who messing with you without any real plan to do anything. However I would have done the same thing that you did in your situation. Medellin is a beautiful city and just like any other city you have the city and you have the streets/underbelly. As long as you how to move in each, or how to avoid things outside of your comfort zone then you’ll be fine out there.

heads up, you do have to have the yellow fever vaccine to get back into Colombia from Brasil. and apparently you have to wait in country for a few days after you get it before you can fly back. or, you have to fly to another country that colombia doesnt require the vaccine from and then fly into medellin.

Jesus, dude. I am Colombian by birth and was thinking about buying a little finca in one of the charming little colonial towns in the mountains above the city and retiring there, but not anymore. I have extended family in Medellin that are quite well connected, they are used to living with the constant vigilance you mentioned. Me, not so much. Can’t be arsed with that nonsense. Those messages you were getting were absolutely chilling. It seems it’s not safe to have a public presence. You need to lay low and keep a low profile if you wanna be safe. Simply making KZfaq videos there could get you killed. If I ever lived there the last thing I would do is make videos on KZfaq. Hell, aside from KZfaq, I don’t even use social media; no Faceborg, no Twatter, no Instascam. I have almost no online presence, by choice. You might find the same thing will happen to you wherever you go in South America, if you continue as a KZfaq vlogger. Anyway, wishing you the very best.

The food?? What? I’ve been to Colombia🤣 and the food is good; I’m Nigerian so our food has a lot of spices, and even I enjoy Colombian food; it’s simple and filling

The poor Colombians need to understand that we're bringing money and possible business there. Gringos sapping the wealth from the United States and giving it to Colombia is a very good thing. It just means that certain neighborhoods will become more expensive. If the government were smarter, they'd designate underserved communities as worthy of gentrification. Brazil is doing this with some success. I may move there soon, and it's my hope to start a business there and employ the locals. I would also give nationals a discount if they show their ID.

Just watched your video with Carolina entitled " Why Colombian Women LOVE Dating Foreigners. " BTW....her intro was better. Why did you turn off the COMMENTS for that video? Hummmmm....I wonder.😉😉😉😂😂😂

Can you beat my 600 day straight-learning streak on duolingo??! 😅

Of all the different types of foods, why Ethiopian foods? Ethiopian foods use specific types of spices so not sure if it would be profitable if there are no local suppliers.

¿what type of visa did u have to stay in colombia for a full year

I ask for the bill about ten minutes before finished at restaurant

What did you or do you still use to teach yourself Spanish?

Yea food is bland they don’t have any special dishes that stand out

What papers do I need as an expat to work remotely there?

A super gringo 🤣🤣🤣 very insightful thanks mate!

You mention Uber several times. I thought Uber was not allowed there? Most taxi drivers use an app called Easy Taxi.

He deafly turned into a local guy with that hairstyle and tattoos all over himself. Without the accent, just not talking, he would look like a typical Venezuelan dude, or a black Colombian.

Getting drugged is the man's fault don't be put yourself in those situations you can meet women at the park jogging that's where gonna go look for women when I visit medillin positive places positive people

The normal high temperature in Medellin is 24-27C not 20-22.. you have a 95% chance of rain at some point during the day. In dry season it’ll rain less than 20 mins during the day… during rainy season it can rain hard for up to three hours a day.

Lies, i went to mexico last year with my gf and the food wasnt any different and she is from the carribean and im from the cauca valley... medellin and bogota are the black holes of food and are poked fun of by other colombians for being bland and tasteless. If you go into the more african oriented regions you will have more spices..in south florida, orlando, nj, and nyc you can find 50 colombian restaurants in every town doing very well. I have lived in the usa and taste all sorts of food and saying that colombian food is bland when you only went to medellin is like me going to eat in kansas and saying all u.s. food is bland but never visiting nyc or l.a. Fyi colombians in the usa and the uk ironically state that thwir foid is terribly bland compared to ours ,ironically lol

Joel, I am from Bogota. I have to admit most of what you say in your video is true, at least for Medellin, but don't generalize, Medellin is not all of Colombia, so don't generalize. As you are aware off, many "gringos" come to Medellin because they are looking for warm climate, easy women, sex, drugs and cheap way of living, not the kind of good citizens a community wants. Medellin is a beautiful city, but it's not the paradise digital nomads sell nor the best place on earth as most paisas (people from Medellin and Antioquia region) think. If you want culture, good food and specially get business done well, you are not going to get that in Medellin, Bogotá is the place to be. Paisa culture is pretty complex, have you asked yourself why the drug business was so strong in Medellin and Cali and not in the rest of Colombia? Colombia greatest asset is diversity, so all regions and cities are pretty different for good or for bad, many cities as Manizales and Barranquilla and Bucaramanga are easily overlooked but have plenty to offer.

Colombians don’t like criticism.. it’s a shame that’s limiting your experience

jajaja you took the words from my mouth on Colombian food compared to Mexican food. That Colombian time crap drives me nuts I am the always early guy lol. I also hate the bureaucracy there

Hello, the problem that you know only Medellin and you speak like your experience of Medellin is the same that in all Colombia. It's sad about yours mensajes but it's the problem about youtube too many people think all the youtubers are richs and try take money or make scared. Good luck in Brasil and Argentina.

Holy shit those FB groups are toxic. Wonder if you will like BR this time. I never been but I speak a bit of Portuguese and the Rio beach life looks pretty good.

I love Medellin

Perspicacious

Rain? I’m in Florida 💀💀that’s a daily occurrence

Føolish tourist disgracing Colombia to feed their channels should not be allowed to enter the country. Regarding safety, Brazil or any other Latin country is different.

is brazil safer than colombia?

Never seen an Indian Australian dude with hella tattoos. 😮

Hey... I think you should contact police and tell them about the messages... it’s important to track down those people... drug dealers are still around and that is how they operate... intimidation...

Not so Encanto.