How to Become an Expat in Colombia with Family

The first rule to become an expat in Colombia, even with a family, is to stop thinking about it and just do it. Talk is cheap, and no amount of talk is going to make this happen. You will just debate, wonder, and plan for years, wondering what could have been. If you're serious about making this happen, set a date, make a plan, and do it. I'll tell you how get started.

First, visit the place for as long as possible

This may seem like common sense, but a lot of people like the sound of Colombia even though they haven't spent a lot of time here. You need at least a month in the town you plan to become a part of. Explore, check out the housing/rental market, investigate the schools, meet the locals, and just mesh into the culture. Spend some time with actual Colombians and go outside of your comfort zone. Are you sure this is a fit for you? Everything is slower, everyday tasks seem wildly disorganized, and the customer service is terrible. There are plenty of cons to go with the pros, and you need to make sure this is the place for you and your family.

Second, set a date

I know this seems like it should be the last step, but nothing will light a fire under your ass quicker than a deadline. If you've spent a significant amount of time in your ideal Colombian hometown, and you feel sure, give yourself a realistic deadline. You'll base the rest of your timeline off of your goal moving date. Here are some things you need to do as part of that plan:

1. Do the math. Make a budget and examine your income sources. Don't have an income source? Don't do it. I repeat, do not move to Colombia unless you have a reliable source of income ready to go. There are no jobs waiting for you there. A family of four will need at least $3,000USD per month to live a comfortable life in Colombia. Most expats here employ a nanny or housekeeper and send their kids to expensive private schools because the public schools leave much to be desired. If you want to live in a big house or send your kids to the best school, it will be more. Do the math. Be prepared.
2. Think about visas. Contrary to popular belief, Colombia is not just waiting to welcome you with open arms. There are immigration laws and you will have to follow them. Unless one of you is a Colombian citizen already, you're going to have to jump through some big hoops. The easiest ways to become a long-term resident of Colombia are through real estate purchases, business investments, and retirement visas.
3. Check out the school you like and see if they have space. If you're anything like me, your child's school is important to you. If at all possible, visit the schools you like before you move. Talk to the administration. Get a translator if needed. Chances are, the private schools you like will not have space for your kids. Have a plan B and a plan C in place. The schools you like best may influence your choice in rental properties.
4. Line up a place to stay. Yes this seems obvious, but it's worth a mention. Reserve a temporary furnished AirBNB for your first few weeks, and have a clear idea of where you'll be looking for more permanent rental properties. I advise that you look in the same general area as your schools of choice, because the bus commute can be very long for the littles. Finding rentals online can be a challenge, so hire a real estate agent or do the "drive around method" in your desired neighborhood as soon as possible. Finding the right place is key to staying within budget and building a good quality of life. Be careful about the neighborhood. Especially if you have kids, you want to be in a safe, secure area where the kids can play and live fully. Apartment complexes or homes in gated communities are ideal. Check out the neighborhood and ask some Colombians about the safety of the area before you think about booking.
5. Start selling your stuff. Don't try to bring it all. Become comfortable with a minimal way of life and sell the stuff. You can have most furniture custom-built in Colombia for a good price, and there's only a few key things I would recommend shipping. These include kitchen appliances, electronics, clothing, beauty products, cooking spices, and high-quality baby gear. The rest you can find locally, for the most part. One benefit of the expat life is learning to adapt and let go of the material junk that clutters up your mind and your home. Believe me, once you settle in,  more junk will find you again regardless.

Check back in

Now that you've done the work, made your plan, and really begun to understand the complications that await you, check back in. Are you still sure? Is your family still sure? Is it worth the headaches?

If the answer is yes, then go down that list, check off those boxes, and get moving. Once you have a clear plan regarding visas, schools, and accommodations, you're almost there. All that's left is selling the rest of your stuff, shipping the essentials, and buying those plane tickets.

Here is the final countdown list to moving day:

1. Did you sell your stuff? OK, now sell some more or give away the rest. Seriously, it's really not worth the expense of shipping most things, especially big, heavy things. You really need to get down to the bare essentials unless you just have piles of money to waste needlessly shipping things.
2. Book the AirBNB or rental. Simple enough.
3. Buy the tickets. This is one of the last steps because you want to make sure you have everything in order first.
4. Pack everything you can into suitcases. Paying to check extra suitcases is way cheaper than shipping in most cases, so take as many suitcases as you possibly can.
5. Ship the rest. Whatever essentials you can't fit into suitcases will have to be shipped. Ideally, you will ship directly to your AirBNB or rental and make sure you arrive before the shipment does. This will be a lot easier and simpler to manage.

Now, stop thinking. Just go.

The time has come. Stop thinking about it. Stop endlessly planning. Just do it. If this is something you really want, you don't want it to become a "What if?" Make it a reality and go for it. Even if you end up moving back to your home country in the end, you'll have one helluva good story to tell. And so will your kids! As for my family, we're seven years in and still loving it.

And before you say, "It can't be that simple!", I'll tell you, it's not. Moving is just the first step. You still have a permanent home to worry about, the admissions process at your kids' future school, and hours of frustrating conversations to have with immigration. But none of those things will be possible from afar. First you move, and you can take on the rest one step at a time. Like I said, it's not exactly simple or easy to become an expat in Colombia, but it's one heck of an adventure. For more pros and cons about living as an expat family in Medellin, read all about them in this previous post.