Why and How I Moved to Medellín, Colombia 🇨🇴
- Janelle Cooper
- 7 hours ago
- 17 min read
Article Overview (Click to Jump to Section)
Whew, where to even begin?
I think to really understand this decision we have to look back... just a little bit.
I decided to leave the States in 2019 and never looked back. I always dreamed of experiencing life abroad, but made the choice not to study abroad because engineering was hard enough in English and I didn't need any other layers of difficulty.
So, I finished my degree a semester early and used my last semester before graduation to finally realize my dream. I connected with the Global Office at my university and found a program that fit my timeline.
Next thing I knew, I was moving to Turin, Italy to live with a family I had never met before and volunteer as an English teacher in a local language school.
During those three months in Italy I completely fell in love with everything living and teaching abroad. From dinners with my host family to belly laughs with my students, I was enjoying every second of the experience.
At the end of the semester, I felt like I had barely even scratched the surface of everything I wanted to see, do and experience. Three months flew by.
Before I even got on the plane back home I knew this wasn't the end of my life abroad. What started as a semester abroad, turned into a lifestyle.
Since 2019, I've lived in ten different countries ranging from three months to over a year.
Slow travel has become more than just a way for me to see the world; it's become a lifestyle.
After years on the road, living out of a suitcase, and constantly starting over, I decided I wanted to make a change and finally put down some roots. Although I always built community while traveling, it just hits different when you know your time doesn't have an expiration date.
Remote work gave me the location independence and flexibility to be able to move to a new country sight unseen... again. So, I did it and this time the joyride was heading to Medellín, Colombia.
So let's get into it...
Why I Chose Colombia
I didn't.
I know it's super cliché, but it's true. In 2022, I had a feeling that I needed to visit Colombia and I didn't know why. I knew the bare minimum about the country and, at that time, was allowing flight prices dictate my next destination. I was freelancing full time and slow traveling on a budget.
Years later, I found myself back at my Momma's house trying to figure out my next destination. Life had been turned upside down and I was just idling at home. Working remotely in marketing during the day and waiting tables nights and weekends. Basically, just burning time until I decided where to go next.
I never spend too much time in the States so I quickly started planning my exit. I began looking at México, Panamá and Colombia. From comparing flight prices, looking at apartments and connecting with online communities to get more insights from people already living in these countries, I was deep in research mode.
After a couple days of this, I landed on Colombia... no pun intended.
Originally, the plan was to come at the top of 2025, but a little more research told me that December in Colombia was something that shouldn't be missed so I book a one-way ticket to Medellín for November 30th. I was moving to Colombia.
My plan? To spend a month in Medellín and then move to Cali where I'd put down temporary roots until my tourist visa expired and it was time to move on to the next country.
If you've been following along, you know that didn't happen...
To put it simply: Medellín put me in a chokehold.
I fell in love with the city and community. Everyday was an adventure and opportunity to learn. From making genuine connections to peeling back the layers of a city with such a famous history, I couldn't leave. I had barely scratched the surface when my tourist visa was nearing its end. I didn't want to leave.
So, I decided to look into what it would look like to stay...
Getting a Digital Nomad Visa in Colombia
First, I went back to what I knew best. Research.
I started reading government website, blogs and working my network to get more information on the current steps to get a digital nomad visa. Through this process, I was able to get insights and community really came through. From finding my lawyer to moral support, my people showed up for me.
But, of course, it wouldn't be me if things didn't go left...
Let me explain...
1. Documentation
To begin the process, I started gathering all my documents. As of 2025, that included the following:
Passport: Copy of the data page, valid for at least 6 months, and previous visa/stamps.
Photo: 3x4 cm, color, white background, less than 300 KB (JPG).
Proof of Remote Work: Letter from a foreign company, contract, or proof of freelance/entrepreneurial activity.
Income Verification: Bank statements from the last 3 months showing a minimum of ~3,900,000 COP (approx. $800–$900 USD) monthly income.*
*USD equivalent varies based on exchange rate
Health Insurance: Policy covering accidents, illness, maternity, and repatriation valid in Colombia.
Proof of Entry: If already in Colombia, a copy of your last entry stamp.
Well... that's what the official government sites said was required. What I found out through the community was that a background check was also a silent requirement. It's not stated anywhere, but I was highly encouraged to submit an official, apostilled background check with my application.
So, I did.
2. Submitting my Application
I gathered all my documents, filled out the online application, paid the fee, and waited.
REJECTED.
Yes, my visa application was rejected. Why? Illegible documents. No problem. I can fix that. So, I went in and made the necessary updates and resubmitted my application.
REJECTED.
Again. Why you ask? Incomplete documentation. At this point, I was confused because my application wasn't incomplete the first time... But what else could I do?
I carefully read the rejection letter and meticulously checked my application again before trying to resubmit because once an application has been rejected three times you have to pay to restart the process again.
Ten days later, I was ready to resubmit. I crossed all my fingers, said a prayer, closed my eyes, and hit submit.
REJECTED.
I was devasted.
I started spiraling and my brain immediately went to preparing plans B, C, D, E, and, F.
I had finally found a country I wanted to live long-term, but the country didn't want me. What was I going to do now? Move to another country and start over? Change careers and begin a completely new life? Overstay my visa and just never leave?
Now, that third option was never on the table, but the first two definitely were taken into consideration.
I dove deep into other countries and even started toying with the idea of completely abandoning everything to go to flight attendant training. Yes, I had lost it and was being undeniably dramatic.
My visa application had been denied, but I still had options.
So, I went home to the States and prepared to start the process again.
3. Hiring a Lawyer
I didn't want to, but it was the best path forward.
The application process seemed straightforward, but I was clearly doing something wrong so it was time to call in reinforcements. I had already received a referral from another Black foreigner living in Medellín (community at work) and decided to reach out.
He was a Colombian man that worked in other areas of law, but provided visa assistance services as a side hustle. We love supporting local.
We had an initial call to go over my case and determine next steps. He even gave me a discounted price since I already had all my documentation.
There were a few tweaks needed for my application, but the fee was all inclusive so I just let my lawyer do his thing.
Side note: I feel so adult saying "my lawyer". Like I'm really out here adulting!
Anyway, we got my application squared away and ready to submit. I went back into the online portal, uploaded everything, paid the fee, crossed all my fingers (and made my lawyer cross his too), said another prayer, and hit submit.
REJECTED.
I can't make this shit up.
Rejected again. I was panicking and about two seconds from a crash out. Meanwhile, my lawyer was happy and optimistic.
Why? The reason for the rejection. Basically, they wanted me to provide additional documentation explaining why I wanted to live in Colombia, what I would be doing in the country on a regular day-to-day and more proof about my job.
Nothing about my initial documentation was wrong. They just wanted more information about me and my intentions. He explained that it was a good sign that the application was rejected in this manner and was easy to fix.
So, I got to writing and had two pages ready for my lawyer to review along with additional proof of employment. Fairly easy.
We got everything together and headed back into the online portal. I crossed my fingers, said a prayer... You know the drill.
IN-OFFICE INTERVIEW REQUIRED.
Once again, I can't make this shit up.
At this point, a crash out would definitely be valid, right?
I immediately called my lawyer and even his flabber was gasted. It had been years since he'd seen an interview request for a visa application.
It just had to be me.
The bright side? My lawyer explained that although it was unusual, it would be worth making the effort because I would have my final decision during the interview.
Of course that's the case. I guess I'm going to the office.
4. Consulate Interview
On Thursday, June 12, I received the email saying I needed to come into the Colombian Consulate in Washington, DC for an in-person interview.
The catch? It had to be between June 13-16th.
There I was sitting in the living room of my Father's house in Connecticut scrambling to figure out how I could get to Washington in a matter of days. I checked flights, trains, and buses. Anything I could think of. Finally, I found an overnight bus from New Haven to Washington leaving that very same night.
I booked my ticket and began preparing for my interview. I printed all my documentation, packed a bag, and asked my Dad to bring me to the train station.
I got to the train station and waited.
At around 11pm the bus arrived and I boarded along with the other passengers that were... characters. The midnight bus to DC is definitely interesting to say the least.
I found my seat and tried to get comfortable will all my belongings.
My plan? To sleep the entire ride so I wouldn't be exhausted during the interview.
That plan was quickly interrupted when a man on the bus began screaming at the driver because he missed his stop...
I don't know how many times I can say this, but I literally cannot make this shit up. He truly believed he was entitled to the driver turning around so he could get off. And, in case you're wondering, yes, he was. If you know, you know.
Obviously, the driver declined his demand and we kept it pushing. I believe he ended up getting off in New York and taking another bus back in the opposite direction, but I finally was able to sleep once he stopped hollering.
At 6am, I arrived at Union Station in Washington, DC. I was tired, groggy, and desperately wanting a shower, but I had to push through. I took a bird bath in the train station bathroom, changed my clothes, brushed my teeth and headed to the consulate.
I took the metro as far as I could and then walked the rest of the way. Once there, I gave my information and then it was time to wait. But I come prepared. I popped in my headphones and took on my crochet project to keep my busy.
Then, the moment of truth...
"Janelle! Janelle Cooper!"
It was my turn. I gathered my belongings and followed the man to the back. With my documentation in hand, I sat up straight and prepared to put my best foot forward.
I sat across the desk from the man that held my future in the palm of his hands. As he reviewed my application, I tried to keep my composure even though I was screaming on the inside.
"Everything looks in order," he said and I let out a deep sigh of relief. He then explained that because I had completed the application process from both Colombia and the States, they needed to verify my location before approval. Yes, you read that correctly. I traveled all night on the bus just to prove that I was physically in the U.S.
As inefficient as that seemed, I knew I was moments away from the final decision.
After a little small talk, I officially got my approval for my digital nomad visa in Colombia.
No more rejections.
No more wondering.
It was confirmed.
Before I even hit the door of the building I had my approval email in my inbox. To say the least, I was ecstatic.
The trip to Washington was worth. Everything was worth it. I was going to be living in Colombia.
The process may not have been as straightforward as I had anticipated, but I was grateful and ready to get back to Colombia as soon as possible!
Now, it was time to really start building my new life in my new home...
Deciding Where to Live in Medellín
During my six months in Medellín, I lived in four different neighborhoods. Each one offered something different, but it wasn't until I moved to the fifth neighborhood that I truly found somewhere I could call home.
Let's go through each one, shall we?
Prior to arriving, I hit the blog and combed the internet to figure out which neighborhoods were recommended the most. After a while, it was clear that El Poblado and Laureles were the front runners.
I did what I always do and went straight to Airbnb to start scouting apartments and places to live... without breaking the bank.
1. Manila (El Poblado)
I typically stay in a hostel when first arriving in a new country so I started searching in these areas. Then, I landed on what seemed like the perfect choice in El Poblado. I booked my stay and started my time in Medellín in Manila, El Poblado.
This area is full of cafes, restaurants, hotels, hostels, and plenty of luxury. It was a great place to start my experience, but was way too touristy for me.
To put it blunt, I didn't come to Colombia to be surrounded by other Americans and a revolving door of travelers.
If I wanted that, I could've stayed at home. Sorry, not sorry.
So, I knew that wasn't going to be the final place for me. After a week, I packed my bags and headed to the next neighborhood.
2. Castropol (El Poblado)
That's when I landed in Castropol. Still in El Poblado, but a different area.
I moved into a private room in a local apartment where I'd be staying for at least the next month. Here, I had access to a pool, steam room, and on-site gym. It was giving luxury on a budget.
The downside? The uphill battle. See what I did there?
El Poblado is extremely hilly and the majority of Castropol is luxury apartments and residences. Getting anywhere required walking up and down steep hills or calling a ride share. I was out of breath going to the grocery store.
As someone who loves walking, this wasn't going to work. The neighborhood had no personality, no community, no life. I missed being able to wander the streets, find hole in the wall restaurants, and just see people throughout my community.
I think you can see where this is going... Castropol was nice, but it definitely wasn't going to work for me longterm.
So, I packed my bags once again and prepared to move to a completely new area outside of El Poblado.
3. Estadio (Laureles)
This neighborhood actually found me and it was one of the best things that happened to me in Medellín.
So what had happened was... I was supposed to be visiting a potential apartment and mistakenly went to the wrong address. The thing is, once I felt the energy on and around La 70, I knew that's where I wanted to live.
But let's back up a little bit. What is La 70?
La 70 is a main street in Estadio full of restaurants, bars, clubs, street vendors, and more! It's definitely a more local vibe and a lot more affordable than pretty much everything you'll find in El Poblado.
I found a private room less than two blocks away from the action of La 70 and prepared to relocate once again. Honestly, I was so excited to finally move into a real neighborhood with personality and so much to explore.
I booked this apartment for two weeks, but that's not where the Laureles story ends...
4. Las Americas (Laureles)
As much as I enjoyed living in Estadio near the action of La 70, there was still something missing.
For starters, living in a shared space longterm was not going to cut it. As an introvert, I like being able to come home to my own space and unwind without even the possibility of anyone interrupting my peace. Plus, there are downsides to being so close to the action such as heavier traffic and noise.
I still enjoyed my general neighborhood, but wanting something a little more home-y. Then, I found the perfect studio apartment just a few blocks away in Las Americas.
This apartment was walking distance from everything I needed and right in the middle of two main areas: La 70 and Nutibarra. And the cherry on top? My landlord was truly the best.
From the setup of the apartment to maintenance requests, I had absolutely no complaints.
*This is not a sponsored link
This resulted in me calling this apartment home for months. To be completely honest, if I hadn't gotten laid off mid-2025, I probably wouldn't have left.
When I unexpectedly found myself living off of savings, I had to lower my expenses as much as possible and the biggest culprit was my rent. I had to face the reality that my neighborhood and apartment were taking too much of my monthly budget.
The search for a more affordable area and apartment began. I toured multiple apartments, neighborhoods, and then I found my future home.
So, once again... I packed my bags and prepared to move to a completely new area. Hopefully, for the last time.
5. Centro (La Candelaría)
Now, here's where things are going to get controversial.
The internet, blogs, and influencers will tell you downtown Medellín (Centro) is dangerous and a place to avoid at pretty much all costs. Me? I decided to live here.
Centro is BIG. When people are talking about the increase in danger they are usually talking about very specific areas and, truth be told, there are very few reasons for anyone to go these areas. You'll often read that the area around the metro stations are dangerous, but that's simply not true.
Is it a lot busier? Absolutely.
Will you find a lot of foreigners or English speakers? Probably not.
Does that automatically mean it's dangerous? Absolutely not.
You see where I'm going with this? Foreigners and travelers, are quick to throw around labels of "dangerous" when things are not catered to them or when the area is not white. After living in 10 different countries around the world, I quickly realized that any area that is predominantly Black is going to get that label.
From Limón, Costa Rica to Salvador, Brazil to Chocó, Colombia, Black regions and communities are consistently marginalized, with travel and relocation narratives that discourage people from seeing them as viable places to visit or live.
I refuse to contribute to that narrative.
Centro is where I see the most Black people and Black-owned businesses in the city. There is very little English being spoken and things are definitely not catered to foreigners or travelers. It's truly a local experience and that's why I fell in love with living here.
As much as I enjoyed living in Las Americas, I didn't know my neighbors, I rarely saw Black people, and that feeling of community was lacking. Plus, when you live in a local area, you pay local prices. From rent to groceries, I was able to decrease my cost of living while navigating unemployment and diving into entrepreneurship.
Although moving to Centro was done out of necessity, it was the best thing that ever happened to me. Now, I truly feel like I'm living in community.
I speak to my neighbors, am closer to my friends, wave to the vendors in my neighborhood that now know me, and am constantly meeting Black entrepreneurs, creatives, and business owners on my daily walks.
I've built a little community here and now Centro truly feels like home.
Building Community
Speaking of my little community in Centro... Let's talk about how that process took place.
To do that, we have to go back to before I even arrived in Colombia. My first stop when preparing to move to another country is always the internet... Let's go step by step, shall we?
Step One. Facebook Groups
Yes, good ole Facebook. The OG.
It may seem like a weird place to begin, but Facebook is truly a goldmine when it comes to traveling and living abroad. There are so many groups to join full of resources, insights, and like-minded people looking to take that leap into international waters.
So, that's where I began. I joined various Facebook groups and began reading. I wasn't the first person that was interested in moving to Colombia so I started combing through the information. From neighborhood suggestions to food reviews to night life recommendations, there was plenty to read.
This process resulted in me connecting to various people at different stages of the process. There were people that had been living in Colombia for years and others looking to take the leap just like me.
But all it took was one person to connect me to the next step of the process...
Step Two. WhatsApp Communities
Now we're getting somewhere.
For all the Americans out there (no shade), WhatsApp is a free, popular messaging and calling app that lets users send texts, make voice/video calls, and share media over the internet. No SMS. No iMessage. Just WhatsApp.
I was first introduced to WhatsApp in university and quickly realized it was the superior app. Moving abroad showed me that the majority of the world uses this app for almost all communications including personal and business.
Long story short, it's a must when traveling internationally.
I connected with an Afro-Colombian woman that turned out to be the plug and she gave me the connection to the WhatsApp communities.
It was only up from there.
There are so many WhatsApp communities in Medellín that you can truly find your community. Whether you want to connect with Black foreigners, foodies, hikers, or anything in between, there is a group for you.
Through WhatsApp groups, I was able to learn more about life on the ground and begin making connections. I learned which clubs played my music, top restaurants to add to my list, and so much more.
Honestly, I can't express how useful these groups are for foreigners. Sometimes the internet is just too broad and you need to talk to real people, not blogs and AI summaries.
Now, that I was connected to community virtually it was time to move on to the final step of the process...
Step Three. Outside in the Wild
Yes, it is still possible to meet people the traditional way in 2026. I promise.
Medellín is one of those cities that always has something going on. From events to festivals to everything in between, being bored in this city is a choice.
Joining WhatsApp communities is an easy way to get a pulse on the city and find out what's going on. You can also follow dedicated city pages like Visitar Medellín, Medellín Travel, and Medellingles that post about upcoming events, hidden gems, and culture related to the city.
The only problem is... The majority of the sites rarely post about Black events.
That's just another reason why it's important to connect with the WhatsApp communities.
For me, it started with getting more involved in the local community. Through volunteer work and attending Afro-Colombian events, I was able to make genuine connections and get more in-touch with local events. This led to me attending underground dance battles, dancing at clubs with literally zero other foreigners, and jumping around with traditional bands playing in the background.
It wasn't easy, but it was worth it. The Black community in Medellín is alive and thriving.
Now, I'm using my platform to provide more visibility to all the amazing people, businesses, and creatives making moves in this vibrant city. Stay tuned for more!
Dive Even Deeper in a 1-on-1 Call with Me
The process of preparing to visit or move to a new country can be intimidating, but it doesn't have to be that way because you have me! You can pick my brain, ask me specific questions, get direct contact information for various resources including my lawyer, and get even more tea on Medellín!
Conclusion
My journey to move to Colombia was definitely not a straightforward process, but it was worth it. All the stress and uncertainty that I felt during the process led me to finally putting down roots and living everyday in community.
I could go on and on about life in this country and all that comes with it... and I will! From social media content to my weekly newsletter to blog articles like this one, I'm ready to spill all the tea. We don't gatekeep around here.
So buckle up because this joyride is just getting started and we have plenty of stops ahead of us 🚘
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