Cost of Living Breakdown

GeoArbitrage-Two Months in Magnificent Medellin

May 17, 2025

Folks, This Place Is It!

We originally planned to head to Colombia while waiting for our Spanish visa to process in Panama. We’d been told it could take up to three months, and to be honest, we didn’t want to spend that long in the heat and chaos of Panama City.

So, we booked a month in Medellín. My partner had been before, but I hadn’t — it was still on my bucket list. The plan was simple: spend a month in Colombia, then move on to Buenos Aires while we waited for a call from the Spanish Embassy. But after just 1 week in Medellín, we extended our stay.

Laureles, Medellin is the best spot to be in the City. Safe, walkable and beautiful.

Why We Fell in Love With Medellín

Over the two months we spent there, we fell head over heels for the place.
The climate. The food. The way the city is built for walking. The green spaces. The fact that it’s incredibly dog-friendly. So many puppers everywhere — I was amazed. It was such a step up from Panama — not just the weather, but the general liveability. Everything just works. And you know what? It was super affordable.

💰 Cost of Living Breakdown

Costs over my 2 months in Medellín
Note: Many of these expenses were shared with my partner — the figures below reflect my portion of the costs.

🏡 Accommodation

A 1-bedroom Airbnb in the beautiful neighbourhood of Laureles, with fast Wi-Fi and a balcony overlooking trees. Super central location near parks, a mall, supermarkets, and the gym — a fantastic spot in Medellín.
$500 per month or $16.39 per day.

💆 Personal Care

Covers medical, physiotherapy, gym memberships, etc.
$287.09 total or $4.71 per day.

🍽️ Food & Eating Out

We ate out regularly — great quality and value. Price was not even a concern because the food here is so affordable. A typical lunch (chicken, salad, rice, beans, soup, Coke Zero) was just $4. At the other end of the scale, we ate at “Carmen”, a Top 50 restaurant in South America for $85 per person and it was an incredible experience.

$697.35 total or $11.43 per day.

These ribs were a highlight!

🛍️ Shopping & Activities

Includes clothing, tours, paragliding, and other experiences.
$460.84 total or $7.55 per day.

🧾 Bills

Covers recurring expenses like insurance, phone, iCloud, etc.
$261.42 total or $4.29 per day.

📈 Investment Related

Expenses for investment subscriptions, paying contractors, and business-related costs. Not specific to Medellín, but included for transparency.
$605.74 total or $9.93 per day.

🛒 Groceries

We shopped at Exito and D1 — local supermarkets with a great range and low prices.
$294.06 total or $4.82 per day.

🚕 Transport

Mostly walked and used Uber Comfort — safe, affordable, and widely available.
$178.26 total or $2.92 per day.

Couldn’t go to Colombia without watching futbol.

🧮 Total Spend

$4,576.29 over 61 days
$75.02 per day (Personal Burn Rate)

💬 Final Thought

Someone could easily live comfortably in Medellín on $2,400 USD per month.

Final Thoughts on Medellín

Honestly, Medellín was the most pleasant slap in the face! If we weren’t working on a strategic passport move in Europe, I’d seriously consider spending 3 to 6 months a year here. It would lower our average monthly costs and the quality of life is fantastic.

The food is unreal — not just tasty, but affordable and full of variety. People were kind and welcoming, and the Spanish was super easy to understand. And the weather? Absolute perfection. Every single day was between 20°C and 25°C. That meant morning walks, evening strolls, and no need for AC or jackets.

If you’re into fitness, this place makes it easy. Outdoor gyms, jogging routes, hikes — it’s all there. And we never once felt unsafe. That old stereotype about Colombia being dangerous? Honestly, it couldn’t have been further from the truth.

Sure, we got the usual comments before we left — “Be careful,” “You’ll lose a kidney,” etc. But we had zero issues. Now, this could be because we’re both pretty travel savvy and didn’t do risky things like visit sketchy areas or walk home drunk at 3am. People were generous and friendly, and we felt totally at ease the entire time.

Should Medellín Be on Your Geo-Arbitrage List?

Abso-Freckin-Luuutley. If you’re looking for a spot that ticks all the boxes — low cost of living, high quality of life, perfect weather, fast internet, and a friendly vibe — put Medellín right at the top of your scouting list.

Want to know how I retired at 35 and get to live, hike, and eat my way through places like this? It’s not a secret — it’s options trading.
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