The Harsh Reality of Expat Life: Finding a Place to Live

You’ve made the leap—sold your belongings, packed your bags, and landed in a foreign country with dreams of an exciting, new life. But beneath the adventure lies a few unexpected challenges that can make or break your expat experience.

One of the biggest hurdles? Finding a place to live.

In our experience, securing the right living situation is often the toughest piece of the “perfect life abroad” puzzle. Everyone has unique habits and preferences at home, and when you mix cultures, even small differences can feel magnified.

The most effective way to find a rental in Colombia is also the most exhausting: walking the neighborhoods. This means getting lost, encountering stray dogs, and coming home utterly drained—but it also fast-tracks your understanding of the city’s layout, bus routes, and hidden gems.

Once you spot a rental, prepare for paperwork. Colombian landlords are notoriously cautious because tenant laws favor renters over property owners. The biggest obstacle? Many landlords require a fiador—a local property owner willing to risk their own assets as a guarantor. This can be nearly impossible for foreign residents.

Fortunately, workarounds exist. Some landlords rent directly to tenants without requiring a fiador—especially if the property is advertised by the owner rather than a real estate agency. From personal experience, I’ve secured rentals without a guarantor, and I never ask anyone to sign on my behalf due to the financial risk involved.

If you’re patient, persistent, and willing to explore, you’ll find a place that fits your new life abroad.

Learning a New Language

For some of us, memorization of exotic words, pronunciation and/or phrases flows like wine on a Saturday night. The rest of us mere mortals can spend months or even years trying to memorize a language not to mention trying to be able to use it.

How to Learn Spanish Effectively: Expert Tips from Drew Crawford

Drew Crawford—YouTuber and Medium blogger—shares his best practices for learning Spanish in a way that’s practical, effective, and achievable for most people.

1. Define Your “Why”

If you don’t have a strong reason for learning Spanish and are just doing it because it “seems like a good idea,” you’re unlikely to succeed. Your motivation must be personal and meaningful.

Drew studied Spanish for four years in school but barely absorbed anything beyond basic greetings. Why? Because he didn’t see a real reason to learn it. It wasn’t until university—when he recognized the value of Spanish for work, travel, and relationships—that he developed an emotional connection to the process and finally became conversational.

2. A Brick Per Day Builds a House

Consistency is key. Once you commit to learning Spanish, you must build your vocabulary every single day. Even small efforts—whether it’s studying flashcards before work or listening to Spanish podcasts—add up over time.

Treat language learning like laying bricks: each day’s effort contributes to a stronger foundation. Prioritize it, even if it means skipping a night out or waking up early. Before you know it, your accumulated knowledge will form a solid structure of fluency.

3. Immerse Yourself

Immersion is the ultimate game-changer. Drew accelerated his Spanish skills by living with a local family in a Spanish-speaking country and spending 80% of his time actually speaking the language.

You can study Spanish in the U.S. for years, but without full immersion, your fluency will plateau. That’s because once your class ends, you default back to English, and your brain never makes the “mental switch” required for fluency.

To break past that barrier, spend 3–6 months in a Spanish-speaking country, live with locals, and speak Spanish every day. Real-world exposure is what truly cements language skills.

4. You Have to Sound Stupid Before You Can Be Smart

Many people fail at language learning because they fear sounding foolish. They overthink, obsess over perfection, and, as a result, never actually speak.

The truth? You will sound ridiculous at first—and that’s okay. Every fluent speaker was once a beginner who made mistakes. The key is to embrace the discomfort, keep practicing, and let go of self-judgment.

Fluency doesn’t happen overnight, but if you immerse yourself, stay consistent, and push past your fear of making mistakes, you can become fluent in Spanish within six months.

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If you want to read more about Drew’s journey to fluency, read this.

Also, if you are learning more about Colombian culture, check out some of his content on Facebook.

Renting a Room

Not everyone fits into foreign culture, and many expats here in Colombia still struggle with it even after they have been here for several years.

When I moved to Brazil, I had a massive cultural choke when the family I was living with told me I had to wash my underwear by hand because they felt it was “nasty” to throw it into the wash. As someone who washes their clothes by hand….never – it was slightly traumatic and extremely frustrating to have to do. Even worse, I had to hang my undergarments in their bathroom for everyone to see – I felt constantly mortified. It’s not that different here in Colombia in some situations. Life As An Expat can be like that.

You don’t even have to take our word for it! Here’s what other local experts are saying >> Click Here!

Later, when I moved to Colombia I had a roommate who was obsessive about visitors staying in the living room, never entering the kitchen, and God help you if you disturb her sofa cushions! Coming from an American culture where we like to hang out in the kitchen with our friends even while we cook – it was one of the most frustrating house rules ever! Lesson Learned: If you are considering living with someone else – really contemplate whether their rules will work for you before you move in.

Another uncomfortable fact of life in Colombia, which almost all my other expat friends have complained about, is housekeepers. We all fantasize about having someone to organize our home, keep our bathrooms clean and wash our dishes. But, that fantasy can turn to nightmare when we realize that Colombian house maids will also pick up your laundry, organize EVERYTHING in your closet (try keeping your lonely nights dildo a secret!), and re-fold your sock drawer every week. It feels a bit awkward to say the least. Try explaining to your roommate that you prefer your mess to stay messy!

The point is, you have to be really open minded if you decide to rent a room. Also, just like in the states, living with friends can sometimes cost you that friendship if things go down the toilet.

Gringo Taxes – Being Taken Advantage Of All the Time

Why Do “Gringo Taxes” Happen in Colombia?

Many foreigners experience Gringo Taxes—being charged higher prices simply because they’re not locals. For some, it’s just a minor inconvenience, but for others, it can be a constant source of frustration. Here are three key factors that contribute to this phenomenon:

1. You Haven’t Fully Adjusted to the Local Currency

Colombian pesos can be confusing, especially with all the extra zeros. Many tourists struggle to differentiate between the 2,000-peso and 20,000-peso notes since both have a blue hue. Add a language barrier, and it’s easy to overpay.

How to avoid it:

• Familiarize yourself with the bills and their values.
• Check the exchange rate regularly.
• Take an extra moment to review receipts, count your change, and verify prices before paying.

A little attention to detail can go a long way in preventing unnecessary overcharges.

2. You Dress Like a Tourist

This can be a sensitive topic, but your appearance affects how locals perceive you. Many foreigners move to Colombia for its relaxed lifestyle, enjoying shorts, sandals, and flip-flops. However, dressing this way can make you an easy targetfor inflated prices.

In many countries—including Colombia—locals tend to dress more business casual, even in warm climates. If you’re on a tight budget, such as living on a pension or earning local wages as an English teacher, consider blending in more with local fashion to avoid standing out as a “gringo with money.”

3. It Happens to Everyone—Even Locals

Think Gringo Taxes only happen to foreigners? Think again. Colombians overcharge other Colombians too.

Common overcharging tactics include:

• Taxi drivers: Some will shut off the meter and demand a higher fare, claim their meter doesn’t have a night-time setting, or charge extra for a phone booking.
• Street vendors & market sellers: Prices can change depending on who’s asking.
• Sale pricing tricks: Always double-check posted prices vs. what you’re actually charged.

The best approach? Pick your battles wisely. Sometimes, negotiating or calling out an overcharge is worth it—other times, it’s best to let it go. Being aware and informed is your best defense against Gringo Taxes.

Nothing is quite as frustrating as losing money, being overcharged or receiving incorrect change. The best thing to do, is to ask a friend who speaks the local language to teach you phrases and modalities which will help you ensure a fair shake.

Understanding the Local Culture

One of the hardest adjustments for me was understanding Colombian culture and its economic realities. Colombians are natural opportunists—a mindset shaped by a history of war, inflation, and social inequality that has limited economic mobility.

For many, better opportunities exist abroad than in their own country, especially if they don’t have family wealth, a business, or property. Even skilled professionals often earn the same or less than English teachers in major cities. This economic struggle has contributed to widespread corruption at every level of society.

Crime & Punishment in Colombia

The justice system in Colombia operates differently than in many Western countries. Wealthy criminals can often negotiate lighter sentences through payoffs, house arrest, or intimidation. Meanwhile, poorer offenders may receive minimal punishment due to prison overcrowding and funding constraints.

However, foreigners who break the law face swift and severe consequences. Unlike locals, they often experience harsher penalties and little leniency—Colombia does not play around when it comes to foreign offenders.

Understanding these dynamics is key to navigating life in Colombia successfully. While the country offers incredible opportunities and experiences, being aware of its legal and economic landscape helps avoid unnecessary pitfalls.

For an overview of the history and culture of Manizales >> Click Here!

Everyone wants a piece of you. Women, men, their families and the guy on the corner – are all dreaming of getting ahead any way they can. To be fair, you probably came here because in a way, you can get ahead by the exchange rate or you can fill a job that a local resident lacks the education or language to be able to perform effectively. At times life abroad can feel like you are swimming in a shark tank.

Driving in Colombia: A Whole Different Experience

Traffic in Colombia isn’t just chaotic—it’s an adventure. My daily commute includes reckless bus drivers, taxi drivers who ignore turn signals, and jeeps overflowing with passengers. While I usually take the bus, let’s be real—driving here is nothing like back home.

To be fair, Manizales is one of the most pedestrian-friendly cities in Colombia. But that doesn’t mean sidewalks are safe. Traffic etiquette is virtually nonexistent.

• Cyclists ride on sidewalks as if road rules don’t apply to them.
• Motorcycles park ON sidewalks—yes, really.
• Buses race each other around sharp curves in reckless dominance games.
• If you complain, don’t expect much sympathy.

While things have improved over the years, don’t expect normal traffic behavior. Bribes are still common, foreigners sometimes get extorted, and while drunk driving is heavily fined, it’s still a problem.

Best advice? Buckle up, hold on tight, and embrace the adventure.

The Upside of Life As An Expat

I didn’t write this to crush your dreams or scare you away. The goal is to set realistic expectations. If you never encounter half of these challenges, consider yourself lucky. But if you’re feeling worn out, frustrated, or out of energy—take heart!

The Upside of Life in Colombia

1. The Climate is Incredible
Whatever your ideal weather is—spring, summer, or even a crisp winter chill—Colombia’s diverse microclimates can accommodate your preference. I haven’t seen snow or ice in over six years, and I don’t plan to anytime soon!

2. The People Are Warm and Welcoming
Even when locals take advantage of you, they do it with a smile. That said, social culture in cities like Medellín, Pereira, and Manizales is open and friendly toward foreigners. I’ve met some of the most positive, hardworking, and creative people here. If I take away one thing from Colombia, it’s their resilience and optimism, even in the face of adversity.

3. The Cost of Living is Lower
The golden rule for expats? Earn in dollars, spend in pesos.

• Digital nomads, retirees, and remote workers enjoy significant purchasing power.
• If you earn in pesos, you’ll need creativity, hustle, and strategy to stand out and make a decent living.

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