Everything you said happens everywhere. I am 58 years old and I know how people are. When you meet someone real, hold on to them because most people are looking for something.

@Maremare680

2 жыл бұрын

No, Colombia is leader in that BS!

Very useful and honest video, and as an expat now just past one year of residency in Medellín, I find your statements about the culture to be largely accurate. The fact is, no matter how outwardly friendly and welcoming people are, make no mistake - you will always to some degree be seen as an outsider, and friendship circles are indeed difficult to penetrate. Personally I would advise anyone considering coming here to live to focus on the positives and blend in as best as possible, while also not drawing undue attention to yourself. And finally, choose your friends wisely...

@HowToExpat

2 жыл бұрын

Couldn't agree more!

@juanvaldez7633

2 жыл бұрын

@@HowToExpat Thanks for all the great info, and good luck in your future travels!

@HowToExpat

2 жыл бұрын

@@juanvaldez7633 Thank you so much!

I'm sorry your long term stay in Colombia has reached s bitter sweet chapter. What you say brings into focus what I experience in Bogotá. I must stress the importance of learning Spanish you must learn it. My friends are in the art community which has a broader world view. It is important to develop friendships with people you resonate with .

Insightful thoughts, i enjoyed it!

Best of luck to both of you! I really hope Italy works out, and I look forward to seeing videos in the future. What an adventure. I think the answers to many things you’ve brought up is found in understanding Colombia’s history, especially in Antioquia where you are. Add to this the importance placed on long term relationships, family or otherwise, and community. They’re things that take time to build, often many years. As I’m sure you know Colombian kids traditionally stay close to the nest, there’s not a lot of moving out of home to live with friends (for a whole host of reasons) and friendships carry on from school/university. Having lived in other Latin American countries in addition to Colombia, I can say this tends to be the case across the board. Best of luck with your new adventure.

@HowToExpat

2 жыл бұрын

thanks a lot for your words 😁

I think getting in closer with friends like you're talking about is easier if you date a local. I wonder if there's anywhere else that would be much easier. I think it's a hard thing to accomplish anywhere. But thanks for sharing your sincere experience! I think it's important for people to set realistic expectations and I think this helps.

as a colombian living in the US, you are exactly correct. happy natured in public, hard to really get in the inner circle to, and when i go back to colombia, i have to put my subconscious guard up, especially when i'm alone. i dont feel this in the US, at least where i live in the US.

@HowToExpat

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing!

@astrozoo

2 жыл бұрын

Why do you have to put your guard up in Colombia? Why subconcious?

@dnaples87

2 жыл бұрын

Well, it's more of just being conscious of your surroundings at all times. They explain it a little here in Howtoexpat. But for example, trying to avoid walking alone at night, avoid flashy brands, always try to be in a public place when you're out hiking, etc. Whenever you're in a poor country, and an opportunity arises, sometimes primal instincts take over and stealing might happen. But these habits of avoiding things are ingrained in Colombian common folks mindsets where its just common practice. When visiting my father in Colombia he explained this to me... I live in an area in the US where everyone is pretty well off so i don't worry about these scenarios.

@astrozoo

2 жыл бұрын

@@dnaples87 Subconcious is not right term then. It's true they like to steal cell phones in Colombia, but from what I understand Medellin is a lot safer today than it was 25 years ago when it had the highest murder rate in the world. A far cry.

@dnaples87

2 жыл бұрын

You are right Fausto, it is safe and gorgeous now. I recently went, the people are kind, the dollar exchange rate is ridiculously good, nature is beautiful and so are the women haha. it's also amazing how much american & European tourism is booming there. This stream of income to the city will just make it safer in the long run. As long as you're not a loud obnoxious and flashy tourist, you will be welcomed gratefully .

I genuinely look forward to your videos. You're a lovely couple, and I love how the two of you play off of each other. A very realistic view of things and people need to hear it. I plat to expat in Colombia so videos like this are sooooooo valuable. Most people I would think don't look to Colombia as being the perfect answer to all of our problems or if so like most things in life they will find themselves disappointed. I know personally I've been thinking a lot lately about a balance of time in Colombia. For sure I've been there enough to know that it isn't perfect. I guess the question always comes back to does the good outweigh the not so good. And also a bigger thing is how difficult Colombia is making it to find what to you is happiness. At the end of the day, good video, and thanks for the perspective you bring.

@HowToExpat

2 жыл бұрын

Completely agree. Thanks

To see the cracks in the wall, you gott to get close. But no wall is crackless. Thanks for the honest opinion.

They are "happy" and put on a brave face, because its survival. They are guarded to not expose themselves to exploitation, which is common given the slightest opening. Being a good host is part of their identity and nurtures opportunity. Maintaining a good spirit in every situation is a show of strength and control over their environment. If you want a more intimate relationship, you must show humility, invest time on a consistent basis (repeatedly showing humility and no ulterior motive.) I spent over a year establishing a genuine rapport with my cousin's girlfriend. Many late nights sitting on the curb opening up and relating on a human level. I had to prove I was invested in her quality of life and valued her contribution, before I could even learn which area she lived in. I've driven all over Colombia, the new highway will soon make the old mountain road obsolete. It's a gem. We own a farm halfway north, south, east, and west from Medellin.

Honestly, and no personal offense meant, I have been watching your videos for over a year now. I feel that you are more negative about Colombia now that you are forced to leave (because of your visa issues) than when you were before these issues popped up. You said you pay $400 a month for rent and, in the same breath, you mentioned about not paying taxes. Do you blame the Colombian authorities not renewing your visa? Why would they want to keep in their country two individuals who make a living in their country (whether earning it locally or on line from outside sources) and do not pay the proper taxes? For your information, I know a lot about Colombia. My wife is Colombian from Casanare. One more thing: I agree with someone below who commented that you continuously bash the USA even though you are not Americans and do not know the reality of living in the USA. I understood you are moving to Sicily. I studied in Italy and speak, read and write Italian. I have been to Sicily several times and visited the entire Island from Siracusa, to Palermo to Catania. I have seen with my own eyes ladri (thieves) on motorcycles grabbing ladies handbags while the unsuspecting ladies are walking in the street. Hotels have signs inside the rooms to remind you not to leave your things in the car because hooligans will break the windows to get to them. If you are complaining about Colombia because of pickpockets, thefts, etc. then welcome to Sicily. I wish you the best.

@gnolan4281

2 жыл бұрын

Remember that while they may not have paid taxes in Colombia Sam & Tascha were spending money and creating employment for others without taking any job away from a Colombian. Their source of income was outside Colombia so in a valid way they were adding to, not taking away.

@aljab100

2 жыл бұрын

@@gnolan4281 I read your comment in reply to mine. I had to reply back. There is no nation in the world that would allow anyone to live in their country and not pay their taxes, however much or little that may be. Sam and Tasha are from Switzerland, one of the richest countries on Earth where the average GDP per capita in 2020 was US$87,097. By comparison, my USA, supposedly the richest country in the world, the figure was $63,543. Guess what was the Colombian figure? A meager drop in the bucket of $5,332. All the figures come from the World Bank). They lived in Colombia for 4 years, making their money there producing videos and offering services to Americans and Europeans and possibly doing on line work for people or companies outside Colombia. They lived in a $400 a month rental apartment which amount far exceeds the $300, which is ENTIRE monthly income of an average Colombian citizen, and they did not feel obligated to meet their legal requirement? You said in your reply to my comment that they created jobs for others and were not taking any jobs away from Colombians. Don't tell me they were Intel or GM that started a plant and employed 100s or 1000s of Colombians? My Colombian wife employs 5 full time people in a small business in Colombia, more than this Swiss couple every employed on a continuous full time basis, and she, and her entire staff, have to pay their taxes on their meager $300 income a person. When I told this story to my wife, she made statements in Spanish that I do not care repeat here. Let us see how Tasha and Sam avoid taxes in heavily taxed Italy and Europe, now that they are going to Sicily. Lastly, I wish them the best in Italy. You too.

@gnolan4281

2 жыл бұрын

@@aljab100 PBC, Most of my reply to you was motivated by what I felt was an excessively strident tone. Your reply to me has a different and moderated tone. Thank you for that. You do make a statement that is not true when you say that " There is no nation in the world that would allow anyone to live in their country and not pay their taxes." Because US Social Security is my only source of income, Colombia allows retired people like me to live in their country without paying taxes. That doesn't apply to Sam & Tasha but nevertheless during their time here they were injecting new money, "divisas" into the economy from abroad whereas anyone doing business strictly on the local economy is recirculating money that was already here. Anyway, as mentioned, your reply to me expresses a point of view that is framed well within the bounds civil discourse. I think I watched all of S&T's videos and I see them as basically fine people. They would not have been allowed to remain in Colombia without applying for and renewing their visas. For anyone their age that process requires documentation of their finances including bank records. I have known several people here who have gone through it and they have all said it's quite strict to the point where they had to hire accountants. So we don't know all the particulars of their status. Foreigners like them can't just arrive here and stay for four years with cedulas without multiple interviews with the authorities.

@o.fortuna657

2 жыл бұрын

@@aljab100 Dude, brevity! Jeez!

@tofineone

2 жыл бұрын

@@aljab100Well said what you wrote, I love and embrace different cultures all over the world, I understand that I have been blessed beyond measure to even travel and live in some of the places, I understand that for me to move to another country that I did not help build would be an honor, the real questions is am I there for the selfish privilege of myself or am I bring a meaningful contribution to this place and it people. “To leave the world better than you found it, sometimes you have to pick up other people's trash.”

Very good

While in the U.S. Air Force I was lucky to travel to many countries around the world. for instance I noticed in Panama City, Panama the people in the city were not nearly as friendly as people who lived out in the interior like David, Chiriqui Panama. Other BIG cities(Tokyo, Miami, Seoul, Las Vegas, Houston, Dallas, etc)around the world seem to follow the same pattern. Also, in big cities it's probably best to work or run your own business for you still will have to engage with a lot of people, sometimes good, sometimes bad, but at least you'll have enough money because living off a small amount of money is literally a law of diminishing returns. Also, remember aside from working a big city usually is a loud, busy but soulless experience.

You guys have great videos but had to laugh a little when you were talking about how it is hard to get to know people at a deeper level in Colombia. Switzerland is probably the worlds hardest country to get to know people at a deeper level. I spent five years there and can speak with some experience and I am able to speak German. I guess it is probably similar no matter where you live. Thanks again for the valuable info.

@HowToExpat

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely agree with you. However, the difference is that in warmer countries, most people expect people to be warmer too and that it would be easier to make friends. Switzerland is surely not a great example of how to make friends fast, lol!

Great Assessment guys! Very interesting points of view! Cheers!❣️

I see some people are criticizing your take on Colombia. My 2 cents is that sometimes it's easier to be objective about a country that is not your native country. Plus everybody has to go through psychological development phases as they grow older. I like hearing what you say and although I wonder about your objectiveness at times, so what? It's your experience and that's the extent of it. I have lived in Latin America for 23 years (after the West Coast and Hawaii and Texas in the US) and there are some things that I see local people mired in but to me a pattern is obvious that I don't allow myself to get sucked into. I think they are being honest and I don't think they have an ulterior motive. Can't say that about millions of other people on this planet. Hope Sicily is to your liking. Please post from there too because I'd like to hear your impressions.

@urbanart7325

2 жыл бұрын

Rude stuff in your face? Don't come to the US. We have here road rage

The geopolitical situation has become really important to consider when deciding where to live. Things are changing very fast and mostly not for the better. In this respect, Colombia is better positioned than most countries--most importantly they are a net exporter of energy and have plenty of food. Also much of the country is mountainous--above 4000 ft with nearly daily rainfall and surrounded by lush green, these areas rarely get above 80 deg F and don't experience huge temperature spikes. I predict Colombia will very soon be discovered as a climate destination for those who can afford to escape the effects of climate change that most places are dealing with right now.

Sorry to see you are leaving with some general negative feelings, considering nothing specific really happened to you (Unless I missed something). I am new to living in Colombia, but have visited the country before. I liked Medellín, but decided not to live there because of my personal preferences. There are so many other places in the country you could have tried living before heading to Scilly. A heads-up, Italians are a very close and closed (family orientated) community of people, especially in Sicily. Still you are both brave enough to have left the comfort of your own country. Good luck to you both and the dog.

@o.fortuna657

2 жыл бұрын

Dude, You missed something!

@JeremyRiera

2 жыл бұрын

@@o.fortuna657 expand on your comment please, what did I miss? As far as I know, nothing terrible happened to them.

Hi can I get SIM card at the Medellin or bogata airport?

Kindness is a typical thing in Latinoamérica because we welcome foreigners and we want them to feel at home is not exclusive of Colombia, I have been three times to Colombia and unfortunately safety is not good since crime is on the rise due to the post Covid and is getting worse and worse and government doesn't want to let the world know about it how many foreigners are getting killed or kidnapped but don't get me wrong I love the culture the food and the country

@cristianloquesea

2 жыл бұрын

Kidnappings in Colombia, in the cities? There are not even records of express kidnappings or "millionaire rides" as they are known in Colombia, it is very rare for a person to be kidnapped nowadays in Colombia, maybe if you are a wealthy cattle rancher and live in regions plagued by ELN guerrillas and even then it is one case in a million.

ok, ... safety,. ... I am from New York City, .. and I never walk in New York in any empty alleys or streets, .. please be aware that over 100 people are murder in the USA on a daily basis, .. according to the statistics in violent crimes in the USA. Most of the deaths take place in all of the major cities in USA such as; Chicago, Detroit, New York City, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and many more. So over 2,500 Americans are murder on a monthly basis, and over 25,000 Americans are violently killed every year in the USA and there is no end. Therefore the petty in Medellin is a non issue at all. The taxes is also a non issue in Medellin the most Innovative city in the world, as declared, by the Wall Street Journal, and by City Group, 2 very powerful institutions in the USA. You will be very surprised that in the European Union taxes are extremely high, I am sure you will not be happy since you hardly pay any taxes, ..... ... in Europe taxation is extremely bad news. As far as the cost of life in Medellin ???? ... The cost of life in Medellin is extremely low, ... anyone with an income of $1,000 Us Dollars in Medellin will enjoy a life of luxury, .. Paisas with $1,000 US Dollars enjoy a very high quality of life, they are able to rent in the best area of el Poblado, Envigado, Sabaneta, and Laureles, with as little as $400 us Dollars you can afford to rent in a modern building with private pool and door person and security. very inexpensive, as compared to New York City, .. in New York city you will be able to afford to rent in a rat infested apartment in the slums and hoods of NYC. also extremely dangerous neighborhoods, ,.. where you can potentially be murder. Even though you may leave in a 400 US Dollar apartment you will still pay extremely high taxes, .... However in Europe is worse in Paris, and or London, you will afford to rent in a very poor neighborhood and you wil pay even higher taxes then in the USA such as NYC. So life in Europe with a rent of $400 us Dollars is a very nasty and very bad option. So at the end of the day do not expect to have a good quality of life with renting a place for $400 US Dollars, actually expect a very dangerous way of life renting a place for US Dollars of $400 per month. So with under $900 US Dollars you will not be able to enjoy life any where in Europe and or the USA at all, ..... however with under $900 us Dolars you wil enjoy eating in excellent restaurants, transportation and rental in Medellin the most innovative city in the world,... By the way the Corona virus pandemic was and it continues to be a desaster in the USA today since January 2020, ... as you know by now over 1,500 people are dying of Corona Virus on a daily basis in the USA, .. .. during the year of 2020, .. the economy in the USA had a total collapse, .. .. in the USA we had over 70 million people without jobs, it was a disaster, .. and we in the USA are now in a recovery mode today... ... ... so no one is safe today from the pandemic, .. .. so it is natural that the economy in Medellin had been affected as well by the nasty Covid19 pandemic, ..

If you dreamed of a house in the countryside in Colombia, why did you end up in Medellin?

@HowToExpat

2 жыл бұрын

Guess we got distracted by Medellin. We did travel around Colombia to see if there's another city that fits us. However, we also wanted to do business and living in a city like Medellin was perfect for us at that time.

12:10 is a fact!

Ive always thought you need to live in a place for an extended period of time to know what its really like. thats why i laugh when someone talks like an expert on someplace when they were only there for a short time. p.s. what is Cocos status?

I think Medellin is better as a retirement place than a place to live permanently at your age so I can see why you wouldn't stay forever. Good luck. I plan on retiring there in a few years and I would say my main concern would be crime, especially after covaid, things seemed to have gotten worse. Your comment that you feel just as unsafe in US cities as Medellin is ridiculous though except for maybe Baltimore.

@zzospreyzz55

2 жыл бұрын

your perception of US cities (new York in particular) is rosy colored and incorrect. US cities can be very dangerous and have high crime rates.

Hey guys do guys know anything about life with david he hasn't posted in awhile

@HowToExpat

2 жыл бұрын

He's doing just fine 😊

@Aaannngggeeeelllll57

2 жыл бұрын

@@HowToExpat awesome good to hear that 👍

Yup they'll be back within a year

@o.fortuna657

2 жыл бұрын

After going to Italy? You don’t travel much, do you?

@d.s.4001

2 жыл бұрын

@@o.fortuna657 no, not as much as you. Italy is the best place on earth !!!🌎 So much better than Colombia. BTW I've visited Europe and Latin America. But still, I'm the traveler that you are.

Medellin seems like LA; everyone smiles to your face but it's a very superficial friendship.

If you changed your view and feelings towards Medellin because of Covid19, or because of people protesting then the same would had happened to you in Europe. Covid affected the whole world and in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, England there have been protests for many reasons from business closures because of the pandemic to changes in retirement age. I think you are venting your feelings because of not getting a long extension on your visa. You are Europeans and of course you will not have issues working or driving in any country within the EU but social and political unrest happen everywhere in the world. Moreover, there is not a perfect family and there are always conflicts. It is so wrong to say that people are " 2 face " just because they don't show their anger in public but in the privacy of their home.

I thought you guys left already??

@HowToExpat

2 жыл бұрын

Not yet!

Sam and Sacha when you said in one of your videos that u are working on a Colombian salary means 2 things to me you guys running out of money and your business is not doing well now you are saying all this things about Colombia. First, New York is safe , you knew Medellin is a busy city, and easily you can move away from the craziness , you said that it was going to be to cold if you move away, it does not get really cold in Medellin . The mayority of Colombians can not afford a rent of 450-500 dollars. I truly believe you guys can not afford the lifestyle that you where living when u got to Colombia. I honestly wish you guys the best, and thank u for all the good videos.

@TravelTherapy022

2 жыл бұрын

I think they are leaving because of the safety issues.

@HowToExpat

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment. One thing is for certain, it was not the money. We will keep our current jobs so if we would have to save money we would surely not go back to Europe where cost of living is x2. The honest reasons were mentioned in the last couple of videos. Hope it helps.

Wants vrs reality

You both look like Colombians to me :D

I hope you guys will blog about Sicily. If you do and blog under a different URL I hope you post it here before signing off this channel.

*Sam, Tasha, you've made valid points living in a large city, crime is where you look for it, since the walls are thin you'll hear screams of pleasure or family problems, I grew up in NYC and worked as a cop, no Sam these day's I'll take Medellin over any city in America...* 🌴🤠🖖

@Zorichai

2 жыл бұрын

Jaja I’m from NY moving to Medellin next month. I hear ya man. Fucking DeBlasio... smh

@tofineone

2 жыл бұрын

@@Zorichai Good riddance, I am sure the Mayor of Medellín, Colombia will be more to your liking, when you get jammed up, please don’t run to the state department!

@Zorichai

2 жыл бұрын

@@tofineone it’s ColOmbia, not ColUmbia

@Ralphie_Boy

2 жыл бұрын

@@Zorichai You mean DeBozo🤡 good deal on that move, especially with that rotten bag of bones in the Out House, been living since 2007...

@Zorichai

2 жыл бұрын

@@Ralphie_Boy I have actually always loved NY however in the last year and a half it has changed so much. Increase in crime and homelessness. Strictest covid regulations in the Us and some of the highest taxes in the country to match. I will probably be back one day however for now NYC is not the city it once was. I honestly had no idea a mayor had that much power to fuck things up in such a short time.

I HOPE YOU CAN KEEP THE CHANEI UP AND RUNNING.

You always feel more secure in the area you are from that's why you feel safer in Switzerland.

@HowToExpat

2 жыл бұрын

I'm feeling safer in all the cities in Europe compared to Medellin & Americas in General.

@lvovodessa

2 жыл бұрын

I am from the Netherlands, but I feel in Switzerland (which is really a different country and with different people) at least as safe as in the Netherlands.

@ourroadtrip3448

Жыл бұрын

I guess my colombian wife living in Switzerland would disagree with that :)

Colombia has not changed, you have....there is something suspicious about your reasons for leaving...tell the truth

@HowToExpat

2 жыл бұрын

What is so suspicious about not being able to get a long-term visa and wanting to be closer to family?

@onelove4iver460

2 жыл бұрын

@@HowToExpat its not just suspicious but down right misleading., it's not that colombia is so bad and you have to go It's colombia don't want you. Hence no visa....as a result sour grapes

@angellaUlevi

6 ай бұрын

Weird lol you somehow know “the truth”? 😂

THE MORENITA GIRL SHE DOESN'T LOOK SWISS HERITAGE AND EVEN NO GERMAN ACCENT, SEEM MORE DOMINICAN OR HONDURENA :-)

@Maremare680

2 жыл бұрын

So what?

@itsniquenique45

Жыл бұрын

That’s the impact of African heritage 😊

How do you call someone Two face for keeping private personal issues private....SMH

@prime8nate

2 жыл бұрын

They’re not native English speakers. There is a lot of nuance to English. “Two faced” has a negative meaning that won’t necessarily be obvious to non native speakers.

today I lost alot of respect for Colombia, Shoutout to the police bribing folks

Let's be honest you both failed and now indirectly blaming Colombia on your failure, now go to Sicily, fail again and find the problem in yourself.

@HowToExpat

2 жыл бұрын

No we will be in a constant denial of being a failure during our lives. We are not planning on facing reality.

motroycle travel is cheap