Mkedarko

I am planning to move to Medellin, Colombia in October for work. This will be my second time expatriating, I previously spent a few years in the Middle East. Does anyone have any advice or tips?

Pulaski

Not true, Colombia is much calmer than it was even a few years ago.

mrken30

I would check on the foreign office website of two or three different countries.

The last hostage to be killed was Russian. They only killed one, so not too bad.

Colombian Guerrilla Group Admits To Killing Russian-Armenian Hostage | HuffPost

Pulaski

Collecting frogs in the jungle has nothing to do with living in the second largest city in Colombia.

If I might be so bold as to channel Ian, please stop posting crap.

mrken30

I would check on the foreign office website of two or three different countries.

I would not trust the word of some anti-frog person

scot47

Is someone here a Froggist ?

Pulaski

Not a froggist, but definitely a crappist!

uk_grenada

Crapaudist :-). I have poison dart frogs in my garden, very pretty, but dont handle them, definitely dont lick them as a neighbours dog did - died in 5 mins...

Colombia was recently near the top of a list of DONT GO THERE places, here is the official advice - ignore and you are no longer insured... As many places - im sure some areas are ok, but it looks like a complex situation.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/colombia

uk_grenada

This is actually quite scary https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-ad...y-and-security

It cant be good that drug cultivation is apparently in explosive growth,

mrken30

Despite the high levels of crime, most visits to Colombia are trouble-free.

However the US advice is concerning

https://travel.state.gov/content/pas...l-warning.html

Violent crime is a threat throughout Colombia. Kidnapping remains a threat, although U.S. citizens are not specifically targeted. Violent political groups and other criminal organizations occasionally kidnap and hold civilians, including foreigners, for ransom.

pumpjack

colombia is mostly safe if your not stupid
if your stupid anywhere then stay home
dont listen to the scare mongering and bullshit...after living in SEA for 20 yrs
colombia is on my bucketlist !!!

Thairetired2016

My cousin and extended family just returned from a 1 month trip travelling extensively within Colombia. They enjoyed the holiday and never felt in any danger. It was a self organized trip.

uk_grenada

I once spent a month in basrah, the armpit of the world, they told me it was reasonably safe, just unpleasant, frankly wild horses wouldnt drag me back, but it felt safe, it felt happy, right up to the time some local blew himself to bits outside my hotel. I remember seeing the empty shell casings in market carparks in parts of LA, that felt very safe till i went on the bloods vs cripps tour [sanctioned by both gangs who promised not to cause issues with it] and learned what regularly happened in some neighbourhoods, its all about perception vs reality.

Pulaski

Everywhere I have ever lived (UK and US) has parts of town that it would be unwise to wander around at night.

I shared a house in the 1990's with a nurse at St George's Hospital, Tooting, that provided coverage for Brixton. She reported that St George's A&E was dealing with shooting injuries on a daily basis, most of which were not reported in the media.

Gordon Barlow

From all I've read about Medellin from expats who live there, it's a safe place, generally speaking. So (reportedly) safe that I have it on my list of places to retire when our present home country gets too expensive. I'm absolutely sure there must be parts of it we wouldn't walk at night, but there are parts of Grand Cayman we wouldn't walk at night either!