Moving to Medellín with Kids: Complete First-Year Checklist (2026)

Family walking in Parques del Río, Estadio, Medellín, Colombia
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When we decided to move our family to Medellín, I scoured the internet for any kind of guide. What I found were scattered blog posts, outdated Reddit threads, and generic expat advice that didn’t address the reality of relocating with children. So I’m writing the guide I wish I’d had: a practical, month-by-month roadmap based on what actually worked for our family.

This isn’t about romanticizing the expat life or glossing over challenges. It’s about giving you a solid framework, realistic timelines, and honest insights that will help your family not just survive, but thrive during your first year in Medellín. Use this as your roadmap, but know that your journey will be uniquely yours. Here’s what I’ll cover:

Before You Arrive: The 3-Month Countdown

3 Months Before Departure

Research and decide on schools. This is probably your most time-sensitive decision. It’s also something to consider when you’re thinking about where you’re going to live, because some international schools are located outside the city so transportation and drive time become big factors.

On homeschooling… There is a homeschooling community in Medellín, though the legal landscape is a bit complex. Homeschooling exists in a gray area in Colombia—it’s not explicitly illegal, but it’s not formally recognized either. Many families homeschool by either registering their kids with an international online school that provides accreditation (like Connections Academy or other U.S.-based programs), or they work with homeschool collectives that help navigate the Colombian system. The challenge comes if you need official transcripts or want your child to re-enter the Colombian school system later, since there’s no standardized process for validating homeschool education.

For families planning to return to their home country, maintaining enrollment or accreditation through a program in your home country is usually the safest bet to ensure your child’s education is recognized when you return. We’ve opted for traditional schooling, so I don’t have firsthand experience with homeschooling here, but there’s definitely a community you can connect with. Search for “Homeschool Medellín” or “Educación en Casa Colombia” on Facebook to find groups and get advice from families who are doing it successfully.

On public vs. private… education in Medellín works on a dual system. Public schools are free and serve the majority of Colombian families, following the national curriculum in Spanish. Private schools charge tuition and offer different options—some follow the Colombian curriculum with smaller class sizes and better resources, while international schools offer curricula from other countries (American, British, IB) and instruction in English.

For expat families, private bilingual or international schools are commonly selected, not because public schools lack quality, but because of considerations like language of instruction, curriculum alignment with your home country, support for transitioning students, and the international community that helps kids (and parents) adjust to life in Colombia. Many accomplished Colombians attended public schools, and there are excellent teachers throughout the system—but the resource gap between public and private is significant, and that matters for day-to-day learning experiences like access to technology, updated textbooks, smaller class sizes, extracurricular programs, and facilities. Also worth noting: public schools follow Calendario A (February-November), while most international schools follow Calendario B (August-June), which aligns better with school years in the US and Europe.

So if you’re going with a private, international school in Medellín—they have waiting lists, and enrollment deadlines are strict. Sometimes it can be easier to secure a spot for younger kids (like preschool and kindergarten age), and I’ve often heard how difficult it can be enrolling kids 8 and older. Here are some schools to help your search and where they are located:

International Schools (English/American Curriculum)

British Curriculum

European Curriculum

Religious/Traditional

Alternative Education

Montessori:

  • Colegio Montessori – Two campuses: El Poblado & Rionegro (Note: I have heard from many parents and educators that this is only “Montessori” in name and not in actual practice or methodology)
  • Soy Montessori – Rionegro
  • Monte Luna – Rionegro

Waldorf:

Reggio Emilia:

Other Alternative:

Innovative Colombian Schools (Spanish instruction, Colombian curriculum)

  • Cosmo Schools – Multiple locations (Barrio Colombia, Belén, Centro, Robledo, Bello, Cristo Rey, Envigado, Perpetuo Socorro, Rionegro, San Vicente)

Specialized

Other

Cover your bases. WhatsApp is life here, so definitely reach out there. Email admissions offices directly. Ask about availability for your children’s grade levels, tuition costs (expect $8,000-$15,000 USD per year), enrollment requirements, and whether they accept mid-year transfers depending on the time of year you’re planning around.

Pro tip: If you're really set on a school, your best bet is showing up in person since it can take forever to get a response—if they respond to you at all. Lots of people take a scouting trip to check out neighborhoods and tour schools months in advance.

Begin the visa process. If you’re planning to stay longer than 180 days, start your visa application now. For families, common options include the rentista visa (proving monthly income), pensionado visa (for retirees), digital nomad visa where one parent applies and other family members apply for beneficiary visas once the parent is approved, or investment visa. If you’re the child of a Colombian citizen, you may be eligible for Colombian citizenship—you can apply through the Colombian consulate in your home country (would be my recommendation) or at Migración Colombia once you’re in the country. The process takes 2-3 months minimum.

You’ll need:

  • Background checks from your home country (apostilled)
  • Birth certificates for all family members (apostilled)
  • Marriage certificate if applicable (apostilled)
  • Proof of income or pension
  • Health insurance that covers Colombia (e.g., Genki and Allianz Care)

Work with a reputable immigration lawyer in Medellín. Yes, it costs extra ($800-$1,500 USD), but they’ll navigate the bureaucracy and Spanish paperwork. Most visas can be done without a lawyer, but if you’re tight on time and have the budget, delegating is always a convenient option. It’s important to note that sometimes you have to stay on top of the firm you go with. Our first experience, we were constantly having to do the reminding, and then we found someone who was more professional, responsible, and helpful.

Get your finances in order. Open an account with a bank that has minimal international fees (Charles Schwab, Wise, or similar). Download the Wise app—you’ll use it constantly. Research Colombian banks; BBVA and Bancolombia are the most expat-friendly, though you typically can’t open an account until you arrive with your visa.

Arrange temporary housing for your first month (or two). Don’t commit to a long-term rental before seeing it in person. Book an Airbnb or furnished apartment in El Poblado or Envigado for 4-6 weeks. This gives you time to explore neighborhoods, visit schools in person, and find permanent housing without pressure. If you like the place enough, you can always ask the Airbnb host to contract it directly!

If you’re a Colombian citizen shipping a container: You may qualify for duty and tax exemption under Ley 1565 de 2012 (the Return Law). To qualify, you must have lived abroad for at least 2-3 consecutive years (sources vary, but most say 3 years to be safe). You’ll need to:

  • Register online through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (Cancillería)
  • Obtain a certificate of residence from the Colombian consulate in your home country proving your time abroad
  • Get the “Certificado de Beneficiarios de la Ley 1565 de 2012” and send it to your shipping company

Start this application at least 45 business days before your shipment as the Ministry takes time to process. Our shipping company handled most of the logistics, but there was paperwork that required my personal information and documents from the consulate. Even with the exemption, you’ll still pay customs brokerage fees (around $1,500-$2,500 USD), but you’ll avoid the 15% import duty on the CIF value of your goods, which can save you thousands.

6-8 Weeks Before Departure

Medical preparations. Schedule checkups for the whole family. Get prescription refills for at least three months—especially for EpiPens and ADHD medications (these can be harder to obtain in Colombia, as some require special permits or may not be available). Request copies of medical records, vaccination histories, and any specialist reports, translated into Spanish if possible—it’s likely the schools will request them. Research health insurance options in Colombia. Many families use a combination of Colombian EPS (public health system) and international insurance for serious issues. Once you have a cédula, you can get a private SURA policy which has great coverage, and we’ve had a great experience with it.

School document gathering. Schools will require transcripts, recommendation letters, immunization records, and sometimes standardized test scores. Request these from your current school with extra copies, and have them officially translated if they’re not in Spanish.

Start learning Spanish. Even basic Spanish transforms your experience. Focus on practical phrases related to school, healthcare, and daily life. Your kids will pick it up faster than you will, I promise. Learning Spanish isn’t just practical—it’s also respectful. You’re making a choice to live in Colombia, and making an effort to speak the language (even poorly at first) shows you value the culture and people. Colombians are incredibly warm and patient with language learners, but expecting them to always switch to English in their own country isn’t fair or realistic.

2-4 Weeks Before Departure

Ship what you can’t carry. Be ruthless about what you bring. Furnished apartments are common, and buying new items here is often cheaper than shipping. If you must ship, use a consolidator service—they’re cheaper than FedEx or DHL for large shipments. We knew we were going to be here for a while, so we opted to move all our things in a shipping container and it’s been really wonderful having our own stockings at Christmas or not having to buy another set of camping gear. If you’re going to store things, be sure to budget for storage space and how often the rates rise if you don’t decide to ship.

Notify everyone. Cancel subscriptions, forward mail, notify your bank and credit cards of your move (so they don’t freeze your cards when they see Colombian charges). Download VPNs if you need to access region-restricted content from your home country—I use VPNs to watch Amazon Prime or Hulu and to make some Target purchases for me to grab when I’m stateside. I know loads of people who use them for work.

Pack strategically. Bring favorite comfort items for kids: special stuffed animals, familiar snacks, favorite books. There are some bookstores with English books but the selection is limited and more expensive. Same with toys. These matter more than you think during the adjustment period. Bring a few months of any specific products you can’t live without, then plan to adapt to what’s available here.

Arrange childcare if needed. If you’re planning to hire help once you arrive, there are a handful of agencies in Medellín that specialize in placing nannies and household staff. Some do a good job providing detailed resumes of who’s available, which helps you make an informed choice. I wanted to meet people before they came to the house, so I asked to do quick video calls to get a feel for them first—most agencies were happy to arrange this.

For those who may not be comfortable having a stranger take care of their kids, I’ll say this: a lot of the nannies we’ve used from these services have been incredible. They’re experienced, patient, and genuinely care about the kids. That said, I’d recommend planning for a day or two where you’re home while the nanny is there so she can shadow you, or you can be present to train her on your routines, house rules, and the kids’ preferences. This helps so much for your peace of mind and really sets the nanny up for success. It makes the transition smoother for everyone—you, your kids, and the person you’re trusting with your family.

Months 1-3: Survival Mode

Week 1: Arrival and Orientation

You’ll land at José María Córdova International Airport in Rionegro, about 45 minutes from Medellín. Take an official airport taxi (white with yellow markings) or arrange a pickup through your accommodation. Uber is technically illegal, but you can still order a ride. Ignore anyone who approaches you inside the terminal offering rides—these are usually unlicensed drivers. I’d recommend searching for transportation companies online and scheduling a service in advance. Taxis cost roughly 110,000-120,000 COP and Sprinter vans are around 210,000 COP from the airport to Medellín proper.

First-day priorities:

  • Get Colombian SIM cards. Claro and Tigo have good coverage. You’ll need your passport, and you’ll usually need to register your phone with your passport information. This is a legal requirement in Colombia to link phones to owners and help prevent theft—it’s quick and the carrier will walk you through it at the store.
  • Stock your fridge with the basics. Éxito (similar to Walmart) or Carulla (like Whole Foods) are good supermarket options. You can also use Rappi, which is like Uber Eats but better because you can order everything from food to medication from pharmacies to office supplies and electronics. We have the Pro service, and while customer service still isn’t great, it’s definitely better than the free version.
  • Rest, hydrate, and adjust to the altitude if you’re coming from lower elevation (Medellín is at 1,500 meters).

Altitude adjustment is real. You might feel short of breath, tired, or get headaches for the first week or two. Stay hydrated, take it slow, and don’t plan anything ambitious. Let your kids rest when they need to.

Weeks 2-4: Essential Setup

Find permanent housing. Now that you’re here, explore neighborhoods on foot. El Poblado is where most expats start—it’s safe, walkable, and has international restaurants and amenities. But consider:

  • Envigado: More affordable, family-friendly, great parks, still close to international schools
  • Laureles: Local vibe, fantastic restaurants, popular with young families
  • Sabaneta: Quieter, more Colombian, lower cost of living

Renting can be complicated. If you work with an inmobiliaria (real estate agency) and you don’t have Colombian income to show, they sometimes request an obscene amount of money for a deposit—once we were asked for 8 months’ rent that we couldn’t get back until move-out. There are services to help you navigate this, though. Landlords typically want to see your visa or passport, proof of income, references, or a fiador or “guarantor” (similar to a co-signer). Monthly rent for a 3-bedroom apartment ranges from $800-$2,000 USD depending on neighborhood and estrato (socioeconomic zone—basically how the city classifies neighborhoods, with 1 being lowest income and 6 being highest, which affects utility costs and property values).

Visit schools in person. Even if you’ve done virtual tours, visit your top choices. Observe drop-off and pickup, note the facilities, talk to other parents if possible. Trust your gut. The right school fit matters more than prestige. Important to note: bullying is a problem in Colombia, like in most other parts of the world, and you’ll hear complaints from a variety of schools. Talk to the administration about how they approach problem-solving and working with families.

Register for health insurance. If your visa requires it (most resident visas do—digital nomad visas typically don’t have this requirement and allow international insurance), you’ll need to enroll in the Colombian health system (EPS). SURA is the most popular option among expats. For about $100-$200 USD per month for a family, you’ll have access to the public system. Many families supplement with private insurance (medicina prepagada) or maintain international coverage for major medical issues.

Month 2: Getting Official

Apply for cédulas de extranjería. Once your visa is approved, you have 15 days to register and get your foreign resident ID cards. This is handled by Migración Colombia. Your immigration lawyer should guide you through this. The cédula is essential—you’ll need it for everything from opening bank accounts to enrolling kids in activities.

Open a Colombian bank account. With your cédula, you can now open a local account. BBVA and Bancolombia are the most expat-friendly. You’ll need:

  • Your cédula
  • Proof of address (utility bill or rental contract)
  • Initial deposit (varies, usually around 100,000-200,000 COP)

Why you need a local account: paying rent, school tuition, domestic help—having a Colombian account makes life dramatically easier. You can link it to services like Rappi (food delivery) and pay utilities automatically. There are certainly ways around it, but if you’re looking for seamless living, creating a bank account is the move.

Set up utilities. Usually this stays in the name of the homeowner. In my experience, it doesn’t transfer from renter-to-renter like in the United States. If your rental doesn’t include utilities, you’ll need to set up:

  • Electricity (EPM)
  • Water (EPM)
  • Gas (EPM)
  • Internet (Tigo, Claro, Movistar—this has been the only thing we’ve had to set up in our names in the rentals we’ve lived in)

EPM is Medellín’s public utility company and handles most services. Setup is straightforward with your rental contract and cédula. Internet installation takes 1-2 weeks. Expect to pay around 200,000-400,000 COP ($50-$100 USD) monthly for all utilities in a typical apartment.

Month 3: Establishing Routines

Kids start school. Whether you enrolled for the beginning of the academic year (August) or mid-year, this is where routine begins. The transition varies by child. Some adapt immediately, others take months. Common challenges:

  • Language barrier (even in English-speaking schools, kids interact in Spanish on the playground)
  • Different teaching styles
  • Making friends
  • Adjusting to uniforms and schedules

Stay in close contact with teachers. Most international schools have experience supporting transition students and will communicate in English.

Find your people. Join Facebook groups: “Medellin Expats,” “Digital Nomads in Medellín,” Medellin International Moms (and friends).”  Attend meetups. Show up at park playdates. Organize get togethers. Other expat families become your lifeline—they understand what you’re going through.

But also get to know your Colombian community and your neighbors. Lots of apartment buildings have parks and canchas (soccer courts), so it’s a great way to build a community outside the expat bubble. Learning your neighbors’ names, greeting the portero (doorman), chatting with other parents at the playground—these small interactions make Medellín feel like home, not just a place you’re visiting.

Establish household help if desired. Many families hire an empleada (housekeeper) or niñera (nanny). This is common and affordable in Colombia. Expect to pay:

  • Full-time empleada: 1,800,000-2,500,000 COP/month ($430-$595 USD) plus benefits (prestaciones)
  • Part-time: 60,000-80,000 COP per visit ($14-$19 USD)

Hire through recommendations from other expat families. Draw up and sign a clear contract about duties, hours, and payment schedule. Unofficial “under the table” deals are illegal and can cost you significantly if they report you to the Ministry of Labor. Treat your help with respect and pay fairly—this relationship can make or break your daily life.

Months 4-6: Finding Your Rhythm

By now, the initial chaos of adjustment has settled. You’re no longer in survival mode. This is when you start actually living rather than just adjusting. (Hopefully.)

Explore beyond your neighborhood. Medellín has incredible parks, museums, and cultural activities. Take the Metro (it’s clean, safe, and a point of pride for Paisas). Check out my blog post and map of kid-friendly things to do in Medellin. Places like:

  • Parque Explora (interactive science museum, kids love it)
  • Parque Arví (take the cable car, spend a day hiking)
  • Jardín Botánico (botanical garden, free on Tuesdays)
  • Pueblito Paisa (miniature town with city views)

Enroll kids in activities. Sports clubs, art classes, music lessons—these are where kids make friends outside school. Popular options:

  • Swim schools (or many apartments have pools and hire instructors who come teach)
  • El Castillo museum offers great art classes with very engaging teachers
  • Local football (soccer) clubs in every neighborhood
  • Dance schools (salsa, ballet, contemporary)

Navigate the healthcare system. By this point, you’ve probably had to see a doctor or dentist. Now’s the time to establish consistent providers for your family—find a pediatrician you trust, a dentist for regular cleanings, and specialists as needed. Private Colombian healthcare is excellent and affordable, especially compared to the US. Without insurance, my second birth cost roughly $1,200 USD in 2023. In 2024 with SURA Global, we paid $11 USD. With EPS, specialist visits cost around 20,000-50,000 COP ($5-$12 USD). Private clinics like Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe and Clínica Las Vegas are world-class.

Build your routine. Like flexing any muscle over time, you’ll start learning which markets have the best produce, which restaurants deliver through Rappi, which parks are good for weekend mornings. You have favorite places now. This is when Medellín starts feeling less foreign and more like home.

Months 7-9: Embracing the Culture

Navigate Colombian social customs. Colombians are warm, family-oriented, and value personal relationships. Paisas are known to be incredibly friendly. Some cultural differences you’ll notice:

  • Time is more flexible (if someone says “ahorita,” it doesn’t mean right now—be patient)
  • Personal space is closer than in North America or Northern Europe
  • Family comes first, always
  • Greetings involve a kiss on the cheek (even in professional settings)
  • They want to know how you’re doing before going directly into an ask or conversation
  • Everyone is always greeting you and saying goodbye in an elevator or walking down the street—way more so in Medellín than Bogotá, and honestly one of my favorite things. It’s something so small, but I feel like acknowledging another person in a tight space is such a strong, respectful act of kindness.

Manage the rainy seasons. Medellín has two rainy periods: April-May and October-November. It rarely rains all day, but late afternoon downpours are common. Keep umbrellas everywhere (apartment, car, backpack), and we got rain boots for the kids. Traffic gets worse in the rain, so plan accordingly—no matter where you are in the world, it seems everyone forgets how to drive in the rain.

Celebrate Colombian holidays. Colombia has more public holidays than almost any country. Embrace them and plan your work days accordingly:

  • Día de las Velitas (December 7): candles everywhere, absolutely magical
  • Feria de las Flores (August): flower festival, parades, culture
  • Christmas season: starts November 1 (arguably September for some), lights throughout the city

Deal with homesickness. It hits in waves, often when you least expect it. Missing family events, favorite foods, the ease of your home culture—it’s all normal. Stay connected through video calls, but also give yourself permission to fully be here. You can hold both: missing home and loving your new life.

Months 10-12: You're No Longer a Tourist

Evaluate and adjust. As your first year ends, assess what’s working and what isn’t. Are your kids thriving at their school? Is your neighborhood right for your family? Do you need to adjust your budget or living situation? This is the time to make changes for year two.

Plan for visits home and visitors. By now you’ve probably made at least one trip back to your home country. Figure out what rhythm works: do you go back twice a year, once a year? When family visits, you’re now the tour guide. You know the best restaurants, the hidden gems, which taxi apps work best.

Renew your visa. Most initial visas are for one year. Start the renewal process at least 90 days before expiration. If you’ve been here consistently, the renewal is typically straightforward.

Consider the next step. After holding a valid visa for five consecutive years (with certain types like the rentista or pensionado visa), you can apply for permanent residency (Residencia Tipo R). This gives you the right to live in Colombia indefinitely. After holding a visa for five years, you can also apply for Colombian citizenship if you meet the requirements (residency time, no serious criminal record, basic Spanish proficiency). If you’re planning to stay long-term, these are worth pursuing.

The Money Talk: Real Costs for a Family

Here’s what our family of five (two adults, three kids, two dogs) in Estrato 5 spends monthly:

  • Rent: $2,500 USD (larger house in El Poblado/Envigado)
  • Utilities (electric, water, gas, internet): $120-$220 USD
  • Groceries: $600-$800 USD
  • School tuition (3 kids): $2,000 USD (split across 10 months, includes a couple of afterschool activities per month)
  • Health insurance: $530 USD
  • Empleada and nanny (both 5x weekly): $500-$600 USD each
  • Activities for kids: $150-$250 USD
  • Eating out/entertainment: $400-$600 USD
  • Car (gas + insurance): $280-$350 USD
  • Miscellaneous: $200-$300 USD

Total: approximately $6,280-$8,650 USD/month

A note on estratos: Colombia’s estrato system (1-6) isn’t just about property values—it’s also about subsidies. If you live in a higher estrato (5 or 6), your utility bills include a surcharge that subsidizes utilities for families in lower estratos (1-3). So when you pay your electric or water bill, part of what you’re paying helps ensure lower-income families have access to basic services. It’s baked into the system and reflects Colombia’s approach to social equity.

This budget reflects very comfortable middle-class living. You can live on much less (around $3,000-$3,500/month if you’re frugal, live in a lower estrato, use public schools, and skip the empleada/nanny) or spend significantly more if you’re in expensive neighborhoods with higher-end schools and more activities.

What I Wish Someone Had Told Me

The adjustment takes longer than you think. Everyone says “give it six months,” but truthfully, it took us nearly a year to feel truly settled. I was also 4 months pregnant when we moved plus chasing my then toddler around and had little-to-no energy to socialize. Be kind to yourself. Don’t panic at month three if you’re still feeling off-balance.

Your kids will amaze you. They’ll be fluent in Spanish before you conjugate your first verb correctly. They’ll make friends, adapt to new schools, and show you resilience you didn’t know they had.

Community is everything. The other expat families you meet in those first months will become your village. They’ll watch your kids, recommend doctors, commiserate about visa woes, and celebrate your wins. And support them back with your own recommendations and shared experiences.

You’ll change. Living abroad changes you. You’ll become more flexible, more patient, more comfortable with uncertainty. Your kids will grow up with a global perspective that can’t be taught in a classroom.

Medellín isn’t perfect. There’s traffic, bureaucracy, air quality issues during certain times of year, and a painful history that’s still evident. But it’s also vibrant, affordable, culturally rich, and filled with incredibly kind people who will welcome your family.

Essential Resources

Facebook Groups:

Apps You’ll Use Daily:

  • Rappi (food delivery, groceries, pharmacy)
  • Uber/DiDi/Cabify (transportation)
  • Wise (money transfers)
  • Waze (navigation, though sometimes inaccurate)

Websites:

  • Medellín Guru (expat info and guides)
  • Medellín Living (real estate, guides, news in English)

WhatsApp Groups:

  • MDE Community (join WhatsApp group to help you get connected through shared interests)

Local Numbers You’ll Need:

  • Emergency: 123
  • Ambulance: 125
  • Police: 112
  • Your building’s WhatsApp group (you’ll get added, this is how everything gets communicated)

Hospitals in case of emergency for both adults and pediatrics:

  • Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe – Robledo
  • Clínica El Rosario – Poblado
  • Clínica Las Américas – Belén

Final Thoughts

Moving to Medellín with kids is one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences you’ll have as a family. There will be moments of frustration, confusion, and homesickness. There will also be moments of joy, discovery, and pride as you watch your family adapt and thrive in a new culture.

And again, this just a framework. Your experience will be unique to you. Be patient with yourself and your kids. Ask for help. Join the community. Embrace the adventure.

And on those hard days when you question the decision, remember why you came: to give your family experiences beyond the ordinary, to raise global citizens, to show your kids that the world is bigger and more beautiful than they imagined.

Bienvenidos a Medellín. You’ve got this!

Have questions about moving to Medellín with kids? Drop them in the comments—I read and respond to every one. And if this guide helped you, share it with another family considering the move. We’re all in this together.

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MEET SARAH

Welcome! I’m Sarah. I started this blog to be a resource for others around a few of my favorite things: living in Colombia, DIY projects, places traveled, and day-to-day life. My hope is that it can a place of inspiration and encouragement to help you plan the next project or adventure of your own!

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