Should we come back stateside?
Good morning all, I need your advice.
My wife and I have been considering moving our family of 2 young boys (3.5 years old and 6 months old) to the US to be closer to my family. We currently live pretty well in Colombia given the exchange rate difference and overall cost of living being significantly cheaper. Since I haven't lived stateside in about 10 years (other than normal trips back and forth) my compass as to how much things cost is not calibrated at all.😆 I know healthcare costs are expensive there but I just didn't realize HOW expensive, especially for a family of 4.
My questions are:
- As someone who makes $110k/yr are there are any viable options for reduced health insurance premiums (other than paying the extra 20% that my employer doesn't cover) or is that just the nature of the game?
- Would it be smarter to just stay here in Colombia most of the time to reap the benefits of Geoarbitrage to save more and just take longer trips to the US to visit family more often?
- How do people have a 20% or more savings rate with the housing, food, and medical premium costs in the US?
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If money weren't an issue, where would you prefer to raise your children? Where would you prefer to live? Though there are plenty of LCOL areas in the US, nowhere is going to come close to Colombia- but there are also seem to be so many other benefits to living down there vs. here. What about being even more creative with the money you save- not only visiting the US more often/for longer, but paying to fly your family down to spend time with you?
I very much like your creative thinking 
Charlotte ! We actually did meet up with my family in Curaçao before my wife had her US visa and that was a pretty amazing trip...so now that gets me thinking that we could throw some of that into the mix as well. Thanks!
When you talk about being close to your family, what are you envisioning that to be, and what do you think your family in the US would want it to be? Understanding that can go a long way to determining what's more worth your while. If there's a lot of family support and other family reasons that justify being closer, that could suggest it's a good idea. But if you'd only be seeing family occasionally anyway, then staying in Colombia for the geoarbitrage advantages could be far more worthwhile.
Thanks for your response 
wandereranthony ! Given the fact of the high cost of living (and overall things for our kids to do being slim) near my family we weren't going to be that close anyways...and they are still working so they wouldn't really be able to assist with childcare yet. So yes, I think we can kill two birds with one stone by staying in Colombia and visiting more to make things worthwhile.
I think you're onto something there. And, Colombia. Say no more, por supuesto :)
Or feed two birds with one scone!
Haha better said! I'd rather respect the environment. 😋
My wife and I were in a similar situation in 2023 but I wanted her to experience life in America. At the time we were living in China. I had been there 9 years and moving back was definitely a culture shock. We lived with my parents while returning and they didn't charge us rent but we paid them a small amount anyway. they were just happy to have us back home. We later bought a house and airbnb a bedroom that helps cover out cost. It does cost more but it also feels easier to earn more. medical is expensive but was a nice change of pace from the care we were getting in China. it has good and bad being here. ultimately we want to head back to SE Asia to shave some years off working careers but we don't regret the move its easy to earn here then spend there.
That's great to hear a similar situation davidsawallisch , thank you for sharing your experience! Interestingly enough the care is pretty great here with private insurance in Colombia (about $400/month for our family). When do you think you will head back to SE Asia? I think that's even cheaper than here. 🙃
On USD110K you can have a heck of a lifestyle in Colombia on USD110K and still save a ton. How do we have 20% savings rates with young families in the US?... by watching our lifestyle and selectively spending on what's important.
You're probably paying for your kids' private school in Colombia, whereas in most places public school is fine in the US. There are trade-offs in both directions.
If you're in a big city like BOG or MDE you're probably already in touch with the expat community. People who have more recently moved to Colombia may be able to give you a more accurate comparison & contrast.
Hey 
DaveATL thanks for your response! Yes, it definitely goes a long way even with the peso being a bit stronger and the gas prices being way up; you pay significantly less for most other things.
Can you actually hit a 20% savings rate if you want to travel somewhere more than once a year?
And yes, a private school here can range from $600-$1,500/month so that's another expense that we wouldn't have if we lived in a great school district in the US.
Yup, we are just outside of Medellin near the airport.
Reading the input, my recommendation would be to plan your move but not actually execute the plan at the moment.
Safety & security is something that you have to be aware of in most of Latin America, but Rio Negro is generally a very good area... I say that because it's another thing entirely when the focus of a federal law enforcement (i.e. law reinterpretation) agency is aimed without restraint at you. At the very least I would wait some months after the midterm election to see if we restore the constitutional checks & balances to the federal government and end what until recently would have been criminal activities by the executive branch.
Planning for the move is key. You asked how so many of us had high savings rates. One factor is selective spending on what matters to us and cutting everything else. But another is that many of us bought out houses before the pandemic when interest rates were historically low and house prices were more reasonable. I haven't seen you state where you're looking to move but housing is more expensive now, particularly if you're looking in top 20% school districts of urban areas. If you can cut housing costs, then the rest of things can fall into line pretty quickly when you prioritize spending on what you value. Look into house hacking options. If you're moving near family maybe they can help you slowly shop for a great deal, which could be rented out cashflow positive or neutral a few years until you're ready to make the move.
I assume your wife is Colombian? As someone in Minnesota where ICE is abducting people off the streets and out of the courthouse when the show up for their immigration check ins (no warrant, no due process = abduction), I would think VERY carefully about the safety of your wife and children here in the US right now. Even if your wife and children are citizens, there are numerous cases of BIPOC citizens being taken away and eventually released when they figure out they have the wrong person. Best of luck with whatever decision you make.
Thanks for your response 
TheSuperKK . Yes, my wife is Colombian, and believe it or not, this stuff was kind of on her mind before what happened in Minnesota. 🫠Luckily where my family is doesn't appear to be a hotspot for now but yes, it's probably not the best moment for that decision to stay full-time. Maybe in a few years, who knows!
I assume you're not worried about the politics here? It's really added a layer of stress for many women and minorities, so consider that in your calculation as well. I also worry about my kids getting shot at school which I'm guessing you don't. That being said, I moved 1500 miles home to be closer to my family in 2017 and am overall happy I did. It was nice to have their help when the kids were young. Now that they're older and we're driving them around all the time, I actually find it hard to set-up the right boundaries with my mother. Last weekend, she came to town (they live 2 hours away) and showed up an hour and a half before before they said they would with no warning. I had to cut my run short and didn't get to help my daughter with a project like I'd planned. Love them, but honestly, being close to family can backfire. I wouldn't base where you live on your family. You can have wonderful visits no matter where in the world they are.
amberrfield thanks for your input! We have definitely been factoring that in, although we were worried about the politics in Colombia as well because of the Venezuelan operation and the president here getting in the boxing ring with Trump. ðŸ«
I really like the last sentence that you sent, so true! My mother-in-law lives about 5 minutes from us here and we have definitely seen that being an issue from time to time (more often than not. lol). My side is fairly good at not intervening with certain guidelines we have set as a family but my wife's side...not so much. 🙃
The only advice I have is family is pretty darn important, especially when you have kids. I am 60 with 3 kids out of the house and Coast fire since 2010. On the financial side, you’ll find a way.
We have my wife’s family here in Colombia so luckily we aren’t without family but it’s mainly moments that my side is not be able to experience as often. But yes, I totally agree. Thank you!