Encanta Medellin. I have been in Laureles for several months. I WISH I could live here. I am happy here and have all I ever dreamed of.
If you stay here for 184 days in any 12-month period for any reason and under any visa then you become a TAX RESIDENT. You must file a tax return in Colombia declaring all assets globally and pay an asset tax, a small percentage of global assets. This includes traditional and Roth IRAs. You must pay a tax on global income including Social Security benefits and IRA distributions. Further, it is presumed that you have a minimum income of 3% of your global assets, and you must pay a tax on that whether or not you actually had any income.
I think that Colombia does not want retirees lounging about in Cafe Revolucion. It is probably better for a young person with no money, no skills, no education, no prospects - the less the better. I love it here, but I'm surprised I'm not alone.
See you all again in six months.