She Traveled the World, Then Bought a Colombian Coffee Farm for $50,000: Here’s How
No debt, no stress. Just freedom for an American woman, who found a home for herself in Colombia.
For nearly 5 years, Sara Burdick wandered the world non-stop. From Buddhist temples in Thailand to mountain peaks in South Africa, she saw and experienced it all.
But no matter where she went, one place kept calling her back. It was the country she booked a one-way ticket to, the country where her journey first began.
Colombia.
“I kept wanting to come back,” she said. “I would meet Colombians along the way and I would tell them, ‘Oh yeah, I want to go back.”
So in 2023, she returned, but not just for another visit. Sara decided to stay for good. And last year, she doubled down on her commitment by buying a tiny coffee farm in the Antioqueña countryside.
In the latest video I published to my YouTube channel, I chronicled Sara’s story of leaving the U.S. and what her new home is like. But in this post, I’m going to get into the details of how she bought her property, and why it turned out to be one of the best decisions of her life.
How Sara Made Money to Buy Her Colombian Coffee Farm
Growing up in rural Kentucky, Sara always knew she wanted to own land someday. Her late parents had done it, so why not her?
“I saw how my parents lived,” she said. “The land where they lived was paid off, so we didn’t have any bills. I knew at some point I wanted to be (like that, too).”
At the same time, Sara knew the tradeoffs. While her family’s lifestyle in their Kentucky holler gave them a sense of control, it also meant limited opportunities.
“My dad used to paint barns and do work for neighbors,” she said. “We lived off the land mostly.”
Sara wanted financial freedom, but on her own terms. So when she set off for college, Sara chose a career path that provided relative stability. She became a registered nurse, which to this day continues to be a profession in high demand.
For 15 years, her nursing career allowed her to save the money she needed to travel the world and ultimately buy her Colombian farm outright. And despite owning her home debt-free, she keeps her nursing license active, just in case she ever needs a backup plan.
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How Much Did Sara’s Colombian Coffee Farm Cost?
Sara bought her home and the 1.5 acres it sits on for $220,000,000 Colombian Pesos. At today’s exchange rate, that’s about $50,000 USD - a steal compared to the $100,000-plus price tag of similar properties nearby.
“I don’t have a mortgage,” she said. “I bought it straight (cash).”
Here’s a breakdown of the costs.
Payment
The first 50% of the sale was paid upfront.
The final 50% was paid off in December 2024.
Fees and Taxes
Notary: $2,000,000 COP that she split 50/50 with the seller. This equates to around $500 USD.
Property Taxes: $400,000 to $600,000 COP per year. This is about $100 to $150.
The home is a fixer upper. So in addition to the above costs, Sara’s paying various other expenses to improve the property.
For example, she paid $1,400,000 COP ($350 USD) to have a new wood stove built, brick by brick.
“That kind of project is good,” said Sara’s partner Rafa . “Because a guy came one day, and made it, and that’s that.
“But if you need something big, you need to bring people from Medellin,” he added. “So that’s why it can become so expensive because you have to pay them, and then give them food, and give them (a place to sleep).”
The Purchasing Process
Buying a home in a foreign country might sound intimidating on the surface. But according to Sara, the process isn’t as complicated as you might think.
With some patience plus support from her partner, Rafa, here’s how she got it done.
Step 1: Moving Her Money Across Borders
Transferring money from America to Colombia was Sara’s biggest challenge. The previous owner of her home wanted to be paid in cash, which meant Sara had to convert a large sum of U.S. dollars into Colombian pesos.
To do this, she opened two Colombian bank accounts. Sara did this after tying the knot with Rafa, which enabled her to legally bank in her adopted country.
When she transferred her money from the U.S., the banks placed a temporary hold on it to ensure her funds were legitimate. Once the hold was lifted, she was able to withdraw and pay the seller what she owed.
Step 2: Confirming the House Was Legal to Buy
Not all properties are registered with the proper authorities (especially in the Colombian countryside). This, of course, can cause major problems if you get deep into the home buying process.
As part of the process, Sara had to verify her new land had the correct paperwork (similar to a title deed) and was legally eligible to purchase. To do this, she and the seller hired a notary to review the farm’s documents and confirm everything was legit.
Step 3: Inspecting the Land
Last but not least, Sara had to make sure the property was safe to live on.
This meant checking for environmental risks that could prove dangerous in the long run. For example, she had to inspect for problems like unstable trees.
While the process was long, it was relatively simple. Unlike in the U.S., there weren’t layers of middlemen to deal with (think real estate agents, loan officers, title companies, etc.).
To close on the house, the only people involved were Sara, Rafa, the seller, and a notary.
Sara’s Advice For Moving Abroad
Thinking about taking a leap and moving abroad like Sara did? She has some advice for you.
“If you’re going to buy in Colombia, you need to know a local who can tell you that you’re getting a good deal,” Sara said. “That you’re not going to get ripped off.”
Also, plan ahead and save money, but don’t overthink it. Otherwise, your dreams may never get off the ground.
“Don’t be afraid of the what if,” she said. “I was so afraid of ‘What if this? What if that?’
“Maybe they happen (but) maybe they don’t,” she added. “What if you never do what you want to do. Then one day, you’re at the end of your life, and the nurse is asking you what you regret. That’s what you regret.”
It took Sara time to build the courage she needed to press the reset button on her life. But ultimately, she didn’t let fear stand in the way of what she wanted.
Now she owns a home in a country she loves. Without debt, without stress, and most importantly without any regrets.
Want to hear more about what it’s like to be a foreigner living in the Colombian countryside? Then be sure to subscribe to Sara’s newsletter and YouTube Channel, where she shares dispatches about daily life.
Great stuff and inspiring story! She’s such a sweetheart as well. Thanks for the clear write up man
Thanks for sharing the specific details of the purchase. That definitely was interesting to me.