Long Read
Job Market Analysis: Most In-Demand Careers in Soledad
so i ended up in Soledad because a buddy said the rent was cheap and the vibe was weird enough to be interesting. turns out Soledad-that small town in Colombia-has more going on than just coffee and quiet streets. the job market here is a mix of old-school agriculture and new-school remote work, which makes it feel like two worlds colliding. if you're thinking of moving here, here's what i found out the messy way.
the big players in town
*agriculture and agribusiness still dominate. coffee, cocoa, and tropical fruits are king. but there's a growing number of tech startups popping up, mostly remote-friendly gigs in customer service, digital marketing, and software dev. honestly, it's wild to see someone coding in a cafe while a farmer walks by with a basket of bananas.
tourism and hospitality are picking up too. Soledad is close enough to Barranquilla that it gets spillover from the carnival crowd, but cheap enough that you can actually live here without selling a kidney.
overheard gossip from the locals
"yeah, everyone wants to work in the city, but the jobs here pay peanuts unless you're in agribusiness or got a remote gig," said a barista who moonlights as a graphic designer. "rent's like $150 a month for a decent place, so you can survive on less, but don't expect Silicon Valley salaries."
another local warned me: "don't trust the job ads online-half of them are scams or ghost postings. best to ask around in person or check the local Facebook groups."
cost of living snapshot
| Expense | Cost (COP) | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | ~600,000 | ~$150 |
| Utilities | ~150,000 | ~$38 |
| Groceries/month | ~400,000 | ~$100 |
| Internet | ~120,000 | ~$30 |
pro-tips for job seekers
- learn spanish. like, really learn it. most jobs won't even consider you if you can't hold a conversation.
- network locally. the job market here runs on who you know, not what you know.
- check the local job boards. try empleo.justicia.gov.co or the Soledad subreddit for leads.
- be ready for slow hiring*. things move at a different pace here-patience is a must.
the weather and neighbors
it's hot. like, "why did i wear jeans" hot. 30°c most days, with a rainy season that turns the streets into mud pits. but hey, it's tropical and you get used to it. nearby cities like Barranquilla and Cartagena are just a short bus ride away if you need a change of scenery or want to chase some nightlife.
random advice from a stranger
"if you want to make it here, don't come with a big-city attitude. people are chill, but they notice when you're impatient or rude. also, don't skip the local food-the arepas and sancocho are worth the trip alone."
final thoughts
Soledad isn't for everyone. it's small, it's hot, and the job market can feel like a maze. but if you're flexible, speak spanish, and don't mind a slower pace, it's a place where you can actually live on a budget and still have a life. just don't expect it to be easy-or glamorous.
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