One of the most asked questions I get is “Why do you like Medellin, Colombia?” Well buckle up buttercup, I’m ‘bout to tell you.
Medellin is a tropical, thriving, cosmopolitan city that has risen like the Phoenix from the ashes of drugs and crime. During my time here, I’ve noticed a few things that stand out and why Medellin is a place I and others have grown to love.
Here are a few of my top reasons:
1. The Weather – when I was deciding where to travel, I knew I wanted somewhere warm. What I didn’t expect was the perfect weather of Medellin. It sits in a valley, therefore it is consistently temperate. It’s known as the “City of Eternal Spring” and it definitely lives up to its name. It’s always around 76 – 85 degrees Fahrenheit year-round and over 300 days of sun. There are two rainy seasons, one April-May and again Oct – November. It’s delightful not to think about snow or cold weather.
2. The People – the only thing warmer than the weather are the people. The Colombians are very friendly, welcoming, and proud of their country. They enthusiastically want to share their culture and country with foreigners. You’ll never have someone screaming at you to get out of their country because you can’t speak Spanish. My experience was, they usually smiled and just tried to help me through the conversation. They are quite often curious about the U.S. One more thing; I like that I don’t stand out. I have often been mistaken for Colombian until I opened my mouth and couldn’t speak Spanish; they know I am not the Colombian they were looking for!
3. Cost of Living – I can’t say enough about this. This is one reason why so many people are flocking to Medellin. From digital nomad millennials to retirement age individuals, you can’t beat the low cost. You can easily live on $1000-$1500 per month quite well, especially if you are getting paid in U.S. dollars. I lived in a two-bedroom, fully furnished, all-inclusive apartment in a really nice neighborhood and paid under $500 per month. You can stretch your coins around the block and still have funds left over for entertainment and food in this place.
4. Mass transit –
Medellin is the second-largest city in Colombia, and its infrastructure and mass transit are second to none. They have every form of transportation you could want, from metro, cable cars, tram, buses, taxis, and Uber. There is never a real reason for needing a car. It’s also very cheap, so you’ll never have to worry about breaking the bank just to get around.
5. Things to do – There is never a dull moment in Medellin. Because of its Latin vibe, you’ll always find a place to Salsa, or listen to great music. It’s a very cosmopolitan place, therefore, you’ll never lack for great restaurants and typical Colombian food. There are plenty of festivals to attend. Festival de Flores (the Flower Festival) in August and Alumbrado (Festival of Lights) in December are two of the major events that occur annually and are not to be missed. There are jazz festivals, movies, theaters, not to mention outdoor activities like parasailing, rock climbing, tours of Guatape, the city of the highest mountain in Medellin. Then, for the night owls, there are nightclubs and bars all throughout the area. You’ll never be bored unless you choose to be.
What do you like most about Medellin?
by: Gail Turner Brown
