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Living in Medellin, Colombia – Interview With an Expat

What is life in Medellin really like?

Medellín, Colombia’s second-largest city, has become popular with both expats and digital nomads.

[ Check out this Digital Nomad Guide to Medellin for more information about digital nomad life in this city. ]

I just spent a month in Medellin myself and I enjoyed seeing how Medellín is clearly becoming more and more international, with innovative start-ups, countless cute coffee shops to work from and plenty of coworking spaces.

Therefore I decided to interview Maria, who has been living in Medellin for several years, to be able to share more information about what life in Medellin is like as an expat / foreigner.

In this Ask an Expat series I interview people living all over the world but outside of their home country. I try to help paint an honest picture of the ups and downs of life abroad, share tips for anyone thinking about moving abroad and information about the city, town or country the expat lives in.

Expat Life in Medellín, Colombia

expat life in Medellin

Name: Maria Ranallo
Age: 30
Home town: St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

Her story:

“After a short stint living on the beach in Costa Rica, having come from the crazy work life in San Francisco, I decided to do a bit of traveling before my return flight to the US.

I was in need of another adventure and Colombia seemed just the place to make that happen.

I landed in Medellin with the understanding that I would spend one week out of my four-week tour of Colombia there. Three weeks later I was still in Medellin…

I returned to the US for a bit of travel and to visit friends, and then headed back to Medellin with the intention to stay for a while. That was 2.5 years ago and I still love living and working here.”

Why Medellín?

“Medellín is beautiful, it has such great energy. And there are so many engaging initiatives to be a part of or to create. It feels like a breath of fresh air.

I love the culture and the people.

From the moment I arrived, I have been treated like family. After my first visit I left feeling like I already had a huge community of people I wanted to be around, and it just felt right to live in Medellin.”

What Do You Like About Living in Medellin?

colorful paintings with a sign saying 'welcome - free art gallery'

“There’s a lot I love about living in Medellin.

The Paisas (people from this part of Colombia) have shaped this beautiful city. They are very warm, open individuals who speak loudly and passionately!

Everyone has a dog that they treat very well. Nature is extremely accessible from the city, so you can escape and relax when you need to decompress.

Transportation is not complicated, as long as you can read the sign on the front of the bus. And the metro stations have some of the best views.

The theater productions are high-quality and there are many amazing, small theaters for intimate shows.

The rapid pace of change here in Medellin is incredible to witness and to take part in.

And lastly, the local soups and variety of restaurants always keep me well fed and busy planning my next meal out.”

What Do You Dislike About Living in Medellín?

“I recognize that I have chosen to live in a country different from my own, and most of my complaints are particular to me missing things, like cheap, good cheese or sourdough bread.

However, right now, the air quality in Medellin is not the best and it is disheartening to look out the window and see the city smothered in smog some days.

If I had to say something else it would be the slow lines for checking out… You can get gray hair standing in line waiting to buy your items!”

Is Medellin Safe as a City to Live in?

Well, let’s be honest, nobody will be able to say Medellin is the safest place in the world. But, it’s also not as dangerous as some people think.

In general, if you use some common sense, you can live in Medellin without any issues.

By that I mean not walking around at night; take a taxi instead. Don’t show off your expensive phone or camera, especially when you are in less affluent areas.

And keep an eye on your belongings at all times, because crime rates are high and pickpocketing is common.

What Is Your Favorite Thing to Do in Medellín?

“I love to find a good viewpoint and watch the lights twinkle or the sun set with my handsome Paisa.”

Also Read: 6 Reasons Why Moving Abroad is Such a Valuable Experience

What Is Your Favorite Place to Hang out in Medellín?

“Lately, my apartment.

But, when our friends come to town we take them to Full Arabe or Opera Pizza, both in the Laureles neighborhood, and then head over to the Carlos E Restrepo neighborhood to hang out.”

Also Read: Rooftop Bars in Medellín Worth Visiting

What Is the Expat / International Community Like in Medellín?

expats in Medellin

“The expat community here is growing and from what I know and have seen, it’s very inclusive.

The expats in Medellín are always reaching out to each other and soliciting advice or planning events.

There is a large international community of entrepreneurs and creatives.

Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t all happy feelings and cookouts, but I find expats here to be fun, and fiercely protective of Medellín.”

Any Tips for Moving to / Living in Medellín?

“Spend some time getting to know the city, live in different parts and look at all the questions that people have asked in the Facebook groups for expats in Medellin.

Ask questions, actively listen, and don’t make assumptions.

Get to know your Colombian neighbors and make as many Colombian friends as you can. They can show you untold wonders and the spots people, and many expats in Medellín, don’t normally know.”

Any Resources You Found Useful During the Process of Moving to And/Or Building a New Life in Medellín?

Facebook groups (search for “expats in Medellin” or “digital nomads in Medellin”) are very useful, especially when you’re in the process of moving to Medellin.

You can find a lot of information in those groups, ask any questions you may have, and meet other expats living in Medellin.

And I like reading local magazines to find out what’s happening in the city.”

Is There Something You Just Have to See or Do When You Are in Medellín?

“Go on one of Medellín’s walking tours, which give a wonderful overview of the history of Medellín.

Check out the museums, Museo de Antioquia especially.

Dance salsa. Eat Sancocho and cure a hangover with a Bandeja Paisa or a Consume de Pescado (trust me it’s delicious).

And get to know your Colombian neighbors.”

About Maria

an expat in Medellin

Maria is a Minnesota native who studied in Colorado. She was a Peace Corps volunteer in Cambodia, and enjoyed the sweet life in San Francisco.

Currently, her life in Medellín consists of her managing content for a software outsourcing company, PSL, guiding tours with Project Cordillera, working on her own writing projects, and slowly but surely discovering the beauty of Colombia.

About Medellín, Colombia

life in Medellin, Colombia

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Medellín was considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world for its size. For years Medellín was best known as the center of the Colombian drug cartels and home of Pablo Escobar.

And although Medellín still has its issues, a lot has changed and the city has rebounded tremendously. Paisas, the residents of Medellín, are proud of their city’s progress and are ready to move forward with vigor.

Medellín is a vast city built north to south in the Aburrá valley and surrounded on either side by majestic mountain ranges.

The wealthier classes live in the well-protected hillside neighborhood of El Poblado and Envigado (Southeast) and Laureles (West of downtown). This is far removed from the action and commotion which are found in the city’s center, where you can find the markets and a thriving street life that makes up much of the city’s charm.

The city is home to several universities, accounting for a vibrant cultural and nightlife scene fueled by thousands of young adults from all over the country.

Medellín is also Colombia’s second-largest industrial center, and home to factories making everything from designer clothing to trucks.

The city’s northern hills are flooded with rural refugees from the civil war and their ingenuity in making a living is impressive.

Innovation in Medellín

Medellin has the first metro system in Colombia and it was the first city in the world to use cable cars for mass transit.

Medellín’s incredible skyline is dotted with skyscrapers, colonial buildings, and colorful homes. The city is famous for its street art, especially in Comuna 13 and you can go on a guided tour of this neighborhood to explore it all.

The Urban Land Institute awarded Medellín the Innovative City of the Year award back in 2013, when it outranked both New York and Tel Aviv.

Medellin was praised for its famous tramways and outdoor escalators, as well as for the city’s world-class art galleries, libraries, and public spaces.

In 2016, Medellín won the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize because of the city’s transformation into an outstanding, liveable city.

And Medellin is also known for its great climate for which it received its nickname “city of eternal spring”.

Also Read:

 

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Interview with an expat about moving to and living in Medellin, Colombia.

 

Author: Sanne Wesselman
A traveler, wanderer, digital nomad, and entrepreneur. I spend most of my time living and working abroad and visiting destinations all over the world. I use this website to share "the good, the bad and the ugly" of traveling and living abroad. Visit the About Me page for more info.

3 thoughts on “Living in Medellin, Colombia – Interview With an Expat”

  1. Hello. I’m traveling for the first time to Medellin, Colombia December 18th. I will be retiring either in Medellin or Panama city, Panama. I have one very worrisome question that I am not sure about. If I live in Colombia for more than 183 days I will be considered a tax resident at the rate of up to 39%. This will consist social security, pension and income from my part ownership of an insurance agency. Total income that may be taxed at an extreme rate for a retiring person is much too high. Any advice or should I consider staying in a split type residence of Panama and Colombia. Thank you. Robert

    Reply
    • Hi Robert,
      I would definitely recommend talking to a local lawyer or accountant about this.
      I would try to set up at least a couple of appointments for when you are in Medellin, so that you can speak to them face-to-face.
      Have a great time in Colombia, life in Medellin really is nice!

      Reply

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