Medellin City Review | Thoughts & Impressions | Positives & Negatives

We've gone to Medellin about 4 times in the past 5 years. This year we decided to spend an entire month rather than a week or two. We now have stronger and stronger opinion about the city in the perspective of a just being a tourist and what it is like to live there.
It's a long one, but we give our honest opinions (pros & cons) about the city of Medellín Colombia.
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Chapters:
00:00 - The Big Lie
01:15 - Timeline Review
02:53 - Positive Review
10:17 - Negative Review
26:10 - Final Thoughts
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#colombia #travelcolombia #expats #expatsincolombia #digitalnomad #medellin #cityreview #liveincolombia

[@mrkit2u]

It’s funny, I’m a guy in my 50s, and I was at Crepes and Waffles in Laureles with my Spanish teacher three weeks ago. She’s a Colombian, a bit younger. We experienced very warm hospitality. It does get a bit warm in the day, but really all I need is a well-placed fan to stay cool, not full ac. Overnight is very comfortable whereas Bogotá to me is too cold. Poblado is definitely full of gringos! Enjoy all your content! Thank you!

[@johncarr4107]

I agree with about everything you said. Keep up the good work guys👍

[@lifetheorycouple]

Thank you!

[@Bogotaeverything]

I love Villavicencio! As for Medellin, the sexualization and narco culture ruins it for me. My sister's friend is a girl from Bogota and she had to live in Medellin for a while for work. She had a pixie haircut, she does not wear a lot of make-up and wears casual clothes mostly. Her paisa colleagues wore shiny, tight fitting clothes to work and they all had long hair with thick blonde highlights on very dark hair (2000s ratchet trend that became popular in Medellin for a while) and they would ask her if she was a lesbian and stuff. I do not get why anyone on the workplace would ask that. Being attractive for men is not everyone's priority. I went to school in Medellin for a year as a kid because I lived there with my family and I do not recall the toilets in my school being clogged with bulimic vomit, however, this is said to have become common occurrence there. The pressure to look a certain way is insane. And the regionalism. Do I have to kiss paisa ass all the time or something? I cannot be a phony and pretend to love everything when I do not, plus they dislike Bogota and rolos and will discourage tourists from visiting, when in reality most of them have never been here. P.D: The Internet needs more Guajira, Amazonas and Pasto/Ipiales content! I do not know if you guys have done it before :)

[@lifetheorycouple]

Jonny commenting here. You present a very interesting perspective that I have not quite heard. I know that women in Bogota are known to be more modest comparatively to Medellin or any place that's warmer... And the vomit situation, that's just unfortunate to hear. Generally it's important to make yourself presentable, which is attractive, but not in the sexual enticing way. It is quite interesting how that's not just the perception of Medellin across the world but many regions across Colombia itself. Just the other day, a woman/mother I know in her 40s or 50s ask me if I like the women in Medellin... Like right in front of my wife. My response was I like my wife... But just the fact they would ask the question reveals that perception right there. Amazons is on our list. We've talked about Guajira and we've honestly haven't given much though to Pasto. But, we'll see! Thanks for the suggestions. :-)

[@genesisbourbon73l4]

Muy cierto como describes a los medillunos, ellos odian a Bogotá por REGIONALISMO y envidia y le hablan muy mal a los turistas cuando nisiquiera conocen la capital de su pais😂 ellos se creen lo mejor de colombia y tan solo son la cara fea del país porque su turismo se reduce en NARCOTURISMO y pornoturismo

[@paulashwell1604]

another good and on point video - thanks

[@lifetheorycouple]

Thank you and we're glad you think so!

[@danieldinverno8732]

Great video!! Would be great to see a video ranking what cities are your top 5 best places to live long term.

[@lifetheorycouple]

This is a great idea! We may have to to take you up on it. I think it's challenging to say, because we're not committed to anything long term at the moment ourselves. But just considering a 2-10 year in the same city/town in Colombia, is compelling.

[@rochelleglam]

Your videos are quite informative! I am a 1/2 Mexican American gringa. I look undoubtedly gringa. My husband is Colombian Venezolano. Our daughter is blue eyed. We have thought of moving to Colombia. There is so much to consider and your video content I completely digest. I wouldn’t be comfortable with all that sexualization either.. We live in Seattle and hoping for something a little warmer than Bogota😊. My suegra was from Bucaramanga. Thank you for making great videos!

[@danspencer4235]

Bucaramanga would likely suit you much better. Unless you have a compelling reason, Bogota' is too cold and inconvenient.

[@Bogotaeverything]

@@danspencer4235 How is Bogota inconvenient?

[@danspencer4235]

@@Bogotaeverything Glad you asked. On my last 5 hour trip to Bogota', 3 hours of it was in Bogota' traffic. The TransMilenio buses ride like a tank compared to Medellin's Metro trains. You always have to know the expected weather to know how many layers of clothing you will need and if one of them needs to be waterproof...etc.

[@Bogotaeverything]

​@@danspencer4235The size of Bogotá is 1600 square kilometers and Medellin is less than 400 km2. But of course, a metro train is faster than Transmilenio. But unfortunately even though the central government is in Bogotá, the city isn't well represented, taxes paid by millions go to the national budget, are invested/stolen in other regions and the post of Bogotá major is heavily politicized, projects started by the left get cancelled by the right and viceversa, majors start bidding for president during their term, etc. I understand why Medellin seems more friendly for a foreigner, but personally I couldn't live in Medellin because I'm a big city person and I don't like being judged over my looks, I don't like hot weather and people not minding their own business. In Bogotá we wear 2-3 layers of clothing and always carry an umbrella.

[@lifetheorycouple]

How neat! - If you're coming from the US like we did... I think it would be worth spending a month or two here and there, just to get a feel for places. Bucaramanga is good. If we were to go back for more time we'd stay more on the east side of the city or just south of Bucaramanga in Florida Blanca, just because it's a bit nice/developed. - However, our favorite part of Bucaramanga is how close it is to some amazing spots like San Gil, Barichara, Guane, Giron, Chicamocha, etc. --- Right now, we're in northern Bogota. Although it's the biggest city in Colombia, the Northern part is a lot more organized and modern vs. the rest of the city. - Again, I encourage checking out more than one place for yourself.

[@SaraBurdick]

I completely agree with you guys.. I prefer Bogota or Manizales as a city. I wouldn't live in Medellin i don't even like to visit it.. too much party I don't like to party either! Great video

[@lifetheorycouple]

What's up Sara! - That's cool. I could tell we're on the same wave length just based on your content. We send all the positive vibes!

[@SaraBurdick]

@@lifetheorycouple yesss

[@BlackSeaStorm]

I live in Belén near Laurales. It's really quiet. There are no hills here. I never felt the need to use AC. The weather has been perfect so far.

[@lifetheorycouple]

That part is a bit more calm. If we chose to stay in an apartment that wasn't super high up, we'd probably get less sun, and less heat. But even with that. All our other stays prior to spending a whole month, we always had and AC. Living without it, not our vibe. But we do love how it feels at night when you go out for dinner. All you typically need is a t-shirt.

[@staceytg27]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@lifetheorycouple]

THANK YOU!!!!! :-)

[@maclawa]

Oh my guts theyre back woowoo

[@lifetheorycouple]

HA! - We could be better about posting more frequently. I'm not sure we've complete "gone" anywhere. We're still here and alive.

[@shannonbilger5301]

What would you say is the best place for Ex-pats like yourselves in Colombia? I have lived in Cartagena and Armenia and visited Bogota, Cali, Pereira and Medellin. I am searching for where I will retire and value your suggestions.

[@lifetheorycouple]

Great question! - If you're an expat w/a currency advantage, such as is the case of us, I would say it's worth spending a few months in a few different places at a time. We really enjoyed how peaceful Villavicencio could be for a mid-sized city. We also really like northern Bogota. So I suggest choosing to spend time in each location that interest you. Then you'll get the most real feeling.

[@davidurrego9948]

Hola muy buen video, es importante ver la percepción de cada persona, aunque sea subjetiva de acuerdo a la vivencia y el conocimiento que tengan, que ese sería su caso, sin embargo, quisiera saber algo. ¿1 de donde son esta pregunta, la hago por temas culturales, 2 conocieron todas las zonas para vivir en Medellín o solo se basaron en donde va la mayoría de turistas? Esto lo pregunto por lo mismo que menciono al inicio, temas de percepción e impresiones basadas en experiencias y conocimiento propio.

[@lifetheorycouple]

Hola, gracias por la vista y el comentario! Jonny es de Dallas, Texas y Widny es de Bogota. Hemos visitado Medellin varias veces y hemos tenido la oportunidad de quedarnos en El Poblado, Belen, Sabaneta, Laureles, Guatape, Amaga y Caldas. Que parte de Medellin crees tu que es la parte mas autentica de la ciudad?

[@davidurrego9948]

@@lifetheorycouple Hola, he llegado a 2 conclusiones, 1 el origen de tu pareja responde mucho de los comentarios dichos por ella,, 2 Medellín es una ciudad de contrastes y muchas de las cosas que han dicho tiene sentido de acuerdo a su experiencia, pero en algunas partes de la ciudad ejemplo, las zonas que me haz dicho que han visitado son de constante flujo y tránsito de turismo y movimiento social en general, entonces no podemos compararla con una de las zonas donde si hay tranquilidad y aire fresco que es uno de los motivos que mencionabas en el vídeo, por ejemplo zonas como altos de poblado, palmas, envigado, camino verde, Laureles, Santa Elena, los balsos, etc, hay demasiados lugares, siento que lo están comparando con algo de Bogotá que no tiene sentido, igual es muy respetable su opinión pero considero que no han estado en los lugares indicados en cuando a lo que buscan, lo digo yo que no soy una persona de fiesta y busco siempre la tranquilidad y créame que en Medellín hay mucho de eso, entonces en conclusión hay mucho para escoger, ya está en saber buscar y llegar al lugar indicado y escoger si quieres fiesta o tranquilidad y si te vas quedar en otra ocasión en Medellín no te asesores con alguien que no vive en la ciudad y que no sepa de lugares tranquilos. En vez de Guatapé ve a concepción un pueblo tranquilo para descansar y con charcos, muy cerca a Medellín Cómo a 2h. Buena suerte en tu viaje por Colombia disfruta este hermoso pais, tiene mucho por conocer no solo Bogota y Medellín.

[@8ticks363]

I have not been, but I have a friend who calls all the time and loves Medellin. He is hell bent on its the best of the best but his arguments is often more a logistical one. Easy airport access with direct flights. He is really trying to get me to consider it. What would be your thoughts on crime, etc, in Bogota vs Medellin? I believe because Bogota is so big in comparison that it scares some people away.

[@lifetheorycouple]

Crime is a good topic. There are definitely certain neighborhoods in both cities where crime is super likely... For Bogota it's the south and for Medellin it's the north. But then there are really safe neighborhoods in both cities were you will see people using their phones in the street without care, for example. - Safety concerns and the crime in Colombia is my biggest concern especially coming from the US. In the US, in most places, you're not going to witness a motorcyclist snatching peoples phones out of their hands or even robbing you at gun point.

[@8ticks363]

@@lifetheorycouple yes, its a concern for me and wife are not young kids anymore. My friend is 22 years younger. My daughter in law is from Panama. I am considering that because of less crime (but more expensive), but even she prefers Colombia! So Im at a crossroads lol.

[@ArtificialintelligenceDesign]

Ok .... Medellin metropolis is today the most innovative city in the world as declared by Wall Street journal and by Citi group from the USA.... MEDELLIN today has the best integrated metro system in the world ...declared by the European union...and by the USA ... I am an American citizen .. from New York City ....capital of the world ... I personally used Medellin metropolis system ...and I totally agree that it is the best integrated metro system in the world ...because I actually used the metro in New York..in Paris..in San Francisco...in Dubai...in Chicago... And yes indeed MEDELLIN has the best metro system in planet earth ... The weather in Medellin is the best in planet earth ...it is always spring time in MEDELLIN for eternity thru infinity ... MEDELLIN has the most modern and the best health care and hospitals in all of Latin America ...including the USA... In terms of crime ....remember I am from New York City....and the crime in New York is extremely high ... extremely high... Here are the facts ....over 140 people are violently murdered and killed in the USA on a daily basis....that means that over 2,500 people in the usa are murdered on a monthly basis .....and that equates ti over 40,000 people killed or murdered in the USA per year .. My source of information is CNN... New York Times... Washington. Post...fox news ...and Google ...

[@Bogotaeverything]

Are you really from NY or are you the paisa troll known as Genesis and Angel Gallego? Because your writing seems similar.

[@ArtificialintelligenceDesign]

I was born in New York City... actually in Queens which is a borough of New York City.. I have personally traveled to London ...to ... Hong Kong...to ..Spain...to ...Holland ...to ...Dubai...to ...Chicago...to Los Angeles to San Francisco... and some Latin American countries ... And I can assure you that the most beautiful city in the world is MEDELLIN metropolis... I also know that New York City is known as the capital of the world ..... Because all. Countries in the world are represented by the foreigners that actually reside in New York City... I. Personally ...visited MEDELLIN metropolis during the month of August....and. I had the best time of my life ... I found MEDELLIN metropolis to absolutely beautiful...this city is like no other city in the world ... The entire city is green with millions of trees and totally surrounded by majestic mountains of South America... I find the Paisas to be very friendly and welcoming....and kind ... I am back in New York City .... how ever I planned to return on vacation next year .. I am 6 feet tall I have light hair and blue eyes ... and yes indeed I am a true Yankee.... and a true New Yorker ...

[@Bogotaeverything]

​@@ArtificialintelligenceDesign Good for you. But Medellin is not a metropolis. It is only 360 km2.

[@ArtificialintelligenceDesign]

You...are entitled to your opinion ... And I respect your opinion ....very much .. However ... you need to understand the definition of the word metropolis..... I did my research .... Here are the facts ...about why MEDELLIN is considered to be a Metropolis ..... MEDELLIN is today a city that consist of many small town districts ... For example ... Sabaneta ...Envigado ...la Estrella....itagui... Bello... Copacabana... The orient such as ...Rio negro which is where the international airport is located ...llano Grande ...La ceja ...and many others today form part of Medellin and medellin metro with all of the boroughs that is Laureles...Poblado ...etc ... The geographical area is very large .... It is similar to all of the 5 boroughs of New York City...that is ...Staten Island... Manhattan...the Bronx ... Brooklyn...and Queens ..added to long island new york ...as you know geographically.. New York City is very big ... MEDELLIN is now all of the above making MEDELLIN a very large city .. As a matter of fact ... the paisas of MEDELLIN build 3 major ...urban tunnels that penetrate the super majestic mountains of the South American Andes in order to unite and connect ...all of the Orient of Antioquia ...which is Rionegro ..la ceja ...llano Grande and others to form part of Medellin metropolis... These tunnels are about 9 kilometers in length ... which unite and connect Rionegro and la ceja to the East .. And the other urban tunnel connects Santa Fe de Antioquia with MEDELLIN ... The total population is about 4 million people today ... By the way ...a new tunnel will be completed by the end of 2023..which will unite and connect metropolitan MEDELLIN with the Atlantic ocean ...the Caribbean sea ... The tunnel is known as tunnel del toyo....so by end of this year ... Medellin will have total access to the ocean ...with its own ocean port .... The tunnel is actually 10 kilometers long making it the longest urban tunnel in America ...it will be completed by end of 2023. This year So you can actually go to the beach from MEDELLIN to Uraba...in less than 3 hours by car ... By the way ...I ..reside in New York City in Manhattan....and in the summer time we in New York City ...like to visit south Hampton which is a ritzy part of New York located in long island new york... And it takes us 3 hours to drive to the beach in the Hamptons in New York... However ..... New York City has a population of over 10 million people... That's why New York is a maga metropolis .... While MEDELLIN metropolis only has a population of about 3.9 million people .... MEDELLIN is a small city by comparison to New York....

[@Bogotaeverything]

@@ArtificialintelligenceDesign Okay, "Génesis Bourbon" nice try 😂😂😂😂

[@sebastianquintana3248]

Lol I get it now.. she is colombian and your from usa haha

[@lifetheorycouple]

HA! - Yes, that should connect the dots for a lot of reasons. Like spending time in Colombia altogether.

[@waynekaminski5438]

You captured some of the reasons why Colombia is far behind Mexico in supporting tourism. Colombian services are not yet geared for the tourist. The wait staff in restaurants are not customer friendly. Not enough people speak English (only 4% of Colombia's population). Certain cities are not yet free of gangs, and you only have to scratch the surface to find some of the narco culture is still prevalent. The wages are too low, which fosters bad behavior and slow service. The drugging of foreigners (men) for robbery is on the rise. The mafia recruit local women who work in pairs to lure a man, distract him, slip scopoline into his drink, and then the man is easy pickings. These predators are even on the prowl during the day. The women get paid a small cash amount and turn over all the stolen loot to their handler (a single handler can have 10-12 women working for him). The handler, in turn, moves the stolen goods to a regional boss. Scopoline makes the victim give up his passwords or ATM card codes, which then allows these criminal gangs to clean out a victim's bank accounts in a couple of hours. Colombian banks provide no effective fraud prevention, which makes you speculate that bank insiders are involved in this looting of customer's bank accounts. The police are no help, forcing the victim to fill out numerous papers (in Spanish). You have no idea how bad the underbelly of Colombia still is. It is still a 3rd world country for a reason. Don't get me started with the nutty real estate practices.

[@lifetheorycouple]

Nice analysis! It is unfortunate how present these situations are in many of the larger and mid-sized cities.

[@danspencer4235]

Frankly, I am afraid that foreign tourists are ruining Medellin. El Poblado is NOT AT ALL representative of Colombia, and there is a growing resentment of the change. I moved to a smaller city that does NOT have an international airport. I am married to a Latina and we have a sizable age gap. Nobody has ever evidenced disapproval. In fact, if we are ever treated differently it would be that I am something of a celebrity because they never meet foreigners here.

[@lifetheorycouple]

LOVE THIS! - Yes, Medellin, nor any given individual town/city in Colombia can completely represent all the culture and diversity that makes up Colombia. Poblado, although unique and neat in a way on its own, does tend to skew the perception for many foreigners who visit/live in Medellin of Colombia but don't travel outside of the city... I find it more interesting to visit places like Caldas and Amaga that are south of Medellin, there you see more of what Colombia is like most places.