Cheap Places to Live Medellin, Colombia ~ travel passion

Cheap Places to Live Medellin, Colombia

Colombia has its share of worldly problems (crime, drugs, poverty) yet also has areas that have become mainstays on the travel circuit and become increasingly popular for extended stays or relocation to the country such as the city Medellin (population 3 million).
Those who have moved to Medellin - second largest city in Colombia after Bogotá - not only love it, they rave about it. Cited among its many virtues: safe for a metropolitan area; nightclubs and nightlife; variety of things to do and places to see; friendly locals plus many International visitors living part of full-time in the area.
Last but not least is a low cost of living. A small apartment on the outskirts of town can be found for $400 USD, and there are many shared apartments with rooms to rent for less.
One recommended place to stay while you adjust and look for housing is International House Medellin. They have rooms with cable T.V., shared living and kitchen facilities plus a rooftop deck with sauna for $330 USD per month (one month stay minimum).
An online service that lists apartments and rooms for rent is CompartoApto.
If you make your midday meal (noon - 2 p.m.) the primary meal of the day you can eat-out often and on the cheap. Find a local neighborhood restaurant serving a multi-course set menu which will include a bowl of soup, some type of meat, rice, small salad and bread or fried plantains (similar to bananas but eaten cooked, not raw) for $2.75 - $3.50 USD.
Large grocery stores such as Carrefour (grocery chain popular in Argentina also) are plentiful in Medellin. Shop as any budget traveller or daring 'living abroad expat' would buying low-end, local products and you are all set.

Things To Do in Medellin

Traveling through the city to check things out and need a few things to do? To get an arial view of Medellin and its surrounds you can ride a cable car - The Metrocable - up above the city skyline and enjoy a coffee or meal.
Linea K of Metrocable spans the Santo Domingo neighborhood and is credited with virtually abolishing crime in the previously dangerous barrio as well as attracting many new businesses.
A second line - Linea J - was then created to connect other outlying barrios with a hoped for similar effect; decreased crime and more economic opportunity. In addition to the great views, you may find yourself riding one or the other to simply get from one area of the city to the next.There is a waterpark in Medellin - Juan Pablo II Waterpark) - an aquarium at Parque de Explora and the Medellin Zoo. Bullfights are held in the La Macarena Show Center (Carerra 63 # 44A- 65) January-February.
You can learn about the city's drug lord ruled past by partaking in the Pablo Escobar Tour. You visit the house where he lived and was shot dead plus meet his brother Roberto, whom is still amongst the living.

Things You Will Love Living in Medellin

What you would expect in a large metropolitan area with over 3 million people - many things to see and do such as museums, public parks, art galleries, large shopping complexes, sports facilities, etc.
Cheap and efficient transportation system (buses, taxis and Metro) that make getting around easy.
Many International visitors and expats to meet at a local pub and sit and have a beer or coffee with - speaking English!

Things You May Not Like Living in Medellin

For all its improvements, the reality is Colombia has a high-level of people living in poverty and of drug abusers. Seeing folks crumpled up on pieces of cardboard boxes will be not be uncommon, and difficult for many to view on a daily basis.
Air Pollution. Medellin is an industrial city and has along with it the resultant chronic in-city industrial smog and pollution.