Pollution was not noticeable to me in my three trips to Medellin last year. I was mostly in El Poblado sector. It's widely reported there is a pollution problem in El Centro. I am sensitive to the issue because of my experience in the past three years in Quito, Ecuador, where black smoke emitted by buses is a serious issue.

Things to like about Medellin....

1. It's a city on the rise .. so there's positive energy around. The start of the Gringo exodus from Trumpland is welcomed by the Medellin locals.

2. It's large enough that all kinds of stuff and services are available across a broad spectrum. I never heard anybody say, oh, I can't find what I'm looking for in Medellin.

3. The city is beautiful -- the parks, the greenery in the skyline, the modern buildings. Again, I am mostly familiar with El Poblado .. and am not commenting on the 'favelas' up the hill.

4. Internet service is outstanding.

5. Plenty of eye candy for men.

6. Lots of table game casinos, which are still outlawed in Ecuador and Mexico.

7. North Americans will feel at home on the Golden Mile, which reminds one of Las Vegas and Beverly Hills.

cccmedia in La Zona Cafetera

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me Medellin stank like every other big city and I was delighted to get the hell out of it. Sculpture parks are great and all that but not the stuff of my daily bread. I dislike intensely such things as traffic, bustling crowds, and pretty much everything a city has on offer, so I imagine that makes my opinion less than usefull. But compared to other world cities a sensed a lack of good international cuisine on offer, an unwarranted focus on "tipico" food, but an absolutely wonderful Metro and Cablecar transportation system, best I have seen anywhere, bar none. I discount the beautiful woman factor because these wonders can be found throughout the country, including in the pueblos! But from downtown Medellin you cannot really see and be invigorated by the awe-inspiring natural beauty of the countryside with its mountains and valleys and pastures.

I hope that my biases are clear enough that my opinion can be discounted appropriately! :)

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"From downtown Medellin you cannot help but be inspired by the awe-inspiring beauty of the mountains, the valleys and the rolling pastures."

Ironically, this quote exactly describes Paisa women.

cccmedia in La Zona Cafetera

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Yes, Steve, I realize I took some liberties with that quote.

I had to do something out-of-the-box after you described the Gary, Indiana, of the 70's.

cccmedia in La Zona

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Nothing wrong with a little poetic licence!

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And Steve you decided all that after being in Medellin for how many days?

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Bob - I was only there for four days. I have tried to make it clear that my partially negative OV is based entirely on my dislike of cities in general, and not of Medellin in particular. I spent the bulk of my career in the City of Toronto so I do know what I like and what I don't like, in terms of living conditions. I checked out Sabaneta to explore the possibility of a compromise - it cam close, but all around loomed the spectre of high-rise apartments crowding the city centre.

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Somehow the P in POV got dropped!

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As far as major cities in Colombia go, it's probably your best choice. Many people find Bogota too cold and Cali too hot. Medellin also has the best transit system.

Compared to any city in the US, cost of living ranged from a lot lower to unbelievably lower..

The question is, do you want to live in a major city? There are several 2nd tier and 3rd tier cities that come highly recommended.

What sort of things are important to you?

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what I don't like is their attitude , Me first and what the hell with rest. Yes they are polite in your face but can't trust them. medellin women are big liers don't believe anything they tell you .People here are so nosy they all want to know your business but none of them tell you their business. I don't like their village mentality.Yes Medellin is a big city but people have campasino mentality
Ok not to sound all negative ,I tell you what I do like . Women, they are so f...king sexy.

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That thing about they're-nosy-but-won't-tell-you-about-themselves...

That's hardly unique to Medellin. More like a worldwide phenomenon .. unless you ask questions.

They are more likely to open up if
they know you care enough to ask a few questions.

cccmedia in La Zona

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@cccmedia of 22/02/2017

You stated earlier that you did not find pollution noticeable in Medellin, except perhaps for the Centro. I am afraid I disagree with you and today's El Colombiano (page 11) seems to back me up.

In fact, I think you are way out and that Medellin DOES now present a SERIOUS respiratory danger to its public, especially the elderly and those with already existing respiratory problems.

The El Colombiano publishes a daily statistical record of pollution levels from eight localities throughout the city. More than half of these stations record dangerous levels almost daily.

If you can see the upper slopes from lower levels in the city, take a good look at what you can see. I bet you, the chances are you will NOT be able to distinguish any fine detail because of the pollution haze.

I speak to many people in the medical and hospital fields and they are all unanimous.....the pollution situation has become dangerous and the results are there in what they see on a daily basis.

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Steve,

I can relate to the big city feel especially the larger ones. I lived in interior Alaska for 17 years and enjoyed my time there but -40 is -40. especially on remote radar sites so for me it was time to thaw out. I absolutely hate big city life as in Miami, New York and can almost tolerate Seattle. But Medellin doesn't give me that big city feel for some reason. Yes the traffic does bother me and sometimes the air is not the best but life is somewhat relaxed and easy. For me its a great place to live. Great night life, the people are friendly and outgoing, cost of living is cheap, city is clean, transportation system is good. I can catch a cheap flight or express bus to almost anywhere in Colombia from Medellin and enjoy a variety of climates and cultures. No city is perfect but for me the plusses outweigh the negatives and I like it here.

Oh yes and the ladies are beautiful.

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I very much concur with CCCmedias assessment of Medellin.

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I do not disagree with either of you. I just like the pueblo better!

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I just took my first visit to Medellin...it rivals any city really. the malls, Santa Fe and El Tesoro are very nice....Plaza Botero was pretty but surprised that the statues are not clean (dusty and some with big spider webs).

The bad? I would say the winding roads in Poblado does give you a headache... but I would live there definitely. Girls are hot but luckily so is mine

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Thanks so much everyone for your great feedback and comment. Really appreciate it.

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@Jaybee315 - great weather, safety, clean environment, first world infrastructure, friendly people, health care facilities, cost of living, reasonable tax and residency requirements, not too far from USA/Canada ..... these are important to me.

I've been to Bogota, not Medellin. I found people in Bogota was very friendly. The weather in Jan was not cold but that's 10 years ago.

I live in a beach town in the winter/spring (Nov - April). I wonder if the weather is great to live in Medellin during June - Oct as it seems to be raining a lot in the winter time?

Thank you.

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The thing about the giant malls is - well, if you aren't a chica, there really isn't anything there for you. So when it comes right down to it, why give points for malldom?

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LOL the nail.

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Steve,

Thats an easy one. Chica watching at any of the malls is an enjoyable sport in itself. The ladies are beautiful and they dress well for trips to the centro commercial.


I had a great experience at Los Molinos in Medellin. Just went to have a coffee and some pastry and a very attractive lady started a conversation with me. We ended up having dinner that night.

Also some have good restaurants out on open air terraces great views. Smart fit gym is in San Diego mall as well as El Tesoro great views of Medellin while your working out as they are on upper floors.

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Bob - try doing that as an old somewhat overweight fcker. Doesn't work.

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Sorry Steve,

I guess the mall may not be for you.

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Haha - you got that right!

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https://www.dropbox.com/home/Camera%20Uploads?preview=2015-01-06+17.01.51.jpg

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SunsetSteve,


https://www.dropbox.com/home/Camera%20Uploads?preview=2015-01-06+17.01.51.jpg

Says "Please sign in to view this picture". What's the sign-in?

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I thought I set it to public, but it's only a pic of me. It doesn't ask me for a sign in so I don't really know. But trust me, you're not missing anything!

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Try clicking on it from the email notice message,

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There is something of an over-emphasis on local cuisine her in "Medallo". It's mostly all the same menu but then again there are places that really do it better than the others and for even less money. It takes a bit of time to find 'em. If the lack of international food is a problem for some here in Medellin it'll be an even bigger problem out in the fresh countryside. But surprise, surprise, with a little time and patience you'll find some little international kitchen gems. I found a guy from Italy who bakes the best bread and serves up my favorite spaghetti with sautéed garlic and high grade olive oil. 10,000 COP...cain't touch this. There's another guy down the street who graduated from a European culinary school who does up a beautiful salmon with seared zucchini, rice, very nice salad,, fresh fruit drink and home made dessert for 20,000. Substitute chicken and it's only 12,000. Oh, and then there's the Argie steak house two blocks away from my digs. Beautiful cuts of beef that completely disappear from your plate. The salad bar at Crepes and Waffles is top notch at the one in my neighborhood and the ice cream desserts are excellent. I order the strawberry tartufino. Wow. Prices are much less than the States too.

Somebody mentioned on this thread that people can be nosy. I noticed that starting on my first day here. I keep waiting for them to ask me how much money I have in the bank. They are relentless about it. The trick is to start asking a whole bunch of questions of your own.

My area is a bit higher up and you notice right away that the air gets cooler and fresher. Yep, suits me just fine.

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As for spider-webs on Botero statues in Medellin...

Are you kidding me!

1. That's local color.

2. That's nothin' compared to a Colombian artist named Rafael who has been adorning the exterior sides of public buildings in Bogota for a decade .. with giant fiberglass ants -- protesting government policies and advocating for displaced immigrants worldwide. His work is not endorsed by Donald Trump.

cccmedia in La Zona Cafetera

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Geoffbob....

Solid post about food and weather.

Makes one want to learn more....

1. Could you please identify the Italian place?

2. About living higher up than the Medellin valley floor.... What neighborhood is it that has the cooler air?

cccmedia

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@ccmedia
Not sure if this is the italian restaurant geoffbob refers to ,but i never miss this place when in Medellin.
I would stack it up against italian restaurants on Mulberry street in little italy,NYC.
El graspo de Uva,cl.9#43b-55.
In fact, with a nod to Bobfrozen,
this is authenic and not at all sterile.
His pasta dough is made on a table near his pizza oven,just like nona made it back in Penna.many long years ago.
Ps.she would recoil at the word pizza.
It is tomato pie!!!

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CCC & augie,

I'm in Laureles a block off Av. Nutibara. It's maybe a couple hundred feet up the hill from La 70. Plus my apt. is 7 floors up so it's open slider and windows all the time. the cool, clean breeze blows right in from the hills. Great sleeping weather.
The Italian joint isn't the same one as you mention augie but while we're on the subject I wrote it down and will be sure to check it out. My guy is located 1& 1/2 blocks up the hill from La Jugosa on 70. Café del Arte, Circular 5 #71-A5. Left hand side of the street. It's a hole in the wall; seats maybe 15 people. Il Forno is close by if you want to pay double for something half as good. At my spot I stick to the Aglio Olio, the bread, and he whips up terrific dessert cakes and cream filled pastries. Oofa.

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Yes I agree re laureles.stayed there my first visit to Colombia.a delightful area.
This trip will be Sabaneta,but will try your place for sure.
Do you know of pizza lena or some spelling close to that?
Supposed to be on the corner of the town square.a poster recommended it a while back.

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Augie. Didn't you win the Medal of Honor during World War II? LOL. Pizza de Lena is at Carrera 46 #72S-49 in Sabaneta. Open daily 2-10pm.

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Thanks for the info.
I tried to find it a few visits-years- ago.
Took forever and when i did it was not open.
For sure this time.

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Augie. I live so close but have never been there. Let me know how it compares to US pizza.

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There are two Pizza en Lena locations in Sabaneta. The first one is much smaller and is located at Carrera 46 #72S-49. The second one is larger and is located next to popular Parque Sabaneta. Go right from the church at the park. It's found in a food passageway to the right of the church where there are several restaurants. Both pizza joints are reportedly open from 2pm to 10pm but I've seen them open later than 2pm a few times.

Pizza en Lena is owned by a Dutch guy and it has very good thin-crust pizza cooked in a brick oven. It's arguably the best thin-crust pizza in Medellín.

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The subject of pollution has come up regularly in this forum. This was the most recent thread to discuss the matter. What struck me at the time was that so many forum members who know Medellin were unaware of the dangerous level of pollution.

I hope todays announcement of the emergency measure that have been taken with effect from today, may convince the public in general to take the matter seriously. Lives ARE at stake.

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It amazes me how often i see a vehicle waiting, especially the metro buses, with their engines running. Time for a culture change. Someone needs to run an educational campaign on TV.

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@fecherklyn - What do you mean "todays announcement of the emergency measure that have been taken with effect from today,..."? Could you elaborate a bit? Any reference links to the "today's announcement"? Thanks.

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Here's several links about the current air pollution in Medellín:

http://www.elcolombiano.com/antioquia/alerta-roja-por-contaminacion-en-medellin-JJ6193290

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikrVcbMC7Do

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With the arrival of cloudy, rainy season, Medellín has slowly become covered in a "fatal fog."

The city imposed a red-level alert on Wednesday (yesterday, March 23, 2017). The measures being imposed are expected to last until this Saturday.

The alert bans heavy transport during certain hours and forbids outdoor and physical activity by children at their schools.

Eight deaths a day are blamed on Medellín smog, six times the number of homicides on average.

Since 2005, the number of cars in the Paisa capital has doubled. The number of motorcycles is up 511 percent.

-- Colombia Reports website

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Poblado Expats,

What have you noticed about air pollution in Poblado this week?

cccmedia in La Zona Cafetera

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Very coincidentally early this morning as my Paisa wife and I are driving in down town Los Angeles, California we talked about the horrible pollution in MDE and that it would take a cultural shift of the Colombian minds and political will to change the dire situation.

Glad that our finca and apartment is outside the city.

I gave my wife the history of Los Angeles and the filthy smog conditions back in the 1950's to mid 1970's before all the laws and emissions were put into place.

So Colombia, especially Bogota and Medellin is looking at another few decades at the very least before any measurable changes will occur. It take money, equipment (catalytic converters, natural gas buses, electric vehicles, etc.) and more importantly the will and hearts of Colombians to change.

Even in our home 25 minutes outside Medellin, last November I paid 700,000 for an air purifier that I run all night in the bedroom. Makes a big difference at least at night.

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I am so pleased the authorities have FINALLY chosen to put their hands up and admit the pollution is (and has been for a long time) well into the danger level. I suffer from epoc and my wife from allergies that mean both of us have difficulties in breathing the Medellin air. For years now, we have felt amazed that people seem to prefer to wear rose-tinted glasses when the subject of pollution comes up......"What pollution?"

The temporary emergency measures only last until this coming Saturday, the chief of which is a "pico plata" reduction of 60% of the vehicles (Six of the 10 car plate numbers) on the roads between 07h00 and 19h00 daily.

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With this level of pollution, why is Medellin still being pushed by many magazines as a retirement city? In selecting a place to retire, a lot of factors can be considered subjective, pollution is not one of them. Pollution is just "bad".

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@fecherklyn - Still have NO idea what your stated "today's announcement" or "the authorities" or "temporary emergency measures" refer to.

What are the website links showing your source of information about the pollution issue and "temporary emergency measures"?

If pollution is that severe, why so many people, young and old, are still moving to live there and raving about Medellin?

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Doesn't Medellin also have issues with Mercury and water pollution on top of the smog?

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Expat 2016,

The answers to your first question(s) are contained in my "red alert" post from 14:44 EST today, above. The journalistic website Colombia Reports website was clearly marked as the source.

As for your final question about why people move to Medellín in spite of air pollution, I suspect it's because they don't take the issue as seriously as you, Fecher and I take it.

cccmedia in La Zona Cafetera

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Thank you cccmedia and WhoaNellie for the info.

If the air pollution is that severe to the danger level in Medellin all year around, and all over Medellin, I can't imagine North Americans will continue to move to live there, not even mentioning or complaining about it.

I spoke to a realtor about the pollution issue. He said it's not an issue. Well, maybe because he's realtor, conflict of interest?

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Naturally, Realtors could not make a commission while acknowledging that air pollution is a serious problem in Medellín. So they ignore the elephant in the room.

In Lima, Peru, a city with statistically high air pollution, the problem is not evenly spread out.

Air pollution levels are much lower right near the ocean than in industrialized sectors.

Perhaps, that type of phenomenon applies in Poblado and Medellín as well.

Who has data or experience that can shed light on the true air-pollution situation in Expats' favorite part of Medellín?

cccmedia in La Zona

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