Colombia Forum

jooks
Joined 2019
Posts: 293

5 years ago

Newbie apartment hunting in Medellin

5 years ago

I'm in Medellin for 4 days. I should have planned a longer trip. The primary purpose of the trip was to find a more permanent apartment (with a 6 months or so lease) for my move in late April or May. My hope was to make a decision in those 6 months about where in Medellin or Colombia that I want to make a more permanent residence. However, I realize that all my trips here as a tourist did not prepare me very well for this endeavor

My lack of Spanish is a real problem. It's not for lack of trying to learn and it's not that I don't speak any Spanish, but it's not good enough to have more than a broken conversation. I feel I will need at least a few months in Colombia before I can carry on any conversation. And for that reason, I believe I would be better off living initially in an area that is more accommodating to someone with my lack of language skills.

As a result, a change of plans. I am now looking for an apartment to rent for a month. 4 days is not enough time to research properly. I have a paisa helping, a former exchange student in the US. She is not an expert in real estate but is smart and savvy and inexpensive. I'm lucky to have found her.

Here's my problem and where I could use some advice. My initial thought for a month's stay is/was Laureles. I'm staying in an airbnb there now off Carrera 70. I asked the owner (an American) how much she wanted for a month - $2m COP. This is well beyond my permanent budget, but I'm willing to pay more until I get acclimated. However, I think I can do a lot better for the money for what I'm getting. I'm definitely not going to take this place because of the noise outside. Restaurants blast music until midnight and the sound carries.

I also never noticed just how touristy Laureles is. It reminds me of Poblado, just a notch less touristy. Perhaps I'm in the wrong area... 5 blocks from Estacion Estadio.

Anyway, sorry to belabor this. It's my long-winded way of asking if anyone can suggest an area to look at it that is near transportation and shopping and somewhat English-friendly for under $2m? This would be for a month - I would use the month to look for something more within my budget.

As an aside, I'm having doubts about Medellin because of the pollution. The alert is over but it's still horrible. I was told that it's only this bad at this time of year, but still, it gives me pause. And I grew up in the NYC area - I don't remember it ever being this bad.

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