Colombia Expat Forum

Living at the Paisa Pace

Post New Topic

PM's Friends Profile

elpdiver

8/14/2019 13:40 EST

So I spent 3.5 weeks living in Medellin as a local might...just to see if it would/could work for me.

I often have commented that I am a low maintenance dude; but, wanted to put it to the test briefly.

My niece moved out of her apartment and moved in with her mama for the duration. We were living in Doce de Octubre as she lives. She is a Registered Nurse and works in Poblado and owns ( along with the bank) her own home.

Home is very basic and was purchased for 30 mm pesos. It consists of two rooms with a bathroom in between. There are precisely three lights in her whole third floor apartment, no heating and no a/c. There is a small stove/oven and no refrigerator and she uses her mother's kitchen below.

It is a third floor apt and the stairs are very narrow and flex a lot under the gringo's weight. The street is very steep and taxis cannot make the grade most of them.

I did enjoy my time there; but, if living there full time would have to gringoize it a small bit. She does own the rights to the roof and expansion so I could make do very well there.

She has no fan and I resisted temptation to purchase one as that would drive her electrical cost up after I left. It was very warm from noon to four in the afternoon. Evenings were very nice as the apartment catches a good breeze and sleeping under a blanket and open windows was very nice.

One thing that was a big surprize to me was the preternatural silence during the night. It was as if there was a huge sponge soaking up the sounds after eleven p.m. until the first busses started their regular grind around 7 a.m.

Yeah, I can be happy here I am sure. I would have to find more space to have a hobby or diversion and I am afforded "protection" under the aegis of my sister in law who is beloved locally and pays no vacunas.

More stories to follow

ELP

Post a Reply

00 Report abuse abuse

Expatriate Health Insurance Get a quote for expat health insurance in Colombia.	International Moving Quotes Moving to Colombia? Get a moving quote.
Mail Forwarding to Colombia Mail Forwarding to Colombia.	Expat Tax Expat Tax Preparation, Expat Tax Professionals

Join Today (free)

Join Expat Exchange to meet expats in your area or get advice before your move. It's FREE and takes 1 minute!

Expatriate Health Insurance

Get a quote for expat health insurance in Colombia from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
Get a Quote

An Expat Talks about Culture Shock & Living in Villavicencio, Colombia

An expat in Villavicencio, Colombia talks about culture shock in Colombia. His greatest challenge is that Colombians don't value time in the same way that Americans do.

An expat in Villavicencio, Colombia talks about culture shock in Colombia. His greatest challenge is that Colombians don't value time in the same way that Americans do....

10 Tips for Living in Colombia

Colombia is an up-and-coming expat destination. With it's low cost of living, and wonderful people, Colombia has a lot to offer.

Colombia is an up-and-coming expat destination. With it's low cost of living, and wonderful people, Colombia has a lot to offer. ...

Expat Colombia: 10 Tips for Living in Bogota

Expats offer advice for others considering a move to Bogota, Colombia. Topics include safety in Bogota, best neighborhoods for expats, international schools in Bogota and more.

Expats offer advice for others considering a move to Bogota, Colombia. Topics include safety in Bogota, best neighborhoods for expats, international schools in Bogota and more....

5 Tips For Living in Medellin, Colombia

Expats living in Medellin, Colombia report that there are safe places to live - and that the nightlife is fun, too. Read about how to live in Medellin - a city that has become quite a popular destination for expats.

8 Expats Share What It's Like Living in Colombia

Expats in Colombia talk about what it's really like living there - deciding where to live, the pros and cons and more.

Expats in Colombia talk about what it's really like living there - deciding where to live, the pros and cons and more....