Pros and Cons of Living in Medellin
Last updated on Jun 01, 2023
Summary: The pros of living in Medellin, Colombia include its temperate climate, its vibrant culture, its low cost of living, and its friendly people. The cons of living in Medellin include its high crime rate, its air pollution, and its limited public transportation options.
What are the pros and cons of living in Medellin?
Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Medellin responded:
"Expats and digital nomads living in Medellin often appreciate the city's vibrant culture, friendly locals, and affordable cost of living. They also enjoy the city's temperate climate, which allows them to enjoy outdoor activities year-round. Additionally, Medellin is known for its excellent public transportation system, making it easy to get around the city. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the city's high levels of air pollution and crime to be a downside," remarked one expat in Medellin.
"Like: The weather is awesome. Public transportation is excellent both locally and other cities. Domestic airfare is cheap as well. The Colombian people could be the nicest people anywhere. The city is really clean (coming from Boquete, Panama, that is so refreshing) and you can drink the water out of the tap. Utilities and wifi is modern and efficient. Appointments run on time, no "latin time" here but many businesses close 2 hours for lunch. The country itself is amazing from the Caribbean beaches to the Amazon in Leticia. The cost of living is very low. Even without insurance, doctor's and prescription medicine are very low cost. Don't Like: The pollution is bad. Sometimes it's worse than bad. There's pica-placa (cars can only be used in the city based on the last digit of your tag) but there's so much traffic, it has no effect. With all the great things Medellin has to offer, it's pollution that is causing us to move. ," explained one expat living in Medellin.
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About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
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