15 Pros & Cons Of Living In Medellín As A Digital Nomad

I lived in Medellín for 6 months this year and had an amazing time but even our favourite cities have their pros and cons. Let me know if you have any to add in the comments.
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CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:16 Pro #1: Visa Length
0:54 Con #1: Making Friends With Other DNs
1:40 Pro #2: Transportation
2:21 Con #2: Safety Concerns
6:24 Pro #3: Social Scene
6:45 Con #3: Food
8:12 Pro #4: Cost of Living
8:55 Con #4: Noise Pollution
9:21 Pro #5: Weather
10:35 Con #5: Poor Air Quality
11:13 Pro #6: Friendly Locals
11:44 Pro #7: EST
11:53 Pro #8: Learn Spanish Easily
12:40 Pro #9: Aesthetically Beautiful
12:53 Pro #10: Weekend Trip Opportunitites

Пікірлер: 108

  • @theultimaterelaxationqueen7591
    @theultimaterelaxationqueen759121 күн бұрын

    Great vid! Stayed in Cali for 3 months last year and loved it.

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    21 күн бұрын

    Awesome! Will have to spend some time in Cali next time I’m in colombia

  • @sylvieanddanny
    @sylvieanddanny2 ай бұрын

    Thank you for this 🥰 We will be coming in two months, super excited!!

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    2 ай бұрын

    Hope you have a great time!

  • @SenorJuan2023

    @SenorJuan2023

    2 ай бұрын

    @@isabellerdgz How did you learn Spanish?

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    2 ай бұрын

    @@SenorJuan2023 my mom’s Venezuelan so she spoke to me in Spanish. I was born in Canada so I learned English at school.

  • @jhoangarcia6158
    @jhoangarcia6158Ай бұрын

    You nailed it very well. Another thing to say is that, even being a foreigner or a Colombian from another side of the country to really befriend a Paisa is very difficult; I mean, they will always treat you good and they would be friendlier than in other places of Colombia but at the end it is very difficult if you are from another region.

  • @JoshuaPalmerTV
    @JoshuaPalmerTV3 ай бұрын

    Great video 👍🏾

  • @linnyearl9944
    @linnyearl99444 ай бұрын

    Fantastic content! 👏🏽

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    4 ай бұрын

    Thank you :)

  • @chuey1313
    @chuey13134 ай бұрын

    ❤Excellent work. Peace❤

  • @stayambitious
    @stayambitious2 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the informative video! How did you go about finding the shared interest groups?

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks for watching :) There are all these whatsapp groups for Medellin which made it easy - mdecommunity.com/communities/

  • @DBM1234-d1f
    @DBM1234-d1f4 ай бұрын

    WELCOME TO MEDELLIN In February 2024, the EVM AWARDS chose Medellin as the best destination in the country. 🎉On March 17, TIME magazine included Medellin among the 50 best destinations in the world in 2023. And in January THE NEW YORK TIMES also included Medellin among the 50 best destinations in the world in 2023. In addition, TIMEOUT declared the LURELES neighborhood in Medellín the coolest in the world in 2023. NOMADLIST also listed Medellin as the second preferred Latin American destination for digital nomads in 2023. ❤ Medellin is the #1 city in quality of life in Colombia, it has already surpassed Cartagena in international tourists, also Medellin is an intelligent tourist destination and is a special district of science, technology and innovation.

  • @zoecheng2756
    @zoecheng27562 ай бұрын

    Great video, thanks

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks for watching Zoe :)

  • @jeffreypullis696
    @jeffreypullis6963 ай бұрын

    Whats the place called? The last one you talked about!

  • @letsgopops
    @letsgopops21 күн бұрын

    Glad I found your video. It was perfect. I am ready to leave the states and want to live permanently. Just got back to the states of a week in Guadalajara Mexico and loved it but I’m ready to go to Medellin and stay 6 months. If I want to stay and live there can I do the correct visa and residency during my 6 months?

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    21 күн бұрын

    That’s exciting! You’ll get 3 months upon arrival and you can extend an extra 3 months - I don’t remember how much this was but I remember it was inexpensive. There are a few options for residency but easiest thing would be to get a 3 year digital nomad visa - income requirement is pretty low you can Google to find the most up to date number.

  • @letsgopops

    @letsgopops

    21 күн бұрын

    @isabellerdgz thank you sooo much. I live on social security disability of $1500 a month. Would I be able to use that type of visa?

  • @miltonmartinez2738
    @miltonmartinez27384 ай бұрын

    I have to say. This is a great video, you are telling the truth!!!

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    4 ай бұрын

    Thank you Milton!

  • @KB-sg7tv
    @KB-sg7tv4 ай бұрын

    You touched on some important safety points. 1) No cell phone out in public, especially iPhones 2) No gold jewelry of any sort 3) No speaking loudly in English. These are the three things that I tell people are of utmost importance when visiting. (And of course, not meeting people on Tinder or getting too drunk)

  • @alfonsoparrado3112
    @alfonsoparrado3112Ай бұрын

    Hi, are there gluten free products like pizzas or bread at supermarkets? Or can you even find gluten free products in mcdonalds there? And what other area were you living at? It seems the only safe areas if you're a white 6'4 guy like me that will stand out no matter what I'm doing, are el poblado and laureles. Is there another safe area?

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    Ай бұрын

    Hi, you won’t find gluten free products everywhere but your best bet would be Carulla. I have no idea about McDonald’s but why go to McDonald’s when you’re in colombia haha. A lot of Colombian food is gluten free anyway since it’s corn-based. I lived in Floresta. It’s safer for me because I speak Spanish but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it to someone who doesn’t. I wouldn’t call el poblado a “safe area” if anything that’s where I’m most on guard. Thieves know the foreigners are in el poblado so that’s where they go. They have no reason to think I have anything worth stealing when I’m in the more middle class neighbourhoods. But again, if you don’t speak Spanish, you don’t have options.

  • @alfonsoparrado3112

    @alfonsoparrado3112

    Ай бұрын

    @isabellerdgz hablo perfecto español, soy de españa. Lo unico que bueno se me nota el acento de fuera. El poblado no me gusta por eso precisamente, que te parece laureles? He visto pisos buenos por ahi. Lo que necesito es un sitio con calma do de pueda teabajar y gimnasios cerca para entrenar y correr. La naturaleza y los parques creo que son peligrosos todos no? O hay alguna excepcion? Y sobrs el gluten, estoy mas tranquilo ahora que se que hay muchas cosas de maiz, pero si estan procesadas pueden estar contaminadas de gluten, pero si lo cocino yo espero que este bien!

  • @SG97323
    @SG973234 ай бұрын

    What do you do for work?

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    4 ай бұрын

    Account Management (SaaS)

  • @jeffreypullis696
    @jeffreypullis6963 ай бұрын

    Sundays walk around! Some stores are closed!

  • @karlyrodriguez7835
    @karlyrodriguez78355 ай бұрын

    Excellent in-depth review and comparison of the cons and pros of Medellin! Very helpful for anyone wanting to visit or live there 👍👍

  • @jr7739
    @jr77394 ай бұрын

    hi nice video n thanks for the info. how can a tourist be safe if he decides to go clubbing at calle 70 n he's out till 2/3 am? what is safest way to get back to his hotel or airbnb?

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    4 ай бұрын

    La 70 itself will be very busy but you don't want to be walking around surrounding streets alone because they'll be quite lonely. Uber is reliable in Medellín. Hope you have a good time :)

  • @sylvieanddanny
    @sylvieanddanny2 ай бұрын

    Any tips/groups, etc, for meeting other women digital nomads?

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    2 ай бұрын

    There's a whatsapp group for women in Medellín. You need to submit a quick form so they can try to filter men out - mdecommunity.typeform.com/mdemujeres There are a ton of other interest-based groups as well you can join. All on this link - mdecommunity.com/communities/

  • @sylvieanddanny

    @sylvieanddanny

    2 ай бұрын

    @@isabellerdgz Thank you! I will join (Sylvie) once I am in Medellin 🥰

  • @kevinexperiences
    @kevinexperiences5 ай бұрын

    I’m also from Toronto and will be heading to Medellin at the end of March. Would be great to connect and get some more advice, is IG the best place to reach you?

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    5 ай бұрын

    For sure, message me on IG :) Hope you have a good time!

  • @doctorflynn5124

    @doctorflynn5124

    Ай бұрын

    how was your experience?

  • @QuinnPrice
    @QuinnPrice4 ай бұрын

    I loved Medellin. My local friends told me to take extra care when dating, know the neighborhoods, and avoid things that invite opportunist crimes. Your read is right on.

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    4 ай бұрын

    I'm glad you had a great time :)

  • @jeffreypullis696
    @jeffreypullis6963 ай бұрын

    Weather!

  • @jeffreypullis696
    @jeffreypullis6963 ай бұрын

    Go to Parque Arvi!

  • @jeffreypullis696
    @jeffreypullis6963 ай бұрын

    Coffee!

  • @fredsands9220
    @fredsands92205 ай бұрын

    You are a super presenter, wish you'd put out more content. Excellent video and thanks. :-)

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    5 ай бұрын

    Thank you Fred, more to come :)

  • @jeffreypullis696
    @jeffreypullis6963 ай бұрын

    You seem educated!

  • @jeffreypullis696
    @jeffreypullis6963 ай бұрын

    Cost of living!

  • @jeffreypullis696
    @jeffreypullis6963 ай бұрын

    Social groups!

  • @jeffreypullis696
    @jeffreypullis6963 ай бұрын

    Fried!

  • @jeffreypullis696
    @jeffreypullis6963 ай бұрын

    Pereira!

  • @jeffreypullis696
    @jeffreypullis6963 ай бұрын

    Paisa

  • @user-pg3hg6ox6o
    @user-pg3hg6ox6o5 ай бұрын

    There was no need to call people you've never interacted with creepy. People all over the world have different interests in things. Just because they don't do what you think is ideal for a tourist doesn't make them creepy in your book. So should we say the same thing about some Colombian women who currently reside in the United States and choose the lifestyle of prostitution? Talk about your experience as woman in Colombia instead of making judgement.

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    5 ай бұрын

    Sexpats are objectively creepy

  • @user-pg3hg6ox6o

    @user-pg3hg6ox6o

    5 ай бұрын

    @@isabellerdgz I agree. You're one of them sexpat trying to leverage your dollar and citizenship to these poor Colombians.😭 I know You couldn't get them pretty boys in the US 😀

  • @user-pg3hg6ox6o

    @user-pg3hg6ox6o

    5 ай бұрын

    @@isabellerdgz you are no different from creepy sexpats. You went there because you were frustrated with the fact that men in the United States were pumping and dumping you. You're leveraging your dollar and your citizenship to these poor Colombians. You only deal with locals because they are unaware of your manipulative ways that Western men can't stand. Don't be mad at the western bros for not paying you attention.😭

  • @user-pg3hg6ox6o

    @user-pg3hg6ox6o

    4 ай бұрын

    @@isabellerdgz You're no different from creepy sexpats.

  • @jrr417

    @jrr417

    4 ай бұрын

    As a Colombian I can say that there are a lot of weird gringos, believe me you can tell when someone comes just for sex tourism.

  • @unrealenginedevplus
    @unrealenginedevplus3 ай бұрын

    Still crime rate increased in 2023 and Do you feel 100% comfortable while going outside? Can you go out of home at night as a female? please guide me I am so scared.

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    3 ай бұрын

    No, I don't feel comfortable walking around alone at night as a woman but I still felt right at home and loved it. Definitely a trade-off but Ubers are cheap and make it easy to get around at night so it's not a big problem.

  • @unrealenginedevplus

    @unrealenginedevplus

    3 ай бұрын

    @@isabellerdgz Yes. Crime rate also shows that and you must care and you are already doing that. Although, I love to see starts at night, walk at night with great weather I like the most. Because of limitations, Sounds fair to keep yourself at home. I am thinking 2 options and I have my own Tucson SUV so I am thinking to go with it by road. Other option as you are doing. I am still analysing things, situations and environments. I hope that you will continue my support to sharing your experience through these videos.

  • @marlowbosville4454
    @marlowbosville44543 ай бұрын

    Promo>SM 😈

  • @jeffreypullis696
    @jeffreypullis6963 ай бұрын

    Guatape!

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    3 ай бұрын

    beautiful!

  • @FilipinoGordito
    @FilipinoGordito4 ай бұрын

    I’m about to go to Medellín in a few months, and while I think I would easily blend with the locals as I’m not white, I still would like to take precautions. Medellín seems to have the vibe of Manila where I lived most of my life, so I think I have an idea of how it is over there, but it’s still a good idea to be careful. I speak very little Spanish, so I think me not being able to communicate using the language would give me away.

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    4 ай бұрын

    A lot of locals are white so it doesn't really come down to race. They'll still be able to tell you're not from there. If you grew up and lived in Manila though, I'm sure you're street smart and know what it means to be careful out there. Take the same precautions and I hope you have a good time in Medellín!

  • @mrbeeko7372
    @mrbeeko73724 ай бұрын

    I love your channel! But I'm planning to visit Colombia but i never been there

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    4 ай бұрын

    Thank you! Hope you have a good time when you visit :)

  • @crvd1918
    @crvd19185 ай бұрын

    I agree with most of what you've said. However, I've discovered several hamburger joints with excellent burgers and outstanding Mexican cuisine; I even visited a place with a Mexican chef. There's a variety of international restaurants boasting 5-star chefs. The sushi, though, definitely doesn't measure up. Also, regarding your point about the sexpats/creeps, you don't think hookers are objectively creepy, or does this only apply to men?

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    5 ай бұрын

    You can definitely find some gems with a little bit of time :) I didn't really find them creepy since they didn't approach me as a woman. Felt sorry for them more than anything - looks like a lot of minors in difficult situations :(

  • @jeffreypullis696
    @jeffreypullis6963 ай бұрын

    Soccer!

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    3 ай бұрын

    Fútbol!

  • @MrJoseTiger
    @MrJoseTiger4 ай бұрын

    700 FOR APARTMENT IN MEDDIOLIN IS TO MUCH.

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    4 ай бұрын

    It was $550 last year and actually all the way up to $850 now 😳

  • @MrJoseTiger

    @MrJoseTiger

    4 ай бұрын

    @@isabellerdgz ARE you paying airbnb or have an apartment like the locals?

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    4 ай бұрын

    @@MrJoseTiger I used airbnb - it was great because it covered utilities and everything. It's definitely cheaper off of airbnb but for me, it's worth paying the premium for the protection from the platform.

  • @Sk-qp7ql

    @Sk-qp7ql

    4 ай бұрын

    You can't even spell "Medellín" correctly and are saying $700 is too much. That's literally old news; the prices have gone up a long time ago.

  • @miltonmartinez2738

    @miltonmartinez2738

    4 ай бұрын

    What a cry baby. Do you want it for free instead??

  • @porquee
    @porquee5 ай бұрын

    I wanna go to bucaramanga cause it seems to have the most plants and parks, also don't wanna be viewed as a creepy guy living in medallin

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    5 ай бұрын

    I've been to another part of Santander but not Bucaramanga yet. I've heard it's called the city of parks so that sounds right. Let me know how you like it! Might check it out next time I'm in Colombia :)

  • @porquee

    @porquee

    5 ай бұрын

    @@isabellerdgz filling out my passport hopefully going for a weekend this spring to see if it's for me

  • @samlyons3552
    @samlyons35523 ай бұрын

    most Latin American counties I have been to are littered with single mothers. ( never been to Colombia ). What man wants to fish from these ponds ?

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    3 ай бұрын

    Men who aren't thinking with their heads haha

  • @vigalantyleyba
    @vigalantyleyba3 ай бұрын

    3:40 Honey…… I don’t wear fake Jews or fake designer Watches

  • @jeffreypullis696
    @jeffreypullis6963 ай бұрын

    Im a guy, but im not creepy! But, I do like the women!

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    3 ай бұрын

    They're beautiful

  • @rogeralexander1539
    @rogeralexander15392 ай бұрын

    What I’m getting at is if I don’t go to Medellin to chase women, I’ll be okay.

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    2 ай бұрын

    pretty much haha. Still, be safe at night, alone, etc. - common sense and you'll be fine :)

  • @moricantos
    @moricantos4 ай бұрын

    its really fascinating watching all these videos about safety in Colombia and other developing countries where Western people who would never, ever imply someone was "asking for it" do exactly that, saying simply being out of the house at a certain time of day or with a phone thats not old is foolish and the real reason they got into trouble. Its like the rules only apply outside of America/the west

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    4 ай бұрын

    Walking around alone at night wouldn't be recommended either in a lot of cities in the US. At least not for women.

  • @zhaoxiaomin8387
    @zhaoxiaomin83875 ай бұрын

    You come off as judgemental, let me correct you. Not all guys are the same like not all women are the same. Its normally creepy OLD guys you notice.

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    5 ай бұрын

    Of course not all guys are the same but I did notice a higher level of creepy nomads in Medellín compared to other cities and they weren't old.

  • @briandempsey3157
    @briandempsey31574 ай бұрын

    You are very sweet, intelligent & well spoken. Thanks for your perspective. I'm looking to go soon for the 1st time. Sorry for the idiot guys that can't control themselves & are incapable of behaving like gentlemen.

  • @isabellerdgz

    @isabellerdgz

    4 ай бұрын

    Thank you Brian. Hope you have a good time in Medellin :)

  • @RexRecon
    @RexRecon5 ай бұрын

    Thank you for sharing this information