Experience in Medellin

What is it like to live in Medellin? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Living in Medellin is quite different compared on how young people live in other cities. As I see it, living in other cities tend to be sometimes a little bit lonely. However, in Medellin you’ll never be lonesome.
Is quite easy to make new friends; “Paisas”, (that’s how people from Medellin are called), are very friendly and we love to meet new people from abroad. We tend to always ask new visitors the same question: And what do you think about Medellin? So if you are thinking of visiting Medellin, try not to be annoyed, because almost everyone will make you this same question. Probably because we are very proud of our city so we love to hear nice comments about it.

I definitely recommend visiting Medellin any time of the year. I don’t know if you have heard of it but, our city is called the city of eternal spring. So, if you’re visiting, you’ll enjoy a great weather all year long.

What is the student lifestyle like in Medellin?

Student life style would definitely depend on the university and on the student.
Universities such as Eafit and la Escuela de Ingenieros, will keep the student occupied with their studies and with other social activities as well.
No matter if you are a student from an undergraduate program or from a postgraduate program, you’ll always have a nice place to go. Whether you go out for a drink, a dinner or a party you’ll always see on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night, young people hanging out. On football days we tend to gather together and enjoy seeing the match in a bar with a cold beer or in a friend’s house with a nice BBQ.

Here in Medellin young paisas still live with their parents until they get married or they are self-supporting. So probably if you came here as a student you’ll have to live with a paisa family that rents you a room, live with another student from abroad or live alone.

How much does it cost to live in Medellin?

Living here in Medellin is really cheap compared to other cities. However, you could make it as cheap or as expensive as you want.
For example renting a single studio of 70 square meters in El Poblado which is one of the best sectors in the city, could cost you around 500 -600 dollars a month without including extra expenses such as gas and electricity bills (Those go on your own).
Groceries also depends on your diet and on the super markets you visits. They are great places with very affordable prices such as D-1, Euro or Justo y Bueno.
On the other hand, having dinner in a nice restaurant in Vía Primavera for two people could cost you around 35-70 dollars (Including two main plates and two cocktails), and for bars and discos you’ll have to pay in some of them the entrance which costs around 10 dollars and once you’re inside you’ll have to pay a minimum of consumption. This will depend on the place you visit but, on one night you’ll probably could spend around 60-100 dollars.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Medellin? Is there any advice you can give?

It’s really easy to find accommodations in Medellin. They are plenty of apartments available in the different sectors of the city.
My recommendations will be:
- If the student is going to Eafit University which is located in Las Vegas Avenue, try to find an apartment in El Poblado. My suggestion is to look for an apartment near to Oviedo Shopping center, las Vegas Avenue or El Poblado Avenue or the coolest place for students which is Lleras Park or Castropol. Try to avoid places such la Calera or Los Gonzalez Hill, they are very expensive and have long hills where transportation could be an issue.
- If the student is going to La Escuela de Ingenieros which is located in Las Palmas next to the road toll and very close to Indiana Mall. My suggestion is to search for a place located in La Transversal Superior or San Lucas, the access for transportation is better to get to the university. However, this zones are very expensive.
- If the student is going to Bolivariana University which is located in Laureles, my suggestion is to find a place in this same zone and avoid el Poblado, Envigado or Sabaneta which are very far from the university.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

In Medellin you could find a variety of dishes, from Italian food to Asian food. Or most common dish here in Medellin we’ll be La Bandeja Paisa. Most of paisas love this dish and they eat in once a week, almost every Thursday or Saturday, is like a cultural thing. In my opinion I don’t like it, actually I don’t eat it at all because is very heavy and seasoned.

I’m more of a healthy wave. I prefer healthier food without gluten and added sugar. Most of the restaurants offers salads and healthy entrances so it’s easy to settle in a lot of restaurants.

What places would you recommend visiting in Medellin?

Plaza Museo Botero
Parque Arvi
Parque Lleras
Via Primavera
El Tesoro Shopping center
Santa Fe Shopping Center
Oviedo Shopping Center
Mam Museum
Ciudad del Rio
Parque Explora
Jardín Botanico
Mercados del Rio
Plaza Paquita
Guatapé y Piedra del Peñol

Is it good to eat out in Medellin? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

I love to eat out in Medellín and I recommend it a 100%

My recommendations for visiting are:

- Il Cielo
- Il Castello
- La serenisima
- Romero
- La Causa
- El Correo
- Verdeo
- Amazza
- Sushi Train
- Crepes & Waffles
- Il Forno
- Fire House
- Chef Burguer
- Amarillo Chocolate
- Clandestino
- Mundo Verde
- Pergamino Café
- Juan Valdés

Is the nightlife good in Medellin? Where is good to go?

There are nice bar to visit and they are always full of Young people.
My favorite places are:

Discos for Dancing:
- Bolivar
- Mala Yerba

Bars:
- Panorama
- 57 park
- Burdo

What advice would you give future students heading to Medellin?

Bring nice clothes and leave the back pack at home. We identify very easy Europeans or Americans, because they all lean towards wearing shorts with long socks, a pair of sneakers and a big back pack like if they were going to camp in the streets. Paisas, really like to dress up very well when they hang out with friends, especially women which are very vain.

And most important of all advices please do not talk or ask about Pablo Escobar. We are not proud of that man! He inflicted suffering and instill fear to our country and we fell very humiliated when people recognize us for him.