Job Discussion Forums

handog44 · Joined: 07 Nov 2012 Posts: 4

Wow, its been a while since somebody posted in this forum...so I figured I would get things going.

Regarding the city of Medellin, where I am moving about a month and a half....what are some good neighborhoods for a relatively broke english teach to live in? From what I've read Laureles/Estadio seems like a safe neighborhood yet not as expensive as Poblado. Are there other areas like this? I'm hoping to live in a place where I feel safe at night, yet still pay around 200,000 - 350,000 COP /month for a room in an an apratment (hopefully with some outdoor space).

Also I was hoping to eventually find an apartment to live in with other young people like myself (20s)...what is the best way to find this dream apartment, and what neighborhoods should I look at?

Finally, does anyone have any insight on the soccer scene in Medellin. I've lived abroad before, and playing in a nightly pick up game of street soccer was my best way of making local friends. Anyone know of any good games are fields where finding consistent game is possible?

Thanks so much for any help!!!

spanglish · Joined: 21 May 2009 Posts: 570 Location: working on that

I think you have the right idea with the neighborhoods. I walked through Laureles one time when I was visiting the UPB university in Medellin and it looked like a nice, calm, middle-class neighborhood. I don't know what the crime situation there is like now, so you'll have to ask around once you hit the ground in Medellin.

Compartoapto.com was fairly helpful for me in Bogota. You could also check out couchsurfing posts to see if people are renting on there. The bonus of that is you might have a slightly better idea of what you'd be getting yourself into.

If you're sharing with a few other people, I think you'll be able to get what you want within your budget. One word of warning: I don't recommend anybody who's broke to show up in Colombia. I would advise you to postpone moving to Colombia a year in order to save up money and work in the US. You'll still be able to live on a budget.

I don't know anything about soccer in Medellin, but am sure you'll find plenty of opportunities once you get there.