Medellin vs Panama City

turnmeon says on Sep 25, 2008, 22:08:

you should travel to those two cities first and see it for yourself and then take a decision like that

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PBHjon says on Sep 25, 2008, 22:12:

Pledge, not speaking spanish will certainly make your year more difficult, but the people in Medellin are very patient and friendly. If you plan to live in Poblado, get used to American prices. It's not a cheap place to live by any stretch of the imagination.

I have never been to Panama City, but I agree with the recommendation to visit both places before making a decision. Personally I like a medellin a lot, it's a great city.

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pledge305 says on Sep 25, 2008, 22:17:

where would you say the best place to live in Medellin is ? like cost wise and safety wise...cbd ? i just wanna have fun ..teach and learn spanish ...pretty my only goals for that year..uhm...it should not be to hard though with out the Spanish to begin with ? like once I start learning it should be good ? ...

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pledge305 says on Sep 25, 2008, 22:19:

by the way ..are most girls only receptive to guys who speak Spanish or are they good with English speakers....I won't lie a big attraction to Colombia for me is the girls genuine girls that is ..I am by no means a monger

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turnmeon says on Sep 25, 2008, 22:21:

poblado is a gringo city in Medellin, so maybe it will be a good place for you, idk about prices, but im sure that 4'000.000 COP a month will be good enough, maybe a gringo friend living in poblado can esplain that better to you

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bickerss says on Sep 25, 2008, 22:25:

Panama city is more 24 / 7 and has a lot more to do then in Medellin, but also dirtier and not as friendly. Medellin is much cleaner and organised. Before the peso sunk I would have tipped Panama city as much cheaper to live in due to the USD but will have evened out more now. Panama is much easier to do business in and many places are set up to make it easier for foreigners.

If you like the beach then PC is much closer to nice beaches etc. I like both and have made a base in both but I would prefer to live in Med. PC is also much hotter.

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bickerss says on Sep 25, 2008, 22:30:

http://www.panamaforum.com/

someone also has a website like this on Medellin here; they may post it so you can have a look.

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pledge305 says on Sep 25, 2008, 23:09:

in what way ?? under a bridge..is this not enough money or because I do not speak Spanish

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turnmeon says on Sep 25, 2008, 23:12:

thats not true, 25k is good enough to live in Colombia a whole year and since you are expecting to work as a teacher it will make it last even longer, if you decide to coem to Colombia GL i wish the best for you?

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pledge305 says on Sep 25, 2008, 23:22:

cheers every one for the comments will take it all in

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PBHjon says on Sep 26, 2008, 00:36:

pledge, to answer your questions:

Without spanish, you won't have any severe problems, just small daily challenges such as getting around, asking for directions, etc. You will do just fine.

The girls tend to like gringos who look like gringos, if you have blond hair or look obviously like a gringo you will do just fine with the ladies.

You have more than enough money to live a year in either colombia or panama. but you really should check out both places before making a decision.

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monkeykilla says on Sep 26, 2008, 01:22:

dios mios medellin is becoming more gringo by the day. Pledge listen my brother. you need to know spanish here and living in poblado your going to spend about 1000-2000 per month. You are going to want to stay around the poblado area until you know spanish to venture further out of the city. About the girls, poblado girls are bitches and they know it. even though they understand some english they prefer to talk spanish. Also, it is hard to find a aprtment in medellin if you do not know anyone. Your best bet is to hook up with american living there. They will charge a lot, but its your only choice for the moment. Panama is awesome and more turist freindly. its practicly the same prices for living. BUt everything else is cheaper to buy in panama. Shit is exspensive here in poblado ( but not fast food) but hey its fun being young so stay 6 months in medellin and 6 months in panama! chao!

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PBHjon says on Sep 26, 2008, 02:18:

you dont need to rent an apartment, renting a room in an apartment is much cheaper and a perfectly good option.

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ozgringo says on Sep 26, 2008, 05:34:

I have lived in both cities, in Panama city for 2 years and Medellin for a total of about 1 year. There is no comparison really. Whilst Panama City is cheaper in most respects, in terms of the friendliness of the people (yes the girls are nice too), the climate and entertainment Medellin is streets ahead.

Without any Spanish you will find it difficult in Colombia, and Panama City.

tried to think of something deep to write here.. but couldn't think of anything..

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sloopskipper says on Sep 26, 2008, 06:01:

Survival in Panamá, without Spanish, is a real challenge.

Don't believe the hype "Spanish is our second language", or " . . . . and English is widely spoken" because it just ain't so. These are myths propagated from those who want to make a buck on you.

Getting a residency visa is not easy (unless you are willing to make a large financial investment) and a work permit is very difficult, partly because companies are generally forbidden to hire more than 10% non-Panamanians.

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davidslc46 says on Sep 26, 2008, 06:58:

There is no contest. Panama City is a dump, it's hot, it's humid, it's dirty, and costs about as much to live there as in the USA. Go spend a month and then take a trip to Medellin.

The only thing it has going for it is hype.

But that is just my experience,


David

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davidslc46 says on Sep 26, 2008, 07:01:

But you can buy a legitimate panamanian passport ( how can that be ) for about $18,000 USD

or a pensioners visa for about $1500.

So go figure.

What ever these do for you is nothing compared to the overhead associatted with living there.


David

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rocinante says on Sep 26, 2008, 07:02:

Panama vs Medellín? Ain't read the whole thread. Come to Medellín. Forget about exchange rate fluctuation crime and other crap. You are on vacation right? I think you will have a better time here. Parque Lleras awaits!

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Not that the US president actually runs the US." Feb 5, 2008

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quantum says on Sep 26, 2008, 07:59:

Its true Pledge. Panama City has evolved into an overhyped, overpriced dirty dump. I live in Panama, but gracias a dios not in the city. If u chose to live in Panama, outside of the city like me, your $25 g´s will go a lot farther. U get a lot of mileage out of $800-$1000 per month. I never spend more than that, and I have a 4Runner, a 10 acre farm with a new house and a small mortgage. Panama C. will cost u, and the place is mercenary, but outside of the city its another world, a much cheaper, friendlier, more pleasant world. But without question or hesitation, if its abundance of slim, trim, affecionate chicas that are calling you, dont waste your time in Panama. Go straight to Medellin or paisa country somewhere in a smaller city and just be prepared to spend more. Cuz Colombia is no longer a bargain. You will pay for the priviliege of being there. Roughly twice of what it costs to live here, (outside of the city) in Panama. Buena suerte amigo...........

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rocinante says on Sep 26, 2008, 08:23:

The guy is on vacation - what does he care about money? Don't tell him to go to Panama, come to Medellín and spend and help the economy.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Not that the US president actually runs the US." Feb 5, 2008

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pledge305 says on Sep 26, 2008, 09:08:

cheers I get the pic about panama C .....I guess I will just visit then....in terms of medellin all I have to ask on that now is ..are there any gringo sort of areas of cheaper areas than poblado where I will not accost trouble by being there .....etc *note ..does not speak Spanish so yea ...a some what english friendly area would be help full ..or maybe I'm better off going to Jamaica haha ..any thoughts

cheers guys

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ozgringo says on Sep 26, 2008, 09:30:

there are plenty of share rooms for rent in Poblado which will cut down on your expenses significantly, and you will probably be sharing an apartment with gringos who can set you straight with places to go and the best ways to get around.

tried to think of something deep to write here.. but couldn't think of anything..

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smalawer says on Sep 26, 2008, 13:12:

im working here in medellin through an organization (its called AIESEC) that hooks foreigners up with internships. im currently doing one for a foundation (thats just my thing) and am pursuing teaching english on the side. i lived in quito for a few months and i have to say the friendliness of people here is TEN FOLD what it is in quito and i feel much more comfortable here from the onset. also the spanish is easier to understand, but there arent many people you will meet who speak english. if you want to come to medellin i would be MORE than willing to help you by using my contacts through AIESEC. from what i understand i pay about 100 bucks per month in rent and live in laureles, which is a nice neighborhood. if you want to know more just shoot me an email at sydney.malawer at gmail.com.

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Chriscan says on Sep 26, 2008, 13:20:

Medellin is a much nicer city but sipite what many say, I think you would have a harder time in Medelln without spanish. Medellin has a much nicer downtown especially for walking. For me, it would be a very easy choice. I don't mind Panama and it is cool to visit but Medellin is a really well designed city. The climate is a thousand times better unles you don't mind sweating day and night.

************* WARNING ************* my words often come from my ass

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cdy says on Sep 27, 2008, 05:26:

I spend about 4 weeks a year in Panama City, have only been to Medellin once however.
I really like PC however it continues to get more congested, more polluted, and more expensive. Try finding a decent priced apartment in el Cangrejo neighborhood it is almost impossible.
I believe PC has more clubs and restaurant options, taxis are plentiful and cheap)as long as you don't get the gringo rate), The city is fairly safe except for a handful of areas. A decent beach is about an hour away on the Pacific,and in 2 hours you can be on a beach on the Atlantic side.
I find Panamanians to be very friendly, A little easier in PC than Medellin if you don't speak spanish.
And if you like Colombianas all you have to do is head down to Habanos, across form the Marriott, or the Veneto Casino, of course they are all working.
With all that said, I liked Medellin better, better climate, friendly people, better transportation, it seemed to me housing was much less expensive. PC has been overun with developers, did not get the same feel in Medellin, a lot less gringos, not as much english spoken(which to me is a good thing, makes me work on my spanish).

But I would recommend you visit both, the biggest drawback Medellin has for me is that I am a sailor, it is a hike to get to the coast if you wanted to keep a boat there, Also so much of any city is the friends you make, I have lots in PC and just know a couple of people in Medellin, but I found the Paisas very friendly so I figure it would not take long to develope a circle of friends.

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jay007 says on Nov 12, 2008, 20:48:

yea panama is a dump...just google images of the two..medellin seems alot better if you ask me

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