Medellin

daver says on Jul 25, 2004, 09:10:

Just a word of advice about proximity to the city centre... You should be more concerened about the neighbourhood you are living in. Nothing is too far from the city centre, and a lof of the nicer things in Medellin (nightlife, malls, restaurants, places of culture etc.. are not right downtown).

Cabs are cheap and plentiful if you ever need to get anywhere.

Just do lots and lots of research before you go,

Dave

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ColombiaBoard says on Jul 25, 2004, 10:06:

Living in Medellin If you want to live in the downtown area then look for apartments east of La Oriental Avenue and between La Playa and Argentina Avenues, that´s the only area in the downtown that I´d recommend for you. An average rental apt. (one or two bedroom) in the downtown area is between 200 and 300 dollars.
As Daver rightfully says you can live in other areas and use public transportation, the Metro is very efficient and has four or five stations in the downtown area. Other good areas with low rental prices and close to the metro stations are:
Estadio
Suramericana
Floresta

Most people recommend El Poblado for foreigners but that´s the most expensiver area, rentals there are very expensive plus there´s no Metro, only buses or taxis.

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Hunter says on Jul 25, 2004, 10:45:

El Poblado has two Metro stops, one buy the polytenic opposite Exito and the the other is by Oviedo next to the University. El Poblado is quite big, to walk from North to South is a good hour and from East to West uphill will take you about 45 mins. The two metro are located at the bottom of the valley, next to the river. Taxis are cheap and buses very cheap, 900 pesos takes you about a third of the way through the City.

mariaencolombia, probably doesn't know Medellin and downtown she probaly means El Poblado, here are some El Poblado prices for you, that I posted elsewhere:

There should be little problem getting an apt unfurnished, there are less furnished apts available, but you will probably find something. You might have to pay a larger deposit or several months rent up front though. Cost unfurnished for a good quality 1-2 bedroom 500,000 pesos to 1,000,000 pesos add approx 40% on for a furnished apts. Wide varation because El Poblado is a big place and some neighbourhoods are far more expensive than others and depending on how good an apartment you want.

Services depends on how much water/electric that you use 100,000 pesos plus.

Hunter

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vladimiro says on Jul 25, 2004, 18:47:

Laureles is near el centro and is a very nice barrio Laureles is comparable to El Poblado and its right next to El Centro. The apartments are actually slightly more expensive than El Poblado, around 750,000 - 850,000 pesos (

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bjorn says on Jul 26, 2004, 01:54:

don't waste your money in Poblado I agree with colombiaBoard that you should forget the common advice about living in Poblado. In addition to high rental cost, Poblado is also strata 5 or 6, meaning that services (gas, water, electricuty) also is more expensive

I agree that
Estadio
Suramericana
Floresta
Laureles
is good places to live

Robledo is also a nice place

In these place you should live in a strata 3 or 4 area. Do not belive all this nonsense that living in a strata 3 area is to dangerous.
There are of course less than safe strata 3 areas, but also areas which is reasonable safe (like all the place above)

For some reason people living in Poblado seem to think that everywhere north of Poblado, close to the center, is just to dangerous. Not true!

Bjorn

(which lived in Robledo and Floresta/Santa Lucia for a year)

Bjorn

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jamy says on Jul 26, 2004, 05:55:

Working in Medellin I'm new on this site, could anyone tell me if it's possible to find a work as IT consultant?
I plan to go to live in Medellin but i'm afraid it will be difficult to find a well paid job in my domain.
Does anyone has suggestions about moving to Medellin?
What should be an average salary to live correctly?

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kikolina0920 says on Jul 26, 2004, 14:04:

Laureles is very central, while very nice, upper middle-class neighborhood, close to everything. It is more expensive than a lot of the other neighborhoods, but well worth the money. Santa Teresita, or La Castellana, are very close to major avenues, such as La Avenida Jardin, La 33, y La Avenida Nutibara....check out elcolombiano.com and look in the classifieds section for apartment rentals....good luck!

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jmmyers says on Jul 28, 2004, 07:10:

medellin Does anyone have a map of medellin or the location of one on the internet? I am having trouble locating one other than a big generic verison.

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daver says on Jul 28, 2004, 09:41:

I was never able to find a map of Medellin on the internet. I could not even find a map while I was in Medellin. They don't sell them in stores like I'm used to.

The only one I saw was on the wall of my fiancees fathers business, and he wouldn't tell me where he got it.

When the American special forces were in Medellin in the early 90s, they made their own map using pieced together satellite photos of the city, as this was the only thing they could rely on.

I also found that you have to tell cabs how to get where you are going... I think people in Medellin just learn their city and have no use for maps... It adds to the experience of Medellin, but it did drive me a little nuts as I love to look at maps and get the lay of the land.

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utopiacowboy says on Jul 28, 2004, 09:59:

For the most part the streets (calles y carreras) are laid out numerically which reduces the need for maps. I myself wondered how they managed to figure out where they were going until my wife pointed this out to me.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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daver says on Jul 28, 2004, 10:25:

The streets are laid out numerically, but try to find the street signs! They are summer signs. (Some-er here, Some-er there, Some-er nowhere). Without a map, you can follow the street numbers, but you're a little like a hamster in a maze trying to find the cheese. Once you found your way, you just have to remember how you got there.

Just a question for the other North Americans who went to Medellin... What did you think of the traffic circles? (Roundabouts?). My God, Colombian's are a brave lot! I (always in a passeger seat) honestly had to close my eyes when going through these. My fiancee would laugh so hard she had tears in her eyes. I think you are supposed to go in circles until you have a clear path, but in Colombia, you just go (NO EXCEPTIONS!!)

My other favorite was at red lights. You'd be 6th in line, with 20 cars behind you, and not a half a second after the light turns green, everyone is honking!

I guess the saying goes "when in Rome, do as the Romans do"... so, "when in Medellin, let the Colombians do the driving...".

I hope I don't sound to critical... I can't wait to go back.

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utopiacowboy says on Jul 28, 2004, 12:06:

The street signs are usually on the sides of the buildings on the corner. You do have to look for them. Traffic circles? Plenty of them in New England with a similar sort of maniacal driving style.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Canadian Ice Cream says on Jul 28, 2004, 12:19:

Traffic In Colombia Hey Daver

I agree with you on the trafic in Medellin, and the While in Rome statement. I was there for 6 weeks and after 2 weeks ventured forth to attempt driving. Like you mi novia was having a good time as I was navigating throught trafic and I admit at first I was scared but then I realised that there is some sort basic etiquette for traffic flow. Horns are a language onto themselves and generally I found if you made your intent known (signal, horn beep, hand out the window) you were allowed into the traffic flow. The round points they were and still are a bit of a mystery to me and why I did not see more accidents in them. I am not how but even they were survivable...All I know is I am back in Canada for now and what we view as traffic problems are nothing to what they could be.... and I sure do miss Colombia!! Hasta luego
Ice

Ice

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pablo says on Jul 28, 2004, 12:59:

Medellin Info Here is an informative web site in Spanish on Medellin which includes maps.

http://alcaldia.medellin.gov.co

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Hunter says on Jul 28, 2004, 17:15:

Maps.... I have several good maps, I will see about getting one of them scanned and maybe Peter can put it somewhere here on the poor but happy website.

I got my maps from the hotel that I stayed in on my first trip to Medellin, I don't know where they get them from, but I have noticed them in many offices as well.

Hunter

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Adryinmedellin says on Jul 28, 2004, 18:00:

Rooms for Rent in Florida Nueva-Laureles I am a bi-lingual artistic native of Medellin with 2 rooms available in my laid-back 4th floor apartment in a nice and convenient neighborhood. Close to cafes, shops, transportation (10 minutes from the "Estadio" Metro Station). Rooms are good-sized, have large windows and nice views, basic furnishings, washer, one bathroom, use of kitchen. Rentals are weekly or monthly. I am also available for tours of Medellin and outer areas. Perfect for academics, students, cultural tourists. Reasonable rates, write for more information: adebedout at v3mail.com

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ShazCas says on Jul 31, 2004, 03:45:

Roundabouts It's a mystery to me how North Americans drive without roundabouts! Next time you're in Colombia, or at a roundabout, you'll see: if you're taking the first turn to the right, you stay on the outside lane, if you're taking the next turn, you drive in the middle lane, and if you're taking the last turn you go on the inside lane. You always give way to the left when going on to a roundabout. So that's how it works, guys!

Of course it's a disaster if someone's in the wrong lane, and pretty dangerous!

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daver says on Jul 31, 2004, 08:36:

Shaz,

Your description of the roundabout is much more logical (and safe sounding) than what I saw in person. But I can't argue with you... the people do seem to have a nack for coming out of them alive. What scared me as you are trying to stay on the outside lane, and a taxi entering in front of you wants the inside lane, and jets out in front you at a right angle. Now, he knows your not going to hit him, but how did he know what was beside or behind my car?

This is how North Americans drive without roundabouts:

The intersections are controlled with red, yellow, and green lights. If the light is red, you don't go. If the light is green, you do go. If the light is yellow, you speed up or slow down, depending.

See, not a bad idea eh?

IF the intersection is more difficult, they add more lights, more lanes, more protected greens, or three way signals ect...

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utopiacowboy says on Jul 31, 2004, 10:54:

I guess New England must not be a part of North America because traffic circles are quite common there. Not too common elsewhere in the US and Canada.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jul 31, 2004, 11:03:

roundabouts I was surprised (positively) when visiting that little town where I was born in Finland and they have taken away all the traffic lights and made the intersections into roundabouts: driving there has never been easier or the flow of traffic smoother than now! The trend is similar here in Sweden: they are building more and more roundabouts instead of traffic lights all over the country. Everybody here seems to agree on that this is a far better solution.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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pablo says on Jul 31, 2004, 16:58:

More Medellin Mapas http://www.mapas.com.co/empresas/index.jsp?nombreEmpresa=mapas_med

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jmmyers says on Jul 31, 2004, 17:42:

bus to bogota how much and how long of a trip is the bus from bogota to medellin and vice-versa? do the run often and are they safe?

I've seen posts that state generically "its safe" or "never go!". is there someone with a more comprehensive viewpoint on this??

FYI the flights look like they're about $100 give or take. I'm thinking of taking a bus for the scenery and the cost savings.

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Gator says on Jul 31, 2004, 19:50:

Bus To Bogota Medellin to Bogotá,440 km (265 miles)travel time is about 9/10 hours, $30.000 CPO's (sat $12USD) Try Flota Magadalena and take either the Gacela Luxury bus which have television , radio, reclining seats, bath rooms and carry about 40 people or a Aerovan ( called by everyone a buseta) which is a smaller verson which holds about 20 people. It also has reclining seats, a/c and elevator music.








and have capacity to traspotar up to 39 passengers

BUSETAS With capacity to transport up to 19 passengers, silletería reclining, conditioned air and environmental music.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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ShazCas says on Aug 1, 2004, 02:33:

Bogota - Medellin The scenery on this trip is really amazing.

As for safety, no-one can tell you "It's really safe, nothing will happen, go." or "You will get kidnapped, it's too dangerous." Who knows what will happen on your particular trip? There are no guarantees, and you will have to accept a certain amount of risk if you do go, and be aware of the possible consequences. It must be a risk (albeit a very small one) that you take consciously.

That said, if you go on a bus like the one Gator recommended, especially during the day, you'll be ok in 99.9% of cases. They pay the guerilla to leave them alone, and the truth is that around 100 buses take that route every single day and nothing happens to them. Buses belonging to large companies that go directly from city to city are a lot safer than smaller companies going to out-of-the-way places.

If you're travelling alone, be careful with your hand-luggage. I always keeep it on my lap and put a blanket over it when I'm sleeping (I would especially do this if I had an expensive camera and watch in it!).

By the way, if you do this journey, by the end, you'll be sick of swaying from side to side as your bus swerves it's way through the mountains. The scenery is unforgettable!

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daver says on Aug 1, 2004, 10:08:

OK. I'll give in with the roundabouts.... maybe they are better.

Maybe its because I am Canadian... we don't like change, and we like a nice orderly system of lights telling us when its time to move...

Then again, who likes sitting a red light.

Dave

Ps. I still don't like them ;)

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go2pr says on Aug 8, 2004, 10:48:

Re : nighlife Nightlife in Medellin has been well reportezd on this forum, thanks to the posters ; Just one question, as only week-ends seems to be busy, how are Mondays to Wednesdays, is Poblado, parque Llieras and discos like mangoes THAT dead during week-days, and is there some particular spot on Sunday nights ?

Thanks in advance for any answer.

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pleebo says on Aug 17, 2004, 14:58:

map of medellin 2004 edition http://www.gonetomorrow.com/

I bought a 2004 Medellin map recently from this group. Published in Bogota. Very nice map of city. about $20 delivered mas o menos.

Lee

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beto el feo says on Aug 17, 2004, 17:24:

round round we go Where I live in Vancouver Canada, I design and build roundabouts. We are installing these mostly in residential areas, but there are plans to do more on collector and arterial roads. It's taken awhile for the idea to catch on, but as people learn the proper use of a roundabout, as described very well by Shazcas, they operate at a very safe and efficient level. We have government auto insurance here and a lot of the funding for the construction of the roundabouts comes from the insurance corp because of the improved safety and fewer collisions.

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vladimiro says on Aug 17, 2004, 17:32:

Roundabouts I thought it had more to do with safety. Roundabouts are proven to be much safer than US-style intersections because all drivers are forced to slow down as they approach a roundabout intersection in order to make the turn. At US intersections people often speed up to make it through the intersection before the light changes. As a result accidents at US intersections are far deadlier than those at roundabouts. Don't know why they don't use them in the US; maybe out of habit or becuase they seem foriegn.

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beto el feo says on Aug 17, 2004, 17:49:

They do provide traffic calming as well as greater safety. The efficiency comes into play beacuse you don't have people waiting at red lights. It's interesting to watch the driver's reactions when the roundabouts first go into operation.

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daver says on Aug 17, 2004, 18:47:

***It's interesting to watch the driver's reactions when the roundabouts first go into operation.***

Yeah, like the "what the hell is this crap??" look that was on my face.

If they are better, so be it. If they replace the far too complicated system of red=stop green=go, than, so be it.

I for one hate them, and glad they are going into Vancouver, and not Ontario! I accept them in Colombia, because they are the norm, and who am I to say its bad, seeing as how I'm just a foriegner there.

If lights are properly timed (like in Hamilton, where if you hit one red, the rest of the lights will be green) or if there are motion sensors like in California where all lights are red until a car enters (well, I only saw this in Palo Alto to slow people down) late a night, than traffic flow is OK.

The real problem, roundabouts or not, comes from too much traffic, and poorly planned roads (where half the roads are empty, and the other half are bottle necked). This takes city planning and zoneing laws, where actual study goes into how many communters live where, and how many cars will be on the road and when. Either deny the permit to build homes, or increase the capcity of the road transit. In Medellin, there appears to be no planning in this regard, although, many North American cities suffer equally. I just drove through Toronto (to go to the Colombian consulate to get my marriage VISA) and I was on Highway 401 where 18 lanes (yes, 18 lanes) of freeway traffic are stopped in complete gridlock.

Dave

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carito says on Aug 17, 2004, 19:20:

Too HOT UP here!.. My husband and I are living in South Florida; the weather is affecting my husband health; we are thinking about moving to a cooler area. Bogota is our first option (I'm Colombian) What job possibilities does my husband have? He has experience in finances, he works as credit analyst ; he speaks spanish, how much money will we need to move (buy a house, car, etc)
THANK YOU VERY MUCH ALL FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION!
Caro

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pointofview says on Aug 18, 2004, 10:51:

Carito Dear Carito:

Please provide some contact information for your husband as I may know of a job for him in Medellin depending upon his experience.

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beto el feo says on Aug 18, 2004, 11:06:

Hey Daver One of the biggest roundabouts in Cananda is right in your backyard at the intersection of Wilson Street West at Meadowbrook Drive and Hamilton Drive in Ancaster. Although I haven't been to Medellin, I would bet the roundabouts are a lot larger there.

The City of Hamilton has a live webcam on their website showing this intersection. Apparently, when it first went into operation in 2002 the City recieved numerous complaints, but as people get used to it they start to like them and want to see more of them. Give it a drive someday.....just put down that one litre cup of tim hortons coffee and hang up the cel phone before you get there.

Cheers

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daver says on Aug 18, 2004, 11:22:

Chibchawannabe...

Jesus!, that is only 15 minutes from my house... I only go to Ancaster to get on the Hwy 403 though, so I've never been to that intersection. In 2002 I was working in Kentucky, so I guess I missed all the news about it...I guess I'll give at "whirl" today... I promise you though, I won't like it!! LOL!

... don't get me started on cell-phone drivers... there's nothing quite like having a soccer-mom merge her fat SUV into your car with a cell phone jammed in her ear...

Hmmmm not much here about Colombia... sorry...

Dave

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