CHOCOLATE.CASA

My Medellin Penthouse Studio Condo

Edificio Aiana Verde, Unit #1503,

Cra.38, #48-51

Buenos Aires, Medellin, La Candelaria, Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia

#1 YEAR AROUND WEATHER

I like it warm but not hot. For me, Medellin is perfect, with a year round temperature between 68 and 86 degrees, known as the eternal Spring. I also did not want my place to be prone to yearly manmade or natural seasonal issues like floods, snow, fires, earthquakes or extreme heat, so I stayed away from waterfront or other obvious four season areas.

#2 WFH INFRASTRUCTURE

I looked at other international locations and at this point in my life it came down to it has to be on the US Time Zone, it needs reliable, fast internet and easy flights to the US.

Other places in the US time zone, I considered were Mexico City, Tulum, Cabo San Lucas, Panama City and Tamarindo. But Medellin had the most diverse Tech Community when I visited.

My place has bonded internet from two providers, Tigo (Fiber) and Somos (wireless) so together I get well over 200Mbps, my goal.

For flights, I can get quick under 6 hour direct flights to Medellin from JFK, MIA, MCO and FLL. I expect this list to grow in the future.

#3 COST OF LIVING

I was looking at both daily and yearly costs for my “single, city slicker” quality of life, including housing, food, entertainment, transportation and anything medical. I try to be pretty healthy with a higher quality of life than normal, so my costs will be much higher than a local’s.

But, overall I’d say Medellin is 50% cheaper for me than Miami in Housing, Entertainment and the Other categories.

As a single, healthy male, I can live pretty comfortably on $5000 USD per month in Medellin which the equivalent quality of life for me would be $10,000 in Miami or $15,000 in New York.

Check out http://Expatistan.com

LOTS TO DO

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#4 NO CAR NEEDED

I love culturally diverse city that has a perfect blend of work and leisure. Sure everyone loves nightlife and Medellin’s club and music scene is fun. But in reality, for me, I’d rather have the combination of amazing food experiences, concerts, museums, bike riding,art galleries, coworking spaces, ample green spaces, hiking with other technology and like-minded environmentally aware friends.

I also called it Chocolate.Casa because one of my favorite things is to drink some local cacao artisanal chocolate shakes and daydream the beautiful landscape out my window.

Within a 30-minute walk, public transportation via the Metro, which is 1 minute away, or via na inexpensive Uber, I can do all that and more.

I have never wondered what should I do in Medellin.

Yes, Nothing is Perfect

Any time you leave United States, other factors need to be considered. Yes, if I had no budget, visa or time zone restraints, I’d be chilling in Malibu, St Barts or Aspen. But I have constraints...

Language: My number one concern- my Spanish is minimal, and I do plan on taking Spanish lessons but it has not hindered things too much, just a comedy.

Culture and Communication: yes, this along with my bad Spanish has produced faux pas and my relationships have been a disaster depending who you ask. But I’ll improve, I promise.

Security and Crime: True, I do feel crime and theft is a major problem in Medellin- I am much more aware of my public surroundings than in the United States. That being said, I have had no issues in Medellin but I am aware of thefts from other travelers.

Politics: I am comfortable with current government policies and the currency exchange rate at around 4000 to 1. Currently, American’s can stay up to 180 days per year with tourist visa but a tax return needs to be submitted if you stay over 183 days.

Pollution and Noise: Being in a valley, the traffic pollution and noise is noticeably bad, which is why I picked a top floor condo with constant air flow and sound poof windows. But, I am hopeful that this will improve as technology improves.

Far Away: Flights from LAX currently are non-direct and you need a full day of travel to get to Medellin.

Getting Stuff Done: Things for me take longer in Colombia, it took me over three months to furnish, get the new sound proof windows, doors installed and the internet working. And I still have issues since I don’t have a Colombian bank account nor am I there on a daily basis.

HOME

Lots To Do in the Medellin Area

Culture

Memory House Museum- 6 minutes walking- a museum around Colombian’s armed conflicts.

Placita de Florez- 4 minutes walking- fresh farmer’s fruit and meat market

Plaza Botero- 21 minutes walking- outdoor park with sculptures by Fernando Botero

Parque de los Pies Descalzos-31 minutes walking- Water Museum. Excellent restaurants nearby.

Jardin Botanico de Medellin- 51 minutes walking - Botanical garden with butterfly house.

Espex Spanish School- I plan on going here for 2 weeks and get some basic Spanish Skillzzzz

Nightlife

Homero Manzi Cultural House - 4 minutes walking- Tango music in a tavern- live music on weekends

Popular Theater Medellin - 4 minute walking- Live Plays- check schedule

Teatro El Trueque- 6 minutes walking - Live music- can be really good

Teatro Metropolitano- take a 10 minute uber- check website for concerts

Casa de la Luna-11 minute walk- club open till 4am- check website- can be really good

Food

D1 Supermarket- 1 minute walking- good for milk, yogurt, fruit and coffee beans

Brasas y brosty - 4 minutes walking- my favorite rotisserie whole chicken place

Restaurante La Sombrita- 4 minutes walking - a good Colombian restaurant

El Bohemio de Clausura - 10 mins walking- my favorite local coffee shop - in the Plazuela San Ignacio

El Acontista- 12 minutes walking- jazz club restaurant with good sangria

Parrilla Dejame Q - 25 minute Uber- Steak Restaurant for about $45 for two

Lots To Do in the Medellin Area

Work

Solena Coworking Space - 20 minute Uber- El Poblado this is my main working base

Pergamino Coffee Cafe - 20 Minute Uber- El Poblado, my favorite coffee shop

Hashhouse Monday Meetups - 20 minutes- El Poblado- tech community Monday

Look on Meetup.com for lots of Medellin events

ADDRESS

Cra. 38 #48-51, Unit 1503

Buenos Aires, Medellín,

La Candelaria, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

email me

eric@oemcontent.com

WHATSAPP

+1 212 283 6000