For the longest time, Medellin was considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world. However, a lot has changed in Medellin over the course of the past 15 years or so and now the city is attracting more expats as well as a younger generation of remote workers.
Located in the heart of Colombia, the stunning city has transformed into a popular location for expats with its vibrant culture and low cost of living. Moreover, the unique transport systems, high-speed internet, and technological advancements attract remote workers to set up their businesses and live a life of ease in Colombia.
Living In Medellin
After Bogotá-the capital of Colombia, Medellin is often the first choice for digital nomads because it is considered a city of innovative and digital advancements. You will enjoy high-speed internet, will find many untapped areas of development that you can work on, and will be able to set up a business with little investments.
While the city gained popularity for those reasons, there are greater benefits. Medellin is an excellent choice for expats due to its low living costs but maintaining high-quality life. Rent, utilities, groceries, and facilities are highly affordable compared to American, Canadian, or European lifestyles.
Hence, you can live a life of luxury and extravagance at essentially the exact living cost as America.
Moreover, Medellin has dramatically improved since its dark history with Pablo Escobar. The city has invested in great public transport systems such as trams, subways, and buses, easing the hustle of daily conveyance.
In addition, Medellin International Airport, the second-largest airport in Colombia, welcomes millions of passengers and tourists on an annual basis.
Medellin doesn’t have extreme weather like snow or heat waves. Instead, it maintains a 22 degree centigrade, spring-like weather all year round with small durations of rain, making it easier to explore the country no matter the time of year.
With quality healthcare, community living, fast Internet and cheap cost of living, Medellin is a no-brainer for many who can’t afford the quality of life that they’re looking for in the United States of America.
That’s not all. There’s the rich Colombian culture, arts and heritage, jungles, beautiful beaches and more that are all within a short drive or cheap domestic flight away.
If for some reason Medellin doesn’t fulfill your needs, you could also consider Merida, Mexico.
Working In Medellin
Recent statistics have placed Medellin in the top ten cities for digital nomads. 14% of the remote workers that visit the city are reported to return to Medellin to live and work for a period of time each year.
With access to high-tech electronics, shopping malls, and easy land ownership laws as a foreigner, many consider this city a great location to build their online businesses.
Besides high-quality living and great weather, remote workers are choosing Colombia due to the fact that it’s in the same time zones as the United States. This makes the transition easier with little jetlag and will also help you stay in touch with your company during work hours.
The greatest attraction for remote workers and digital nomads is Medellin’s plethora of co-working spaces.
In addition, areas of the city like Al Poblado, Laureles, and Envigado have a greater probability of finding individuals who are also remote workers, making it easier to cowork, exchange business ideas, create your community, and collaborate with locals.
Co-Working Spaces
Multiple companies jointly own co-working spaces to save on rent costs, infrastructural upkeep, and overall expenditure.
Colombian culture revolves around individuals working from their laptops and home, which is why these spaces exist.
However, those who crave structure, routine, and social life and work from a dedicated space can rely on co-working spaces or coffee shops.
Medellin is chock full of these spaces, but here are some of the top cowork spaces to check out the next time you’re in the city:
- Circular Co-working: It provides an atmosphere that will help you focus more on your work and promote creativity through its unique designs. It has a fully equipped kitchen, lounge area, convenience store, and comfortable furniture, so launching your company becomes a hassle-free experience.
- WeWork: WeWork is a franchise and one of the biggest brands in the coworking space with over 800 locations in more than 100 countries around the world. Here, you’ll be able to connect with other remote workers, business owners and startups and enjoy an open space with all the amenities a remote worker could ever want. It also offers more private spaces for increased focus and productivity if that’s something you’re looking for.
- Espacio: For those who work in the media industry, Espacio is an ideal media incubator to visit. This place has all the equipment you could ever ask for and is all available to rent for your personal or business related projects. Espacio also promotes the culture of socializing and collaborating with fellow nomads, remote workers and locals.
Pros and Cons
Medellin is an excellent destination for remote workers, but here are some things to consider before finalizing your decision:
Pros
- The ability to explore in your downtime.
- Fast, reliable Internet
- Trendy and hip areas like El Poblado are starting to pop up around the city
- Great food, weather, and community.
- Low cost of living and safe neighborhoods.
Cons
- You might be recognized as a tourist and will likely be charged higher prices.
- If you’re not bilingual, there will be a language barrier as the majority of people speak Spanish.
- Work visas can be difficult to obtain and require consistent extensions/updates.
Considering the growing market of Colombia and the great opportunities available for remote workers and digital nomads, Medellin is by far the ideal, most affordable, safe, and fun location to reside in.