Envigado, Colombia

Happy Spring!

I’m going to look back on a place known as the city of the eternal spring: Medellin, Colombia. Medellin has become a hot spot for digital nomads and travellers over the last decade for many good reasons. It has a high-quality transportation system that had a significant role in helping Medellin transition from one of the most dangerous cities to one of the most prosperous cities in South America. The cost of living is a lot cheaper than North American and Western European cities. It boasts perfect weather all year long. The Antioquia region is also quite stunning. There are so many other places you can see in the area, such as Jardin and Guatape.

Medellin is quite livable. In fact, it may be a bit too livable, which is why I kind of prefer Bogota. It attracts too many loser Gringo men that can live comfortably without having to adapt too much. They refuse to learn Spanish and prey on women; it has gotten awful in the last couple of years with them preying on these vulnerable Venezuelan girls. Opportunists take advantage of Medellin’s dark past with the drug cartel and capitalize on Pablo Escobar’s legacy and making it a little adult pleasure island. I have nothing against partying and debauchery, but it is gross to the Colombian people that their history and culture get wiped away by this legacy with tourists’ obsession with Pablo Escobar.

I quite got to like this part of the city called Envigado. Actually, it is not really a part of Medellin. Envigado is its own municipality, but just a couple of stops on the metro to some of Medellin’s central districts. It is only about a 20-25 minute bus ride to Poblado, the place everyone wants to be. You can get to do all the things Medellin has to offer but get to avoid all the stuff I just complained about. It is actually where Pablo Escobar is originally from, but it is also home to a famous Colombian writer and philosopher, Fernando González.

Envigado is quaint and more residential. It has relatively working-class roots but has become a bit more wealthy in the last years, but not to the point as Prado and other parts of Medellin. It’s safe to walk around. People tend to be welcoming but not over imposing. It has one of the lowest homicide rates in all of Colombia.

There are some nice places to eat. I had my select place where I would indulge in some Arepas. There are a lot of random Tiendas and Bodegas that function as a Spätkauf in Berlin. Many people buy a drink and pull up a chair and hang out in front of it. Nobody seems to mind. There are some nice cafes where you can work on your laptop. The prices are pretty reasonable.

The locals are friendly and proud of the fact that it is a town. They have their own football team, which is also in Colombia’s first division. I stumbled upon a bar that was an Envigado F.C.theme by chance. The main square in front of the cathedral seems to be where more people are hanging out. You also find people selling all kinds of random little trinkets, chiclets and single cigarettes like everywhere else, but there is less hustle.

Although this post might sound off-putting about Medellin, it is not meant to the case. Medellin is still a great town with a lot to offer. You can avoid the things I complain about in Medellin pretty easily as well. There is a lot to see and do and other wonderful parts to get to know.

If you want to spend a couple of weeks hanging out there, I highly recommend looking into Envigado. I also recommend it if you are passing through Medellin for a few days. It’s well connected to all of Medellin. You can get around quite well. Oh, but if you are one of those who will go around with a big grin and ask people about where Pablo Escobar’s house was, don’t go; in fact, stay out of Colombia.