Medellin Reports

[RiceRocket99]

Ah. Now I remember about that SJobs guy who was going to go to Medellin right when Colombia opened up to international travel back in October and talked about smuggling himself into the country via non traditional means while it was closed off. What happened to him? Is he MIA or something? Just wondering, so I can go MIA too and join him haha. Living in Medellin or anywhere in Colombia or just out of your home country carries significant risks. Lucky for me, I have family / housing in Panama (born there, raised in the States), so if things don't go as planned, I can settle in Panama for a while and put MDE living on the side. It's just that Panama is too damn hot and humid, most everything is expensive since it uses the almighty American dollar, and the hot girls are almost all Colombians anyways and charge 3-4 times more than being in MDE for lesser time and lower standard of service. I call that the triple threat in the worse way possible haha. But it's very close to MDE so I can hop on plane in no time and be in paradise.

And yes, I know by Colombian standards I'm very well off and to them I'll always be a 'rich foreigner', but I def don't flash it and put that out there for everyone to see. Actually by staying in Bello, it would make me poor gringo haha. They would ask why Bello and I can say I have no money for Poblado or Laureles so the only place I can afford is Bello. I even joke I'm out there selling candy and rolling a fruit cart as my side hustle.

Social acceptance is a big deal in these communities. If they've absorbed you as one of their own, fair enough, but that comes at a baseline level of risk which they all live with. As others have said its your decision and you will be the one to pay the price should thing go poorly, so we are all just commentators at the end of the day, not haters, just presenting an opposite perspective in various ways.
As to rich, man get real. You just told us you had an apartment in san francisco, then you told us about the strata 1 chica whose house you went to with her sisters (maybe and often teenagers) openly breastfeeding etc. Can you not see the contrast? You are rich by their standards, and no matter what you say they know that you are decently well off and to them "rich". .

Anyway god luck. As to whether you are SJobs, I am on the fence. Hope you stay and become a valuable contributor so we know how your plans are evolving. Time will tell.

[Combo]

Ummmm. A rich gringo wouldn't be staying in Bello and I ain't rich by any means. I don't flaunt money out in the open and the girls I know very well, I also know their families such as their brothers, cousins, and ex boyfriends as well haha. Surprised I haven't been drugged or robbed by any of them yet, maybe they waiting on my next trip and take me out clean. Man too many haters on this board. Oh well, this is my last post on this subject. Cheers everyone! Stay safe and have fun!

No hating at all. In fact I applaud you for getting away from the Gringo hoard and doing something different. I also applaud you for not flaunting money, which is never a good idea in most mongering locales.

But even if you don't flaunt it, they view you as rich. If you're paying multiple girls anymore than 100 k a piece, you, by their standards, must be rich. The typical Colombian makes about $270 USD a month. And in a poorer barrio, most don't make that.

My comment was to point out that these girls from the Strata 1 and 2 barrios all have plenty of delinquent male friends with lots of time on their hands.

[Sangnyc21]

Yes, I do appreciate the advice given here. But a little caught off guard to how much bad rep Bello gets on this board, which I guess for the most part is warranted. I was hoping to get more people to enjoy and explore Bello and see the beauty of it, it's called 'Bello' for a reason right haha. The stigma about Bello and it's violence and turf wars is the same thing Medellin had back in the Pablo Escobar days, even though outside Colombia people still think Medellin in general is a very dangerous and violent city and that you will be robbed / drugged / kidnapped right when you step off the airport.

Well during my 5 years visiting mde I'm talking based on personal experiences. Not perception.

I know 3 gringos who live here got drugged.

I've had dates cancelled on me from girls in bello saying the streets were violent and locked off by cops.

Numerous girls who live in Bello have told me it's just too dangerous and they would all prefer to live somewhere else.

While you may be enjoying the change of scenery from SF and having the time of your life.

My only personal suggestion would be to be careful.

Even if I can speak perfect Spanish just like them but I'll never be "one of them". And this is always a big thing to remember.

[Vitrea]

I take it that they are not enforcing the 7 days quarantine requirement to enter the US as stated.

There is no 7 day quarantine. You just need a negative antigen (rapid) or PCR or NAAT test. Basically anything other than an Antibody test will work. Airlines are responsible for enforcing it. They will also make you sign a document at the check in. The only minor issue is that online check in is not an option anymore for the airlines I use. I travelled back to US twice since the new rule. It is painless. When I landed in US, negative covid test was not asked for on the global entry questionnaire.

The onle travel tip I would offer is to get the test at least 48 hours ahead. If you get a false positive, you will have time to repeat the test. Otherwise you are stuck in the country you are trying to leave.

[JjBee62]

I agree with Sang. It's all about safety. It may be fine for you, but I would not want some other gringo with little experience in Colombia to think that he could just as easily live in Bello. For the average gringo, it's probably not a great option.

I don't think you have to worry about all the new gringos deciding to go buy places in Bello, or even going there. Let's face it, Parque Lleras is an adrenaline rush for most gringos. Besides, there's no need to go to Bello, when the Bello girls will come to you.

Someone who I trusted told me if he was buying in Medellin, Obrero or Las Cabanas would be at the top of his list. Living there isn't as big of a stretch as people are making it out to be. You just have to be in the right area.

[GeneHickman]

Ummmm. A rich gringo wouldn't be staying in Bello and I ain't rich by any means. I don't flaunt money out in the open and the girls I know very well, I also know their families such as their brothers, cousins, and ex boyfriends as well haha. Surprised I haven't been drugged or robbed by any of them yet, maybe they waiting on my next trip and take me out clean. Man too many haters on this board. Oh well, this is my last post on this subject. Cheers everyone! Stay safe and have fun!

Social acceptance is a big deal in these communities. If they've absorbed you as one of their own, fair enough, but that comes at a baseline level of risk which they all live with. As others have said its your decision and you will be the one to pay the price should thing go poorly, so we are all just commentators at the end of the day, not haters, just presenting an opposite perspective in various ways.
As to rich, man get real. You just told us you had an apartment in san francisco, then you told us about the strata 1 chica whose house you went to with her sisters (maybe and often teenagers) openly breastfeeding etc. Can you not see the contrast? You are rich by their standards, and no matter what you say they know that you are decently well off and to them "rich". .

Anyway god luck. As to whether you are SJobs, I am on the fence. Hope you stay and become a valuable contributor so we know how your plans are evolving. Time will tell.

[RiceRocket99]

I was thinking about renting an airbnb in Manrique near la 45 to explore more on my own, but decided it was prob not a good idea haha. First, ain't no airbnb anywhere near that area. Second, just like you, I never go into those barrios alone day or night. It's always with a chica or two hanging out, having drinks, or grabbing food. You and I roll similarly in that way, which we have posted many times here before. But really though, Manrique is up there with Bello in terms of barrio hotties. Some girls have told me barrio girls are sexy and slutty because they don't have much money for fancy clothes so they wear the least amount possible haha. Booty shorts and low cut shirts, it's like they put on the bare minimum and I love it. I couldn’t believe how many times I had to turn my head that day in Manrique or try not to stare too hard haha. My girl was like ‘I told you so.’

Some of my best times were going to Aranjuez, Manrique, Campo Valdes, and even San Javier. And boy are there some gems. But I would have never gone to any of these places alone. I always go with chicas I know and either stay in a bar or go to their home. They watch out for me. And unless I'm in a bar, I never pass time in those places at night and certainly not by myself. It's just not worth the risk. The "average" gringo visiting Medellin has no business going to these places. Just asking for trouble. I know some guys who never leave the Mansion and for those guys, they are probably making a rational decision.

[ColombiaLover]

Some of my best times were going to Aranjuez, Manrique, Campo Valdes, and even San Javier. And boy are there some gems. But I would have never gone to any of these places alone. I always go with chicas I know and either stay in a bar or go to their home. They watch out for me. And unless I'm in a bar, I never pass time in those places at night and certainly not by myself. It's just not worth the risk. The "average" gringo visiting Medellin has no business going to these places. Just asking for trouble. I know some guys who never leave the Mansion and for those guys, they are probably making a rational decision.

I don't know who's SJobs, but my first time in Bello was like 6 years ago and I liked it ever since. I've stayed in various barrios to get a general feel of this big city, so it's not like I'm going in blind. And yes, I wouldn't recommend a foreigner staying there either. It seems many of you take that advice since I almost never see any gringos out there.

A very humbling experience was when I took a day trip exploring the streets/hills of Manrique with a local chick and I visited her barrio and apt in an Estrato 1 area, more like Estrato -1. I met all 3 of her hot sisters who all have at least 1 kid, 2 of them were breast feeding in front of me, tits out and about, I was like damn, I want some milk too haha. The poorest hoods do have some of the best views and hottest putas.

[ColombiaLover]

I agree with Sang. It's all about safety. It may be fine for you, but I would not want some other gringo with little experience in Colombia to think that he could just as easily live in Bello. For the average gringo, it's probably not a great option.

I don't think people are hating on you for wanting to live in bello.

I think more people are trying to caution you. But hey if you want to do it that's all that matters.

[RiceRocket99]

Yes, I do appreciate the advice given here. But a little caught off guard to how much bad rep Bello gets on this board, which I guess for the most part is warranted. I was hoping to get more people to enjoy and explore Bello and see the beauty of it, it's called 'Bello' for a reason right haha. The stigma about Bello and it's violence and turf wars is the same thing Medellin had back in the Pablo Escobar days, even though outside Colombia people still think Medellin in general is a very dangerous and violent city and that you will be robbed / drugged / kidnapped right when you step off the airport.

I don't think people are hating on you for wanting to live in bello.

I think more people are trying to caution you. But hey if you want to do it that's all that matters.

[Sangnyc21]

Ummmm. A rich gringo wouldn't be staying in Bello and I ain't rich by any means. I don't flaunt money out in the open and the girls I know very well, I also know their families such as their brothers, cousins, and ex boyfriends as well haha. Surprised I haven't been drugged or robbed by any of them yet, maybe they waiting on my next trip and take me out clean. Man too many haters on this board. Oh well, this is my last post on this subject. Cheers everyone! Stay safe and have fun!

I don't think people are hating on you for wanting to live in bello.

I think more people are trying to caution you. But hey if you want to do it that's all that matters.

[RiceRocket99]

Ummmm. A rich gringo wouldn't be staying in Bello and I ain't rich by any means. I don't flaunt money out in the open and the girls I know very well, I also know their families such as their brothers, cousins, and ex boyfriends as well haha. Surprised I haven't been drugged or robbed by any of them yet, maybe they waiting on my next trip and take me out clean. Man too many haters on this board. Oh well, this is my last post on this subject. Cheers everyone! Stay safe and have fun!

Or the brothers of the girls he's boning. The girls will most certainly talk to their brothers / cousins / boyfriends and tell them about the rich Gringo.

[RiceRocket99]

I don't know who's SJobs, but my first time in Bello was like 6 years ago and I liked it ever since. I've stayed in various barrios to get a general feel of this big city, so it's not like I'm going in blind. And yes, I wouldn't recommend a foreigner staying there either. It seems many of you take that advice since I almost never see any gringos out there.

A very humbling experience was when I took a day trip exploring the streets/hills of Manrique with a local chick and I visited her barrio and apt in an Estrato 1 area, more like Estrato -1. I met all 3 of her hot sisters who all have at least 1 kid, 2 of them were breast feeding in front of me, tits out and about, I was like damn, I want some milk too haha. The poorest hoods do have some of the best views and hottest putas.

I think we may have another SJobs type here again.

Move to Bello if you wish. Buyer beware, it will be a very humbling experience and I would never recommend that a foreigner stay in that area.

Be careful brother.

[Combo]

And not even the attention of high level guys. They may be too busy. It's the lower level punks that are even most likely to cause harm and in Bello's barrios there is no insulation from them.

Or the brothers of the girls he's boning. The girls will most certainly talk to their brothers / cousins / boyfriends and tell them about the rich Gringo.

[Osteoknot]

You can live there 10 years safely having fun etc etc.

It only takes one bad experience.

No matter what at the end of the day you're not one of them. You will always be a gringo to them. Welcomed at times yes. But talk to the wrong girl one time and piss the wrong guy off one time you'll realize the "friends" you have won't be there to help.

A lot of gringos don't get this. I'm Asian also and I've never been robbed or had any bad situations. And I'll continue to go take certain precautions so that hopefully it stays this way.

But IMO I've seen too many gringos come here then fall in love with the lifestyle then move here because they're with women they couldn't possibly pull in the states. Not saying the case with you. And eventually all 3 that friends that I know moved here have been drugged at least once. One of them was drugged twice.

Yes maybe Bello is great for you now. But the odds will always be against you as long as there's no 0 on the other side.

Having met RiceRocket I have no doubts he can handle himself. But as mentioned, it only takes one really bad experience to fuck it all up.

Is there any value of living here as he plans, and trying to keep as low a profile as possible? In other words, never show or act like you are have any extra wealth other than just enough to get by. I know, the standard answer is the locals assume anyone here from another country is a potential target, but by blending in and not flashing cash and jewelry and not having ostentatious items in your casa, does that help?