I love Medellín. I also really like Andrew Henderson and what he’s built with Nomad Capitalist—I even attended Nomad Capitalist Live this past September. Medellín is beautiful, the weather is ridiculous (in a good way), and the people are as warm as the afternoon light over the valley.
But do I think Medellín beats Bogotá as the better overall value and day-to-day lifestyle for most expats?
Not even close.
This is the guide I wish someone had handed me after my first hopscotch visit years ago (Bogotá → Medellín → “I think I love Medellín more”… followed by months in each city and a completely different conclusion). Let’s unpack the real trade-offs—beyond luxury villas, Rolex showrooms, and Instagram pans of Provenza at golden hour.
The “Live Like a King” Promise (and Why It Often Disappoints)
Andrew’s video hits the aspirational notes: private villas, fine dining, boutique everything. And hey—if you’ve got a few million parked on the sidelines, Medellín will happily convert that into mountain views and tasting menus.
But most readers of The Passport aren’t shopping for $5M penthouses. They’re optimizing: cost, lifestyle, convenience, community, safety, and time. That’s where the story gets more nuanced.
Medellín Isn’t as Cheap as the Hype
Medellín’s “king” narrative usually centers on El Poblado—Provenza, Manila, Los Balsos. Gorgeous? Yes. But it’s a bubble, and bubbles have bubble pricing. Rents have climbed, restaurant prices cluster near tourist demand, and short-term inventory keeps everything inflated.
Bogotá, by comparison, quietly offers more apartment for your peso, more neighborhoods that feel local, and more variety at every tier—from great value one-bedrooms to quietly luxurious homes in Chicó, Rosales, Santa Bárbara, and Usaquén.
Reader reality from Andrew’s comments (paraphrased):
“I live like a king on $3,500.” → You’ll live comfortably. Not palatially.
“To live like a king in Medellín I need $5M+.” → Not wrong if “king” means trophy real estate + concierge everything.
“$5–10k/month gets Henderson’s lifestyle.” → That’s closer to the truth for the glossy version.
My take: $2–4k/month buys a very good life in either city. But Medellín’s “wow” areas cost more than you think, and the restaurant/delivery/short-term rental tax hits you daily. Bogotá stretches the same budget further—and usually with better food.
What Medellín Absolutely Nails
Let me give the city its flowers—because it deserves them.
1) The Weather: “Eternal Spring” Isn’t Marketing
Day after day between ~60–80°F. Windows open, fans optional, AC rarely needed. It’s like the thermostat got stuck on “pleasant.”
2) The Pride & the Metro
Paisas love Medellín, and you feel it. The Metro + Metrocable is clean, efficient, and a point of civic pride. Few U.S. systems feel this well cared for.
3) Coffee Country at Your Door
Antioquia’s coffee culture is real, accessible, and delicious. You can tour farms in the morning and be back for dinner.
4) Day Trips that Slap
El Peñol / Guatapé (740 stairs to a panoramic gasp), flower farms, canyon drives—the “close-by awesome” ratio is superb.
You’ll make friends fast. The expat/nomad scene is dense, caffeinated, and full of builders. (Yes, you’ll bump into finance YouTubers.)
Bottom line: Medellín is joyful and polished in ways that surprise people who only know the city through the Pablo era headlines. The transformation is one of the best urban glow-ups on Earth.
The Parts of Medellín You Should See Clearly
Let’s talk Parque Lleras/Provenza. Fun? Absolutely. Also Colombia’s most famous red-light gravity well. Because of the “adult” tourism surge:
Many hotels/Airbnbs ban unregistered guests outright.
Nightlife is pricey, crowded, and—let’s be adults—comes with the associated risks.
Prices on rentals and dining have floated up, fueled by short-term demand.
Some locals are vocal about the changes: rising costs and a shifting vibe.
If you love the buzz, great. If you want authentic Colombia without the “extra,” you’ll do more filtering.
Why Bogotá Wins for Most People (Including Me)
I used to be a Medellín > Bogotá guy. Time flipped me.
1) Better Overall Value
Across rent, food, transport, and services, Bogotá shades cheaper for the same quality—especially outside the tourist bullseye. Not “dirt cheap”—just more honest and consistent.
2) The Food Scene Is Deeper
From Zona G to Chapinero Alto, Usaquén to Parque de la 93, the bench is long. Fine dining, chef-y bistros, neighborhood gems, international variety (that isn’t just “internationally priced”). If you’re a foodie, Bogotá is the better kitchen.
3) “Eternal Autumn” Is Underrated
Andrew says it; I agree. Bogotá’s cool, fresh climate (call it 50s–60s°F most days) is thinking weather—great for work, walking, and sleeping. Umbrella? Yes. Melting? Never.
4) Big-City Everything Without the Drama
Museums (Gold, Botero), culture, neighborhoods with personality, serious shopping, serious health care, and El Dorado Airport—one of Latin America’s best-connected hubs. Directs to the U.S., Europe, and across the region. For frequent flyers, this matters every month.
5) Expats without the Bubble
The community is strong and growing, but you’re living among Colombians—not just in a tourist overlay. It reads as more real day-to-day.
But Matt, Which City Is “Right” for Me?
Here’s the simplest decision grid I can give you.
Choose Medellín if you want…
Perfect-weather vibes and easy day trips.
A compact social scene you can tap quickly.
A polished transit system and “city pride” energy.
To live near the coffee story you tell your friends.
Choose Bogotá if you want…
More for your money month after month.
Food depth and a bigger cultural map.
The best air connectivity in Colombia.
A less tourist-shaped expat life.
Cool weather that keeps you productive and out of AC purgatory.
Hybrid move people love:
Spend 8–10 months in Bogotá, 2–4 in Medellín (or Santa Marta/Cartagena in short winter bursts). Colombia’s diversity is the feature—use it.
Reality Check: Sample Lifestyles (No Unicorns)
These are directional, not quotes from your landlord.
$2,000–$2,800/month
Bogotá: Charming 1BR in Usaquén or Chicó Norte, gym, good groceries, cafés, weekly dinners out, Uber budget, weekend shows.
Medellín: Nice 1BR in Laureles or a smaller place in Poblado (outside Provenza), cafés, a couple of nicer dinners, some Uber/metro, a day trip or two a month.
$3,500–$5,000/month
Bogotá: Premium 1–2BR in Rosales/Chicó Alto, frequent dining at chef spots, boutique gym, weekly concerts/theatre, weekend flights via El Dorado.
Medellín: Stylish 1–2BR in Manila/Patio Bonito or a good 2BR in Laureles, regular tasting menus, coffee farm visits, Guatapé weekends, the “nice life” without chasing every luxury.
$8,000+/month
Either city: You’re buying convenience and curation—private drivers, trainers, concierge medical, the table everyone wants on Friday. Medellín’s “king” package looks glossy; Bogotá’s feels quieter but wider.
The Elephant in the Room: Safety & Sanity
Both cities are modern and manageable with common sense:
Don’t flash watches/phones (especially late).
Use app rides.
In nightlife zones, assume predators operate—keep drinks in sight, go out with friends, and be boring with valuables.
Learn basic Spanish. It opens doors and lowers risks.
My Bottom Line
Medellín is awesome. You should visit—and you might well love living there.
But Bogotá wins on value, variety, and long-term livability for most people I meet (and for me). If Medellín is a brilliant boutique, Bogotá is the full department store—often at better prices—with a world-class airport attached.
So yes, you can “live like a king.” Or you can live really, really well—and have more left over for flights, friends, and a life that scales with you.