Medellin

Medellín can be a very attractive base for a software engineer if your income comes from abroad. Redditors who like it point to the mild climate, mountain scenery, friendly Paisa culture, good internet, active social life, and a cost structure that still compares favorably with many global tech cities. For remote engineers, the value proposition is clear: earn in a stronger currency, live in a lively city, and enjoy a lifestyle that would be harder to afford in Toronto, the US, or Western Europe.

But the Reddit sentiment is not blindly positive. The biggest recurring theme is that Medellín is not a carefree “cheap paradise.” Safety comes up constantly: people mention robberies, being threatened with knives, avoiding phones in public, and foreigners becoming targets—especially non-Spanish speakers or people involved in nightlife and dating apps. The city’s over-tourism and sex/drug-tourism scene, particularly around El Poblado, has made some long-term residents feel the vibe has worsened.

From a career perspective, Medellín is weak as a local tech market compared with major software hubs. The data places it low for net income and purchasing power among tech cities, while Redditors are blunt that Colombian IT salaries are often disappointing unless you are working remotely for a foreign company. So the move makes sense for a remote SWE, but much less sense for someone planning to enter the local labor market.

Quality of life is mixed: residents love the weather, people, food, parks, hikes, and nearby towns, but complain about air pollution, traffic, heavy rainfall, and bureaucracy. The strongest advice from Reddit is to do a longer trial stay—ideally outside the driest/highest-tourism period—before committing. Medellín is worth considering, but only with realistic expectations, Spanish study, strong safety habits, and a reliable remote income.