Medellín has become one of the most popular cities in Latin America for remote workers, retirees, students and anyone who wants to try life in Colombia before committing to it. Its mild year-round climate is a big part of why it’s often called the “City of Eternal Spring.” It also has a modern metro system and friendly, walkable neighborhoods. Most people who come for more than a few weeks look for the same thing: a furnished monthly rental where they can show up with a suitcase and start living.
This guide covers what we’ve learned from helping foreigners settle into Medellín: where to look, what a fair monthly listing includes, what to check before you pay, and how to avoid the most common mistakes.
Why rent monthly instead of nightly or yearly?
A furnished monthly rental sits between a short vacation stay and a traditional long-term lease.
- Compared with nightly stays, a monthly rate is usually a better deal for stays of 30 days or more. You also get a real home base with a kitchen, a workspace and a building staff who know you.
- Compared with a traditional unfurnished lease, you skip buying furniture, setting up utilities in your name and the paperwork that comes with a standard Colombian lease. Traditional leases often ask for a local co-signer (fiador) or a rental guarantee policy, and those are hard for a newcomer to get.
For most foreigners in their first months in Medellín, monthly furnished is the most flexible way to start.
The best neighborhoods for a monthly stay
Medellín is a big city, and the neighborhood you choose will shape your experience more than the apartment itself.
Laureles
Laureles is flat, leafy and very walkable, which is unusual in a city built into a valley. Its tree-lined streets, the circular street layout, and the cafés and restaurants around Primer Parque, Segundo Parque and La 70 give it a local, residential feel while still offering plenty to do. The Estadio metro station and the Atanasio Girardot sports complex are nearby. Many long-stay foreigners pick Laureles because it feels like living in Medellín, not just visiting. Most of our managed apartments are here. Browse our Laureles apartments.
El Poblado
El Poblado is the best-known area for visitors. It’s greener and hillier, with lots of restaurants, nightlife, shopping malls and international services. It’s a good fit if you want everything close by and don’t mind hills.
Envigado
Just south of El Poblado, Envigado is technically its own municipality but is part of the metro area. It’s popular with families and people who want a quieter, more local rhythm without going far from the action.
There’s no single “best” neighborhood. Think about how you’ll spend your days: working from home, going out at night, exercising, or exploring. Choose the area that fits that routine.
What “ALL IN” rent should mean
One of the biggest sources of confusion for newcomers is what the monthly price actually covers. In Colombia, rent, utilities (servicios públicos: water, electricity, gas), internet and the building’s administration fee (administración) are often billed separately on unfurnished rentals.
At MB Real Estate, every listing is priced ALL IN. The price you see includes utilities, Wi-Fi and the admin fee, so there is nothing extra to pay each month. Whoever you rent from, ask this question directly:
“Does the monthly price include utilities, internet and the building administration fee?”
Get the answer in writing before you book.
Checklist: what to look for in a furnished monthly rental
Before you commit, go through this list:
- Workspace and internet. If you work remotely, ask about the internet plan and whether there’s a real desk and chair, not just a dining table.
- Air conditioning. Medellín is mild, but some apartments get warm in the afternoon sun. Many newer buildings, like our LoftGo units, include AC.
- Building security. Most modern buildings in Medellín have a front desk (portería) and controlled access. 24/7 security is common and worth confirming.
- Building amenities. Rooftop pools or Jacuzzis, gyms, saunas and coworking spaces are common in newer buildings. They can replace a gym membership or a coworking pass.
- Kitchen and laundry. Check for a full kitchen and a washer, especially for stays longer than a month.
- Guest policy. Buildings set their own rules. Many require visitors to show physical ID at the front desk.
- Cleaning. Ask whether cleaning is available during your stay and who does it. MB Real Estate runs its own cleaning company, so turnovers and cleanings are handled by our own team.
- Real photos. Ask for recent, real photos or a video call walkthrough. Professional editing is fine, but the apartment should look like the pictures.
How to book safely
Scams target newcomers in every popular city, and Medellín is no exception. A few simple habits protect you:
- Deal with a real, verifiable company or owner. Look for a website, an active social media history and a phone or WhatsApp number that people actually answer.
- Don’t send money before you’ve seen the apartment, in person or on a live video call.
- Be wary of prices far below market or pressure to “pay today before someone else does.”
- Get the terms in writing: dates, price, what’s included, deposit (if any) and the cancellation policy.
What about visas and length of stay?
How long you can stay depends on your nationality and visa. Many visitors enter Colombia on a tourist permit, and Colombia also offers visa types for longer stays, including a digital nomad option. Rules change, so always check the current requirements with Migración Colombia and the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you plan a long stay. A monthly rental gives you the flexibility to extend or end your stay as your plans firm up.
What to expect on price
Prices vary a lot by neighborhood, building, size, season and amenities, so be careful with any single “average” number you read online. The most reliable way to compare is to look at current, ALL IN listings side by side. You can see our live availability and prices on our Rentals page. It ranges from studios to three- and four-bedroom apartments in Laureles, El Poblado and Envigado.
Two examples from our current portfolio:
- LoftGo 118, a compact furnished unit in Laureles with AC, in a building with a rooftop Jacuzzi, gym and steam room.
- LoftGo 406, a one-bedroom with two bathrooms, three beds and a private patio with its own Jacuzzi.
Check the listing for the current ALL IN price and availability.
Why foreigners choose MB Real Estate
Our founder moved to Medellín from the United States years ago and knows firsthand how hard it can be to find a trustworthy place as a foreigner. That’s why we built MB Real Estate around a few simple promises:
- A fully bilingual team, so everything is clear in English or Spanish
- ALL IN pricing, with no surprise bills
- Our own cleaning company for consistent, hotel-standard cleaning
- Real photos of real apartments we manage
- Fast answers on WhatsApp
It’s why people call us the trusted company of foreigners in Medellín.
Ready to find your apartment?
Tell us your dates, budget and the neighborhood you like, and we’ll send you the options that fit.
- 📲 WhatsApp: +1 859 229 4916
- 🏙️ See current availability: mbrealestatesas.com/rentals
- 📸 Instagram: @mbrealestate__
Know someone moving to Medellín? We pay an agreed commission for monthly or yearly renter referrals. Learn about our referral program.