Destination Help (w/ specifics)
 

Hey
I am hoping for some insight from some seasoned travelers. I am looking for a destination to travel to for an extended period of time (3 months+, or at least long enough to have an apartment. Up to 1 year.) I'm looking for a couple criteria to help me decide. One is that I want it to be cheap, as I'll be living off my savings, trying to get my freelancing business started. Which brings me to #2, it must have the internet. #3 Is that it would near a beach, not in a giant metropolis. I live in San Francisco now, and I'm ready to fall back into a slower lifestyle. #4 is that they would speak Spanish. I have a Spanish degree, but would like to use immersion to master this skill. #5, which is of way less importance than the others, is that the more modern the better.

So, in order from most important to least:
1. Cheap
2. Internet
3. Beach, smaller city
4. Spanish
5. Modern

Originally, I was considering Medellin, Colombia. However, I'm not quite sure now because it seems like I'd be moving right back to the hustle and bustle of a huge city. I don't want to live in a village by any means, but I'm just kind of over daily-bus-commutes and huge crowds everywhere.

Any place that meets some criteria but not all is certainly welcome.Any place that you're really excited about right now would be awesome to hear about.

Thank you!

I am thinking that Cartagena looks like exactly what I'm looking for. Anyone have experience here?

You might want to post your questions on the South America and Mexico/Central America forums.

Okay, thanks for the help!

Once you narrow it down to a few cities/towns you are considering, also check the FORUMS section at Trip Advisor for more specific info from posters who know those particular places well. suze