The Colorful Homes of Latin America

In the US, most homes look pretty similar to each other.

At least in the small town I grew up in.

In terms of color, they're very noticeable.

That isn't to say that you don't got orange houses up there in the US.

Just that, compared to Latin America, homes tend to be a lot less colorful.

And the color contrast from one house to the next isn't as strong.

Just the other day, I was walking around Coyoacan area of Mexico City and came across a decent example as you can see here.

To be fair though, the example above is not as strong as other examples you see walking around.

And I do want to emphasize that most homes down here do not have strong colors.

A vast majority do not.

Still, compared to the US, you do see generally more colorful homes in Latin America.

Sometimes it's just areas being colorful and nothing more.

And that, in of itself, is a difference from life back home.

A nice one at that.

But also, at least from my observations, it could be a sign that the area is dangerous or the housing is for poor people.

Which isn't to say that every area down here with colorful housing is poor or dangerous.

Only that, when it comes to identifying characteristics of SOME poor areas in Latin America, you do notice colorful housing to be part of the equation.

From an outsider perspective, it seems to be because people in the area want more pride in their area and, despite its ugly reputation, want to make something beautiful in the area they call home (even if it has major social problems).

Therefore, it's not uncommon for poor and/or dangerous areas to SOMETIMES have more color in the neighborhoods to contrast to the uglier reality of living there.

Let's dive into some examples.

Government Sponsored Housing in Mexico

Along my walk mentioned, I saw some housing that has received government help.

Well, I think so anyway. I could be wrong but I think this is an example of it.

Colorful building anyway.

Next we'll drop some other examples with videos so you can see what I am talking about even more.  

The Houses of the Hills in Pachuca de Soto

Iztapalapa of Mexico City

Comuna 13 of Medellin, Colombia

La Perla of Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rico, you have La Perla as another example as you can read here.

"El mar, picado y violento, revienta con furia contra el barrio de La Perla. Aunque muchos dicen que es el barrio, con su fama de bravo y caliente, el que se estrella contra el mar aledaño y no al contrario.

Esta mañana, el barrio de casitas de colores que cuelga de las murallas del viejo San Juan de Puerto Rico duerme la resaca de la derrota: Miguel Cotto, uno de los más grandes boxeadores que ha dado la isla, perdió la noche anterior, por decisión unánime, frente al mexicano Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez"

"Por décadas, este barrio marginal de San Juan ha sido considerado uno de los más peligroso del Caribe."

Anything to Add?

Like I said, not every area with colorful housing has poor people or is dangerous.

Far from it.

Sometimes it really is just part of life in certain pockets of Latin America.

And that again is really just, in of itself, a difference from life back home.

Having said that, as an outsider, I again have noticed that SOME (and only SOME) poorer areas have more colorful housing and/or murals done by the residents of the area to give more life to an area impacted by high crime and struggling locals.

To bring some light to an area full of darkness.

Or that's how I've come to understand it anyway.

If you got anything to add, drop a comment below.

And follow my Twitter here.

Thanks for reading.

Best regards,

Matt