Expat Survey: 82% of Expats in Colombia Love Living There

Expats is Colombia were among those who recently shared their insights about living overseas in our survey to find the Best Places to Live for 2022.

Overall, 82% of expats described themselves as being either Extremely Satisfied or Very Satisfied compared to the global average of 70%.

When asked about their entertainment options (movies, concerts, museums, etc.), 57% of expats, retirees and nomads reported that they were either Extremely Satisfied (33%) or Very Satisfied (24%). This is 12 percentage points LOWER than the global average.

As for local dining options, 73% indicated that they were either Extremely Satisfied (39%) or Very Satisfied (34%). This is slightly HIGHER than the global average.

Survey respondents were also asked about Local Grocery Shopping options, and 80% of respondents said they were either Extremely Satisfied (43%) or Very Satisfied (36%), and 89% were either Extremely Satisfied (60%) or Very Satisfied (29%) with the local fresh food. At 2 and 8 percentage points respectively, these numbers are slightly HIGHER than the global average.

When asked about the quality of their local water, 76% of expats globally reported being either Extremely Satisfied (57%) or Very Satisfied (19%). This is roughly the same as the global average.

Overall, two-thirds of Expats (61%) reported being either Extremely Satisfied (23%) or Very Satisfied (37%) with their social life, and 60% said that they were either Extremely Satisfied (24%) or Very Satisfied (36%) with making friends locally. These numbers are 5 percentage points higher for both their social life and ease of making friends locally.

Direct quotes from Expats in Colombia

"Amazing people, high affordability, super dog-friendly and no expats thus far, which I consider a plus."

"I have lived in Republic of Colombia in Barranquilla since 1983. I established my private office and invested assets here since 1987. I am very satisfied with my decisions," remarked another expat in Colombia.

"I have a beautiful apartment high in the Andes Mountains with the morning sunrise pouring in through the floor-to-ceiling windows. I live in an upper-middle-class neighborhood where I feel entirely safe. I have shopping around me and prices are reasonable for groceries. I do order a lot from the United States," commented another expat living in Colombia.

"The worst thing about Medellin is the pollution, but I believe it is not so much from vehicles as local industry. But, having said that, the pollution issue is only occasional. The best thing is the climate followed closely by the friendliness and helpfulness of the local people (Paisas). The cost of living is great as well," offered another expat living in Colombia.

"No. For the most part I find Colombians to be friendly, welcoming people. That was a primary consideration when I chose Colombia as the place to live," commented one expat living in Cali, Colombia.

Colombia is located at the top of South America and connects to Central America/Panama at the northwest part of the continent.