Colombia
Pros and Cons of Living in Colombia
Last updated on Jun 07, 2023
Summary: The pros of living in Colombia include its diverse culture, vibrant cities, and beautiful landscapes. Colombia is also known for its friendly people, delicious cuisine, and affordable cost of living. Additionally, the country has a strong economy and is home to many world-renowned universities. On the other hand, the cons of living in Colombia include its high crime rate, political instability, and inadequate infrastructure. Additionally, the country has a high rate of poverty and inequality, and the healthcare system is not as advanced as in other countries.
What are the pros and cons of living in Colombia?
Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Colombia responded:
"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the affordability of living in Colombia, as well as the friendly and welcoming culture of the locals. They also enjoy the country's diverse landscapes, from the Caribbean coast to the Andes mountains, as well as the vibrant cities and towns. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the infrastructure and public services to be lacking, as well as the lack of reliable internet access in some areas. Additionally, the language barrier can be a challenge for some, as Spanish is the primary language spoken in Colombia," said one member in Colombia.
"The weather and climate are great. The cost of living is ok but housing has seen a massive increase in costs," remarked one expat in Medellin.
Colombian Visa ServicesConnect
We have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
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Colombian Visa ServicesWe have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
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What do expats in Colombia appreciate most about the local culture?
"Lots of really friendly people in Colombia, If you are lost you must not be surprised if someone escorts you for half an hour to take you where you wanted to go," said a person living in Medellin.
"The local and pretty much Countrywide CULTURE that I enjoy most is the 'MANANA' culture. I returned to the USA 2 years ago for a planned 4 month stay after 15 years here. After all my time in Colombia, I had forgotten how much of a rat race the US really is. I stayed for 2 months and returned to Colombia. In the States, you make a list of everything you need to do the next day and then you rush around doing everything on the list. In Colombia I make the list at night but in the morning I look at the list and say MANANA. Here, there is very little rush to do anything," explained one expat living in Colombia.
"Can I get away without saying anything here? I'm not sure there is anything I appreciate," said one in Villavicencio.
"The people! The people I have met here are the most sincere and kind people I have ever met. I am from the Mid-West (USA), but have never experienced the level of hospitality that I have here. Colombians never take themselves too serious. They always take the time to enjoy life and explore its possibilities. This is something that I am hoping I will learn while living here," explained one expat who made the move to Pereira.
We have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
We have over 10 years of experience helping foreigners obtain visas, invest, and do business in Colombia. Take the stress out of immigrating to Colombia by working with an experienced, bilingual immigration attorney.
Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
What do expats find most challenging?
"I have the American sense of time ingrained in my very soul. I am really struggling to accept that things don't always happen when I want them to. I purchased a refrigerator that was promised to be delivered the next day at 4pm. 4pm came and went with no refrigerator being delivered. I then called the company and they assured me that it would be delivered by 8pm that night. Again, it was not. This pattern continued for several more days, until it was finally delivered. It didn't HURT me to wait, but was extremely frustrating for me," remarked one expat in Pereira.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International
and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University
with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
Other Questions:
- What should I pack when moving to Colombia?
- Where should I setup a bank account in Colombia?
- Will I be able to find a job in Colombia?
- What is life like as an expat in your area?
- What do expats in Colombia appreciate most about the local culture?
- What do expats find most challenging?
- Is there a lot of crime in Colombia?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Colombia accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Colombia like?
- How are healthcare services in Colombia?
- What are medical services in Colombia like?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Colombia?
- What are emergency services like in Colombia?
- Will I need to travel to see a specialist?
- Are common prescription medications available in Colombia?
- How are local medical facilities in Colombia?
- As a foreigner living in Colombia, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
- What have your experiences during the pandemic with the local healthcare system been like?