Pros and Cons of Living in Colombo
Last updated on Nov 27, 2024
Summary: The pros of living in Colombo, Sri Lanka include its vibrant culture, diverse cuisine, and beautiful beaches. Additionally, the city is home to a variety of educational and employment opportunities. On the other hand, the cons of living in Colombo include its high cost of living, traffic congestion, and air pollution. Additionally, the city is prone to extreme weather conditions such as monsoons and cyclones.
What are the pros and cons of living in Colombo?
Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Colombo responded:
"Expats and digital nomads living in Colombo, often appreciate the city's rich cultural heritage, friendly locals, and diverse cuisine. They enjoy the relatively low cost of living, which allows for a comfortable lifestyle, and the availability of modern amenities, such as reliable internet and coworking spaces. The city's tropical climate, beautiful beaches, and lush greenery also make it an attractive destination for those seeking a warm and picturesque environment. However, some expats and digital nomads may find the traffic congestion and air pollution in Colombo to be a significant drawback. The city's public transportation system can be crowded and unreliable, making it challenging to navigate the city efficiently. Additionally, while English is widely spoken, the language barrier can still be an issue when dealing with local bureaucracy or trying to integrate into the local community. Another concern for some expats and digital nomads is the limited availability of certain goods and services, such as imported products or specialized healthcare. This may require them to adapt their lifestyle or seek out alternatives. Finally, the humid climate and prevalence of mosquitoes can be uncomfortable for some, and the risk of tropical diseases, such as dengue fever, may be a concern for those living in Colombo," said one member in Colombo.
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What do expats in Colombo appreciate most about the local culture?
"It is clean, people are more educated amongst south Asian people, nature is beautiful, weather is nice, great fruits and sea food," replied an expat in Colombo .
"Friendliness of people and their willingness to help you at every turn. I was working in London and Latvia before and I was depressed then due to the fact that I did not find genuine people around me," remarked one in Colombo.
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What do expats find most challenging?
"Expats in Colombo often find the local culture to be quite different from what they are used to. The language barrier can be a challenge, as English is not widely spoken. Additionally, the local customs and etiquette can be difficult to navigate, as they are quite different from those of other countries. The traffic and congestion in Colombo can also be overwhelming for expats, as it is much more chaotic than what they may be used to. Finally, the heat and humidity can be a challenge for expats, as it can be quite oppressive at times," explained one expat living in Colombo.
"Everything is so slow. People are very proud and stubborn at times. They smile a lot, but the smile doesn't always feel sincere. There is a lack of problem solving orientation. Prices are quite high for some items and especially for foreigners. Old cars are being driven and they are very polluting," said one expat in Colombo .
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.