Pros and Cons of Living in Cali
Last updated on Mar 14, 2025
Summary: The pros of living in Cali, Colombia include its warm climate, its vibrant culture, its diverse population, its low cost of living, and its proximity to the beach. The cons of living in Cali include its high crime rate, its poor air quality, its lack of infrastructure, and its limited job opportunities.
What are the pros and cons of living in Cali?
Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Cali responded:
"Expatriates and digital nomads living in Cali often appreciate the city's vibrant culture, friendly locals, and affordable cost of living. They also enjoy the city's excellent climate, with temperatures rarely dropping below 20°C. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the city's traffic and pollution levels to be a bit overwhelming. Additionally, the city's infrastructure can be lacking in some areas, making it difficult to access certain services," explained one expat living in Cali.
"I do not live in the city, I'm about an 1:15 outside of Cali in the mountains where it's much cooler. Cali can be quite hot much of the time and the traffic, crowds, and pollution are too much for me. I do drive into Cali about one a week for shopping or medical reasons. I find these day trips quite tolerable but prefer to back home by 7pm," said one in Cali.

Connect
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.
Connect
Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
What do expats in Cali appreciate most about the local culture?
"Expatriates in Cali appreciate the city's vibrant culture, which is characterized by its friendly people, delicious cuisine, and lively music and dance scene. They also enjoy the city's laid-back atmosphere, which allows them to relax and take in the sights and sounds of the city. Additionally, expats appreciate the city's affordability, which allows them to enjoy a high quality of life without breaking the bank. Finally, expats in Cali appreciate the city's proximity to the rest of Colombia, which makes it easy to explore the country's many attractions," replied an expat in Cali.
"I ask for the girl friend's mother and father's approval early on and got approval from the whole family even though I am much older than she," remarked one in Cali.
What do expats find most challenging?
"The most challenging may be that she is Catholic and I am Christian. But Saturday is my Church day and Sunday is hers so we can work that out," explained one expat living in Cali.
"Expatriates in Cali often find the local culture to be quite different from what they are used to. The language barrier can be a challenge, as Spanish is the primary language spoken in the city. Additionally, the local customs and traditions can be difficult to understand and navigate. Expats may also find the pace of life in Cali to be slower than what they are accustomed to, as well as the lack of public transportation options. Finally, the hot and humid climate can be a challenge for those who are not used to it," said one expat in Cali.
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.
Additional Information:
- Expat Guide to Cali
- Healthcare & Health Insurance in Cali
- Best Neighborhoods for Single Digital Nomads Living in Cali
- Pros & Cons of Living in Cali
- Best International Schools and Bilingual Schools in Cali
- 7 Weekend Getaways for Digital Nomads Living in Cali
- Fun Classes for Expats Living in Cali
- Best Bookstores and Libraries in Cali
- Public Transportation in Cali
- Best Markets in Cali
- Retire in Cali Guide
- 7 Tips for Living in Cali
- Pros & Cons of Living in Cali
- Tips for Expats Driving in Cali
- Cost of Living in Cali
- Health Care in Cali
- Discovering the Best of Cali
- Healthcare & Health Insurance in Colombia
- Best Places to Live in Colombia
- 10 Cultural Faux Pas to Avoid While Living in Colombia
- Pros and Cons of Living in Colombia 2025
- 2025 Guide to Moving to Colombia