Colombia Forum

yolatengo
Joined 2019
Posts: 545

4 years ago

Choosing where to live

4 years ago

I am attempting to compose a statistical analysis comparing best cities to live, not just Colombia. I would love to hear suggestions about how to improve the analysis.

The idea is to list the most important factors (good or bad) that affects my choice of where to live The criteria (or factors) is highly personalized and will be different for everyone. For example, employment opportunities may be unimportant to some and important to others.

The difficult part is coming up with the most important factors for me personally. I've listed them below, though it is only a first draft. Then I assign a point value for each area that I want to consider.

Another difficult part in constructing this was how to value a particular factor. For example, I gave climate an importance of 75 points (maximum is 100) and a weight of 2.5 yielding total points = 188. I then assigned a value to a particular location. Using the location I live (Medellin/Sabaneta) initially, I gave Medellin a value of 50 multiplied by the weight of 2.5 yields 125 points. So, Medellin fell short of my ideal by 63 points (188-125). And so on with each factor.

I know I am not inventing any wheels. As a matter of fact, I showed my analysis to a friend and it turns out he did precisely the same thing 2 years ago. The only difference is that he has different factors than me. And his spreadsheet is prettier :). I also question my methodology for how to calculate the number of points for any given factor.

Again, I need the most help with at arriving at the most important factors. I can eventually work out how to handle the points.

Cost of living
Climate
Good healthcare
Affordable healthcare
Culture
Safety, or feeling of
Travel / Vacations
Employment opportunites
Escape native country (any reason)
Political Conditions
Proximity to family & friends
Adventure
Broaden horizons
English spoken
Pollution - better than moderate
Language skills (could be + or -)
Living in a city
Living in a pueblo
Infrastructure

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

Living in Colombia Guide

Expats in Colombia discuss the pros and cons of living in Colombia. From the Colombian people to driving to taxes and more. As challenging as it can be, expats in Colombia clearly find that there is a lot to love about a country that is a surprising expat hot spot.

Colombia Forum
Join our Colombia forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Colombia.

Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Colombia.

Best Places to Live in Colombia

If you're considering a move to Colombia, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Colombia in 2023.

Healthcare in Colombia

Our guide to healthcare in Colombia covers public and private healthcare in Colombia, hospitals, vaccinations, prescription medications and more.

Cost of Living in Colombia

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Colombia.

Moving to Colombia Guide

With its bustling cities, beautiful beaches and friendly Colombians, Colombia is an increasingly popular destination for expats of all ages. Expats in Colombia offer insightful tips for those moving to Colombia.

Real Estate in Colombia

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Colombia.

Pros & Cons of Living in Colombia

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Colombia.

Retiring in Colombia

Advice for people retiring in Colombia.

10 Tips for Living in Colombia

If you've recently arrived in Colombia, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Colombia.

Additional Information:

Visit our Colombia Index for a Full List

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

Contribute
Help others in Colombia by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Colombia.