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," wrote one expat in Colombia.
"I love Villavicencio, the llanero and the rivers and the culture is amazing. It has all the modern conveniences with many large malls and great restaurants. Guanajuato at Prima Vera is as close to TexMex as it gets. Bastimento has amazing American and traditional dishes. Overall has many wonderful day trips in the area," explained one expat living in Villavicencio.
"I truly feel fortunate to have discovered Ibague, Colombia. I came here at the request of my girlfriend because she has Family here. It is truly a hidden gem that I would never have discovered otherwise. There have never been many foreign tourists here, so there is no "Gringo pricing" or any of the other aberrations that occur in many places in Latin America. I periodically "shop around" and consider living in other places, but all it has done is convince me I found a near-perfect spot on the planet. Medellin is a wonderful place for a large city. The weather in Ibague is similar to Medellin. The daily high temp is about 2 degrees higher in Ibague, but the humidity is lower. Anybody who says they can tell the difference might be lying, and you should probably check it out for yourself. Ibague is also much closer to the capitol city of Bogota and most expats will occasionally have government business to do there. This city has excellent products and services available. We live within walking distance of an Exito and a HomeCenter. You need want for nothing," said one in Ibague.
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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.
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