Pros and Cons of Living in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Pros and Cons of Living in Colombo

Last updated on Feb 24, 2023

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 appreciate the city's vibrant culture, friendly locals, and delicious food. They also enjoy the city's low cost of living, which makes it an attractive destination for those looking to stretch their budget. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads find the city's traffic and pollution to be a challenge. Additionally, the lack of reliable public transportation can be a source of frustration," said one expat in Colombo.

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What do expats in Colombo appreciate most about the local culture?

"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," said one person in Colombo.

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," said one person 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," remarked 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.