That question can be addressed from so many different angles.
First, from the cost perspective. When I moved to Colombia, the peso was strong, and I was getting about 1800 - 1900 to the dollar. So far this year, the peso has weakened, and I've received as much as 2600 pesos for my dollar. That's a nice pay raise for someone living on a fixed income. Even without the strong dollar, Colombia is still less expensive than Panama and CR.
Colombia is still ex-pat friendly, but is getting more like CR in its attitude towards ex-pats. When I first received my residency, I was greeted with open arms, a 5-year tax moratorium and other perks. Since that time, Colombia has raised the visa fees and done away with the "permanent" permanent residency... and now has to be renewed every 5 years. Colombia has also tightened up on its taxation of income and assets owned by foreigners in Colombia, and is playing ball with the US with respect to FATCA reporting. Colombia keeps tight control over its ex-pat population, and will not hesitate to "bounce" someone perceived as a bad actor with no explanation. Panama, as far as I know, is still relatively immigrant friendly, and even offers incentives to retirees.
As far as things to do, landscape and natural beauty, I think all 3 countries are neck to neck in that area. Colombia has a developing tourist infrastructure, but has a ways to go to catch up to CR and Panama. For me, Panama is a little bit too hot for living there full-time, CR is OK with respect to climate, but living in the Medellin area is perfect. I live in one of the municipalities near Medellin, and can expect temperatures that go as low as 50s during the night and the high 70s or low 80s during the day. We get our share of rain during the months of April, October and November. Paisas have a narrow band of climate comfort ranging from 72 to 82 degrees F. When it's lower than 72, the paisas are wearing mufflers and mittens, and when it is warmer than 82 degrees... they are fanning themselves and saying "uff."
Other parts of Colombia are very hot like the northern and Pacific coasts and some of the interior departments like Tolima. As far as traffic goes, San Jose is a much more enjoyable city to be driving in than say Bogota, Medellin or Panama City. Traffic has gotten progressively worse in Medellin since I first arrived 7 1/2 years ago. The traffic in Bogota is obscene. Panama has excellent national highways, but the urban roadways suck. Costa Rican roads have come a long way in the past 10 years with the new highway to the Pacific coast and much less potholes than before. Colombian highways are OK, but tolls are expensive and urban roadways and intersections are poorly designed.
So far, I've been pleased with my Colombian EPS (HMO-style healthplan) which provides me with doctor/specialists visits, diagnostics and lab work, hospitalization, pharmacy and dental for $30 per month. There are many state of the art medical facilities throughout the major cities in Colombia. I also have Medicare and Blue Cross/Blue Shield as back-up in the States. From my limited experience with CR healthcare, it looks like healthcare in CR is good as well... and more attuned to the needs of foreign immigrants and visitors (as long as you have the money). I have no experience with Panama healthcare.
Real Estate prices in Medellin are on the rise if buying, but rents are still a bargain. If you stay out of Poblado, you can find nice 2 - 3 BR apartments in an upper estrato for less than $600 per month. My utilities for a 3 BR apartment run about $120 per month at the current USD/COP exchange rate. The options for ex-pat living has spreading to areas outside of Poblado for the past year or so. Even the couple of gringo-owned realties in Medellin are now pushing properties outside of Poblado. We looked at similar properties in Panama, and rents were considerably higher. If living in Panama, I would choose one of the old canal worker communities to live between Miraflores and Gamboa, and would avoid living in the Panama City... just my humble opinion. After the market adjustment, you may be able to find some bargains in CR if buying.
Colombia is a mosaic of a number of different regions and cultures... each with its own unique geography, ethnicity and cultures. To a lesser degree, Costa Rica is the same. I prefer the Medellin area to other cities like Bogota, Barranquilla, Cartagena and Santa Marta, but would consider living in any of the coffee axis cities like Manizales, Pereira or Armenia. There are other regions in Colombia that I would avoid for security regions. If I were to live in Costa Rica, I would most likely select Perez Zeledon or the area around San Ramon.
I could on and on about the pros and cons of where to live in retirement. But so far, I am happy living in Colombia, and would choose it over Panama and Costa Rica for my retirement home.
What a breath of fresh air! An excellent, well written and very informative post…full of valuable insight from someone who is actually living the experience he is talking about.
Thank you very much for your contribution to the thread. IMHO, this is the type of posting that makes me want to be a member of this board! I am looking forward to my first mongering visit to MDE in early June. Appreciate all the background information on possible destinations to spend a longer "vacation" if not part-time residence for part of the year. Other than the bad security/safety rap MDE has, it is clearly a very attractive place to spend extended time and enjoy, not only our hobby, but the culture and natural beauty of the coffee lands.
Thanks very much for the informative and awsome reply.
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