Three countries. Endless possibilities. I could have been sipping coffee in Quito, watching container ships squeeze through the Panama Canal, or stretched out in a hammock in Bocas del Toro. But here I am—living in Bogotá, Colombia.
And no, this isn’t one of those “I came for a weekend and just never left” Instagram stories. This was a calculated move. I compared visas, cost of living, culture, weather, and lifestyle—and Colombia won, hands down.
This is the story of why Panama and Ecuador didn’t quite make the cut for me, and why Colombia checked boxes I didn’t even know I had.
On paper, Panama looks like an expat slam dunk. The Friendly Nations Visa is one of the simplest residency paths in the world. The country runs on the U.S. dollar, which makes banking and budgeting straightforward. And if you’re into offshore companies or territorial taxes, Panama has been the go-to for decades.
Panama City’s Tocumen Airport is also basically a hub to the Americas—you can fly just about anywhere quickly. Add in tropical escapes like Bocas del Toro and you’ve got a dreamy expat brochure.
But here’s the thing. Panama, for me, felt more like a place to visit than a place to live.
Panama City: Casco Viejo? Gorgeous—colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, a real vibe. But outside that small historic center, much of Panama City felt generic. Sleek glass towers, modern malls… it could’ve been Miami, or even Dubai-lite. And then there’s the rain—when it pours, it’s like someone flipped a switch to “monsoon” and forgot to turn it off.
Costs: Living in Panama isn’t crazy expensive, but it’s not cheap either. Especially in Panama City, prices creep up faster than the humidity. Since you’re earning in U.S. dollars and spending in U.S. dollars, you don’t get that juicy exchange rate bonus you do in Colombia.
Lifestyle fit: Bocas del Toro is paradise… for a week. I loved it for vacation. But island life? Every day? I’d probably lose my mind after a month.
Verdict: I liked Panama, but it didn’t feel like a forever home. More like a business hub or quick getaway spot.
Ecuador: A Beautiful Contender with a Slower Pace
I’ll be honest—I really liked Ecuador, especially Quito. The colonial charm, mountain views, and vibrant markets had me seriously considering it. The climate at altitude? Cool, crisp, refreshing. If you hate tropical humidity, Quito is like a natural air conditioner.
Add to that:
Affordability: Housing, groceries, produce—all shockingly cheap. Outside of the big cities, you can live extremely well on a modest budget.
Variety: Ecuador has beaches, mountains, and jungle. And places like Cuenca already have strong expat communities, which makes settling in easier.
Dollarized economy: They also use the U.S. dollar, which means no math every time you buy coffee.
So why didn’t Ecuador win?
Connectivity: Flight connections aren’t as strong. If you travel often, those extra layovers add up fast.
Internet & infrastructure: Fine in the cities, but less reliable outside. For someone running an online business, that’s a dealbreaker.
Pace: Ecuador has a laid-back rhythm, which is perfect for many people. But for me, it felt a little too slow. I wanted more energy, more buzz in the air.
Politics & safety: In recent years, Ecuador’s had political instability and some spikes in safety issues. Not a dealbreaker, but enough to make me hesitate about putting down long-term roots.
Verdict: A great place to visit, maybe even semi-retire, but for me, not the basecamp for building both a business and a lifestyle.
Colombia: The One That Felt Like Home
Then came Colombia. And the more I explored it, the more it stacked up wins.
Variety of climates: Bogotá’s cool and crisp. Medellín’s “eternal spring.” Cartagena’s steamy Caribbean charm. And all of them are just short flights apart.
Culture & lifestyle: This isn’t just “expat-friendly.” Colombian culture is alive—music, art, festivals, neighborhoods buzzing with energy. You don’t just live in Colombia. You feel it.
Food & coffee: Street empanadas for pocket change. World-class restaurants that rival New York or Paris. And of course—coffee culture that actually lives up to the hype.
Affordability: The Colombian peso means you’re getting more bang for your buck compared to dollarized countries. Rent, groceries, eating out, even healthcare—all significantly cheaper.
Healthcare: This one shocked me. Colombia ranks higher than the U.S. in global healthcare ratings. My public EPS plan costs about $30/month. Private clinics? Still a fraction of U.S. prices.
Connectivity: El Dorado International in Bogotá is consistently rated one of Latin America’s best airports, with flights all over the Americas and Europe. For someone still on the move, that’s a game-changer.
Of course, Colombia isn’t perfect:
Traffic in Bogotá is brutal.
Bureaucracy is alive and well (get ready for patience-testing paperwork).
Spanish isn’t optional if you want to thrive.
Weather depends on where you land: Bogotá’s damp and chilly, coastal cities are hot and sticky.
But here’s the thing: the pros outweighed the cons. Colombia wasn’t just the logical choice—it was the one that felt right.
Final Thoughts: Fit > Lists
Choosing where to live abroad isn’t about finding “the best country” from some Top 10 YouTube list. It’s about fit.
Panama is fantastic for easy visas, strong banking, and global connectivity. Ecuador is affordable, charming, and laid-back. Colombia is vibrant, varied, and alive.
For me, Colombia ticked the boxes that mattered most—climate variety, affordability, strong travel connections, vibrant culture, and that intangible spark that makes a place feel like home.
My advice? Don’t just read the lists. Visit each country. Stay for weeks, not days. Shop in the markets, test the internet, sit in the traffic, and see how it feels. Because the right country isn’t the one with the most “pros”—it’s the one where you wake up and think: Yeah, I can see myself here.
For me, that country was Colombia.