Costa Rica vs Medellín – Part 2

Before I expound on the subject, it is impossible to compare the whole country of Costa Rica with the city of Medellín. It would definitely be an unfair comparison. A more realistic and objective way to do this is to compare Medellín with Costa Rica’s Central Valley in that they geographically similar.

I just returned from my third trip to Medellín this year. Why? I am thinking of starting a relocation business there. It would be similar to what I do in Costa Rica but in different setting. I have finished my initial research, due diligence and made enough good contacts to duplicate what I have done in Costa Rica with great success over the last 20 years. Medellín offers a more affordable but is not necessarily better alternative to Costa Rica. Many make the mistake of equating the cost of living with quality of life.

Costa Rica set the standard for off-shore retirement relocation about twenty five years ago. Since then other places have tried to imitate what Costa Rica has done. Panama, Nicaragua, Ecuador and now the city of Medellín have followed suit.

Let’s look at both places. Medellín is located in a very deep valley with a river running through its center. Costa Rica’s Central Valley is not as deep because the mountains that surround it are lower. Because Medellín sits in a deep bowl and has 4.5 million people air pollution can be very bad at times. Since there are not as many people living in Costa Rica’s Central Valley and the weather usually windy, there is definitely far less contamination . Both areas have similar year-round, spring-like weather but Medellín is closer to the equator, and tends to be warmer with the sun’s rays hitting more directly. I really noticed the difference in temperature between both places when when I visited in early April of this year. I also found the air quality to leave a lot to be desired.

Costa Rica has traffic jams but Medellín’s appear to be a lot worse even with the driving restrictions that are in place.

It is really difficult to compare both places. Medellín is a huge city where as the Central Valley’s cities of San José, Alajuela and Heredia are all much smaller.

Medellín is not as Americanized as Costa Rica in that many food products from the former cannot be found in local supermarkets. Don’t get me wrong! Colombian supermarkets like Exito and Carulla are excellent but do not have many brands from home. Every day more and more U.S. products are available in Costa Rica. Colombia is more self sufficient and less dependent on U.S. products.

I think both areas offer a lot for expats and foreign retirees and currently are the two best places to live in Latin America. It really boils down to a question of personal taste and budget as to which of the two is best for living. In a way it is like comparing apples and oranges.

I will continue to make Costa Rica my home base but plan to return to Medellín often. I know of several expats who live in both place so they can enjoy the best that each has to offer.