Moving From Canada to Colombia — My Experience Living in Medellín and Ibagué
Published on May 29, 2026 by the good looking guy in the picture, me – Trev.
At 39 years old, I decided to leave Toronto, Canada and take a chance on something completely different.
Like many people, I had spent years working, saving money, and trying to build a stable life. Canada gave me opportunities, but over time I started feeling curious about what life could look like outside of the country. I wanted better weather, lower living costs, more freedom, and honestly, a new experience.
After spending a few months researching Colombia online, reading expat stories, and watching videos about Medellín, I booked a trip.
Originally, the plan was simple.
I would spend three months in Colombia, explore the country, improve my Spanish, enjoy the weather, and then probably head back to Canada.
That never happened.
Landing in Medellín for the First Time
I still remember arriving at José María Córdova International Airport outside Medellín for the first time.
After landing, I took the airport bus down toward the city. As we drove through the mountains, I remember looking outside the window and seeing beautiful green hills, fincas scattered throughout the countryside, and views completely different from Toronto.
That first drive into Medellín was one of the moments where I realized:
“This place feels different.”
The weather was warm, people were friendly, and the energy of the city immediately stood out to me. Coming from Toronto winters, waking up to sunshine almost every day honestly felt strange at first. In Canada, I was used to gray skies, cold mornings, and months where you barely wanted to go outside. Medellín immediately felt more alive and social simply because people were outdoors all the time.
Living in Medellín as a Canadian
Yes, readers, I love food. During my first month in Medellín, I stayed at a hostel near Estadio, one of the most popular neighborhoods for foreigners, digital nomads, and travelers.
The hostel cost me roughly $300 CAD per month, which honestly shocked me compared to Toronto prices.
Back in Canada, paying that little for accommodation in a major city would be almost impossible.
One of the things I enjoyed most about the Estadio area was the social atmosphere. Back in Toronto, life often felt more individual and routine-based. In Medellín, it felt easier to meet people naturally. During my first few weeks, I made friends from different countries, started playing soccer with locals and expats, and spent time exploring Medellín neighborhood by neighborhood.
For many foreigners moving to Colombia, Medellín becomes the first stop because of the climate, nightlife, affordability, and strong expat community.
The city is surrounded by mountains, the metro system is modern and clean, and there is always something happening.
The Food in Medellín
These food pictures are making me hungry btw – One thing that quickly stood out to me was the food. Pilar and I would go out for lunch constantly, sometimes almost every day. Lunch culture in Colombia is completely different from Canada. Instead of quickly grabbing fast food or eating alone at work, meals felt slower and more social.
In Medellín, Pilar and I were constantly going out for lunch or trying new restaurants. Colombia has a huge variety of affordable meals compared to Canada.
Some of the local foods I enjoyed included:
- Bandeja paisa
- Arepas
- Empanadas
- Grilled meats
- Fresh fruit juices
- Colombian bakery food
- Menu del día lunches
One of the best parts about living in Colombia is that eating out regularly can still be affordable.
In Canada, restaurant prices add up quickly. In Medellín, it felt much easier to enjoy daily life without constantly worrying about spending money.
Meeting Pilar
A few weeks after arriving in Medellín, I met Pilar.
Yes, that photo was taken in Comuna 13.
At the time, my Spanish honestly was not very good. I made plenty of mistakes trying to communicate during my first months in Colombia, but people were usually patient with me. Over time, living in Colombia every day slowly forced me to improve.
At the time, I had no idea that she would eventually become my wife.
We connected quickly and started spending more and more time together. After a couple months of dating, things moved fast.
We eventually moved into an apartment together in Envigado, one of the most popular residential areas near Medellín.
Our apartment cost around $500 CAD per month, which again felt extremely affordable compared to rental prices in Toronto.
Envigado quickly became one of my favorite areas because it felt safer, calmer, and more residential while still being close to everything.
For foreigners researching where to live in Medellín, areas like Envigado, Laureles, and Estadio are popular options depending on budget and lifestyle.
Why We Left Medellín for Ibagué
After about a year of living in Medellín, Pilar and I started talking about trying a different part of Colombia.
Her family was originally from Ibagué, the capital city of Tolima, and I was curious to explore more of the country beyond Medellín.
A lot of foreigners only experience Medellín, Cartagena, or Bogotá.
But Colombia is much bigger than that.
We decided to move to Ibagué together.
At the time, Pilar already had a daughter named Juanita from a previous marriage, and we were starting to think more seriously about family life and long-term plans.
Living in Ibagué, Colombia
Moving to Ibagué ended up being one of the best decisions we made.
Compared to Medellín, Ibagué has a slower pace, lower cost of living, less traffic, and a more local Colombian feel.
Adjusting to the slower lifestyle actually took time for me. Coming from Toronto, I was used to constantly being busy and moving fast. In Colombia, especially outside Medellín, life can feel much more relaxed. At first it almost felt strange, but after a few years I started appreciating it much more.
One of the biggest advantages is affordability.
Housing prices, restaurants, transportation, and day-to-day expenses are noticeably cheaper than Medellín.
The weather in Ibagué is also one of the things I enjoy most.
In my opinion, it is almost perfect.
It is warm without being overwhelmingly hot like some coastal cities, but also not cold like Bogotá.
Another major advantage is location.
Ibagué is only a few hours from Bogotá by car, which makes access to El Dorado International Airport relatively easy for international travel.
The city is also close to Colombia’s coffee region, which makes weekend trips and road travel around the country much easier.
Food in Ibagué and Tolima
Tolima is known throughout Colombia for traditional dishes like:
- Tamal Tolimense
- Lechona
- Colombian soups
- Fresh fruit juices
- Grilled meats
- Bakery foods and local snacks
Food culture in Colombia is one of the reasons many foreigners enjoy living here.
But as you can tell, I am a huge burger guy.
Fresh ingredients are easy to find, restaurants are affordable, and lunch culture is a major part of daily life.
Even years later, Pilar and I still regularly go out to eat and explore different restaurants.
Building a Family in Colombia
Not long after moving to Ibagué, Pilar and I got married during COVID.
Around this time, I was also experiencing a completely different kind of daily life than what I was used to in Canada. Raising kids in Colombia felt more community-oriented and family-centered. For a couple years, we even had help from a houseworker, which made life with young children much easier and more manageable compared to what many families experience in Canada.
Around this period, our family started growing quickly.
Today, we have two boys together, Daniel – Dani and Mateo Axel – yes Axel, like the Guns and Roses guy – who are now five and four years old.
Living in Colombia changed my life in ways I never expected. A pretty dramatic statement, but the truth, nonetheless.
What started as a short trip turned into a completely different future.
Instead of returning to Canada after a few months, I built a family, created a new lifestyle, and experienced a side of life that I probably never would have discovered if I had stayed comfortable back home.
Cost of Living: Canada vs Colombia
One of the biggest reasons many foreigners look into moving to Colombia is cost of living.
While prices have increased in recent years, Colombia can still offer a significantly lower monthly cost compared to cities like Toronto or Vancouver.
Some of the differences I personally noticed included:
- Lower rent prices
- Lower restaurant costs
- More affordable transportation
- Affordable domestic travel
- Cheaper healthcare and dental services
- Better weather year-round
Of course, moving abroad is not only about saving money.
There are challenges too.
Learning Spanish, adapting to cultural differences, dealing with immigration paperwork, and building a new social circle all take time.
But overall, living in Colombia gave me a lifestyle that felt more balanced and enjoyable.
Is Colombia Right for Everyone?
Probably not.
But for remote workers, retirees, entrepreneurs, digital nomads, and foreigners looking for a lifestyle change, Colombia can be an incredible option.
Cities like Medellín often attract attention online, but places like Ibagué, Pereira, Bucaramanga, and Manizales can also offer excellent quality of life with lower living costs.
Every city in Colombia has a different personality.
That is one of the reasons I built the Colombia Cost of Living Simulator on this website.
I wanted people to better understand how different lifestyles and cities can dramatically change your monthly expenses.
How Much Cheaper Is Colombia Than Canada?
One of the biggest reasons foreigners research Colombia is because everyday expenses can be dramatically lower than major Canadian cities like Toronto or Vancouver.
For me personally, some of the largest differences were:
- Rent and housing costs
- Restaurant prices
- Transportation costs
- Domestic travel prices
- Private healthcare and dental costs
- Affordable fresh food and produce
In Toronto, even a basic apartment can easily cost over $2,000 CAD per month.
In Medellín, I was able to stay in a hostel during my first month for around $300 CAD monthly, and later rent an apartment in Envigado with Pilar for roughly $500 CAD per month.
Even today in 2026, many smaller Colombian cities remain significantly cheaper than Canada for foreigners earning Canadian or U.S. dollars.
Is Medellín or Ibagué Better for Foreigners?
This depends completely on the type of lifestyle someone wants.
Medellín is more international and has a larger expat and digital nomad community. There are more foreigners, more nightlife options, more coworking spaces, and more English-speaking environments.
But after living in Medellín for about a year, I personally became more interested in experiencing a more local and authentic side of Colombia.
That is one of the reasons Pilar and I decided to move to Ibagué.
Compared to Medellín, Ibagué offers:
- Lower cost of living
- Less traffic
- Fewer tourists
- More local Colombian culture
- Lower apartment prices
- A calmer pace of life
- Easy access to Bogotá and the coffee region
Ibagué may not have the same international reputation as Medellín, but for long-term living and raising a family, I personally think it deserves much more attention.
As more foreigners research smaller Colombian cities in the future, places like Ibagué, Pereira, Bucaramanga, and Manizales may become increasingly attractive alternatives.
What Surprised Me Most About Colombia
Before visiting Colombia, I expected cheaper prices and warm weather.
What surprised me most was how social and relationship-focused daily life felt compared to Canada.
People spend more time outdoors, families gather often, and lunch culture is a major part of the day.
I also noticed that life felt less rushed.
Even simple things like walking through neighborhoods, sitting in parks, or eating lunch at local restaurants became part of a slower and more enjoyable routine.
Another thing that surprised me was the diversity of Colombia itself.
I also realized quickly that not every experience in Colombia is glamorous or perfect. One time I went on a chiva bus, and the entire ride basically turned into a huge party with loud music and people drinking heavily the entire time. It was chaotic, loud, and honestly pretty funny looking back on it now.
Many foreigners only hear about Medellín or Cartagena online, but every region of Colombia feels different.
The climate, food, culture, and lifestyle can change dramatically depending on where you live.
Can Canadians Live Comfortably in Colombia?
In my experience, yes — especially if they have remote income, savings, investments, pension income, or online work.
A Canadian earning in Canadian dollars or U.S. dollars can often maintain a comfortable lifestyle in Colombia while spending significantly less than they would in many Canadian cities.
Of course, there are challenges too.
Learning Spanish helps a lot.
Adapting to a different culture takes time, and immigration paperwork can sometimes be frustrating.
But overall, Colombia gave me a lifestyle that felt more balanced, social, affordable, and enjoyable.
For me, the move was about more than just saving money.
It was about creating a different kind of life.
Why More Foreigners May Choose Smaller Colombian Cities in the Future
Over the last several years, Medellín has become internationally known among expats, remote workers, and digital nomads.
But as prices rise and more foreigners move there, some people are beginning to look beyond the major tourist cities.
That is one reason I believe cities like Ibagué could become more attractive in the future.
Smaller Colombian cities can offer:
- Lower living costs
- Less congestion
- More authentic local culture
- Better apartment value
- Fewer tourist crowds
- Easier family-oriented lifestyles
For foreigners who want to experience Colombia beyond the typical expat neighborhoods, cities like Ibagué may become one of the country’s most underrated long-term living options.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, leaving Canada at 39 was one of the biggest decisions of my life.
At the time, I did not know exactly what would happen.
I only knew that I wanted a change.
What I found in Colombia was more than cheaper living costs.
I found a different lifestyle, new friendships, a family, amazing food, better weather, and experiences that completely changed the direction of my life.
And in many ways, that is the idea behind MakeDineroBaby.
Sometimes improving your financial life is not only about making more money.
Sometimes it is about changing where and how you live.
About Trevor
Trevor is originally from Toronto, Canada and has been living in Colombia for several years. He currently lives in Ibagué with his wife Pilar and their children. Through MakeDineroBaby, he shares firsthand insights about living in Colombia, cost of living comparisons, and relocation experiences for foreigners considering life abroad.
Suggested Internal Links
- Colombia Cost of Living Simulator
- Medellín vs Ibagué Cost Comparison
- Best Cities to Live in Colombia for Foreigners