For retirees seeking destinations that blend affordability, health care, and mild climate, Manizales, Colombia, is a top option. The Global Retirement Index places Colombia among the top choices, thanks to Social Security payments received by over 6,700 U.S. retirees in 2017, up 85% from 2010. While most cities offer rent under US$1,000, health care at 70% below U.S. rates, and welcoming communities, Manizales stands out for its balance and high quality of life.
Colombia’s Manizales wins UN sustainability award
Manizales earned the 2025 ONU‑Hábitat LATAM award as the only Colombian winner, excelling in 85 indicators across 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Evaluators from MIT, Guadalajara’s CSLab, and others praised efficiency in services, social equity, climate resilience, and innovation. This recognition underscores a quality of life built on practical urban design.
The award highlights strengths for retirees. Public transport, green spaces, and disaster preparedness suit older adults, while low pollution and walkable zones enhance daily comfort. More than raw data, these results show how everyday practices support well-being, keeping people safe and healthy.
#Entérate 🌎 Manizales, Colombia 🇨🇴 recibe el premio @HabitatLatamGDL #CiudadesParaLaVida. El premio fue recibido por el alcalde Jorge Rojas Giraldo y fue entregado por @VeroDelgadilloG, alcaldesa de @GuadalajaraGob , @anibalgaviria y @ferlonardoni. pic.twitter.com/54bbMu9U4K
— ONU-HABITAT México (@ONUHabitatMex) August 25, 2025
Why other Colombian cities fall short
Medellin attracts more expats due to size and amenities, with over 10,000 foreign residents, but monthly costs reach US$1,800–US$2,200, rent averages US$800–US$1,200 for comparable apartments, and crowds strain infrastructure in Poblado and Laureles neighborhoods.
The city’s transformation from violence to an innovation hub impressed many, yet retirees seeking tranquility often find the pace overwhelming and prices closer to North American levels.
Coastal options such as Cartagena and Santa Marta offer Caribbean beaches but face serious drawbacks. Cartagena’s heat averages 28°C year‑round with high humidity, making outdoor activities exhausting for older adults, while tourist‑zone rents exceed US$1,000, and local health care lags behind mountain cities.
Santa Marta provides a more relaxed beach vibe but suffers from inconsistent water and power service, limited specialist doctors, and rising crime in certain zones that worry retirees prioritizing safety.
Bogota delivers world‑class health care and cultural depth as the capital, yet the altitude at 2,640 meters challenges many retirees with respiratory issues, traffic congestion averages two hours daily in rush hours, and costs mirror Medellin without the spring climate.
Smaller cities such as Pereira and Armenia in the coffee region offer affordability under US$1,000 monthly but lack the medical infrastructure and expat support networks that matter when health needs arise, leaving Manizales as the sweet spot between size and services.
Health care and costs make it affordable
Health care in Manizales draws praise. Clinics such as Clinica de la Presentación and Hospital San Rafael offer bilingual specialists, with consultations under US$25 and diagnostics like MRIs at US$200–US$300. Monthly private insurance costs US$50–US$100, and EPS national coverage for residents adds security at under US$50.
Living expenses stay low. Couples manage on US$1,200–US$1,500, with US$500–US$700 rent for two‑bedroom apartments in Palermo or Chipre, US$200 groceries, US$100 utilities, and US$100 transport. The 22°C average temperature and coffee region access keep lifestyles vibrant yet relaxed.
Safety and community seal the appeal
Manizales ranks among Colombia’s safest cities, with low crime in retiree areas and gated communities offering pools, gyms, and views. Expats such as Cynthia Reed cite US$330 two‑bed rents and US$40 EPS fees, contrasting Medellin’s over US$1,000 costs and crowds. Quality of life here means tranquility with culture nearby.
Canadian Asha Diehlova notes 10‑minute walks to Cable Plaza dining and shopping, plus eco‑tourism. Hilly terrain challenges some mobility, but buses cost 60 cents and cable cars link zones. That evidence points to a broader pattern; Manizales prioritizes retiree needs over big‑city bustle.
Even so, structural market barriers limit scale; housing options lag Medellin’s variety, and some expats miss coastal access. Experts like Brad Hinkelman recommend it for calm seekers willing to embrace the Andes mountains.
The truth is, Manizales delivers Colombia’s best quality of life for retirees, focused on health care and safety. U.N. awards, US$1,500 monthly budgets, and EPS access make it practical, while coffee culture and low crime add joy. To this day, it tests whether mid‑sized cities can outshine tourist hubs for long‑term expat living.