Where to Live in 2020? My Journey to Find the Perfect International Destination

Let me tell you, when I started seriously thinking about packing up my life and moving abroad in 2020, I had no idea what a wild ride I was in for. Armed with my eclectic mix of skills – art direction, graphic design, and years of slinging drinks and serving tables – I figured I’d have plenty of options. Boy, was I both right and wrong about that.

South America: A Dream Deferred

South America was my first love. I mean, who hasn’t dreamed of sipping caipirinhas on Brazilian beaches or exploring the vibrant streets of Buenos Aires? But as I dug deeper into the reality of relocating there in 2020, my rose-colored glasses started to crack. Brazil, Suriname, and French Guiana were dealing with challenges that made me pump the brakes hard. The healthcare situation in Brazil was particularly sobering – and this was before I even knew how bad things would get.

Here’s something that really shocked me: about 10,000 Cuban doctors had to leave South America due to international health aid cuts. Can you imagine? That’s 10,000 fewer healthcare professionals in a region already struggling with medical infrastructure. It really made me think twice about my romantic notions of South American living.

Unexpected Alternatives: Looking Beyond the Americas

So there I was, dream crushed, scrolling through expat forums at 2 AM (we’ve all been there, right?), when Ghana popped up on my radar. Ghana! Not exactly on my original list. But after connecting with an expat who’d spent two years in Accra, I was intrigued. They painted a picture of a welcoming culture, growing tech scene, and surprisingly robust opportunities for creative professionals. Who knew?

New Zealand also started calling my name – especially after seeing how well they handled… well, everything in 2020. Though I’ll admit, I’m still trying to figure out if there’s much demand for bartenders who can also design your menu. Fingers crossed!

Colombia: A Closer Look at Practical Options

Now, Colombia – this is where things got interesting. My Spanish isn’t perfect, but it’s good enough to order more than just cerveza, so I dove deep into researching Colombian cities. Here’s what I discovered after countless hours of research and virtual coffee chats with expats:

• Medellín: Everyone raves about El Poblado, and honestly, I get it. Green spaces everywhere, shopping that doesn’t break the bank, and you can actually get around without a car. The eternal spring weather sounds perfect, though apparently, you might want to invest in a good air purifier for those smoggy days.
• Armenia (Quindío): This was my dark horse candidate. Slightly cooler than Medellín (perfect for this person who wilts in extreme heat), cleaner air, and way more affordable. The trade-off? Fewer Uber options and mall choices – but honestly, isn’t escaping consumer culture part of the expat dream?
• Bogotá: Look, I know it’s the big city with all the opportunities, but constant drizzle and traffic jams that make LA look tame? Hard pass. Unless you absolutely need to be in the capital for work, there are better options.

The Tax Factor: An Important Consideration

Okay, real talk – nobody tells you about the tax nightmare until you’re knee-deep in visa applications. Here’s what caught me off guard: in Colombia, if you hang around for more than six months (even if it spans two years), congratulations, you might be a tax resident! This isn’t just a Colombian thing either. Every country has its own rules, and trust me, you don’t want to discover them the hard way. Get yourself a good international tax advisor – boring, yes, but cheaper than penalties.

Finding Employment Abroad: My Research Strategy

Being a jack-of-all-trades has its perks, but finding work abroad when you’re both a designer AND a barista? That takes strategy. Here’s my somewhat obsessive approach:

• I became best friends with employment statistics websites (thrilling Friday night reading, let me tell you)
• Joined every expat Facebook group and forum I could find – the unfiltered truth about job markets lives there
• Did a deep Wikipedia dive to find every Spanish-speaking country (spoiler: there are more than you think)
• Set up Google alerts for economic news in my target countries – nerdy but effective

Lessons Learned: Making an Informed Decision

After months of research, spreadsheets, and probably too much coffee, here’s what I’ve learned about choosing an international home in 2020:

• Current global health situations: Johns Hopkins became my homepage – understanding healthcare infrastructure isn’t optional anymore
• Employment opportunities: Can my weird skill combo actually pay rent? This question kept me up at night
• Cost of living: That Instagram-worthy apartment might cost three times your income – do the math, people
• Cultural fit: Speaking the language is one thing; understanding why everyone eats dinner at 10 PM is another
• Legal and tax implications: Sexy? No. Essential? Absolutely

Here’s the thing about having portable skills and a sense of adventure – the whole world really does open up to you. But it’s not all sunset selfies and exotic food pics. Whether I end up in a hip Medellín coworking space, a beachside bar in Ghana, or pulling espresso shots in Auckland, each place comes with its own reality check.

This journey has taught me that asking “where should I live in 2020?” is really asking “where can I build a life that actually makes sense for who I am and who I want to become?” And honestly? That answer changes depending on the day, my mood, and how my latest visa research is going. But that’s the beauty of it – the search itself is teaching me more about what I really want than any perfectly planned relocation ever could.