Cost of Living in Colombo

It is much less than what is mentioned here. Yes, it's hot and humid; it's a tropical island, but it's pretty affordable. Not everywhere is trash; in fact, many places are much better than most of South Asia. The cost of living can be higher for Sri Lankans, but not for many coming from most of the other countries.

If anyone knows, what is the average monthly costs for food in Colombo for one person? These are good breakdowns but I am still not sure quite what I could expect to spend... I am currently estimating around $40-60?

I read comments and decided to write.

Sri Lanka people are very friendly. They are caring. The island has a tourist mindset, so people welcome you everywhere you go.

Price of food from the grocery stores are tricky. If you go to vendors it is 50% less than the big credit card available grocery stores.

Rent is variable. If you are demanding luxury western standards you can pay any price. But if you want 3 bedroom bath out of the City area expect to pay 50 to 150k a month.

Food expense at is max at 9 dollars in regular place for 2 people. If you want to go to five star restaurants expect to pay about 50% less than Applebee prices in the US.

Transport by bus and train are very cheap compared to US prices.
If you want car, the cost depends on type of car and distance. Daily car expenses can be 50 US dollars for 100 km with driver.

Clothing, other expenses are 80% less than Western Europe or the United States.

Quality of life is much better.

Now the bad
Cost of healthcare is about the same as the west..
Public health is socialism based so it is heavily inefficient and underfunded.
Private hospitals are the best for minor and moderate procedure. But for advanced health ICUs gov hospitals are better.

Regular physicians are pretty good. They are very busy.
Medicine is cheaper than the US or Europe. But you need to know what you are getting. Generic meds have different quality.

BTW the country has wonderful women and men who are eligible bachelors. You can have good company.

Stayed in Sri Lanka in 2009 for a month and it was an incredible experience. this was in May when the war ended. It was amazing how friendly the people were. An American Veteran came with me and it was his first visit to Sri Lanka. He remembers it with fond memories. Colombo is hot in May but the ocean breeze makes it pleasant especially at night walking in Galle Face Green. Neither my friend nor I could find one person who was unpleasant.

Everyone we met were very friendly. Riding the tut tut was exhilerating to say the least. I am not rich and neither is my firend and the cost of that entire month was so cheap. It included a chauffeur driven car. Every hotel we stayed in had accommodations for the chauffeur. Outside of one train trip to the hill stations and some trips in tut tut we used the chauffeur driven for everything else. in total for one month the cost was $800.00. Wish we had more time.

How ever is saying about something are full of crap it very cheap to live in Sri Lanka but living in Colombo could be very expensive compared to Melbourne like dabble the price and if you're eating in luxury restaurants it's nearly dabble the price again. If you live 30mint to 1hour away it's very cheap like $80 Australia dollars a month or cheaper or more you can get it's up to where people want to be. Don't listen to some of these idiotic people who are trying to rip people off" you can get any price you want depending where you want to live.