Author name: Julian Vane

“I moved here for the tea, I stayed because I realized I could live better in Kandy on a freelance budget than I could in London on a director’s salary.” After a decade in London’s fintech sector, Julian relocated to Kandy in 2022. He spent his first six months losing money on bad currency exchanges and “handshake” leases. He created Urban Castle to be the guide he wished he had when he first landed. Julian specializes in Residency Logistics and Rental Arbitrage, helping Western professionals navigate the transition to the 2026 Sri Lankan Digital Nomad Visa with zero downtime.

Kandy Guides

The Price of Peace: A Full 2026 Cost of Living Breakdown for Kandy

Julian Vane / February 17, 2026

For the modern expat, Kandy is often described as the “temperate alternative” to Colombo’s humid chaos. But as the world […]