Relocating to Bogota- Rental Apartment

Ado says on Jul 18, 2004, 02:59:

Relocating to Bogota- Buying a Car In addition to finding an apartment we would need a car. How good is the sencond hand car market, and how expensive is buying a car? Any good websites I can chek out?

All info is appreciated

Ado

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cristina8463 says on Jul 18, 2004, 07:27:

Relocating to Bogotà HI,

I am an American-Colombian living in Bogotà. First of all are you being brought here by a company or the embassy? If so, they have specific areas wher you should live. It is between Calle 100 to 92, the run East- West then between the LA Callera and Ave. 15th. They run NOrth and South. If you can understand, basically it is a nice area, good shopping, and more expensive then other places. But is close to the US Embassadors residency and easy acsess to US Embassy. If you stay North of the city from Calle 92 up to 134 you will be fine. The nieghborhood are called Nogales and Rosales and Chico. It all depends on who is paying your rent.
There are lots of families living here from the states who have nothing to do with embassies or oil companies and they are doing fine.
The day cares are great here and in-home maid service is great and cheap. The hopitals are excellent here. Most doctors speak English.
I know these things because I belong to the American Womens CLub Society. It is a great place to get lots of info. Also, The US Embassy has info.
AS for safety, do not go out with lots of jewelery and late at night alone. Like any other big city.
You can find excellent second hand cars - Nisson, Honda, Mazda, Renault. They are a bit expensive, again depending on what year, etc.. You will have to pay cash. But then you could resale it when you leave.
If you need more help I will be glad to give you more info. Just let me know.

Good Luck,

Cristina

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Marcela says on Jul 18, 2004, 09:12:

Hi Peter It would be very important to know what you are going to be doing in Bogotá, especificaclly what part of the city you are going to be working in before I can give you some ideas about where to search for an apartment. I wotk at an instituion in which we receive Americans every year, young students and professors, and we search for apartments for them and make sure all the time that they are safe and secure.

Regarding buying a car, I have quite a bit of experience because I have bought about 8 used cars in the past 15 years here in Bogotá, so if you want I can give you a few tips.

Best, Marcela

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jul 18, 2004, 18:35:

More possibilities than that The northern area that most foreigners live in extends much farther south than Calle 92. There's huge cluster of diplomatic and multinational employees who live in the area around Andino and down to 77 or so. In fact, if I'm not mistaken the US ambassadors residence is roughly at 76 or 77 and Circunvalar, behind a huge wall.

But agree with what was said above about it being necessary to know roughly in what part of town you'll be working. There are some lovely neighborhoods in the N. that are just too darn far if you work all the way downtown.

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Ado says on Jul 19, 2004, 08:40:

Thaks for the reply, My company will be covering the rent and the offices are I belive in Carrera 9 #76-49. I have been told by some other friends that Monte Arroyo (7th and 140th) is pretty good. Any views on this

Ado

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jul 19, 2004, 10:21:

Two quick things. No need to live all the way out in the 140's if your office is there. Not to be alarmist or anything, but I suggest you edit your post to not give away your exact business address.

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juanalejo says on Jul 19, 2004, 19:30:

Bogota It really depends how you like living, most multinationals tend to set there people between 70 and 100, but in my opinion it is a really busy area, quite upmarket and nice but not as nice to walk around with not many parks, although very close to malls, restaurants and your company. The only exception to this would probably be if you are around the Creek than runs down around 90th street. Anything above Carrera 7 you will always need to move by car as the mountains are quite steep, on the other hand you might get beautiful views. Montearroyo is beautiful setting but traffic there and back might be a hazard so have that in mind. A nice place also is Santa Barbara Alta and Santa Ana (110-116 streets)and very close to the Hacienda Mall and the Fundación Santa Fe (very good hospital)which are much more peaceful as no through roads mean very little traffic. The other areas in Santa Barbara, plus Chicó north of 100th Ave. are also very nice with lots of parks in between the buildings. Used car wise plenty of them but not as cheap as the USA, compact, somewhat recent for around US 10000, with some ammenities and four doors for around US 12000 to US 15000.

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cristina8463 says on Jul 26, 2004, 16:32:

Relocating Montearroyo is a beautiful place to live. If your husband has a choffer, it will not matter how far you live. I know quite a few families that live there who are employed by oil companies and embassies. It is on the Septima (7th). The aparmetns are nice and spacious. Easy to get around from there. You will be in a big apartment complex with tennis courts and walking paths. Very secure.

Santa Anna is another great neighborhood - more single family homes than apartments. Nice homes. Also a place where oil companies rent. But they are not closed communities like Montearroyo. It is also on the Septima.
Between 70 and 100, it is a nice place to walk around. Lots of AMerican resturants - chains. Movie theaters and cafes. Antiquing if you are into it and nice tree lined streets. This is where lots of Americans live. So if you juion the American's women's club ot will be convinient, also.
Cristina

Santafe and Country are great hospitals.

Cristina

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bob247 says on Apr 1, 2005, 14:36:

Questions on Living Arrangements in Bogota Hi,

I will be moving to Bogota in May and are looking for a safe, nice, affordable apartment (2-3 bedrooms), in North Bogota. Can you help me and tell me what to expect in terms of rent prices, locations, amenities, and what areas are safe to live comfortably.

Thank you.

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bob247 says on Apr 1, 2005, 14:44:

Apartments for Rent Hi,

I will be moving to Bogota in May and need to find a safe, affordable, 2-3 bedroom apartment, located in North Bogota preferably, as I understand this is a safe area to live. Can you give me guidance as to where I can find these places, lease terms, rent pricing, and other amenities that you think I would require. I am moving from the states.

Thank you.

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