Renting long term in Bogota/Chapinero

mapangpang says on May 27, 2007, 20:53:

There are some new buildings You can find something here: http://www.metrocuadrado.com

Javeriana is near (septima con) calle 45,

For US$400 you can find something nice, the rates for the new apartments are a bit higher most of them are big like 100 or 300 m2, there are studio apartments with just one bedroom about 40m2-60m2 if your lucky you can get one of those.

I can tell you if renting with an inmobiliaria it is very dificult, hopefully you get one thats not acting strange, as I had big time problems getting something to rent a view years ago. They wanted at least 2 fiadores (people who guarantee for you) even if I pay the whole contract in advance, I dont understand it?? besides there is a bunch of paperwork also, I'm thinking by myself I'm renting something not buying??

Renting from a private person is the most easy way, as they rarely ask you requirements, just the money will do. Sometimes they will wanting to legalise a contract at a Notaria, nothing special just your fingerprints and firm, and an identification.

You may consider searching some addresses for apartments and come to Colombia before deciding anything, so you can see what you are going to rent. And meanwhile you stay somewhere until you've found something you like. At the moment I still have rooms available, I do not know when you are planning to come. If I have no rooms, I can help you find one. You can also stay in Platypus, I can recommend this hostal. As I know the owner, he sometimes send me clients for a extended stay in Bogota for the rooms I have.

Not being 18 can be a problem as you cannot legally sign contracts. Renting directly from the owner is the best option in this case.

Don't let them fool you, as they are found of raising prices if a gringo is involved. Ask here for advice like you do now if you have doubts about the price being to high.

Mapangpang.nl - Furnished rooms

Mapangpang.nl - Furnished rooms

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gringoloid says on May 27, 2007, 21:51:

Next to Javeriana, one block north are a bunch of new buildings. They rent for about 1.000.000 and up. Keep in mind you will be paying in pesos, not dollars, so with the exchange rate the way it is, your rent may fluctuate higher in the coming year. Good Luck.

Who are the three blind men?

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Lostgringo says on May 28, 2007, 05:27:

Renting in Colombia Renting an apartment in Colombia is a real pain. There is a chance that even if you try and pay a year in advance they will not take the money from you. It is in your best interest to have your parent's along with you. Also, make sure that if you do come to an agreement with anyone that you have the documentation notarized to protect yourself. Everything has to be written in Spanish.

Another alternative is to hire a lawyer and have them sign for you. Good thing is if you can get a lawyer ( I do know one), that will only charge you the Colombian price. A lawyer for this purpose may set you back $100 US. A small price to pay for all the work they have to do.

One of the key issues here also is safety. While Bogota is not as dangerous as some would have you believe here, you do have to take precautions. Like any big city you have to watch where you go, when you go and what you are doing. Chances are that if you are going to university you will not be some of the "iffy" places many of the PBH people go to. So try and find a place that that has good security and an area that you feel safe in. The only way to do this is to actually go there and see what it is like.

Have you contacted the school to see if they have contacts with people renting to students? We also have rooms and an apartment for rent. You may want to come to Bogota a month before you start school and start looking for something. The newspaper may be the way to go. Rental agencies will want too much from you as mentioned by Mappanpang. The only way to deal with them if you do not have family here and friends is to hire a lawyer to help you as mentioned above.

You are on the right track though by asking about apartments and so on here. This place will be a great resource for you. Your $400 US will get you a very nice place here for $800,000 COP. I pay around $300 US for a beautiful 3 bedroom apartment with two bathrooms and a balcony. Small apartments in Colombia are harder to find than larger ones. I don't think you will find many bachelor apartments in Colombia like you do in North America.

One last thing. Remember that 99.9% of apartments that are rented in Colombia are rented "unfurnished." You will have a very hard time finding a place that is furnished. Unfurnished means no fridge, no stove (not always), no washing machine or dryer and often no hot water heater. You will not find any apartments with a washer and dryer in Bogota (I don't think). So you have to take this into consideration too. Lastly, you will have a very difficult time finding used furniture in Bogota that is any good. The good news is that new furniture is relatively cheap in Bogota.

You may want to bring an extra laptop with you and sell it at the university. You could make enough for at least one month's rent.

Feel free to email me if you have any questions.


welovebogota.com "Luxury Apartment and rooms at reasonable prices"

Your Home Away from Home www.welovebogota.com and www.apartmentinbogota.com "Luxury apartments and rooms Cheap" Only 2 blocks from the American Embassy! 24/7 hour security.

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Diez Y Siete says on May 29, 2007, 19:49:

Thanks for the advice, i will remember it well. Both of my parents are scared to come with me, mostly because their spanish stops at hola and gracias, and they feel like they wouldnt be much of a help. It shall take a little convincing to get them to come along. If i were to decide to get like a three bedroom apartment, how advisable is it about getting roomates? Obviously i understand it depends on where i find the people and what they are like, but i guess what im asking is is it likely ill get screwed over being an american female? Is it scandelous/taboo in colombia for girls and guys to live together in college? And on a compleatly different note, bank accounts, would it be easier to leave all of my money for college and such in my american bank account and just usea visa bank card, or should be be switched over to a colombian account and how safe would it be to transfer large sums of money over(well not large, but enough i wouldnt want lost +/- $40,000) there isnt a chance it would get "lost"

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