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Smog & living conditions in Bogata

I’m interested in re-locating to Colombia. I currently live in Panama near the Costa Rican border in a very small town. My Spanish is far from perfect, but I do communicate in Spanish. I will be making a trip to Colombia very soon and would appreciate any information relating to my questions.

I have read conflicting stories concerning the smog and climate of Botaga. I’m looking for a cool climate. I enjoy walking in the morning so clean air is important to me. I’m not looking for a “smog free” environment, but I would like to walk without choking.

My questions are:

1. Can one find a safe place to live near Bogata without the problems of excessive smog?

2. How would you compare the climate of Bogata to that of Cartagena? I’m assuming Cartagena would be “hot and humid” like Panama City? However many seem to enjoy the Cartagena area.

3. What other areas of Colombia would be recommended considering safety, weather and smog?

4. A good internet connection is a must. I been living with a 16K dialup connection.

Ken

By elkins888 on Apr 13, 2005, 02:18 in Friendly Talkzone.

arturo says on Apr 13, 2005, 05:05:

i find bogota's air quality quite disgusting, and nights are quite cold. moreover considering the altitude, jogging will be harder than in lower lands.

what about cities in the eje cafetero, say armenia or bucaramanga in santander.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Apr 13, 2005, 05:44:

Smog depends where in Bogota, too I personally don't find the smog bad here. However, you need to be really careful where you choose to live. Pick an apartment on a major blvd and you'll be choking on bus exhaust all day.

I live in an leafy neighborhood and find that the general air quality is fine, no worse than LA or Houston or Denver.

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william_andrew_channell says on Apr 13, 2005, 07:00:

What about living in some little town in the Sabana (the area around Bogotá). You will have the same cool weather, less smog, with easy access to Bogotá and a more relaxed lifestyle.

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kernow62 says on Apr 13, 2005, 09:37:

I was not in Bogota for long but I suffer from respiratory problems and they actually went away in Bogota. Which considering the number of buses and taxis and the fact that it is a valley of sorts really surprised me. I noticed quite a few joggers and cyclists in the area where I was staying and Bogota has planted lots of green space in the last few years.

My wife who is from Bogota didn't find the air to be too bad, but I supose it depends where you are from. If you were coming from New Zealand I would say you will notice a difference, if coming from a large US city you might not see much difference.

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