what monthly rent can I expect to pay in Bogota?

Robert Jorge says on May 1, 2008, 16:38:

Like Rubi said - for the amount of time you are probably looking at, it will be pretty challenging. But not impossible. I rented a furnished place in Villavo for 4 months, rented on a month by month basis for 550,000 pesos per month, estrato 4. It took a couple of weeks to find, and we needed to use my mother in law as a co-signer.

If I were you, I would try to find a cheap room to rent to start off with - a place to hang your hat. Then, once you have a "home base", make finding a reasonable furnished apartment, rented on a month by month basis, a full time job. If you really devote 40 hours a week to finding such a place, you will get it done in a week or two. But it will take a little luck to be quicker, and a true full time commitment to make it happen in two weeks. Go at it half ass, it could take you a month or two.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

Terry2 says on May 1, 2008, 19:11:

My novia found an apartment...if you can call it that... basically one room with small kitchen, bathroom (separate) fully furnished in Quinta Parades for 1,100,000 pesos..... not cheap!

The unfurnished rooms are much cheaper so if you can get by on some budget furniture, that would be the way to go. She moved from another small furnished apartment that was 1,600,000 / month. She has had some dificulty in finding suitable accommodations in a reasonable price range. I will be going down shortly and will have a look but I don't hold much hope.

Terry

Lostgringo says on May 1, 2008, 21:05:

Great suggestions on apartment hunting in Bogota. I like the idea of staying in a place where you can work from to find a place. Take my g/f's apartment for example. You have free access to the phone there and internet (wifi). She will even give you a cellular if one is available (with deposit), for you to use. She will rent you a room in that apartment for as low as $17.99 a night if you take it for a month. You are free to come and go as you like and there may be times that you have the entire 3 bedroom apartment for yourself. There is 24/7 security and good secure locks on every door in the apartment. All rooms have their own tv and you have full access to the kitchen. The kitchen is equipped with a coffee maker, blender for your fresh fruits, iron and ironing board and micro wave oven. In addition, there is a party and/or conference room you can reserve if you want to entertain allot of guests. It's free and has a BBQ located just outside the room on the roof. This would be a great place for you to work from in terms of finding an apartment of your own. Her apartment is not a guest house or bed and breakfast. You are on your own there with nobody looking over your shoulder. It's only a few years old in a new building located in an upscale and safe area of Bogota. You can check out the apartment she rents and more details at:

http://www.welovebogota and http://www.apartmentinbogota.com

I hope this helps and I hope you enjoy yourself in Bogota Colombia

Your Home Away from Home:http://www.welovebogota.com http://www.apartmentinbogota.com "Luxury apartment and rooms Cheap" Only 2 blocks from the American Embassy!

Robert Jorge says on May 1, 2008, 22:36:

Yep - Rubi is right, but to just add on to what he said - expect a sit down; perhaps 2 hour "interview". The owner won't call it that, but that is what it essentially is. I would HIGHLY recommend you have a local to sit with you as a friend.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

miamimike says on May 1, 2008, 22:59:

You may also run a "Wanted" Ad on Craigslist.com(bogota) and see what comes up,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

adrimm says on May 1, 2008, 23:00:

I suppose to each their own, but I stayed in a hostel in Bogota for a few days a couple of years back and had a blast. I even triend to scheme a way to justify staying there again this past trip (I have relatives in Bogota), but there just wasn't time.

Some of the hostels have boards advertising, rooms, shared home, & apartment rentals too, so maybe do the hostel thing for a few days until you can get your bearings and find an alternative. I think that piezas are still pretty common. My uncle rents one out at his place (not Bogota)... it's the sort of situation where one becomes very grateful that the # of bathrooms in an apartment or house in Colombia often matches the # if bedrooms.

miamimike says on May 1, 2008, 23:10:

Adrimm, I agree with you on the Hostels. I've used the system for the last 25 years and have met some great people across the years. And saved a Bundle of $$$. I hate the thought of subsizing other Guests at at a Hotel for amenities such as a Bar, room service ect as I rarely use these add-ons yet I pay for them in the overall cost. I've also found Temp Lodging on Rooms to rent Ads in a few of the Hospital Bulletin Boards in Bogota Hospitals. At times, homeowner residents in the Neighborhood of the Hospital will rent rooms out to the Families of a Patient--out of the Norm but it can be productive,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

Lostgringo says on May 2, 2008, 08:58:

Following along with miamimike's train of thought you may want to ask around at some schools in the area you are interested in. I know that some universities have information regarding places to stay for foreign students. You may however be limited in your freedom at some of these places.

http://www.welovebogota.com
http://www.apartmentinbogota.com

Your Home Away from Home:http://www.welovebogota.com http://www.apartmentinbogota.com "Luxury apartment and rooms Cheap" Only 2 blocks from the American Embassy!

Adanimal says on May 2, 2008, 10:13:

you want to sub let a furnished studio in Champanero for 600000 a month sin utilites..the contract is until August...let me know

You don't know your there until your there!

Andy S says on May 5, 2008, 11:02:

hey thanks so much for all the advice guys

I reckon I might hit a hostel first for a few days, then try and find somewhere. 500 - 600k sounds ok, but I also like the idea of a pieza. My spanish is getting better all the time and I have a colombian friend in bogota so maybe thats the way to go!

thanks again people