Where to live in Bogota?

kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 22, 2009, 02:08:

La_Huella says on Oct 22, 2009, 06:15:

Usme is far and there is very little out there, it's very residential. It's also one of the poorest parts of town.

Chapinero is the exact opposite, it's very bustling and close to everything, but lots of traffic and pollution.

Marsella is cool, but also a bit far out...

I doubt you'd find furnished apartments outside of Chapinero. Hell I don't think you'll find one in Chapinero. Furnished apartments here are extremely rare.

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BUSHWICK-BILL says on Oct 22, 2009, 06:28:

Live in the north... between calle 80 and 115.. between carrera 7 and 15.... the rest sucks... but if you are hardcore live in Santa Fe... At Avenida Caracas con Calle 20.... there it is also cool but completely hardcore....

CARDIFF SOUL CREW.......

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LORE says on Oct 22, 2009, 07:26:

Furnished apartments in Usme???? they hardly have furniture over there. If you want to have an experience with "real people" you can try renting out a room with a Colombian Family.

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Gator says on Oct 22, 2009, 07:55:

"Live in the north... between calle 80 and 115.. between carrera 7 and 15..." Very nice but very expensive, our barrio is Rosales and the district is Chapinero. I have never seen a furnished apt for rent in this area

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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makopp5 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 22, 2009, 07:57:

viajero123 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 22, 2009, 07:59:

Rocco81 says on Oct 22, 2009, 08:01:

Bushwick do you have a room for rent?

Sic semper tyrannis

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stephen_aubrey says on Oct 22, 2009, 08:08:

Depending on your budget this will determine where you live,also your girlfriend lives in Bogota why not live with her?another thing she is Colombian and lives here..... one would think she would be able to find deals.

" Most people talk a lot, few are up for the moment"

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BUSHWICK-BILL says on Oct 22, 2009, 08:10:

Rocco
Not now... I will buy an appartment next year and I will start to rent our rooms to gringos...

Live in Santa Fe.. on the corner Av. Caracas / calle 19.... cheap prices (appartments for 300.000 pesos a month)....

CARDIFF SOUL CREW.......

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Bill Turley (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 22, 2009, 08:28:

Aji1 says on Oct 22, 2009, 08:42:

Barrio Estrada, you'll get some good experience there.

I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

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La_Huella says on Oct 22, 2009, 09:01:

Chapinero and Santa Fe are both hella dangerous to live.... depending on the part of Chapinero... above la 7a it's a lot safer but also really inconvenient. Where Gator lives is absolutely beautiful but hard to get in and out. And if there isn't a furnished apartment in Rosales I DOUBT you'll find one anywhere else in the city, and if you do the rent would be so high you may as well just buy some furniture and give it away if you decide to move.

I would NOT recommend living in the north, the northeast is to me the suckiest part of Bogota... it's like living in a wannabe American city. You miss out on all the good things about life here living there. It's also damn near as expensive as any American city.

If you want the "real" Colombia any neighborhood Estrato 3 or below will do. I would personally recommend Chapinero, but above 63rd street or below 49th street. Or Galerias is also a good convenient place to live. Bogota is a hard city to get around, living somewhere central is a big plus!!!

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oneforyourmillion says on Oct 22, 2009, 09:14:

It really depends on where you work and how you want to live. Chapinero is very dirty and beleive me it gets old after a while, Ilived there when I first came here 3 with 62.

USME? well you do have the Transmilenio going there and it is not so bad really but it is far south. Far far away so plan 1 hour and a half to get to the north 170 or an hour to get to 100 north. That is a long time crammed in that box like a sardine after you pass Jimenez the bus gets crammed, to El Centro no problem.

Marcella is nice, it would probably be my choice of one that is cheap or Chapinero but Chapinero? naaaa I guess it depends if you want to party, if your gay it is good. ;) But again the Transmilenio goes by there no problem but commute time is a bummer and so again.

It depends on where you work, this is the most important thing. Be close to where you work. Work in El Centro well then live there. This city has one messed up transport system as in a whole lot of cars very few streets. So keep that in mind or go nuts.

El Centro is the one place where you can live in the city and people don't give a crap about you. That can be nice, if your going to live in the south know one thing. People will know when you come home and with who, when you leave and everything about you and tell everyone. If your gringo the blanks will need to be filled in so they will do it....

There is not enough info about you to really give you good advice but the north part of the city is where I live and I prefer it if you can afford it.

Where do you live now?

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webmanco says on Oct 22, 2009, 09:19:

It all depends on where are you going to conmute everyday, grab a folding bike and live anywhere with Transmilenio around, or get a motorcicle. The real Colombia is not the neighborhood but the people. Don´t need to live in Rosales, Bosa, Soacha, Usme, Kenedy, Rionengro, Suba or anywhere in special to see the "real" Colombia. Just visits an attendance to the different events Bogotá has to offer.

BUSHWICK-BILL I bet your girlfriend will slap you if you rent a room.

No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas

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oneforyourmillion says on Oct 22, 2009, 09:24:

oh but renting a furnished room? you will pay and pay, better to rent something and buy your furnishings piece meal. They are cheap here.

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BUSHWICK-BILL says on Oct 22, 2009, 09:30:

renting a furnished room is bullshit... You live with a family here they are all catholic here.. You cant bring girls, no weed, no drunk.... bullshit....

CARDIFF SOUL CREW.......

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La_Huella says on Oct 22, 2009, 09:32:

I actually agree with you about Chapinero. Chapinero is great to go party there, I wouldn't want to live in that.

It's true that the one place you can avoid the chisme is downtown, but I just wouldn't live anywhere downtown these days. Those streets are a war zone after dark. You can't walk anywhere alone safely. Maybe once we change mayors it will get better. It's a shame because downtown is really cool in many other ways.

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oneforyourmillion says on Oct 22, 2009, 10:01:

Change Mayors! Yep I am with you on that this guy has got to GOOOOOO!

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stocktrader says on Oct 22, 2009, 10:17:

Cedritos (calle 140 to 153 between cra 1st and autopista) is nice and safe. I have an apt in 141 near Exito, malls, hospitals etc.

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 22, 2009, 10:21:

BUSHWICK-BILL says on Oct 22, 2009, 11:31:

Kat 1 this stuff you are talking about is in the east.... forget it.... live in the north... try to find an economic place and live in the north... for example Salitre is bullshit... no good restaurants... nothing......no chongos....

Try to live as near as possible to ZONA T or Parque 93... I know just gomelos but good chingas......

CARDIFF SOUL CREW.......

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Chriscan (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 22, 2009, 12:05:

kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 22, 2009, 12:05:

BUSHWICK-BILL says on Oct 22, 2009, 12:16:

Why Salitre? there is nothing... just big red brick houses... nothing else.....
Kat 1 are you Colombian????

CARDIFF SOUL CREW.......

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 22, 2009, 12:29:

BUSHWICK-BILL says on Oct 22, 2009, 12:36:

Kat 1. If you are Russian whats your background with Colombia? Why you want to buy an appartment here...

Salitre Plaza is ok... next to the bus terminal... And there is also the Russian embassy....

CARDIFF SOUL CREW.......

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Gator says on Oct 22, 2009, 15:00:

I thought the embassy was farther north-the US Embassy is down that way

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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La_Huella says on Oct 22, 2009, 16:00:

I don't like Salitre or Cedritos for the same reason I don't like the northeast. Too sterile, too gringoized, exactly what I'm trying to get away from. Your mileage may vary... but it begs the question, if THAT is your environment, why look for it here in Colombia???

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ardhvc says on Oct 22, 2009, 16:42:

Hey everyone!!! Thanks for the responses. So it sounds like Chapinero or Marcella is where I should live of what I mentioned. Usme is not as desirable. I have some contacts in Usme which is why I ask.

What about La Calendaria?-? I found a furnished apartment there for a decent price. In fact, I have found furnished apartments in many areas, they exist. But they are more expensive. I want a furnished month by month place to start while my gf and I look for an apartment when I'm there. I come in mid November and a month by month, furnished apartment would be less paperwork and would buy time so we can look together. Any contacts from anyone?

I have a map of bogota I'm using(http://www.bogota.gov.co/mad/buscador.php). When referring to Bogota could you refer to the sectors by one of the following names(per the map) since I have not learned Bogota yet :) -: Suba, Usaquen, Engativa, Fontibon, Barrios Unidos, Teusaquillos, Chapinero, Santa Fe, San Cristobal, Usme, Ciudad Bolivar, Soacha, Bosa, Kennedy, Rafael Uribe, Antonio Narino, La Calendaria, Los Maitres, Puente Arranda or Tuejilito.

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La_Huella says on Oct 22, 2009, 16:51:

I personally don't think the Candelaria is worth it, and all of downtown has gotten much worse for crime in the past 2 years.

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theflatline says on Oct 22, 2009, 17:06:

If you want the real Colombian experience, why live in Bogota?

Legaleez for Complete Morons - A book for gringos in Colombia for who think they understand the nature of the law in a country where they cannot speak the language.

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webmanco says on Oct 22, 2009, 17:13:

La pregunta sobra.

No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas

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La_Huella says on Oct 22, 2009, 17:51:

Because the climate is great and people are not parochially minded here like they are in the rest of the country. Gotta draw the line somewhere hahahahahah!!!

And because if the rest of Colombia likes to live here there must be SOME draw to it ;)

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span_colombia says on Oct 22, 2009, 18:00:

if you need central and have got a bit of money to spend, you really can't beat chapinero alto imo (not chapinero, chapinero alto). I really like the area from calle 56 to 61 above the septima. it's the best compromise between price and location, centrality and peacefulness.

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La_Huella says on Oct 22, 2009, 18:06:

The only problem is that its real hilly to walk and if you don't wanna walk you're trapped like a rat during rush hours up there...

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ardhvc says on Oct 22, 2009, 18:23:

How far would it be to usme from chapinero on the transmilenio?

Maybe, the best way to go would be to rent a month by month apartment unfurnished somewhere. That way I could keep my price low to start out and then move closer to my job when I get one. I hear a lot of papers are needed before getting a place though.

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Gator says on Oct 22, 2009, 18:58:

Very true, LaHuella-we call the hike from the TM to the apartment, "Challenging the hill of death," and the traffic gets worse every week.o

Personally, I think Candelaria would be a risk , especially after dark

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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aztec says on Oct 23, 2009, 03:43:

BUSHWICK-BILL, you have got to be kidding about kat1. Surely you know she has been on this site a long time. And for information she is Colombian.

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Aji1 says on Oct 23, 2009, 06:18:

This Bogota map site is pretty good as well and is rather user friendly

http://www.bogotamiciudad.com/MapasBogota/MapasDeBogota.aspx

I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

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pavo says on Oct 23, 2009, 06:33:

La Macarena

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oneforyourmillion says on Oct 23, 2009, 07:16:

I would live in el centro over Chapinero any day, yes it has gone down hill lately I agree but still it is the heart of the city and where you can still get good stuff cheap in Bogota.

But Candalaria would be nice if you like that kind of thing.

Someone said? Alcala? I think you mean Prado on one side and on the other side Contador. Ont he prado side you might find a habitation for the price you want. An apartment? maybe a studio. Prado is a nice place to live on the cheap but the part that is off the Acala station, the part that is off the prado station part is OK but at night can be a little strange.

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oneforyourmillion says on Oct 23, 2009, 07:17:

Bogota is the only city in Colombia. Everything else is just a pueblo or a large pueblo, including Cali and Medellin. .

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span_colombia says on Oct 23, 2009, 09:01:

la macarena is an edgier version of chapinero alto and cheaper

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La_Huella says on Oct 23, 2009, 09:13:

I dunno about cheaper. I'd say Macarena is more expensive.

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Gator says on Oct 23, 2009, 11:00:

Me too

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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ardhvc says on Oct 23, 2009, 11:58:

I think at this point I'm looking at Marcella. My gf has family there and it's not too far from Usme. It would be cheap to start out and relatively safe with enough to do. I need to find a month by month rent. Is that gonna be hard to find(month by month)?

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ardhvc says on Oct 23, 2009, 12:00:

By the way, my gf was saying Marcella is by Puente Arranda. Kind of Center-South Bogota.

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oneforyourmillion says on Oct 23, 2009, 12:00:

In Marcella it might be a little hard but you should have your girlfriend help you do that. Help with it and all. Anything is possible here but typicaly a month to month in that area is gonna be hard for an apartment. A habitation should be not as much of a problem.

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 23, 2009, 12:05:

oneforyourmillion says on Oct 23, 2009, 12:08:

yes it is true USME is a long way from everywhere. You do have the transmilenio there though and so it is probably going to be about the same as living in Chapinero commute wise.

If you want my advice you move in across the street from your girlfriend, then you will know what you got if there are any marriage ideas swimming around in your head. OK? Where does she want you? USME? If so USME then, if she wants you somewhere else then well it is somewhere else with a new girlfriend. ;)

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ardhvc says on Oct 23, 2009, 17:14:

Ok, I looked at a map of Bogota, Marsella is in Kennedy, a localidad which is in center/west of bogota. The part of Usme that matters to me is at the tip of the North Usme. I think Marcella couldn't be more than an hour transport to Usme, that's good enough for me.

Maybe if we cannot find an apartment month by month, renting a room would be the way to go. But do you think I could find a place to rent that also includes food with the price? Then after I am there for a few weeks we could look for something permanent.

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stephen_aubrey says on Oct 23, 2009, 17:40:

"But do you think I could find a place to rent that also includes food with the price?"

Do you have any idea what your getting yourself here or not?How many times have you been here before and for how long?you are going to move here with no job,no income,and no prospects this is all fucked up to me but anyways this your life.FYI the typical rental contract in Bogota that I have seen is you cannot move out the first 2 months and 1 months notice to move so you will be looking at 3 months min. in a place.

" Most people talk a lot, few are up for the moment"

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ardhvc says on Oct 23, 2009, 20:37:

I have lived in Colombia before and am pretty sure I can find a place that will include food. Just wondered if someone knew the area of Marcella to see how things are managed there, how common arriendas are, etc. In Santa Marta, I see little one bedroom places, really small but that included food. That was like 600 COP a month, of course that is Santa Marta, much more economical to live in.

I realize you don't agree with my decision Stephen, I understand that already.

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oneforyourmillion says on Oct 23, 2009, 21:14:

I remember when I first came here. Took me two months to find an apartment... Maybe it is easier now since more gringos are comming or harder not sure which?

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webmanco says on Oct 25, 2009, 19:56:

I hate to see grass, mountains, lakes go for giving way to new buildings.

http://www.radiosantafe.com/2009/07/22/en-la-localidad-de-usme-se-inic...

En la localidad de Usme, se inicia el proyecto urbanístico más ambicioso de Bogotá
Con el desarrollo de la Operación Estratégica Nuevo Usme, la administración Distrital construirá 10.500 viviendas para cerca de 35.000 personas; así como nuevos parques, espacio público, vías, redes de servicios públicos, entre otras obras.

El costo total del proyecto es de 1.87 billones de pesos, durante los próximos 20 años, y generará más de 210.000 empleos provisionales, cerca de 10.000 cada año. Al final del mismo, se habrán construido 53.000 viviendas, entre unifamiliares, multifamiliares, de interés social y prioritario.

Además de las unidades habitacionales, el ‘Gobierno de la ciudad’ también adelantará obras de recuperación y protección del medio ambiente, como los interceptores de aguas negras de las quebradas Fucha y Piojo, la avenida Usminia, vías locales y parques, en una zona de 70 hectáreas, que será la primera que se intervendrá de un total de 900 hectáreas.

No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas

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