Comments

zak023

Very Very Good advice here..Even though the post is 3 years old the info is GOOD.

renezack1

No. 4 - Cedulas The D.A.S. no longer exists. How do I get a Cedula?

BrendanCorrigan

"With it's (sic) low cost of living..." Err, depending on where you are, it's not that cheap. In general, Bogotá is expensive compared to many other developing countries. We have managed though to sniff out value to meet our needs (http://bit.ly/17yN8HH)! As for safety, it's a mixed bag. For one, you could check out this: http://bit.ly/1dxhK9v. In relation to a Cedula, you can get one in the country as a student, firstly entering as a tourist and then taking on a 'course'. As long as you meet the financial requirements and have some other basic documents, it's pretty easy to get. I have also been told by Colombian authorities that you can apply for a TP-7 visa in the country i.e. you can enter on a tourist visa and apply for this while you are there.

juanm123

I have to say, after living here almost three years, I find it unfortunate that every article on expats always focuses on security, extortion, etc. Sure, some of that exists here but there are so many more important issues to point out. I was just in the States and some guy was carjacked and killed right in front of his wife. So it happens in the US as well. The cost of living in Bogota is comparable to Boston, so more expensive than implied in this article. Sure, you can live cheaply if you want but you probably won't like where you are living. A decent three bedroom apartment in the North of Bogota will run a minimum of US$1,500 and most likely more. If you want to enjoy your experience here, learning the language is the most important thing you can do. The people here are great, no doubt about it, but if you can't communicate with them you will never know it. Imagine a foreigner in the States who can't speak English. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions as I'm always willing to helping out a fellow expat.

CaliRay

Regarding visas, I found someone in Cali who, for a fairly reasonable fee, handled all of the paperwork. I did not have to go to Bogota for anything. I've been in Colombia for 5+ years and now have a permanent visa and a residente cedula. All for a price of course, but entirely worth it.

CaliRay

@juanm123 I've lived only in Cali so can't comment on rental prices in other places in Colombia. My 7 year old 3 bedroom, 2 bath apartment in a level 4 neighborhood is slightly over $400 U.S. including gas and electricity. It's a very well maintained apartment, with 24 hour vigilante included and an excellent landlord who lives on the floor above me. I can't imagine paying $1,500 for any apartment anywhere so I guess I better stay where I am. :-)

guest

I'd like to provide two more requirements for living in Columbia. (1) Airport type ear protection, neighbors play loud music in Columbia. (2) A bullet proof vest is also not a bad idea.

BrendanCorrigan

Parritaman, remember "the only 'u' that should in ColOmbia is 'you'". And it's not that bad as regards security; but, yes it has its moments... http://bit.ly/1dxhK9v

paladino

This is not a new thread but not an old topic. I don't have any axe to grind about security in Colombia. I live in small, fairly safe pueblo... but when I visit Medellin with my Colombian partners, a husband and wife who lived in Medellin for twenty one years.... they are incredibly security conscious and constantly point out things to take notice of and why. Their house in Medellin was a pretty average middle class barrio so I just want to point out that it's not some Gringo imagination to be concerned about security. Unfortunately, some criminals might and have targeted extranjeros thinking they are an easier mark as there are many locals in any LA country that are packin' heat as the saying goes and local criminals KNOW that no Gringo is going to be carrying a gun in Colombia. So I hope that you made a useful point and it helps the understanding level about this subject. I know that those who live in Colombia and have adjusted probably get sensitive over the statements but that is a part of human nature and that is a different thread. Enjoy Colombia everyone, it's going to change a lot the coming decade.

Travel29

Cédula is very easy to get, just time consuming. The hardest parts of relocating to Colombia are 1. The visa. And that was made difficult only because the school did not want to give all the documents required. The documents they did not give are things that have recently been required by a NEW law and that law is quite obtrusive and restrictive....I understand, but it made matters hard. Otherwise, there is very little you have to bring if you are going to be a teacher. Just your passport and hope the school give all the documents required. 2. An apartment. Hard enough for a Colombian and near impossible for a foreigner. Generally, you have to know someone who owns their own property. One landlord, a lawyer of course, wanted 6 months worth of rent just for the secruity deposit. Plus the first month. I do not know many people with 6 or 7 million peros laying around. Plus the money required to live for that first month. 3. Opening a bank account is rather tough, especially as an American with all the restrictive laws the govt has passed, facta being one, and how many foreign banks want nothing to do with that. Any way, i had to make 3 seperate trips spanning 5 or more hours just to open a simple savings account that most children in the states get in 15 minutes. Plus to set the pin, that takes another hour. Highly ineffecient with tons of red tape. There is lots of red tape in Bogota, which shocked me, never expected that.

guest

Hi Betsy, I recently moved to Medellin from Australia and I am also struggling with the Colombian time keeping to be honest but I guess it's jut something we have to get used to here. In Medellin foreigners mainly live in Poblado but I'd also highly recommend Laureles. I'm here to learn Spanish. I take Spanish Classes in Medellin in Colombia Immersion. I'd highly recommend it to any expat or traveller passing through.

mark4747

Hi Betsy, I recently moved to Medellin from Australia and I am also struggling with the Colombian time keeping to be honest but I guess it's jut something we have to get used to here. In Medellin foreigners mainly live in Poblado but I'd also highly recommend Laureles. I'm here to learn Spanish. I take Spanish Classes in Medellin in Colombia Immersion. I'd highly recommend it to any expat or traveller passing through.

njwalgren

I obtained my 1 year visas and cedula in Medellin, without having to go to Bogata. For a nominal fee there is a business just across the street from the DAS office that handled the whole process in Bogata for me.

AirForce1

Are guns illegal in Colombia? I was reading in one of the postings that gringos would not be packing a gun.