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Living in Bogota on a budget.

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latinalover
  3/30/2015 10:23 EST

I have vacationed in Cali and San Andres once but I have visited Bogota many times. However, I visited Bogota as a tourist. My question is I have about $2000/5,000,000 cop monthly at today's exchange rate. So, is it possible to find a nice, safe 2 bedroom apt. in the north and cover all expenses? I have run into a few expats around the world who should have not relocated because of limited funds and I don't want to live like that. I did date an accountant in Bogota and she earned about 5,000,000 million a month so I am thinking that is about the salary a professional makes in Bogota. Thanks for any advice you may have.

thelocogringo
  3/30/2015 12:14 EST

Latina Lover, a professional earning about 5 Million a month, middle class, lives almost as well as a poor person in the states.

There is no acceptable public education and a good elementary school cost about 20 million a year. Do the math and you decide.

Besides, no sane person chooses to live in Bogota.

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latinalover
  3/30/2015 14:58 EST

jajaj, I understand where you are coming from. I see the buses packed like sardines and I don't see myself ever taking a bus like the so called middle class Bogotanas.
I prefer taxis and the nicer restaurants that I think will be out of the range I hope to keep expenses at. I love Bogota, more goods and services available and I just enjoy the vibe of big cities. Cali's too hot and so is Cartagena. What about S.M. is it more reasonable then Bogota?

bigjailerman
  3/30/2015 15:57 EST

You might be surpassed how Bogotá's Fridays Bar and Hard Rock... Arrive about midnight and frequent the bar area. As the drinks for more than a few will be wing you up and down. Ask for a tab don't keep going into your pockets or wallet to pay. Keep them guessing. At 330 you can take LocoGringo`s advice and Bang away.

bigjailerman
  3/30/2015 15:59 EST

...eying u up and down...
Sorry

Edwinjcb
  3/30/2015 16:03 EST

Bang away with whom? Are there lots of girls at this Friday's Bar at 3:30 am?

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bigjailerman
  3/30/2015 17:18 EST

Almost Every bar/club I've been to in Colombia (and most other places) have many chicas... They close at 3am mostly on Friday and Saturday .. Allot of men are shy to approach a table full of only women.. That's a mistake, pick a friendly any looking one. Laugh and smile, make her laugh and smile, they will all laugh and like you.

Exbury
  3/30/2015 18:29 EST

It so depends upon where you choose to have your apártment, the size and whether you want a maid etc.
As a family of 4 (two ninos not at school) we were living quite happily on 1.7million month rent (100m2,pool, Cedritos,lv4 area) and 1.7million for monthly bills. 5million would have been a luxury. However, if you want to party a bit more and have some other luxuries 5million should cover living closer to the party zones, and in lv5 (maybe a slightly smaller apartment). However aptos. fully furnished cost quite a bit more so depends if you want to buy appliances here and then sell or you want to rent with.

Exbury
  3/30/2015 18:29 EST

It so depends upon where you choose to have your apártment, the size and whether you want a maid etc.
As a family of 4 (two ninos not at school) we were living quite happily on 1.7million month rent (100m2,pool, Cedritos,lv4 area) and 1.7million for monthly bills. 5million would have been a luxury. However, if you want to party a bit more and have some other luxuries 5million should cover living closer to the party zones, and in lv5 (maybe a slightly smaller apartment). However aptos. fully furnished cost quite a bit more so depends if you want to buy appliances here and then sell or you want to rent with.

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