Post: #1

I would be grateful to anyone who could give me some advice about Colombia regarding especially living costs.

I'm curious especially about monthly prices for a decent (not luxury) apartment in Medellin or other good cities you may know of. I'm looking on Craigslist and the prices seem high. Nothing under $700/month, and very often over $1000. I'm not sure if these are accurate prices as in the case of Buenos Aires craigslist, or inaccurate ones that only reflect the "online" high end market.

I've read on the forum that the city Armenia is also good; how are the living costs there?

Finally, I'm curious about any possibility of finding work in Colombia. Nothing fancy, but something to pay rent and some living costs.

I know I'm a new poster and don't have much to offer in return now but if someone could give me advice here or by PM I'd be grateful and remember it as a favor.

Post: #2

Use the search feature, I've seen links to websites that have apartments available.

CL is going to have high prices as it caters to Americans.

As always, it's better if you are fluent in the local langauge.

Post: #3

(06-01-2014 03:55 PM)Cattle Rustler Wrote:  Use the search feature, I've seen links to websites that have apartments available.

CL is going to have high prices as it caters to Americans.

As always, it's better if you are fluent in the local langauge.

I speak Spanish and Portuguese so I'd be able to check the local newspapers. Is that a good resource. That's what I used to do in Rio, but only the Sunday newspapers had decent apt. listings.

Post: #4

(06-01-2014 03:57 PM)dogcynic Wrote:  

(06-01-2014 03:55 PM)Cattle Rustler Wrote:  Use the search feature, I've seen links to websites that have apartments available.

CL is going to have high prices as it caters to Americans.

As always, it's better if you are fluent in the local langauge.

I speak Spanish and Portuguese so I'd be able to check the local newspapers. Is that a good resource. That's what I used to do in Rio, but only the Sunday newspapers had decent apt. listings.

The best results I had came from just pounding the pavement, walking the streets in the areas that I liked, getting numbers, and then having a local girl call for prices. Remember that Poblado is a HUGE area. You have Parque Lleras, Castropol, Manila, Patio Bonito, Las Palmas, even all the way up the side of the mountain you can find deals close to Loreto, you just have to learn which buses take you where. There is one decent property management agency on Calle 10 as you're walking up the hill from Exito, on the same side of the road before you come to the park, they can help you if you can find an agent who gives a shit. The best website that I saw while living there is called vendoyarriendo.com. I doubt that you're going to find any really good deals until you have arrived. Finding a decent apartment at a good price anywhere in Colombia is usually a time-consuming and painstaking process that seemed to take me a good 2-3 weeks.

Post: #5

(06-01-2014 03:53 PM)dogcynic Wrote:  I would be grateful to anyone who could give me some advice about Colombia regarding especially living costs.

I'm curious especially about monthly prices for a decent (not luxury) apartment in Medellin or other good cities you may know of. I'm looking on Craigslist and the prices seem high. Nothing under $700/month, and very often over $1000. I'm not sure if these are accurate prices as in the case of Buenos Aires craigslist, or inaccurate ones that only reflect the "online" high end market.

I've read on the forum that the city Armenia is also good; how are the living costs there?

Finally, I'm curious about any possibility of finding work in Colombia. Nothing fancy, but something to pay rent and some living costs.

I know I'm a new poster and don't have much to offer in return now but if someone could give me advice here or by PM I'd be grateful and remember it as a favor.

If you're going to be staying for 6 months or more and you can find a local to be your fiadoro (sp) you can get a really great price. The locals I know pay anywhere from 600 mil to 800 mil for a small 2 bedroom in strato 3. Do you have any friends/family in Medellin?

Post: #6

(06-01-2014 09:01 PM)Corroncho Wrote:  

(06-01-2014 03:57 PM)dogcynic Wrote:  

(06-01-2014 03:55 PM)Cattle Rustler Wrote:  Use the search feature, I've seen links to websites that have apartments available.

CL is going to have high prices as it caters to Americans.

As always, it's better if you are fluent in the local langauge.

I speak Spanish and Portuguese so I'd be able to check the local newspapers. Is that a good resource. That's what I used to do in Rio, but only the Sunday newspapers had decent apt. listings.

The best results I had came from just pounding the pavement, walking the streets in the areas that I liked, getting numbers, and then having a local girl call for prices. Remember that Poblado is a HUGE area. You have Parque Lleras, Castropol, Manila, Patio Bonito, Las Palmas, even all the way up the side of the mountain you can find deals close to Loreto, you just have to learn which buses take you where. There is one decent property management agency on Calle 10 as you're walking up the hill from Exito, on the same side of the road before you come to the park, they can help you if you can find an agent who gives a shit. The best website that I saw while living there is called vendoyarriendo.com. I doubt that you're going to find any really good deals until you have arrived. Finding a decent apartment at a good price anywhere in Colombia is usually a time-consuming and painstaking process that seemed to take me a good 2-3 weeks.

Thanks for the reply....sounds complicated. I've tried this same method in different parts of Latin America and it's hit or miss. Either way, it takes time. During those 2 weeks I'd be staying in a hotel and that's more expensive. Let me just ask ballpark, what's the best deal you can hope for a decent studio in Medellin/Poblado?

If you have any advice about other cities in Colombia, or work, I'd be curious.

Post: #7

I've rented before but it was years ago before I bought a place. As Corroncho mentioned on another thread the best way is to walk around and look for the signs in the windows with telephone numbers and have a local give them a call. Even if you speak perfect Spanish your accent may give you away. The smaller cities should be expected to be less expensive. A friend of mine just rented a place in El Carmen de Viboral for 300 mil a month. It's a really nice 2 bedroom that was just redone. Of course you're 1.5 hours from Medellin.

Post: #8

Thanks for the responses. I'd still like a range of prices if possible from people who have lived there. For example:

Buenos Aires: at least 2009-2011 you could get a very well-located studio for $700-$750, which included all utilities, good internet, and also weekly cleaning. If you were willing to be just a block outside Recoleta or Palermo, or if the studio wasn't totally "reformado" but a normal apt., you could get it for less than that, even for $500 at the lower end. A one bedroom with similar location and amenities would run you $900-$1000 although one time I got one in a building with pool for $800 because the agent liked me. Deposit is also very small. The way to find apts. is through craigslist, as prices through newspapers or agencies are not any smaller.

Rio: Prices have skyrocketed since mid-2000's and even 2008. A one-bedroom or studio in Copacabana (not a great area) will run you at least $1000 and won't include utilities and will generally look very shabby. A one-bedroom or studio in Ipanema is not possible to find anymore without connections and will run you over $2000 last I checked. Agencies were never a good bet in Rio, and craigslist/internet less so (only overpriced apts. through agencies or internet). The way to do it is through the Sunday Globo, if you speak Portuguese. However, given market realities I would recommend you look for apt. in Flamengo or Catete, where you can occasionally still get something decent for $800-$900, although it will be small and very basic. Flamengo is also now a better neighborhood than Copa. Not recommended you visit during World Cup as you won't find any housing at all.

Anyway I'm giving this advice for anyone interested in these two places, but also as a model for what I would like someone to tell me about Medellin or parts of Colombia if possible. I would gladly repay you with info. or owe you a favor. I need to know soon because I'm trying to decide if to go next week.

Also curious about work in Colombia.

Post: #9

From the work point of view dont expect much. Almost all the opportunities will be in teaching English and most likely with an institute, as they are the only ones able to help you with the visa. Unfortunately your going to be getting less per month than what you would pay on some of these apartments. If your working at an institute you'll also be stuck working mostly evenings and weekends. Best case scenario you can be frugal and make ends meet.

If your looking for a place my advice is like the others hit the pavement and talk to people.

Post: #10

(06-01-2014 09:39 PM)dogcynic Wrote:  Thanks for the responses. I'd still like a range of prices if possible from people who have lived there. For example:

Buenos Aires: at least 2009-2011 you could get a very well-located studio for $700-$750, which included all utilities, good internet, and also weekly cleaning. If you were willing to be just a block outside Recoleta or Palermo, or if the studio wasn't totally "reformado" but a normal apt., you could get it for less than that, even for $500 at the lower end. A one bedroom with similar location and amenities would run you $900-$1000 although one time I got one in a building with pool for $800 because the agent liked me. Deposit is also very small. The way to find apts. is through craigslist, as prices through newspapers or agencies are not any smaller.

Rio: Prices have skyrocketed since mid-2000's and even 2008. A one-bedroom or studio in Copacabana (not a great area) will run you at least $1000 and won't include utilities and will generally look very shabby. A one-bedroom or studio in Ipanema is not possible to find anymore without connections and will run you over $2000 last I checked. Agencies were never a good bet in Rio, and craigslist/internet less so (only overpriced apts. through agencies or internet). The way to do it is through the Sunday Globo, if you speak Portuguese. However, given market realities I would recommend you look for apt. in Flamengo or Catete, where you can occasionally still get something decent for $800-$900, although it will be small and very basic. Flamengo is also now a better neighborhood than Copa. Not recommended you visit during World Cup as you won't find any housing at all.

Anyway I'm giving this advice for anyone interested in these two places, but also as a model for what I would like someone to tell me about Medellin or parts of Colombia if possible. I would gladly repay you with info. or owe you a favor. I need to know soon because I'm trying to decide if to go next week.

Also curious about work in Colombia.

This isn't for everyone, but here's one option- you know how larger hostels will sometimes let a guest stay for free in a dorm if they pick up a few shifts working bar or reception? You could email some of the larger hostels like Casa Kiwi, Black Sheep, Pit Stop, Tiger Paw and see if you could crash for free as a volunteer. When you're not working, pound the pavement in Poblado and Laureles looking for apartments (I agree that Estadio is sketchy at night and I wouldn't live there). That way you could eliminate/minimize your housing costs while seeking longer-term rent.

If you really do the legwork, there's no reason why you can't find a studio or 1 bedroom in the $350 to $400 range somewhere, maybe even $300 if you're fortunate. Just be prepared for a lot of dead-ends, frustration and pointless bullshit in the meantime. Colombia will teach you patience.

Post: #11

(06-01-2014 03:53 PM)dogcynic Wrote:  I'm curious especially about monthly prices for a decent (not luxury) apartment in Medellin or other good cities you may know of. I'm looking on Craigslist and the prices seem high. Nothing under $700/month, and very often over $1000. I'm not sure if these are accurate prices as in the case of Buenos Aires craigslist, or inaccurate ones that only reflect the "online" high end market.

Those prices are about right for all-inclusive furnished rentals in a secure building.

The job market in Medellin isn't great. Being an employee can make you enough money to live on, but it's a subsistence lifestyle only.

Post: #12

Minimum salary will be set back soon to less than 350 USD to "Encourage" foreign companies to go. As almost everybody's salary is calculated by using multiples of the minimum, you should go back to the drawing board with the plan.

The job market in Colombia is open but pays like shit and treats you like shit (and almost always even worse than you think), good luck.

Post: #13

Thanks guys. So it sounds like a typical Brazil or Argentina "bring your own money" situation. It also sounds like the craigslist prices are correct for Medellin? $700 minimum for a decent studio with furniture and wifi in a good part of town?

Post: #14

Volk is certainly your greatest resource here. His advice should not be ignored.

When you are looking for a place in Medellín, it's always going to be a toss up between the money you wish to spend and the security and services you desire. Obviously, you can find something for less than $700 USD/month, but that is going to come with consequences.

Also, of note, look at the time of year you are going--you've the Flower Festival coming up and things are going to be abnormally priced. A 30% mark-up would not be unusual if you're looking for a place popular with tourists and relatively secure.

If you're on a budget, I would try to avoid Poblado. Have you considered Laureles?

Post: #15

I would also suggest Envigado, but why craigslist? Almost nobody in Colombia uses craigslist, you are fishing in the wrong well. A studio anywhere else innthe city should go for 600 to 700k pesos depending on the location, size, state and the language you speak, if you get what I mean. (I know people who overcharge people from Bogota based on the accent)

Post: #16

(06-04-2014 01:33 AM)Volk Wrote:  I know people who overcharge people from Bogota based on the accent

There seems to be a bit of semi-friendly animosity between the rolos and the piasas. I was buying furniture with a bogatana and she was told a price worse than my gringo price.

Volk, you still in MDE?

Post: #17

(06-04-2014 07:19 AM)Gringuito Wrote:  Volk, you still in MDE?

As long as it's within my power, I'll not live there again for a extended time. I might visit family for x-mas, though.

Post: #18

(06-04-2014 01:33 AM)Volk Wrote:  I would also suggest Envigado, but why craigslist? Almost nobody in Colombia uses craigslist, you are fishing in the wrong well. A studio anywhere else innthe city should go for 600 to 700k pesos depending on the location, size, state and the language you speak, if you get what I mean. (I know people who overcharge people from Bogota based on the accent)

Thanks...are there any online sources or local (physical) newspapers you'd recommend for looking for apts., or is it through agencies?

I know in Rio the only way to find good apts. is to arrive on a Sunday and look in the Sunday Globo listings (which are not online). Such info. is quite useful...I've arrived mid-week before and had to wait until Sunday to even begin looking.

Post: #19

There are rental agencies. My apartment is being rented through one of them. You can also go to any university, they have pinboards with all kind of offers but 90% of them are for flat rentals (the downside to this is that 3 out of 4 indicate in huge red letters : Girls Only, but such is the world where we live in)

Post: #20

Look on http://www.compartoapto.com

I dont know what your standard of living is but there are studios from 250 dollars a month on up.