Expert: Garrett Fifer - 11/26/2009

Question
I am leaving to Bogota in two weeks.  I really want to meet with several Americans who are now living there since my wife and I are considering moving there in the near future.  My wife is Colombian, but I want to get the perspectives of Americans who are living there now...just as I want to check out any major and important decision in life.  I would appreciate any help and suggestions soon. Thanks, Peter

Answer
It is difficult to pin down exactly where to meet Americans, but usually you can find some hanging out at the Hard Rock Cafe at the Atlantis Centro Comercial on Calle 81. Not all of them that you'll find live here, but you may find some. The Irish Pub in the Zona T is always full of Americans and other foreigners, as well as the Bogota Beer Company in the Parque 93. I myself am in Bogota right now, but I'll be leaving in a few days for the States. I have a Colombian-American friend that owns a very small cafe in the Candelaria in the Chorro de Quevedo called the Pequena Santa Fe. Ask for Eduardo. He's more Colombian now than American, but he might be of some help. Stop by in the evening with the wife for a nice Vino Caliente that he makes there. He speaks perfect English and Spanish. A lot of students and hippies tend to hang out in the Chorro de Quevedo but there is usually 2 or 3 police officers as well.

Another American I know of runs a small inn type place and offers services online for flowers and things like that. Google 'American services Bogota' and you should come across the right page. I met him and visited his place and there seemed to be a few older Americans that would hang out there. It wasn't for me however.

I lived in Bogota for about 19 months and unfortunately had to leave to work on getting my economic ducks lined up, but I'm absolutely set on coming back to stay. I personally enjoyed it immensely, but I speak spanish fluently and have a lot of friends around town from over the years, so it was an easy transition for me. As far as places to live, I might recommend concentrating on areas like Chapinero Alto, Rosales, Chico, Cedritos, Santa Barbara and similar neighborhoods around these areas. These are some of the more expensive areas, but offer a lot of options and are rather secure.

Good luck!