If you’ve ever tried to rent an apartment in Bogotá as a foreigner, you know it’s a bit like solving a Rubik’s cube blindfolded. The listings look amazing, the prices seem too good to be true, and somewhere between the WhatsApp messages and Google Translate, you start wondering if you should just move into a café and call it a day.

But here’s the truth: living well in Bogotá is absolutely possible — if you know where (and how) to look.

So, today I want to take you behind the scenes with my friend Nicolás, a local landlord who’s been in the rental game for years. Together, we toured two very different apartments in two of the city’s most popular neighborhoods — Chapinero Alto and Rosales — and the contrast tells you everything you need to know about living in Colombia’s capital.

Let’s start in Chapinero Alto, a hilly, artsy, university-filled neighborhood where you’ll find expats, digital nomads, and locals who prefer character over luxury.

Nicolás’s apartment here is fully furnished — the kind of place that feels like it was designed by someone who’s actually lived abroad. You’ve got a small but modern kitchen, comfortable furniture, good WiFi (essential), and views that remind you why Bogotá’s altitude is both a blessing and a cardio workout.

What really makes Chapinero Alto shine is flexibility.
You can find furnished places for $600–$900 USD a month, short- or long-term, often without the labyrinth of paperwork that usually makes renting in Colombia such a headache.

There’s an international vibe, great restaurants, and a sense of constant motion. You can walk to Zona G — Bogotá’s gourmet district — for dinner, then head back up to your peaceful hillside apartment without needing to sell a kidney to pay rent.

💡 Bottom line: If you’re testing out life in Bogotá, working remotely, or just prefer the buzz of an eclectic neighborhood, Chapinero Alto gives you a full experience without breaking the bank.

A few minutes away — but an entirely different world — lies Rosales.

This is Bogotá’s Beverly Hills. It’s where embassies, business executives, and long-term expats set up camp. The streets are quieter, the buildings taller, and the air somehow feels more expensive.

The apartment Nicolás showed here is unfurnished — meant for people staying at least a year or two. We’re talking high ceilings, big windows, and views of both the city and the mountains.

But the cost? Expect around $1,200–$2,000 USD a month, depending on the building and amenities. You’ll likely need a fiador (a local guarantor) or, if you’re foreign, you’ll pay extra months upfront as security.

That’s just the reality of Colombia’s rental system — foreigners have to prove stability, even if they’re coming in with strong income from abroad.

Rosales rewards that effort, though. You’re still close to Zona G and Parque de la 93, but with peace, safety, and access to the city’s best services. It’s ideal for retirees, long-term expats, or anyone who wants a quieter, more elegant slice of Bogotá life.

💡 Bottom line: Rosales is high-end Bogotá. It’s not cheap, but it’s stunning — and a reminder that Colombia’s luxury market is still a fraction of what you’d pay in Miami, Madrid, or Mexico City.

If you’ve followed The Americano or The Passport Newsletter for a while, you know I’m all about helping people live better lives abroad — not just travel, but actually thrive.

But the question I kept getting was:

That’s where Brokor comes in.

Brokor is my new newsletter that curates apartments, homes, and investment properties across Colombia (and soon beyond).

Think of it as your inside line to trustworthy landlords, verified listings, and opportunities that rarely make it to English-language platforms.

And I’m not new to real estate — I’ve been a licensed broker in North Carolina for over 20 years, mostly handling business acquisitions and startup sales.
Now, I’m combining that background with my expat experience to help connect foreign investors, retirees, and digital nomads to real, vetted options.

Because honestly — Colombia’s real estate potential is enormous.
Affordable property prices, high rental yields, and a growing expat population mean it’s not just a great place to live — it’s a smart place to invest.

👉Subscribe to Brokor Newsletter here - https://newsletter.brokor.com/ 🏢

Here’s the real takeaway: Bogotá has range.

You can live in a cozy, bohemian apartment surrounded by students and artists… or in a mountain-view penthouse sipping coffee from your balcony while watching the clouds roll over the Andes.

Both are real. Both are affordable — depending on your lifestyle and flexibility.

And that’s what makes Colombia so special:
It gives you options. It rewards curiosity. And it still feels undiscovered in the best way possible.