Getting started as an expat in Bogotá, Colombia

Moving to a new place can be a tough gig. Leaving your old friends, family and work behind for pastures new is exciting, sure, but is also nerve-wracking. Where, for example, will you find new friends? New work? New places to hang out? A decent place to watch a match of football? All equally important questions. Lucky for you, the Colombia Travel Blog is here to try and ease some of those more anxious moments as you settle into life in Bogotá.

First things first: it’s important to know people. Here in Bogotá there are some great ways to do that. Firstly, couchsurfing.org has a forum specifically dedicated to Colombia’s capital city, and the community there do a great deal to organize meet-ups among expats in Bogotá. It’s a good place to start, even before you arrive in the big city. Secondly you can try La Villa (Kr. 14a # 83 – 56) on a Tuesdays. From 8pm you can enjoy a language exchange attended by all kinds of people from all over the world (plus before 10pm beers are 2×1!).

If you want to socialize AND make a little money on the side, look no further than Native Speakers, who offer English-speakers the chance to get paid for wandering around Bogotá chatting to locals in English… Easy, right?

Which brings us nicely on to work. Many people come to Bogotá with a vague notion that they want to teach English in Colombia. Frankly, it’s the best way to make money unless you’re looking to invest in serious business, and the same can be said for teaching in Medellín. Opportunities abound, both working for institutions and in private classes. Of course, working private classes pays more, but offers less security and the travelling can be horrendous (Bogotá especially is a huge city).

Either way, taking just 10 classes a week can afford you a comfortable lifestyle here in Colombia. This will entail travelling and preparing, but still many of the teachers I know are extremely comfortable and happy with their life here. You don’t even need to worry too much about qualifications; if you’ve followed the first half of this article and made contacts, you’ll be finding work in no time.

Any more questions, don’t hesitate to ask us.

Paul

P.S. As far as football is concerned, fear not. Almost every bar in Zona T shows it.