Finding Housing in Colombia
The Colombian rental market is expat-friendly with abundant furnished options. Most foreigners rent initially, with some purchasing after establishing residency.
Renting as an Expat
Furnished apartments: Standard for expats. Typically include furniture, kitchen equipment, linens, and often utilities. Significantly easier than furnishing from scratch.
Lease terms:
- Short-term (monthly): Higher prices, more flexibility. Popular on Airbnb, Furnished Finder.
- 6-month lease: Better rates, common commitment level for new arrivals.
- 12-month lease: Best rates, standard for settled expats.
Deposits: Typically 1-2 months rent. May be negotiable.
Where to Search
Online platforms:
- Airbnb - good for initial 1-3 months while you explore
- Furnished Finder - furnished apartments for longer stays
- Fincaraiz.com.co - largest Colombian real estate site (Spanish)
- Metrocuadrado.com - another major listing site (Spanish)
- Facebook groups - very active, search "[City] Expats" or "[City] Rentals"
Working with agents: Can be helpful, especially for longer-term unfurnished rentals. Commission typically 1 month rent.
Popular Expat Neighborhoods
Medellin:
| Area | Vibe | 1BR Rent |
|---|---|---|
| El Poblado | Upscale, touristy, walkable | $800-1,500 |
| Laureles | Local feel, flatter, more affordable | $500-900 |
| Envigado | Quieter, family-oriented, southern | $500-800 |
| Sabaneta | Suburban, very affordable | $400-600 |
Bogota:
| Area | Vibe | 1BR Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Usaquen | Trendy, restaurants, parks | $600-1,200 |
| Chapinero Alto | Young, LGBTQ-friendly, nightlife | $500-900 |
| Rosales/Zona G | Upscale, quiet, embassies | $700-1,300 |
| Parque 93 | Central, dining, corporate | $600-1,100 |
Requirements for Renting
What landlords typically want:
- Passport copy
- Visa copy (or proof of application)
- Cedula de extranjeria (if you have one)
- Proof of income
- References (if available)
Without cedula: Many landlords work with expats who only have tourist status or pending visas. Airbnb doesn't require any documents.
Utilities
Typically included in furnished rentals: Administracion (HOA/building fee), sometimes internet.
Typically extra:
- Electricity: $30-80/month (higher with AC)
- Water: $15-30/month
- Gas: $10-20/month
- Internet: $20-40/month (fiber widely available)
Estratos System
Colombia uses "estratos" (1-6) to stratify neighborhoods by socioeconomic level. Higher estratos pay more for utilities to subsidize lower ones.
- Estrato 1-2: Lower income, cheapest utilities
- Estrato 3-4: Middle class, moderate utilities
- Estrato 5-6: Upper class, highest utility rates
Most expat neighborhoods are estrato 4-6.
Buying Property
Requirements:
- Foreigners can buy property with just a passport
- No visa or residency required to own
- Property ownership alone doesn't grant residency
- For real estate visa, investment must meet threshold (350 SMMLV in 2026)
Process:
- Find property
- Make offer (promesa de compraventa)
- Due diligence (title check)
- Escritura (deed) at notary
- Register with local land office
Costs: Expect 3-5% in closing costs (notary, registration, taxes).
Pro Tips
- •Start with Airbnb for 1-2 months while you explore neighborhoods
- •Long-term leases (6-12 months) offer 20-40% savings over monthly rates
- •Negotiate everything - rent, deposit, included services
- •Check estratos level - it affects utility costs
- •Facebook groups are goldmines for housing leads
Have questions about housing in Colombia?