I was surprised when I entered an apartment complex in Bucaramanga. Considering that Colombia is still considered a developing country, you would think that the housing here is downtrodden but that is certainly not the case throughout the country. This one that I checked out look better than a lot of the apartments I have lived before in North America!
Luxury Living in Bucaramanga
The apartments I checked out looked quite Modern and had all the basic amenities that you would need in an apartment – stove, laundry unit and fridge! While apartments in Canada/USA usually have carpet or wooden floor, I noticed that the apartments had marble/tile which is associated with luxury.
Not only that but the complex was equipped with all the facilities you would need for you or your family! There was a small playground that the kids can head down for playtime or if you want, you could use the swimming pool!
As it never really gets too hot or cold in the city, most of the units do not have air conditioning or heaters! You might just need a fan in case you feel it’s too hot or just open your window.
The newer apartments tend to have a patio that you can head out when it’s nice weather. The views from the apartment I checked out were beautiful!
Bucaramanga Apartment Cost
Rent for apartments in Bucaramanga can vary from 200-400 USD per month depending on the number of rooms and whether they are in the downtown area or outside it. While you might be able to find apartments for under $200, they might not have certain amenities.
Securing An Apartment
Online prices listed for units on certain websites might be on the higher end.
Most landlords or agencies would require you to either provide a Colombian ID (Cedula) or your passport. They would also need you to provide them with proof of income. Deposits are not required.
Most agents and landlords might only speak Spanish. So you might need to use translation tools or have a friend/family member with you who speaks Spanish to help you out.
Safety in Bucaramanga
While crime rate in Bucaramanga is lower than Bogota, you still have to be a bit cautious at all times. Petty theft is common so it is important that you keep your stuff secured and with you at all times.
That being said most of the apartment complexes have security and cameras installed. Visitors might be required to provide proof of identification before being allowed into the building. Some apartments even have armed guards. I felt relatively safe around the area and did not notice anything sketchy during my short stay in the city.
Conclusion
This certainly doesn’t mean that all apartments in the city are like this however if you are looking for decent housing then Bucaramanga does have really nice places to stay that would be comparable to modern housing in European and American cities.
How has your experience been so far with housing in Bucaramanga?
Tom Mehra, an Ottawa-based Software Engineer with a Masters in Information Systems from the University of Texas at Dallas, shares insights on local food spots and top attractions in Canada and the US. He’s also a former resident of the US, UK, and India, and in 2023, his blog was nominated for an Ottawa Award by Faces Magazine. He is also a cat sitter.