Quick answer

Living at CityU, in downtown Bogotá, gives you 5 big benefits: 1) Save up to 2 hours a day stuck in traffic, 2) Stay safer by avoiding public transportation late at night, 3) Do better in school with more time to rest, 4) Save money on TransMilenio fares and ride-hailing apps, and 5) Get more involved in campus life and extracurricular activities. Its location also puts you just minutes from universities like the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana.

Why time is so valuable in a city like Bogotá

Ask anyone from Bogotá and they’ll tell you: in this city, living close to where you study or work is the greatest luxury there is. If you’re about to start your degree at a school like Universidad Externado or the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, finding student housing downtown will completely change your academic experience.

Here’s why living a block from campus is the best investment you can make.

1. Goodbye traffic (and stress)

Bogotá is famous for its traffic jams. Living far out can mean losing 1.5 to 3 hours a day on buses or in cars. Living in a downtown residence lets you wake up at 6:30 a.m. for a 7:00 a.m. class and still walk in feeling fresh.

2. More time to rest and study

The time you don’t spend in traffic is time you invest in yourself. You can sleep more (essential for cognitive performance), hit the gym or have extra hours to prepare for midterms and group projects.

3. Monthly savings

At first glance, renting on the outskirts of the city might look cheaper, but add up the transportation costs: daily TransMilenio fares, plus taxis or Ubers on rainy days or when you leave the library late. Living downtown, in a residence with a fixed monthly rate, ends up being far more cost-effective.

4. Peace of mind and safety at night

Exam season means staying late at the library or at a classmate’s place. Walking a couple of blocks with friends back to a residence with 24/7 private security, like CityU, offers priceless peace of mind for students and for their parents back home.

5. You get the full college experience

Being close means you don’t miss a thing. You can go to cultural events and afternoon lectures, join university sports teams and, most importantly, build strong bonds with your classmates by being part of the community.

Your new home, steps from campus

Don’t sacrifice your quality of life during the best years of your youth. CityU is strategically located so you can walk to class in minutes. Find your ideal room and make this semester unforgettable.