Living a Gated Community Lifestyle in Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA

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Where to Retire in Buenos Aires and Home Prices

The city is divided into several barrios, or neighborhoods. San Telmo and La Boca offer a look at the real, working class Buenos Aires. Recoleta (very French), Barrio Norte, Puerto Madryn and Palermo are probably better areas for ex-pats. Most foreigners live in these more upscale neighborhoods for the safety, charm, parks, many restaurants, cafes and shops.
Apartments range from $800-$4000/month. Each area is distinct; get a sense before deciding.

What Is Special about Buenos Aires

Old meets new in BA. Plazas, cathedrals and buildings that have been around for centuries are next to new, gourmet restaurants. There is a large population of ex-pats and students in the city, so it is fairly easy to find a sense of community even in a foreign country. Because of this, sticking to English is no problem most of the time. This city feels like Paris, but prices aren't Parisian.  The Recolleto, an old cemetery for the city's wealthy departed, is one of the most amazing sites because of the elaborate mausoleums. Evita Peron is buried in one of them.

What Is Not Special about Buenos Aires

Argentina is a deal in many ways, but they are currently experiencing rapid inflation. This is a big, busy city and not all areas are safe. Certain neighborhoods have more pricey real estate, but that is often because they are safer. Do your research before buying. Looking for an authentic, third world, Spanish learning experience? Argentina is the second world, where many people speak English.

Climate and Physical Environment

BA is far enough from the equator that it experiences 4 seasons. Of course in the other hemisphere, the seasons are reversed. Summer is from December to March, and involves hot temperatures in the city (lows around 70 and highs in the 90s). Many people leave the city's heat in January for the lakes. Winter, from June to September involves lows in the high 30s and highs in the upper 50s.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

BA is the cultural capital of South America - there is always something to do. Around the microcentro area are theatres, tango shows, cinemas and the world famous Teatro Colón. Scattered throughout the other neighborhoods are museums, boutiques and restaurants. Learn to tango in a dance class, grill in cooking school or speak the distinct Argentinean dialect of Spanish in language classes. For cultural activities, keep in mind that there will be no early bird retiree specials in this town-restaurants don't open their doors until 8 at the very earliest.

Crime

Because of extensive street police forces, BA has traditionally been a relatively safe city. However in recent years with the growth of illegal drugs there have been many disturbing crimes even in daylight hours downtown.

Medical Facilities

The city has numerous clinics, as well as public hospitals and an excellent private hospital.

Transportation

BA is well connected by the convenient subway system, the subte. Like New York, this is not a city to drive around in. Individual neighborhoods are easily walkable and taxis are quite inexpensive.

Valuable Links

http://www.buenosaireshabitat.com/buenos-aires-real-estate/buying-guide.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/09/greathomesanddestinations/09gh-sale.html?scp=1&sq=real%20estate%20buenos%20aires&st=cse
http://www.bue.gov.ar/home/index.php?lang=en

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