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Anti American resentment?

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GorgeousBorges
  11/30/2015 17:52 EST

I am thinking of buying a place in Buenos Aires. I have been fantasizing about a new govt that lifts capital controls so I can buy there without being stuck there! It looks like that day will soon be here!

If all goes as planned I will try to get over there and start to look in about 6 months or so.

The only thing that has me a little freaked out is crime. Is it as bad as they say? I am a single woman and I want to feel safe, wherever I live.

TomP
  12/1/2015 09:28 EST

I have lived in Argentina with a business, vineyards, for five years so I know enough to be dangerous.

Regarding "Crime"in BA, if you are a seasoned traveler, e.g. you don't walk down the street counting your US$100 bills I think you will be okay, especially since Argentina has a new Presidente.

My 1st question for you would be, "What is your budget?"

And are you aware Argentina has no "Mortgage" industry thus any purchase would be all cash unless you can get "Seller" financing which is quite rare.

How much you have to spend will dictate what type of neighborhood you will live in and yes, there are some very tough neighborhoods in BA.

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AndrewLopez
  12/10/2015 10:32 EST

Well... I would recommend some neighborhoods. First is Puerto Madero, Second Palermo, Third Recolleta.
With 'safety so comes cost'...

Please understand as TomP says there is a certain level of common sense that you need to have.
I was in a 'good' side of town and my cell phone rang, when I answered my wife's call I should have looked around. I put the phone in my front pocket and when the subway arrived I was pushed from behind and in seconds my phone was gone. It happens to the best of us.

My suggestions are simple.
1) need a good understanding of the language (the slang will stop you in all the countries south of Mexico)
2) Come visit the city. Stay in a nice hotel and get pampered here do all the tourists stuff here in the first week. Make sure you have all your receipts from the stuff you have purchased. Thefts here are common, if you need to, purchase a throw away cell phone and purchase a chip when you get here. You can pick an unlocked cell phone from Amazon for $50.00. Thieves see these and ignore you.
3) Pick up a backpack that is difficult to steal from. There are some out on the market once again Amazon - I prefer Mobile Edge personally. and some basic bungees or locks. This is mine... http://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Edge-SecurePack-17-Inch-Backpack/dp/B000FTM4BO/ref=sr_1_76?ie=UTF8&qid=1449761405&sr=8-76&keywords=backpacks+mobile+edge
will not be the easy target while traveling.
4) Come on down and take a ecobici for a spin (free) hop on a bus or a train (subte card) and enjoy the beauty.

There is Anti American resentment everywhere even in America, We can thank our lovely media for that discomfort. As long as you are polite the average Argentine is more than willing to talk and say hello.
There is a Facebook group that posts owner selling and renting.
My personal suggestion, rent for at least six months to get the feel of where you are comfortable.
I live in Recoleta, I ride my bike everyday to drop my son off at daycare while I work. My wife picks him up.
This is a city, I see lots of promise.

TomP
  12/10/2015 16:57 EST

Andrew, I thank you for taking the time to describe what one will experience while in BA.

I do have a question, all of the areas you recommend to live are indeed lovely and ... expensive. Can you share with us what you pay for your Condo and how big is it, 2 bedroom 2 bath etc.

AndrewLopez
  12/10/2015 17:15 EST

TomP
We live in Recoleta, on Azcuenaga near the Hard Rock. They just raised our rent and the maint fees. I am at about 6k (pesos) for the rent and almost 1500 pesos for the maint. Right now we are shopping for a place out by Caballito(SP) The building we are in is older, we have an awesome view of the courtyard and high ceilings. My home office looks out over the patio and onto the courtyard. we have a (what I would consider) small two bed one bath apartment. To me the kitchen is too small and there is lots of lost space. Many of the newer designs that I am seeing have a much better layout.
If everything goes well within the next 6months we hopefully can find a place to purchase.
I hope this answers your question.
Cheers

RussellO
  5/29/2016 10:40 EST

Yours is the best I've read. How do I get to that F B page?

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