Moving to and living in...Argentina

Psst Want to know how to move to Argentina? All about life in Argentina? excerpt of Chapter 6 from my ebook

I've been asked several times to post an excerpt from my ebook so here it is:
From Chapter 6: Real Estate and Rentals...

Garantias - Remember how the owner can take years to get someone to pay back rent, or get them out of their property? Well the guarantia is what makes them feel secure.

                A guarantia is essentially a type of lien whereby someone’s property is put up as collateral should the tenant default on the lease or destroy the property. Although never 100% guaranteed to work, it gives the landlord more legal power to try and recoup their losses. It can be difficult to find someone to give a guarantia because they may be uncomfortable risking their property or they may already have given one to another person. Even if you are successful in getting a guarantia, there is no guarantee that the owner will accept it.

Employers can also provide a guarantia. For instance, many of the foreign companies or embassies who send their workers to

Argentina

will provide a guarantia for the property rental. If you don’t have a guarantia, don’t worry, there are other options that are available, such as paying the rent up front or pago adelantado, which is essentially what is happening in the tourist rental market. And you needn’t feel like you’re alone in securing a guarantia because many Argentines also have trouble securing guarantias.

If you choose to use the pago adelantado you need to be aware of one thing, unless you work it out with the owner or agency, you will be paying your entire rent up front and should you have any problems or need to break the contract, you will have little recourse. One way to avoid this is to try to do a contract broken into segments – for instance a two year lease that has four separate contracts, all prepared at the same time, but as each contract ends and the next begins, you pay the next rental period. This protects you in the case that you absolutely need to leave or begin to hate the place…or the owner.

 

Feria de Matadores in full swing!

If you still haven't gotten yourself to the The Feria de Matadores then you need to visit this fair. It's in the western part of Mataderos which is on the edge of Buenos Aires. Most street maps won't show it but a Guia Filcar will have enough maps to show it. You can get there by bus, taxi, car or hire a remise driver to take you.

Besides the gauchos, smell of horses, music and dances you'll be deep in the lingering smell of wood burning and meat cooking on parillas. Be ready to be overwhelmed with all of the great artisan crafts for sale as well as quesos, salames. If you need gifts for the holidays then you are sure to find them here! Here's the link to their website

Penthouse for rent in Buenos Aires Jan Feb 2008

from the BaNewcomers site:

Penthouse for Rent – Heart of Buenos Aires - Jan and Feb 2008

Penthouse for Rent – Heart of Buenos AiresJanuary – February 2008 Looking for mature, responsible individual or couple to rent fullyfurnished penthouse apartment. $1200 per month with 50% returnable deposit. Utilities not included(but usually no more than $150 per month, if that).Quiet, spacious (91 sq meters), gorgeous and central, with nearbytransportatio n to everywhere. On Plaza Congresso, near to most of themain milongas, classes and Tango shops. Sunny, cheerful, with lots ofcross-ventilation , including overhead fans. Decorated with style andcare, the apartment is charming and authentically Argentine/European. Pix available.• Dining room (with practice space for tango)• Living room (bed doubling as couch, TV, stereo, workspace, 2 sitting chairs)• Large bedroom with queen bed, many closets• Small sitting room/additional bedroom• Large bathroom• Half bath off small sitting room/additional bedroom • Good working kitchen• "Closed" balcony with large windows running length of apt, floor toceiling French doors leading from bedroom and living room. Largeleather couch on balcony opening to a bed • High speed internet, cable TV, stereo• Laundromat, large grocery stores, local smaller stores all over theneighborhood• Porter• Safe entrance at nightContact: kadisova@gmail. com

Three new jobs in Buenos Aires

I have three new jobs that I wanted to share in Buenos Aires that are available with a company called Move Globally. I have no ties to this company, I'm just sharing the information so I can't tell you anything about them, you must determine their reputability for yourself. I do know they have a new system for apartment rentals. 
Here's their direct site website for you to contact them DO  NOT CONTACT ME! :)

#1 MID TO SENIOR SOFTWARE ENGINEER

CORE JOB DUTIES

• Design, develop, and test large web based applications
• Assist in documenting features
• Assist in hiring and managing other engineers
• Mentor junior engineers

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum 3+ years’ relevant business   experience
• Experience working with an agile development process
• Expert in server side development with a major OOP language
• Expert in SQL and experience with MySQL
• Experience working with AJAX
• Experience working on large scalable applications including clustered applications
• Ruby/Ruby on Rails experience is a huge plus
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and people skills
• Must read and write English - bilingual in Spanish  and English is a plus

#2 JUNIOR SOFTWARE ENGINEER

CORE JOB DUTIES

• Design, develop, and test large web based applications
• Assist in documenting features

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience with server side development in a major OOP language
• Experience using databases and SQL
• Ruby/Ruby on Rails experience is a huge plus
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and people skills
• Must read and write English - bilingual in Spanish and English is a plus

#3 WEB DESIGNER

CORE JOB DUTIES

• Design and build front end web pages, utilizing HTML, CSS, Javascript, DHTML, Flash and other technologies
• Assist in documenting and testing features
• Support internal graphic design needs for marketing campaigns and materials

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 2+ years’ relevant business experience
• Expert in CSS, HTML and DHTML
• Experience working with AJAX based applications
• Good design sensibilities
• Ruby/Ruby on Rails experience is a plus
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and people skills
• Must read and write English - bilingual in Spanish and English is a plus

Alternative forms of education in Buenos Aires: Waldorf and homeschooling

I've mentioned several schooling options in the past in Buenos Aires - from private, traditional American and British English schools to public schools to private bi-lingual schools such as the French Lycee.

Other options for families looking for the non-traditional would be either the Waldorf school or homeschooling.

The Waldorf school in Martinez would be a great idea for someone whose kids already have some Spanish language skills as most classes are taught in Spanish. I have a good friend who has had her kids at the Waldorf school in Martinez for two years now and loves it. She thinks that it has been as great as if not better in many ways than their last Waldorf school in California.

The other possibility, particularly for someone who doesn't want to go through the headache of getting all the papers for their child to go to school is to homeschool. There is a great forum Homeschool World Forum that is helpful if you're considering homeschooling overseas. 

Any comments about your experiences with Waldorf or homeschooling in Argentina please be sure to contact me or post your comments for all to hear!

Here are a couple of other useful sites/forums/groups as well:
Expat Homeschool
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/expat-homeschool

Bilingual Homeschool
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bilingualhomeschool

Expat Kids
http://www.ori-and-ricki.net

Expat and multi-lingual resources for children and parents

I was thinking about additional resources this weekend that can be really helpful if you're moving to Argentina (or anywhere for that matter). Also some great resources if you're raising kids or planning to raise them in a bilingual family.

AP Expat Moms: attachment parenting discussion group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AP-Expat-Moms

Special Needs Abroad
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/specialneedsabroad

Expat Kids
Site for kids
http://www.ori-and-ricki.net

ExpatWoman.com
http://www.expatmum.com

Family Life Abroad
http://www.familylifeabroad.com

ExpatMomsOnline
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ExpatMomsOnline

Expat Cooking
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/expat-cooking

Foreign Wives Club
An online community by and for women in bicultural marriages.
http://www.foreignwivesclub.com

Living Abroad
http://www.liveabroad.com/

Tales from a Small Planet
The literary and humor magazine for expatriates everywhere!
http://www.talesmag.com

TheTrailingSpouse.com
http://users.anet.com/~smcnulty/homepage.html

Moving to Argentina - How to Move to Argentina

I just want to make quick post to clarify on my Ebook Moving to Argentina. My ebook is a result of my more than two year old blog, Moving to Argentina, and my adventures in Argentina which include moving myself, my French husband, our two dogs and two cats to Argentina, as well as going through an entire pregnancy and birth of our daughter in Argentina.

So if you are looking for Laura Zurro's ebook Moving to and Living in Buenos Aires, Argentina (also applicable to Argentina in general) look no further, you've come to the right place!

New Ebook Comments

I've been receiving such great feedback on my Ebook that I wanted to share some of the new comments. I am really happy to see that readers are finding it so helpful and having it make the research/relocation process easier!

Rob in Capitola, California - BTW, this is fantastic document and well worth the price. I've enjoyed learning about BA and your experience relocating.

From London, England - I found your book on the internet, as I have been researching a possible six month move to Buenos Aires.  My husband and I have 4 children, and have moved and traveled extensively (2 overseas moves).  Your book is fantastic -- it sounds as though the way that you research something is quite similar to mine! I am enjoying the book, and am finding it quite helpful.

Lara in Canada - Laura - we loved your book and found it incredibly inspiring!

Looking for a safe healthy place to board your pet in Buenos Aires for the holidays?

Are you looking for a safe and healthy place in Buenos Aires to board your pet for the holidays? You should definitely check out Jim Anderson's place PetsVentura.
Jim is a transplanted Canadian who has brought his holistic pet health views and pet friendly living ideas to Buenos Aires. He is the only one performing this service at this time in Buenos Aires and I love his service and the care he provides for the animals. He took care of our four babies (2 cats and 2 dogs) with the utmost respect and love like they were his own. I just can't speak highly enough about him. He speaks English and Spanish so if you have any difficulties with doing your pets paperwork in Spanish, he's the person to talk to! Here's the information on his services, try him out - you won't be disappointed.
p.s. don't forget to ask him about doing a "pet cam" for your babies :)

The Holidays are just around the Corner…
Don't forget to make your boarding reservation!

Availability for boarding your pet (dogs, cat or exotic pet) with PETSVENTURA PETS HOTEL are filling up fast and we currently have for some days a waiting list.

If you need to board during the upcoming holidays, Christmas & NEW YEAR make your reservation now!

We are constantly getting boarding reservations and will more than likely be able to reserve you a spot. Please keep in mind waiting for last moment; we may not be able to accommodate your booking needs at PETSVENTURA PETS HOTEL. 

Whether you would like your cat or dog looking best, or need a TOP NOTCH home for a stay while you’re away, PETSVENTURA is here to provide all your needs.

We have the best Master Groomer and an excellent Veterinarian (Home Visit) to take care of all your pets needs. For your convenient All services are providing in English and Spanish.   

For more information or to make a reservation, please give us a call at 11-4836-2290 or, make your reservation by email at info@petsventura.com

Excellent resource for Spanish Language Schools in Argentina

I recently came across an excellent resource for Spanish Language schools throughout Argentina, including Bariloche, Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Mendoza, Salta. The site is Worldwide Classroom Consortium for International Education & Multiculural Studies but the direct link to the Argentina programs is here . The main site has language programs worldwide as well as other multi-cultural programs and a wide variety of other humanities, social, anthropological programs just to name a few.
I think it's a great resource, particularly if you're looking to learn or study Spanish while in Argentina.