Moving to and living in...Argentina

Marketplace article on Expats in Buenos Aires

So the latest round of teasers has begun.  It's been awhile since an article has run touting the perceived cheap cost of living Buenos Aires. This latest one, Soho on the Cheap, was run on Public Radio's Marketplace, and featured Alexandra Salas, an expat from NYC who I provided a lot of moving  information to last year. For her and her husband, BA is a relative bargain compared to prices in NYC. But if you're not living in the land of the closet sized apartments, you might want to rethink just running down here, at least check out cost of living/food/utility comparisons such as those I've tabled out in my book on becoming an expat in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Costs are slowly rising, particularly food and housing, and there's always the problem of obtaining a garantia if you're planning to rent instead of buying. Keep all these things in mind when you hear about how cheap is to live in Buenos Aires.

Ebook Moving to and Living in Buenos Aires, Argentina

If you're considering a move or are already actively planning to relocate to Buenos Aires, don't forget to make Moving to and Living in Buenos Aires, Argentina, one of your resources. If you like the information that is available in Moving to Argentina, then you will definately find the ebook even handier.

Tango Lovers - rental with dance studio

Tango lovers - here's your chance to rent a great short or long term restored colonia style place with a dance studio.

Located in Palermo Soho near Voltaire and A.J. Carranza, is this completely restored,  colonial antique / PH style house.  Fully furnished and equipped. High ceilings, wood floors, big windows, large internal patio with plants. Very bright.

Large living room, 2 bedrooms - one in suite, fully equipped kitchen and bathroom.

If you love Tango then this house is for you as it has a dance studio as well. The dance studio has wood floors, mirrors, a bar, bathroom and dressing room.

The entire house and studio has heating and ceiling fans.

Located near some of the most prestigious milongas in Buenos Aires: Salon Canning where there is a live orquestra every Monday and Friday, La Viruta, Gricel Norte, and Dr. Jeckyl, and many others.

For photos and prices see our rental website www.expatrentalsba.com and check under the heading Palermo.

$250 U.S. rent...not likely

If you've read the article that ran in the Washington Post back on April 23rd, Expatriate Games Travelers are Heading to Buenos Aires for the Culture -- and Staying for the $250 Rent, they you are probably already packing your bags (or at least thinking about it) and getting ready to head to Buenos Aires. If you are just seeing this headline for the first time, then read it but then return here for a taste of needed reality.

$250 US rents in B.A.? Sure that's possible if you're living here and have a garantia from a local and aren't looking to live in an upscale area. But the reality for most of us expats here is that rents aren't going to be costing 750 pesos a month, and if they are you might want to think twice about where they're located. Rents were already on the upswing this past year, and with all of the property owners putting their apartments into tourist rentals, the number of places that are really inexpensive is dropping almost as fast as the number of long-term rentals on the market.

The government even toyed with the idea of stepping in to stem the fast rising prices, but as of now they have decided to take a hands off approach. The issue of rents has been all over the TV and in the papers. Clarin ran an article on August 2nd and INFOBAE.com just ran an article as well.

While it is possible to rent something that is affordable for long-term, you will still need to jump through the hoops of getting a garantia or do a pre-paid rent of a three or four months to as much as a year, or be forced to pay tourist rental prices. It's not an easy task.

The bottom line is if you're coming here, be prepared to pay more than what you might have heard. I got an email from someone last week asking if it was possible to live on 700 U.S. per month. While many things here are less expensive, like private health care insurance among other things, by the time you add up rent, food, monthly expenses and such, 700 U.S. is not going to be very easy to live on.

This post is not to tell you don't come here as it is a great place; and at the current peso to dollar exchange is VERY affordable IF you are living on dollars and NOT pesos. But, if you do decide to move here, be ready for some difficulties in finding long term housing in general and be prepared to make a large rent and living budget.

 

Long-term rentals without guarantia

Since starting my blog I have received emails on a consistent basis asking for solutions or ideas in finding long-term apartments / houses at rates less than tourist rentals, but without the requirement for a guarantia. I know what this feels like because my husband and I went through it when we moved here from Miami.

Since I'm in contact with so many people, I ended up helping a few people in my spare time to find rentals, including the new director of the Jean Mermoz French school in Belgrano.

So, after talking about it one day with my good friend Veronica (she's Argentinian with a law background), she and I decided to partner up and offer help to people to locate rentals that while they may or may not be at locals prices, will certainly be much more flexible about price, guarantia and lease terms and length.

We'll have a variety of rentals at different prices and already have a good selection, but non-guarantia rentals that are nice...and well-priced...tend to go fast.

We will charge a small commission for our efforts, but in return we promise you hard work and excellent customer service!

If you're looking for something like this feel free to drop me an email or take a look at photos and descriptions of what we have available at Expat Rentals B.A. and we'll see what we can do to help.

Great apartment for rent

I know everybody is always looking for a great apartment. Well here's one that was just posted in the Yahoo groups. I don't have personal knowledge of it, but it sounds nice and it's a great deal.

BEAUTIFUL ONE BEDROOM APT. FOR RENT IN PALERMO - $400

Address: Av. Scalabrini Ortiz & Guatemala - Palermo

Details: One Bedroom Apt., 35 Mts.,  6th floor, Full of Light,
Excellent Location, fully furnished and fully equipped..

It has one big bedroom with a huge closet, a Queen-Size bed and big
window.

Nice living-room with a french-style balcony. Includes a comfortable
couch, a big coffee table, a desk/table, two chairs, useful furniture with 4 huge
drawers, a bookcase, a Cable- 20" new TV,  heater, A/C, and a 300 Wts. Stereo-CD player. PC + HIGH SPEED INTERNET CONNECTION)


Complete Bathroom. Complete Kitchen with a freezer-fridge, a standard
cooker, a big kitchen furniture, and a washer machine for clothes.

4 blocks from Av. Santa Fe, 10 blocks from the Zoo, close to all
milongas in Palermo, 20 min. from Downtown Area, 10 blocks from Plaza Serrano in the heart of Palermo. Major Supermarkets (Norte-Coto-Dia) two blocks from the apt.

Available: May 24 2006.

Best deal in Palermo: U$S 400. per month. Includes all bills: Electricity, Gas, Water, City Taxes, Building Charges,Cable TV, High Speed Internet, and Telephone only for local calls.

To view the Apt. call Florencia  4775-8074 after 7pm! (or leave a message) or e-mail florencia.doval@converium.com

For Pics Copy/Paste the link below
http://espanol.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/palermoblues/album?.dir=/3039&.src=ph&.tok=phNfr7DBpp2m6poZ

Real Estate Contracts, resources, and Index to Terms in Argentina

Continuing my post about finding an apartment or house in Buenos Aires, I am going to explain how the rental process here works in terms of rental length, relist several real estate resources plus some new ones, as well provide an index of common real estate abbreviations/terms.

Two Types of Rentals Contracts:

The first is the short-term or tourist rental for which the lease can be written for no longer than six-months. This type of rental is supposed to be rented furnished, and with a refridgerator, and other basic accessories. Basic accessories can vary though, so you may or may not get a toaster, microwave, etc. Now, there are some possibilities with some owners to write two six-month rental contracts, thus getting a one-year rental – this is how we rented our house. Also, with these types of rentals, you will be expected 99% of the time to pay your rent up-front as you move in, and will also require a security deposit. How do you find these types of rentals? There are numerous agencies renting in the short-term tourist market; there are also private owners who will rent to you; and, of course, there are real estate agencies.

The second type of rental is the long-term or two year rental contract. These are the ones that will most likely require a guarantia because they will 99% of the time be a standard rental with monthly payments, although of course, the possibility of pre-paying always exists but two years out is a long time to prepay. These are the rentals that many Argentines have traditionally worked with, and many landlords still prefer this type of rental. But, there are more and more people who are willing to consider short-term rentals as well. In the long-term rental, the house or apartment is usually unfurnished, although occasionally you can find one that is “amoblado” or furnished.

Rental Resources:

There are a lot of resources out there. For tourist rentals, check the internet and there will be more than you can count on both hands and feet. Check them all and compare prices and see how quickly they respond to your emails or calls – a great precursor to their service.

Some classifieds and general real estate listings.

Buenos Aires Herald - Buenos Aires English newspaper

Clarin – very cool and one of the most popular

Craigslist Buenos Aires free listings

La Nacion – more conservative paper, read by many in the upper-class but an excellent resource

Publicasas Clasificados Inmobiliarias

Segundamano - weekly free advertisement newsletter (free for people who post ads)

Sistema Dixon - real estate listings

Solodueños – or by owner without agent

Top Inmobiliario - real estate listings

In addition to these, if you have a neigborhood that you like, don’t hesistate to walk around, visit local real estate agents, and stop and talk to the doormen in the buildings, or sometimes even the local people. All of these are resources that can help you find something right in that neighborhood.

But I don’t understand what it says:

No matter where you are in the world, you need to learn the lingo. This little primer will help you get a general feel for words and abbreviations, and what it all means.

Here is a sample listing: 

MALABIA 2363 P. 27º/28º PENTHOUSE a pasos Jardín Botánico y metro de Scalabrini Ortiz y Av.Santa Fe .- vigil. 24 hs,cochera opcional y serv. de mucama.
................................................. .................................................
P.27º: 85 mts ;living-comedor y dos(2) dormitorios que salen a BALCON TERRAZA CON FABULOSO PANORAMA AL RÍO , PARQUES Y COSTA URUGUAYA .-Baño completo reciclado excelente cocina , muy bien equipada, gran heladera con freezer y laundry con lavarropas .- ...................................................................................................
P. 28º: 120 mt. DE TERRAZA VISTA DE 360º CON REPOSERAS , e ideal para poner parrilla . Calefaccion ; aire acondicionado frío / calor ; agua caliente individual ;todo pisos de parquet , se ofrece CON o SIN muebles , cablevision , internet. PRECIO u$s 850

So this ad would break down as follows:

MALABIA 2363 is the address – note that the street name is listed first
P. 27º/28º stands for piso and means floor – *note that piso bajo is actually the first floor, and primer piso is actually the second floor quite different than in the States.
a pasos Jardín Botánico y metro de Scalabrini Ortiz y Av.Santa Fe . just steps to the Botanical Garden and the Subte at Scalabrini Ortiz and Santa Fe (linea D)
vigil. 24 hs it has 24 hour security
cochera opcional parking space optional
serv. de mucama maid service
P.27º: 85 mts Floor 27 is 85 square meters
living-comedor with living room and dining room
dos(2) dormitorios que salen a BALCON TERRAZA CON FABULOSO PANORAMA AL RÍO , PARQUES Y COSTA URUGUAYA and 2 bedrooms that you can access the balcony/terrace with fabulous panoramic view of the river, parks and the Uruguayan coast.
Baño completo reciclado Bathroom completely refurbished
excelente cocina , muy bien equipada, gran heladera con freezer y laundry con lavarropas .-
excellent kitchen, very well equipped with large refridgerator and freezer and a laundry area with washing machine.
P. 28º: 120 mt Floor 28 is 120 square meters
DE TERRAZA Of terrace
VISTA DE 360º CON REPOSERAS 360 degree panoramic view with chaise loungers
e ideal para poner parrilla and ideal to put a parilla
Calefaccion heat
aire acondicionado frío / calor air conditioning cold/warm
todo pisos de parquet all floors are parquet (wood squares very common here)
se ofrece CON o SIN muebles Offered with or without furniture
cablevision cable is included
internet Internet is included *note always check what type of Internet as some may be slow as molasses
PRECIO u$s 850 Price US 850 *note most real estate listings are done in US dollars they will always be shown as u$s. If it is simply shown for instance as $850 then it is in pesos

Index to Real Estate Abbreviations and Terms

a estr - a estrenar - brand new
ac - aire acondicionado - air conditioning
alquiler - rent
alquiler temporario - short term rent
alquilado - rented
amb- ambiente – the OVERALL number of rooms ie. 1 amb = studio, 2 amb = 1 br
amobl - amoblado - furnished
ampl – amplio - ample
antig – antigüedad – age of building/apartment/house
apto/prof, apto profes, a/p - apto professional - can be used as an office
bc - balcon - balcony
bñ, bño – baño
baño e/suite – baño en suite – bathroom attached to bedroom
calef - calefaccion - heat
casa - house
cat, categ - de categoria - upscale luxury building/apt
cfrte, cfte - contrafrente – view doesn’t face street, often it’s quieter
coc - cocina - kitchen
coch – cochera – parking spot
com – comedor – dining room
cub – cubierto - covered
depart. - departamento – apartment
dorm – dormitorio - bedroom
dño - dueño - apartment is rented by the owner, not the real estate agency
esc – escritorio – office/desk room
exc - excelente - excellent
exp - expens - expensas - condo fee or town tax (landlords often pay for short term rentals, tenant usually pays with long term rentals)
fte - frente – view to front of building
+gtos - plus gastos – utilities (landlords often pay for short term rentals, tenant usually pays with long term rentals)
herm – hermoso/a – beautiful
jard – jardin - garden
lat - lateral - on the side of the building
lum,lumin,luz,t/sol, sol - sunny, very bright, lots of light
paq - paquete -sometimes means everything included or perhaps something extra
metros cuadrados – square meters
mucam - mucama - maid service
mue – muebles - furniture
par – parilla – bbq
plantas – total number of floors
pb – piso bajo – first floor
pisc – piscina - pool
PH – penthouse – can mean the top floor or can also mean a 1st and 2nd floor apartment
ptio - patio - back yard
pulmon - windows open into a narrow ground to rooftop wall
servicio – dep de servicio – maids quarters
superficie – amount of space
t/incl, tdo incluído - todo incluido - everything is included into the price
t/nvo - todo nuevo – totally new *this can also mean refurbished or recycled
ubic - ubicacion - good location
V/15-20hs - Ver - view the property from 3 to 7 horas *note remember that in Argentina they use military time so everything after 12:00 noon will be 13, 14, 15 etc. and listed as hs. horas
vig - vigilancia - secured building

 

Renting apartments and houses in Argentina

I have been receiving so many emails and questions lately about how the apartment/house rentals work in Argentina, what a "guarantia" is. I will follow this post with a listing of the places to look and how to interpret ads that are in Spanish. These posts will hopefully cover most things you need to know, in a nutshell.

Real Estate Market:

The rental market in Buenos Aires is currently going a bit crazy, we can thank all of the articles touting how cheap it is to rent here. Well, first of all, it can be less expensive, but it’s getting more and more difficult to find great inexpensive rentals. The competition is increasing, and even people I know that own properties are choosing to place their personal apartments in the tourist market, and rent cheaper apartments for themselves.

Even the market for Argentines has become tricky to navigate, as fewer affordable apartments are available.

However, don’t despair, negotiations are still possible, and if you’re creative, you’ll find there are definite options available, but patience will be a wonderful virtue to have.

Rental Laws:

The rental laws in Argentina are structured to protect the tenant, not the landlord. Actually, the laws here are much the same in countries like France. Some people move into a property and pay the first months rent and then never pay again. Squatter problems also exist, whereby a squatter can get into an empty house, make themselves up a paper that says they have right to be there. Thus, landlords must, and will do, everything in their power to protect themselves. The extremely slow court system here means that it can take up to two years to evict a tenant, and it’s even more difficult when the tenants include children. Landlords are almost never able to recoup their lost rents either. This causes many headaches on the tenant side as far as getting the contracts signed. Many owners will do everything through a real estate agency, and as was our case, you may have multiple meetings and contract signings to get through everything. You will have to pay the commission for the real estate agent as well. Depending upon the agency, your commission could be the equivalent of one month’s rent or could be ten percent of the total rental fee, and I’ve even heard of twenty percent on some less expensive rentals geared to foreigners – but the last is quite excessive. Expect to usually pay at least one months security, but if you’re paying up front you might be able to negotiate that a bit.

What is this thing called a “Guarantia”

Remember how the landlord 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 that they can sleep at night.

A guarantia is essentially another persons promise of their property if you should default on your lease or destroy the property. It’s not officially a lien, but it gives the landlord more legal power to try to recoup their losses. It is extremely 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.

Another type of guarantia is one that is given from the company you work for. For instance, many of the foreign companies who send their workers here will give a guarantia for the property rental. But my bet is that most of you who read this won’t fall in that category.

Guarantias can be a issue for foreigners who want to rent an apartment or house, but it’s not something that will keep you from finding a place, but don’t feel alone, many Argentines have trouble as well. If you don’t have a guarantia, don’t worry, there are other options that are now available, such as paying your rent up front or pago adelantado, which is essentially what is happening in the tourist rental market.

If you do happen to come across an advertisement for an apartment where you don’t need a guarantia, then it will be read as s/gtia or sin garantia. Use caution with these, unless it’s because they’re willing to do an up front rental payment. You should make sure you check out the neighborhood and the apartment carefully.

A word of caution: some agencies and property owners offer to sell you a “guarantia” for a property. You are looking to lose your money with these. Most of these are properties that have multiple guarantias, and a smart landlord and agent can check the city properties registry to verify the property owners or see how many ownerships requests were made over a period of time. If they feel that there were too many, and even one could be too many, they they will tell you your guaratia is no good. Like I said before,  perhaps you’ll lose your money, or maybe they’ll just be nice enough to refund your money…NOT.

Well, that's it for this post. More to come shortly.

chau

Apartment for rent in Buenos Aires on Aguero

Apartment for rent:
This was just posted in the Yahoo Group so I wanted to share it. I don't know anything personally and give no guarantees to it, you're on your own, simply sharing some info.

A friend of mine has an apt. in Aguero, between French and Juncal. It is on the 6th.floor, 1 big room with a balcon, AC, TV, micro, bedding, telephone, etc.She will pay all the expenses. Everything just renovated. She wants 450 dolars per month. Place is good for 1 or  2 people. Contact Adriana at 4803-7794 . Shula.

S'expatrier en Argentine

For all you French readers out there, my husband has been keeping a blog as well, S'expatrier en Argentine, but in French. Unfortunately he doesn't get the opportunity to post as often as I do, but it is sort of interesting to read a different point of view. So, if you can read French, then have fun...

chau