Cost to rent house in northern suburb - Zona Norte - Buenos Aires

It's that time again. Bills are sitting piled on the desk waiting to be paid. And we're about to cough up our rent payment of $2,400. (It kills us to pay this every month now, knowing what we could be paying in Argentina.) When we sold our house in August (for a nice profit after just 7 months), we decided to rent a house on Miami Beach while we decided whether to buy again or maybe move out of state or the country altogether.

Anyway, in September, after several  contracts fell through because the properties were overvalued and wouldn't appraise, we decided to take a break and get out of Miami. Mexico was one option because I loved it and knew the cost of living was low.  Unfortunately, Hurricane Rita threw a wrench into that. So, on to Plan B, off to Argentina, which we had been planning to visit in November, so we just moved it up a bit.

Funny thing is, we never did make it Mexico this Fall at all. Instead, we ended up in Argentina not once, but twice, drawn by the feeling there and the 3:1 currency ratio. We were amazed, because for an ex-pat the cost of living is already laughably cheap, and after checking around, found out the cost of renting a house is, frankly, sick compared to the U.S.   

Of course, we could stay in Miami, or for that matter move somewhere else in the States.  But  the cost of housing here is really expensive now and we also have two big dogs and three cats which means finding a house to rent in the U.S. is extremely difficult. Strange thing for a culture that reveres its pets if you ask me.

On both visits, we went into the Zona Norte where there are more houses, because since we have two big dogs and three cats, an apartment is a bit out of the question.  Just for reference, the main community in the Zona Norte or northern suburbs is San Isidro and includes Beccar, Acassuso, and Martinez. (I plan to talk more about these communities individually and what they offer, in future posts.)

For instance, our house in Miami is a small 1,400 sq/ft, 2/2, just a few blocks from the beach. Small yard, no pool, but at least it's got hurricane shutters!!! 

But, back to Buenos Aires. In the Zona Norte, it's possible to find, and we did actually visit, nice sized houses for rent with a beautiful back yard, complete with pool and security.  One example that we would have signed on the spot if we were ready, was a 2,400 sq/ft, 3/3 with an updated kitchen, pool, fenced yard, backing to a huge park, and the huge master bedroom looked out on that park. The cost??? $2,700 Pesos per month....equivalent in U.S. dollars? $900 DOLLARS!!!!! and the house was absolutely adorable.  A far cry from our house in Miami, 1,400 sq/ft, 2/2, just a few blocks from the beach. Small yard, no pool, but at least it's got hurricane shutters!!! 

The prices in the Zona Norte generally run anywhere from $1,000 to upwards of $5,000, depending upon location, amenities, size of the house, etc. and often you can negotiate the price a bit.

Here are some recent postings:

3 BEDROOMS RESIDENTIAL AREA 20 YEARS 160SQM VERY WELL KEPT MAID'S QUARTERS 2 BATHROOMS LAUNDRYROOM PHONE BBQ AREA BBQ SWIMMING POOL $1,000 US

6 BEDROOMS RESIDENTIAL AREA 36 YEARS 806SQM VERY WELL KEPT MAID'S QUARTERS 4 BATHROOMS PLAYROOM LAUNDRYROOM PHONE BBQ AREA BBQ SWIMMING POOL, $5,500 US
3 BEDROOMS RESIDENTIAL AREA 30 YEARS 350SQM VERY WELL KEPT MAID'S QUARTERS 2 BATHROOMS PLAYROOM LAUNDRYROOM PHONE GARAGE BBQ AREA BBQ SWIMMING POOL $3,500 U.S.

It's also important to understand the differences between doing a short-term rental (6 months or less) and a long-term renter (more than 6 months) but I plan to talk about that in one of my next posts.

Oh yes. I forgot something. You know the problem with the pets? Well, it's much less of a problem if you rent a house in the suburbs. Everybody has pets, especially big dogs (of course one  of the reasons people have big dogs is for security) but hey, welcome to suburban city life. It's not perfect anywhere that you go.

Well, needless to say, if we didn't have a couple of things in the fire right now in Miami, and we were ready, we would have been spending Christmas in Buenos Aires.  But, we still have a lot of things to wrap up before moving, including working on preparing the paperwork for our rentista visa.

I hope to get one more post out before Christmas so please keep tuned and feel free to email me with comments or questions.

Comments

[johnswain]

I just found this site on a google search !...I also prefer living in B.A. over Mexico City...(even though driving my vehicle from south Texas to Mexico was my 1st choice vs airlines)...I am planning a trip in February...I plan to try it out in B.A. for 3 months...renting a furnished sublet apt $600-$800 range month to month/all utilties paid...Plan to become Spanish fluent.. finally!!

Question: 1.)Are there any airline flight/deals suggestions ...any advice?
2.)Can you find good places to eat on a budget..the "lonchas"

[johnswain]

I just found this site on a google search !...I also prefer living in B.A. over Mexico City...(even though driving my vehicle from south Texas to Mexico was my 1st choice vs airlines)...I am planning a trip in February...I plan to try it out in B.A. for 3 months...renting a furnished sublet apt $600-$800 range month to month/all utilties paid...Plan to become Spanish fluent.. finally!!

Question: 1.)Are there any airline flight/deals suggestions ...any advice?
2.)Can you find good places to eat on a budget..the "lonchas"

[johnswain]

I just found this site on a google search !...I also prefer living in B.A. over Mexico City...(even though driving my vehicle from south Texas to Mexico was my 1st choice vs airlines)...I am planning a trip in February...I plan to try it out in B.A. for 3 months...renting a furnished sublet apt $600-$800 range month to month/all utilties paid...Plan to become Spanish fluent.. finally!!

Question: 1.)Are there any airline flight/deals suggestions ...any advice?
2.)Can you find good places to eat on a budget..the "lonchas"

[Jim]

Check out RentingBA http://www.rentingba.com an American owned and operated rental agency.

[david]

Thinking of coming to BA for two weeks in January or Feburary, is that the right time of year to be there. My wife is turning forty and has always wanted to go. Think ing of renting a house but not sure where to rent. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks

david

[Joe Agora]

Hello,
My wife and I just returned from a 2 week trip to B.A. We are still living in Florida as well. Everything you have said and described is most definetely true about living in the States.
We are also disadvantaged due to our large Breed Golden Retriever. Quite frankly, I am very tiried of the american way of living and we are more than ready to relocate no later than 12 months from today. I'll stay in touch

Sincerely
Joe & Mona

[moving to argentina]

Try Ruggero at Barts (Buenos Aires Rent Travel Services) http://www.barts.com.ar/ and tell him I recommended him.

[joyce trimper]

we are 3 adults looking to rent a nice 2 bedrm.apt in recoleta area only beginning april 2nd out april 10th non smoking older adults. am going crazy trying to find apt. please help asap. thank you joyce

[Carolyn]

Hello,

I have a suggestion. Try Palermo. There are many PH's which are like townhouses, which for pets might offer a good solution. Also, there is a real estate company there: OJO Propiedades at:
http://www.ojopropiedades.com/
that may be helpful since they speak english.

Good Luck - I think you are on to something in Buenos Aries! We love it - and just returned from 2 weeks there. The prices of everything - especially real estate - are amazing!