Buenos Aires is stunningly decorated by its trees
Every ‘Porteño’ (local from Buenos Aires) has its own Buenos Aires. With the broad avenues, the tango, the gastronomy, the nightlife and the colourful city. That which we don’t all notice or look at, Buenos Aires displays its stunning nuances around the city in each season. It paints the streets with a full palette in its cycle which, month to month, paints a different sky via the treetops. This is the tour of the cycle of a beautifully aesthetic Buenos Aires, changing from pink into violet-blue (or…
Why does Argentina have a dual currency ? The Blue Rate
In Argentina, where about a dozen different exchange rates overlap, the government is creating ever more rules about who can access dollars and for what, making an already vexing system more complicated in a bid to delay the inevitable devaluation. Is the Blue Market Really a Black Market? In a standard economy, money is money. Whether you carry a briefcase of crisp hundreds into a bank in New York or a sack filled with small bills into a branch in Nebraska, the deposit to your account will look precisely the…
San Telmo, Buenos Aires – a mecca for tourists
San Telmo, Buenos Aires – a mecca for tourists Sometimes a new place just reaches out and takes you into its arms. One minute, Carla Jacome was part of the crowd of tourists taking in a Sunday morning tango demonstration at San Telmo’s Plaza Dorrego. The next, she was part of the show, gliding through the unfamiliar steps in the firm embrace of tango maestro Osvaldo Boo, the picture of suave elegance in a dark grey suit, fedora and white scarf. Welcome to San Telmo, an aging downtown barrio that…
Where to live in Buenos Aires?
What better way can a residential real estate agent truly understand the different neighbourhoods they sell properties in than to live there? And that is exactly what I did. I lived in 6 different locations throughout downtown Buenos Aires. As my husband and I were recent “empty-nesters”, we felt the need to downsize our home and improve our quality of life by moving closer to work. That meant leaving the suburbs for the city, a monumental lifestyle change. We decided the best way to know where you…
Buenos Aires, city of bookstores
Buenos Aires is a city of bookstores. They can be big and luxurious on the main avenues, discount, or sell antique books in the suburbs. Their appeal to tourists is in the history they represent and the cultural and leisure space they offer. Another interesting feature of many city bookstores is their location in national landmarks. Visiting the bookstores in Buenos Aires, searching their shelves, and talking to their booksellers are ways to know and understand the city and its traditions. Many bookstores…
How to go about renovating apartments in BUENOS AIRES with its very weak currency
History in Argentina repeats. It is now a bargain once again to renovate apartments. Although this article was written in 2013, apart from the numbers, it is still relevant today. Many property buyers in Buenos Aires like to take part in renovating apartments, whether it be for making a place truly their own or for, renting the unit out or reselling it to make a profit. And what does it mean to renovate an apartment? Typically, it is to capture the original style of the apartment and preserve it while adapting…
Why is Argentina as a “paradox” both to its citizens and to outsiders looking in ?
Translated from a La Nacion article by Mariano Grondona The dictionary defines paradox saying it is a “strange idea, opposed to common opinions and the feelings of the people.” How “strange” is the general feeling about Argentina for Latin Americans? Is not it “paradoxical”, even to the Argentines themselves? There is a whole department of literature devoted to the successes and disappointments of our country to those watching,…
Calle Arroyo- why it’s one of Buenos Aires’ most unique and exclusive streets
Calle Arroyo has become one of the most desirable in Buenos Aires and was even baptized by Eduardo Mallea as the “elbow of aristocracy in Buenos Aires”. In the 60’s it was also home to the legendary and trendiest Mau Mau club which was one of the most original and exclusive the city has seen. The street has been home to many important and historical buildings, such as the Torre Mihanovich which today is the Sofitel Hotel (now closed), as well as architectural gems from the porteño past. Calle Arroyo…
English in Latin America Improves During Pandemic
Levels of English in Latin America improved during the pandemic, with more than 70% of countries from the region seeing proficiency grow during 2020, according to a new study. The news will be of particular interest to investors and companies looking to enter the region, with higher levels of English in Latin America making it a more enticing destination for doing business. Among the strongest performers was Bolivia, which leapt into second place in the region, according to the 2021 edition of the English…
Top World Travel Awards for Argentina, Chile and Montevideo; Latam was named leading South American airline
The World Travel Awards (WTA), a leading authority that recognizes and rewards excellence in travel and tourism, chose Argentina as the leading destination in South America ”during a ceremony held yesterday in Dubai. Chile, Argentina and the City of Montevideo have all been distinguished in the 2021 annual World Travel Awards of Latin America. Argentina claimed ‘South America’s Leading Destination’. Chile, with its dazzling array of natural wonders, was again voted ‘South America’s Leading…
Buenos Aires’ most desirable neighbourhood. The chic and fashionable Palermo Soho.
Palermo is Buenos Aires’ most fashionable and exciting area. Often referred to as “alternative”, the Soho area is likened to the trendy Soho areas of both London and New York. The term ‘Soho’ seems to globally denominate the zones that bring together artists, fashion and the most stylish restaurants. The bohemian feel in Palermo has made it especially popular with the young upper-middle-class Argentines as well as foreigners. Palermo started to become fashionable in the 1980s when its combination…
A group of like minded movers and shakers, seek to position Buenos Aires as one of the top 20 cities in the world
The Government of the Buenos Aires has created the BA Global Council, which will integrate important city companies and references of culture and education to attract visitors, talent and businesses. The Government of Buenos One launched a strategy of international projection of the city, with the aim of positioning it among the top 20 in the world. The project aims to install it as a leading city to live, visit, study and do business, with the aim of making it one of the global capitals in quality of life,…
Which are the most expensive and cheapest neighborhoods to rent in Buenos Aires
In the month of January 2019, the average rent in the city of Buenos Aires rose by 1.9%. However, over the past year, the increases were 10 points less than inflation leading to poor returns for landlords. After a year in which they ended with increases below inflation, rents began in 2019 with a rise of 1.9% according to a survey conducted by the property website ZonaProp. “In 2018, rents closed with a rise of 38%, 10 points less than accumulated inflation, while the UVA loan shares were located closer…
Buenos Aires Real Estate sales fell 27.4% in December 2018
The real estate market echoed, in 2018, the impact of the economic crisis. Last December the deeds of sale in the province of Buenos Aires fell 27.44% over the same month of 2017 and completed a year with a negative balance. Last month 14,890 operations were completed, compared to 20,521 a year earlier. The data arises from the monthly report prepared by the College of Notaries of the province of Buenos Aires. With the December data, 2018 concluded with a total of 119,633 writes, a 6.8% less than the 128,345…
San Telmo – The new “It” Barrio?
San Telmo has been long been regarded as the bohemian heart of the city, oozing with character and charm not to mention that the barrio is the home of Tango and the world famous antique market. However, the area has always been regarded as a little scruffy and undesirable. Until now. For many years developers and investors alike have been speculating that San Telmo will become the new Soho due to the fact that many of the bohemian pioneers that made Soho what it is today have now been priced…
