Teaching in Argentina: The 4 best neighborhoods to live in
Becca is an EFL teacher living in Buenos Aires. In this post she shares the 4 best neighborhoods for those who are new to life in Argentina!
If I had to describe Buenos Aires using only one word I would choose eclectic. That’s because in this behemoth of a city one can change their scenery just by taking the subway a couple of stops in any direction. Each porteño neighborhood is unique from the rest and each one is enticing in its own way. From the colorful streets of La Boca, to the swanky modern neighborhood of Puerto Madero and a map that reads a grand total of forty eight barrios in total, one might feel a little lost about where to spend a Saturday night let alone where to live.
When one needs to find a new home they need to keep in mind job opportunities, cost of living, security, and life style and with forty eight potential choices you might fell a little overwhelmed to say the least. But never fear, I’ve narrowed the list of prospective new homes for the eager expat from forty eight to four.
#4. San Telmo:
Walking the streets of San Telmo is like taking a journey in time. This neighborhood has successfully preserved the romantic charm that epitomized Buenos Aires in its golden era. The cobblestone streets are surrounded by historic buildings that have withstood both time and modernization. You might even say that San Telmo is a living museum. However, a living piece of history isn’t the only positive aspect that San Telmo has to offer.
Every Sunday the neighborhood is transformed into a world famous street fair where you can stock up on hand crafted goods or watch live tango shows. There is a café on every corner or you can browse one of many museums such as the Museum of Modern Art. Job opportunities are easy to come by in both San Telmo and neighboring Puerto Madero.
Living in San Telmo will cost you between $500 and $1000 a month depending on the size of the apartment. However, while San Telmo offers a cornucopia of experiences at your doorstep, security has become an issue in recent years which puts this bohemian barrio low on the list.
#3 Tie: Belgrano/Nuñez:
These two neighborhoods are perfect for those who prefer a more tranquil lifestyle. Full of streets lined by cute houses and fashionable boutiques these barrios provide a low key yet posh lifestyle for the potential expat. River Plate’s Estadio Monumental resides in this area making the neighborhood a haven for soccer lovers. Chinatown is also located here giving the barrio a unique flare and a reputation for interesting cuisine as well as being a hub for imports, which are hard to find here.
However, on adventurous nights you can easily take the subway into neighboring barrios that have more nightlife to offer. With easy access to transportation and a many institutes and bilingual schools anyone can find a job within in a 20 minute commute which is a luxury in this city. Secondly, the tranquility of the area make it relatively secure.
Prices of apartments in the neighborhood range from $370 to $1,000 per month, making the neighborhood both affordable and lucrative.
#2. Palermo:
Palermo is the epicenter of all expat activity. The homesick expat from all over the world is sure to find their local cuisine at the next corner. Jobs are abound in Palermo as the neighborhood’s upscale or hip residents hustle to find a native teacher before their next trip to Miami.
Palermo by far offers the most to do out of any neighborhood in the region. From organic food fairs, to the wooded region in the north, to the coast, to jazz shows in local dive bars, to the hippest night clubs in the country the amount of options you have to for a fun Saturday, or Monday night out for that matter, are endless. Palermo is also one of the most secure neighborhoods in the city and a police officer is usually present at every corner to ease your mind during a late night walk home.
An apartment in Palermo costs between $370 and $2,000 a month so Palermo can range on the pricy side in comparison to other neighborhoods but many will agree that it’s well worth the cost.
#1. Villa Crespo:
This lesser known barrio lies near the center of the city making it an ideal location for traveling to or from work in the east or the west. Villa Crespo has become more known in recent years for its laid-back hippy vibe. It’s also bordering Palermo which makes it perfect for the expat who likes the Palermo livestyle but wishes to experience more of the native Argentine people and culture.
Here you can find restaurants offering cuisine from all over the world as well as bars and nightclubs perfect for a Saturday night of fun. It is also relatively secure compared to other barrios. An apartment in Villa Crespo will cost you between $350 and $800 per month making it one of the most affordable neighborhoods as well.
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