Finding a Place to Live

Property Rental

Short term rentals are common in Argentina and there is a wide offer of properties across the country. Compared to international standards, Argentina is pretty inexpensive. International short term rentals websites like www.airbnb.com or www.vrbo.com provide a wide arrange of offerings and costs. Prices can be negotiated with the owner and most owners would give discounts in exchange for a good tenant, certainty of payment and US dollars.

Longer-Term Rentals

There are no restrictions for foreigners to rent apartments in Argentina. However, getting a longer term rental can be a bit more complex as the market is more competitive in urban centers like Buenos Aires. There are numerous sites advertising rental opportunities, some of which are listed in the sidebar.

Typical terms for a longer term rentals are:

Rental period is usually no less than 2 years, but the lease can be terminated after 6 months with penalties.
If lease is terminated in the first year, you will need to pay 1.5 months in penalty. If terminate in the second year, need to pay 1 month of penalty.
Guaranty from a bank or a third-party owner of real estate in a particular geographic area (sometimes, the guarantor requirement can be avoided with a third-party personal guarantee or additional deposit).
Deposit = Up to one month per year of contract
It is typical for agreements to include price adjustment provisions (for inflation).

Tips to secure long-term real estate rentals:

Have a good grasp of the rental market in terms of price-quality for the target neighborhood;
Check if broker fees or taxes (IVA) need to be paid;
Become familiar with the terms of a typical real estate rental agreement: https://www.inquilinosagrupados.com.ar/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/465385128-Contrato-de-Alquiler-Modelo.pdf
Be ready to move quickly if the property is desirable, which mean, to enter into an intention to lease and leave a deposit. However, keep in mind that if you decide to backtrack from the agreement, you will lose the deposit.

An intermediate step to long term rentals could be to agree with the short-term rental owner to rent the property monthly, but this option will likely be more costly.

Furniture Rental

Long term rental apartments generally are unfurnished. Furnished rentals are available but are less common. Please see sidebar for list of companies that rent furniture. Furniture rentals typically include the option to purchase the furniture at the end of the term.

Best Places to Live

Buenos Aires is the home of roughly 1/3 of the Argentine population. As such it is the epicenter of political, administrative, cultural and economic life of the country. It is also the primary destination of all newcomers and hosts a large Russian community. Although other cities in Argentina, such as Mendoza (especially if one loves wine), and Bariloche, (especially if one likes winter sports) are worth visiting, for many, Buenos Aires is the first destination.

In Buenos Aires, choosing the right neighborhood or “bario” to live in is important. With 15 million inhabitants, this metropolis offers a wide range of options; unfortunately many neighborhoods are not as desirable nor as safe as others. Best advice would be to first select temporary lodging in some of the more touristy neighborhoods, take the time to get to know the city and then chose as a more permanent abode, the neighborhood that best fits your needs, preferences and budget.

Here is the map of the most popular neighborhoods. The recommended neighborhoods are described in more detail below.

Recoleta

A classically elegant neighborhood of Buenos Aires. Home of the famous Cemetery of Recoleta (where Evita Peron is buried), and Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes.
Close to University of Buenos Aires
One of the more elegant and priciest places to live in the Capital

Palermo

As one of the larger residential areas of Buenos Aires, Palermo offers a lot of living options.
It is highly desirable area due to its proximity to the city center and to Buenos Aires’ largest park, (great for jogging, biking etc.) as well as to the Botanical Garden.
Palermo Chico, (on the border with Recoleta) is where all the foreign embassies are located.
Palermo is also home to the Buenos Aires Campo de Polo, (Polo is a Top 10 sport in Argentina)

Palermo Soho/Palermo Hollywood

Two Palermo sub-neighborhoods that offer a bit of a different vibe from the more modern areas of Palermo are Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood, which are characterized by cobblestone streets and more historic single or two story houses.
The two neighborhoods are similar; Palermo Soho is home to many shops and boutiques featuring local designers; while Palermo Hollywood, is known for its nightlife, boasting the city’s largest concentration of bars and restaurants.

Belgrano

A residential area north of the city center, Belgrano is popular with families, as it has more modern apartment buildings, several smaller parks as well as a good share of restaurants and amenities.
Rents here tend to be a bit more affordable than in neighborhoods to the south.

Porto Madero

The newest and one of the more priciest neighborhood is Porto Madero.
The area was originally developed in 2000’s by converting old warehouses along the banks of a canal of the Rio de la Plata.
Modern skyscrapers were later added, facing the Casa Rosada (Argentina’s White House), on the other side of the canal.
For those looking for the most modern accommodations and amenities, look no further than Porto Madero

San Telmo

One of Buenos Aires’ oldest neighborhoods, San Telmo is the place pictured on post-cards of tango dancers dancing on cobblestone streets in front of colonial homes.
Highly touristy, this neighborhood may not be ideal for families. However, it is always lively, very close to the metro, city center and other areas of the city and offers unique accommodation opportunities in single or two family antique homes.
One is likely to find cheaper accommodations here, but perhaps not as likely to find one with air conditioning.
Also, because of its highly touristy nature, this areas may not be as clean and safe as the other neighborhoods described above.