1. Cockroaches – Buenos Aires is packed full of cockroaches.   The are easily seen dead on the street, or running around the sidewalks, weaving between the chaotic pedestrian traffic.  They are also found in most people´s living areas, and probably in most restaurant kitchens (not a pleasant thought).   When looking at an apartment for rent, it can be difficult to know if it is infested with cockroaches.  However, make sure you check out the building as you go to the apartment, and as you are leaving.  You will want to check if it is clean, and same goes for inside the apartment.  Especially furnished apartment.  You can also ask the landlord if the building has regular fumigations, which are quite common in BA.  If you have a chance, ask the previous tenants if they’ve had problems with cockroaches.
2. Black Mold – Buenos Aires is warm and humid, and bathrooms are often poorly ventilated.  It is common to find bathrooms that don´t have windows , further exacerbating the problem.  In Argentina, if there is black mold, it is common for someone to come in, paint over the mold, and pretend it never existed.  Unfortunately for the following tenants, this can be a serious health hazard.  Painting over black mold is not an effective way to get rid of the problem, and black mold is a serious health hazard.  Check the bathroom, and make sure that one, there is currently no black mold, and two, it doesn´t look like it has been painted over.  You may want to check the ventilation of the bathroom as well, because if you end up living there, you could have problems preventing black mold from appearing.
3. Water pressure – most people don´t think of this, because it´s not that common in North America to find an apartment with horrible water pressure.  Here, it is very common, especially with the hot water!  Make sure to check the taps in the kitchen and the bathroom, especially the shower!
4. Does it have heat and air conditioning?  You will freeze your ass off in the winter if you don´t have a heater, unless your in a building that has heating, and you are surrounded by heated apartments.  You can buy little space heaters, but they cost a lot to run.  Maybe you don´t mind walking around your house in a heavy sweater and a blanket at all times, but if you, you may want a place that has a gas heater. Try to find one that has exhaust to the outside, otherwise you will be breathing in small amounts of gas.  That being said, Buenos Aires get VERY hot and VERY humid in the summer.  For some, a fan may be enough, but be ready for 30C nights.   If not, make sure the unit has air conditioning.
5. Self-Defrosting Fridges – it is likely you´ve never seen a fridge that does not automatically defrost.  Here, they are still quite common.  If you are renting a furnished apartment, you may want to check what kind of fridge it is.  If it does not defrost automatically, it will be up to you.   This usually has to be done every 1 to 2 weeks, and can lead to a huge pool of water in your kitchen!   If you are renting an unfurnished place, you will need to buy your own fridge.

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This restored, classic “chorizo” style apartment built in the 20^th century has been renovated and furnished with vintage furniture.  It is a giant apartment of 7 rooms and each room is unique in the way that it is furnished.     Think high ceilings, wood floors, chandeliers, and classic molding throughout.

This hostel-style apartment comes with most of the services you will find in a hostel, including a computer with internet, Wifi, TV with DVDs, fully equipped kitchen, and the apartment is cleaned daily from Monday to Friday.  The shared areas include a kitchen, two bathrooms (only one with shower), a sitting room, and a spacious living room with 10 meter high ceilings.  It is not luxury accommodation, but it definitely has style, and is far more comfortable than a hostel.

The rooms are broken down into three categories.  There two huge rooms with balconies overlooking the street (a very busy street so they can be quite loud), three medium sized rooms, and two smaller rooms up a flight of stairs.  The prices are all based on these different categories, and current prices can be found at http://casavintage.com

The nice thing about the casa vintage is there are no dorm rooms, and there are rarely more than 10 people living in the house.  This may seem like a lot for 7 rooms, but it is a large building, and somehow never seems cramped.  This is ideal if you want your own room, but still want the ease of a hostel….booking by the day or week, maid service, stocked bathroom, etc.

Perhaps the best part about Casa Vintage is Jorge, the person who runs Casa Vintage.  He is extremely friendly, a true Argentine with “re-buena onda.”  He often stops by to visit with the guests, and is always happy to join you for a beer or a glass of wine.   Right from the start, you are treated like an old friend.  Just as welcoming is his assistant Alejandra, who is a Tango teacher/receptionist at Casa Vintage.  She goes by the Casa every day from Monday through Friday, to work on some administrative issues.  She also speaks English, and is willing to help you with anything you need.

Nowhere is perfect, and it is important to note a few of the downsides to the Casa Vintage.  One of these is the Kitchen.  Similar to most hostels, it could be better equipped.  You could say “it has everything you NEED, but not everything you would LIKE.”  Also, there is only one full sized fridge for the seven rooms, leaving you a fairly small space keep your food.  Likewise, there is only one shower, which can make the mornings a little tricky.

For the most part, the Casa Vintage is a great place to make your temporary home, and is like no other accommodation option in Buenos Aires.  You get the chance to stay in an old-fashioned Argentine Mansion, your own room, right in the epicenter of Buenos Aires.   Past guests have raved about the good vibe and great experience they had at the Casa Vintage, and it continues to be a highly recommended place to stay when visiting Buenos Aires.

More Info: http://downtown.casavintage.com/english/

Location:  353 Talcahuano (Microcentro)

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Palermo

There are probably more foreigners in Palermo than any other part of Capital Federal. This is partly because Palermo is the largest neighborhood, but also because it is a very desirable place to stay. Palermo can be broken down into various sub sections: Palermo Viejo, Palermo Hollywood, Palermo Chico, Palermo Soho, Alto Palermo, and Las Cañitas. Each sub-neighborhood is different, and attractive for a different reason. However, Palermo has a number of features that are common throughout all sections.

Pros: Quieter than most areas (unless you´re in Alto Palermo). Cool, trendy neighborhood full of excellent restaurants, bars, and discos. Lots of trees and parks. Great shopping for clothes. Safe. Most parts are easily accessible by bus and subway.

Cons: Rents are increasing very rapidly, and are now some of the most expensive in Buenos Aires. It is a bit far from the Microcentro, and therefore Puerto Madero and San Telmo. Doesn´t have the same grandeur and architectural beauty found in the center.

Recoleta

A very elegant neighborhood that is close to the Microcentro, this has always been a popular place for tourists.

Pros: great shopping, bars, and restaurants. Safe. A stylish, classy feel to it. It is close to nearly everywhere.

Cons: It is very busy with lots of traffic. Cost of living is very high, partly because of rent, but also because the neighborhood in general is expensive. Not that much green space. Can be harder to get around, because most parts are not near a subway. Sometimes a snobby feel to the area.

Monserrat and San Nicolas – Microcentro

This is also known as the Microcentro, and is full of beautiful old buildings. It is made up primarily of government and office buildings, but certain parts also contain some old, classic apartments and houses. It is the political and economical center of the city, and where most of the demonstrations take place.

Pros: very central, easy access to all areas. Not too expensive. Fairly safe. Nice architecture. You are in the lifeline of the city.

Cons: chaotic, lots of traffic, noise, and pollution. Dirty. Not much greenery.

San Telmo

This is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, and was once home to the upper class. There are still many old buildings, tucked away beside small cobblestone roads. It has a very bohemian feel to it, as it has become somewhat of an art district, and it is also one of the areas with the most tango. It has it´s own feel to it, like a different little town altogether.

Pros: great atmosphere. Very “local” feel to it, considering the amount of tourists. Beautiful buildings. Lots of good bars and restaurants.

Cons: slightly dangerous. Too many tourists. Expensive. Dirty and chaotic.

Puerto Madero

Walking into Puerto Madero makes you feel as though you´ve walked into a different world. Originally a busy, rundown port, Puerto Madero has been renovated into the most chic and expensive area of the city. The old buildings were kept intact, and have now been renovated into a University, restaurants, bars, and apartments. The area also has various discos, and is one of the places “to be” for those with a little bit of money. It is a very peaceful area, and borders a large park and ecological reserve.

Pros: lots of greenery, very pretty area, quiet and relaxing. Right by a nature reserve. Very safe.

Cons: Very expensive, far and not well connected to the rest of the city.

Belgrano

This used to be a vacation spot for Porteños a few hundred years back, but has now become a very commercial, modern neighborhood with a bit of everything. There are plenty of good restaurants, some nice parks, a few discos, and lots of apartments. It is also a large neighborhood that has been broken down into different parts, and certain areas contain some houses of very wealthy people.

Pros: you will find everything you need. Good restaurants, bars, and shopping. Safe. Lots of parks and greenery.

Cons: Expensive. Far from the center.

Almagro/Once

Two mostly residential neighborhoods, this is where many working class Porteños live.

Pros: cheap. Nice neighborhood feel to it. You get to live with the “real” Argentines. Cheap. Well connected to all parts.

Cons: somewhat dangerous. Poor variety of restaurants, bars, shopping. Very little greenery.

Villa Crespo

Located beside Palermo, this neighborhood is similar to what Palermo used to be like before it became what it is today. Villa Crespo is a nice, quieter residential neighborhood, with lots of trees.

Pros: nice, residential area. Fairly quiet. Good neighborhood feeling. A bit far from the center. Fairly safe. Cheaper than Palermo.

Cons: too quiet. Not many good restaurants or shopping. Not much to offer.

Colegiales

Located beside Palermo, this neighborhood is similar to what Palermo used to be like before it became what it is today. Villa Crespo is a nice, quieter residential neighborhood, with lots of trees.

Pros:Fairly residential, nice neighborhood, cheaper than Palermo and Recoleta.

Cons: too far from the center.  Not a whole lot to offer.

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Renting a nice room in a hotel in Buenos Aires will cost over US$100 a night. If you are visiting Buenos Aires for more than a few days, you may want to consider staying in a vacation rental. The city is full of beautiful apartments that are rented out for a period of one week (sometimes a few days) to various months, and you will get a much bigger room than you would in a hotel, for about half the cost. Options vary from small studio apartments to luxury apartments with various bedrooms. Although houses are not as common, they do exist and make a great option if you are a large group.

The main benefit to a vacation rental in Buenos Aires is that you will have an entire apartment all to yourself. Most rentals include everything you could need from towels and fresh linen to a full sized kitchen with all the necessary appliances, so you can really make yourself feel at home. Prices vary anywhere from $700 pesos to $2000 pesos (a week), or more, depending on the size, location, and quality of the rental. This is far cheaper than you´d pay for a decent hotel, leaving you with more money to spend on shopping, entertainment, and dining.

The principal difference between a vacation rental and a short-term, furnished apartment rental is that vacation rentals are for people on holiday. A vacation rental, if rented from the right company, will often offer you services similar to that of a hotel. It is easier to rent the place, you can always pay by credit card, and they are able to help you with bookings and information about the city. This is not so for short term apartment rentals, which are for people who live here temporarily and don´t need the “hotel style” services. Usually, this means vacation rentals are slightly more expensive, but the extra service is usually well-worth it.

When looking for a vacation rental, it is best to rent from a company that rents out various apartments. Check with them to make sure the booking service is simple, and that they offer concierge service during your stay in Buenos Aires. Although some companies will accept credit cards for payment, the majority want to be paid in cash. Make sure you know in advance what is required.

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If you are thinking of renting an apartment in Buenos Aires and are planning on staying for a year or longer, you may want to consider a long term, unfurnished apartment. The major advantage is that you can find them for much cheaper than any furnished, short term apartment, and you will end up paying the same price as any Argentine. Over a year´s time, the amount of money saved is usually quite substantial, even after factoring in the cost of to furnish the apartment and paying all of the bills. The other nice thing about your own long-term rental, is you will furnish it yourself, meaning you get to choose how the apartment looks and you can buy the things that are important to you.

If you decide to go this route, there are a few things you sould be aware of. In Argentina, you may have heard of the infamous garantía. A garantía refers to an Argentine citizen that has some form of equity and who will guarantee that you will pay for the apartment until the end of your contract, and that you will pay for any damages done to the apartment. If not, the guarantor will be responsible to pay in your place. It is known that in Argentina, you always have to have a garantía to rent an apartment, though this is only partly true. There are ways around it.

If you want to rent an apartment and the owners are requesting a garantía, you can usually get around this by paying for various months up front, usually six, which acts like a giant deposit. When you rent the apartment, you will have to pay for six months all at once. However, you will not have to pay any more until you´ve been there for 5 months, at which point if you want to stay another six months, you will have to pay those six months once again. This is a common way to get around the garantía, and will usually work. Your other option is just to talk to the owner and try to make some kind of deal. Although at first they may require a garantía, you may be able to find some other way around it if they get to know and trust you, Furthermore, if you work for an Argentine company, they may act as your garantor, if willing to do so.

Another downside to long-term rentals is that you will be responsible for all additional charges, and setting up your own accounts. You will have to set up a natural gas account, electricity, water, internet, phone, cable, etc. If you have a problem with one of these, you will have to contact the companies yourself. This can pose a problem if you don´t speak much Spanish.

It is also important to be aware that you will likely be responsible for paying “Las Expensas” which are similar to condo fees. Depending on the size of the apartment, these can range anywhere from $200 to over $500 pesos per month. Complementing the high inflation of Buenos Aires, these “expensas” tend to go up a few times every year.

Although long-term apartment rentals in Buenos Aires can be a big hassle, they are a good option if you plan on staying for more than a year, and especially if you are here for the long run. You end up getting a better place, and for much less money.

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Apartment rentals in Buenos Aires are BIG business and there are many different resources you can use to find one that works for you. Here is a list of some of the best sources for finding temporary, long-term, luxury, and vacation apartment rentals.

OLX – Free Online Classifieds – As is obvious from the title, this is an online classifieds site, and the apartment rentals section is used frequently by Argentines and foreigners alike. It is usually in Spanish, so if you don´t speak Spanish, it may be a problem. Be sure to select the type of apartment rental that interests you and the neighborhood you want to live in.

Craigslist – Free Online Classifieds – another online classifieds site, though not set up as well as OLX. It has a good selection of apartments of all types, but tends to be geared towards tourists, and therefore prices are usually higher. Ads are almost always posted in English though, making it easier to navigate for some people.

Solo Dueños – Probably the best site for looking for temporary and long-term rentals in Buenos Aires because you are dealing directly with the owners. This means less mark-up which you find with the other websites, which are usually run by real estate companies (known as Inmobiliarias). The website is well set-up, but only in Spanish.

You can also search Google for Apartment Rentals in Buenos Aires, and you will find a lot of sites renting out temporary, luxury and vacation apartments. Most of the ones you find will be very expensive, but if you are looking for a high-end place, this is a good option.

If you are already in Buenos Aires, you can go to the Inmobiliarias, which are located all over the place. I don’t recommend them, because they charge a very large fee to help you rent a place. However, they do make the search process easy if you are willing to pay the extra money.

Clarin and La Nacion Classifieds – these are the two major newspapers in Buenos Aires. Both sites are well set-up and easy to use, though La Clarín does a better job of separating the apartment rentals into the basic groups, such as temporary rentals, vacation rentals, etc. Both sites are only in Spanish, so be prepared to speak Spanish if you contact any of them.

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Temporary furnished apartments are the best option if you are planning on staying in Buenos Aires for less than a year. It is easy to find one in any neighborhood that interests you, and they come with all the furniture you´ll need, and rarely do you have to pay any fees other than the rent – internet, cable, gas, electricity, local phone, and water are all included. Nevertheless, keep in mind that not all places include heat or air conditioning.

The main advantage of renting a temporary furnished apartment in Buenos Aires is that they are nearly hassle free. There is no need to have the dreaded garantia; all you need to do is meet the landlord, pay a deposit, and you have the apartment and everything you need to go with it.

The downside to renting a temporary apartment in Buenos Aires is that they are highly overpriced. Although there are temporary apartments for rent all over the place, the market is extremely hot because of so many tourists that come to live for an extended period of time. It is very difficult for these tourists to rent any accommodation other than temporary apartments, due to leases requirements and the need of a guarantor. This basically forces them to pay the high prices. Now it is nearly impossible to find a small, poorly furnished studio apartment for under $500, and if the trend of the last few years continues, these prices will continue to rise quickly. The other drawback of a furnished apartment is that they are not always well furnished, especially in the kitchens. The mattresses can sometimes be very poor quality, and it is not uncommon to find a place that is decorated in a way that would please your grandma.

Keep in mind that the best time to look for apartment rentals is right at the beginning of summer (end of November/beginning of December). This is because so many University students leave for the summer, leading to a huge increase in the number of apartments available for rent. Likewise, the worst time to look for apartments is at the beginning of the school year (end of February/beginning of March) because all the students return to Buenos Aires and begin looking for an apartment.

As long as you are willing to spend the money, you will never have a problem renting an apartment in Buenos Aires. The difficulty is finding a decent, affordable place to rent.

To help you find a nice apartment, try visiting the Apartment Rentals Resource Page. It includes the best places to look to find an apartment in Buenos Aires.

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