Ask TheMetetron about living in or visiting Buenos Aires, Argentina

[jaywks]

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Hey I'm visiting Buenos Aires this May and I was just wondering if there is anything that people think that I absolutely must do? Right now, my plan is to also visit Mendoza and the Iguazu Falls.

Also, are there any live cash games that go on there? I wouldn't mind hitting up some live poker games. Thanks.

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There's a game at Casino Puerto Madero every night. AR$1000 buyin, game lasts 2 hours (a new one usually starts after), AR$25 antes, no blinds, last street aggressor acts first on the next street, 5% uncapped rake.

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Wow, that seems like a very weird structure. Seems like there's so much in the pot, that'll it'll just be a shove match. Have you played in this game? And are the players horrible enough so that you can cover the 5% uncapped rake? Thanks.

[TheMetetron]

It's debatable whether the game is beatable. It is definitely beatable for less than I can make online, so when I play it I do so solely for entertainment value. I'm down in the game overall FWIW, but a friend is up much more than I am down.

[kolotoure]

I have just been looking at some apartments. What is the Palermo Viejo area like?

[TheMetetron]

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I have just been looking at some apartments. What is the Palermo Viejo area like?

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What do you want to know about it?

I find anything in Palermo a little too far out there for my tastes, but it is close to some good bars and stuff. I like Recoleta for a variety of reasons including the fact is equidistant from both Palermo and Microcentro.

[whangarei]

Just to let all the contributors to this thread know it's an awesome thread with tons of good info. I check it almost daily to see if there are updates.

A few questions as I continue to procrastinate in making my way down to BA:

- maté: what is all the hype about maté? What is maté?
- golf: Are there decent golf courses around BA? Any 2+2ers in BA golf?
- Is there a danger in having your laptop stolen from an apartment rented through a site like bytargentina.com? I have had things stolen from hotel rooms (presumably by the cleaning staff) so I would be hesitant to just leave my laptop in an apartment with maid service.

[TheMetetron]

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Just to let all the contributors to this thread know it's an awesome thread with tons of good info. I check it almost daily to see if there are updates.

A few questions as I continue to procrastinate in making my way down to BA:

- maté: what is all the hype about maté? What is maté?

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mate_%28beverage%29

Is that being lazy of me? Haven't read the whole article yet, but it seems pretty accurate.

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- golf: Are there decent golf courses around BA? Any 2+2ers in BA golf?

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I have no idea.

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- Is there a danger in having your laptop stolen from an apartment rented through a site like bytargentina.com? I have had things stolen from hotel rooms (presumably by the cleaning staff) so I would be hesitant to just leave my laptop in an apartment with maid service.

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Probably not. My apartment has an asston of valuables lying around all the time and my maid collects my change for me and puts it in a pile even though she's making 6 pesos an hour.

I'm never here when the maid is practically and I have a Nintendo Wii, iPod, digital camera, computer, 2 huge monitors, etc that could be stolen if she was so inclined.

I'm sure you will be fine. That said, I keep my money and passport in my safe.

[RunDownHouse]

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- golf: Are there decent golf courses around BA? Any 2+2ers in BA golf?

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I have no idea.

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There's one out by the airport kinda, in the same area as an "American" diner and a sort of Argentine version of a Dave and Busters or Chucky Cheese; its a restaurant with bowling, darts, pool, that sort of stuff.

Anyways, the golf course is out there. I never played on the course, but they've also got a driving range and a 9-hole pitch-n-putt/par 3 course. The pitch-n-putt is a great way to spend 45 or so minutes.

[BigShanka]

Hi. I'm new to this thread, but it's been fantastic reading the past messages. Here are some questions I hope you haven't answered already:

1) What is the typical height of the guys and girls in BA? What about weight?

2) Are the fuiterias/fruterias open outdoor markets, like the boqueria (for those of you who have been to barcelona)?

3) We will probably be paying up the nose for an apartment through apartmentsba.com, but since we're only there for 3 months, we figured the security of knowing there won't be any hassles is comforting. Besides, I heard negative things about bytargentina.com (in terms of service and cancelations and all that). Any thoughts on this?

4) I will be there with my wife (man, I wish I was single though, based on what you guys keep talking about regarding the ladies and the "ladies of the night"). In any case, my question is, she'll often be by herself sometimes walking the streets as late as 8-9pm. If we're in Palermo, Recoleta, or even Retiro and Microcenter, any concerns for her? Just keep your wits about you I suppose

5) Lastly, we need help picking an apartment from two places. One is in Recoleta (French / Pueyrredon) and the other is in Palermo (Ugarteche / Segui). What do we want: safety (even when walking around at night), proximity to park for hanging out (no beach so we have to do something), and of course proximity to cafes, bars, restaurants and all that. Any of you have a suggestion?

Thanks in advance for you answers.

[TheMetetron]

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Hi. I'm new to this thread, but it's been fantastic reading the past messages. Here are some questions I hope you haven't answered already:

1) What is the typical height of the guys and girls in BA? What about weight?

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I couldn't answer this about the USA. Hell if I know. Argentines seem skinnier than any other people I've ever met though. I say it's because of the mate being a diuretic.

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2) Are the fuiterias/fruterias open outdoor markets, like the boqueria (for those of you who have been to barcelona)?

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I'm not sure how it is in Barcelona but in Buenos Aires fruterias are very small shops that you just kind of walk open to and tell them what you want. I mean they are open air like there is no door, but they aren't grouped together in a big open air market if that is the question.

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3) We will probably be paying up the nose for an apartment through apartmentsba.com, but since we're only there for 3 months, we figured the security of knowing there won't be any hassles is comforting. Besides, I heard negative things about bytargentina.com (in terms of service and cancelations and all that). Any thoughts on this?

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Lol I had a horrible experience with apartmentsba.com. They showed up 1 1/2 hours after they were supposed to the day I arrived and the first lady spoke zero english. Also using their recommended transportation I got a crappy car with some dude who also spoke no english instead of the english-speaking towncar driver I paid for. The price was also higher than expected.

Bytargentina.com was on time and I'm paying like 60% of the cost of my old apartment for a nicer building.

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4) I will be there with my wife (man, I wish I was single though, based on what you guys keep talking about regarding the ladies and the "ladies of the night"). In any case, my question is, she'll often be by herself sometimes walking the streets as late as 8-9pm. If we're in Palermo, Recoleta, or even Retiro and Microcenter, any concerns for her? Just keep your wits about you I suppose

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Not at all. Also, 8-9pm is not late. Most restaurants either aren't open for dinner or will have just opened by that point. She is definitely safe during those hours by herself though.

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5) Lastly, we need help picking an apartment from two places. One is in Recoleta (French / Pueyrredon) and the other is in Palermo (Ugarteche / Segui). What do we want: safety (even when walking around at night), proximity to park for hanging out (no beach so we have to do something), and of course proximity to cafes, bars, restaurants and all that. Any of you have a suggestion?

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Pueyrredon & French is incredibly close to me. I love this neighborhood and wouldn't pick it over any other. Less than 3 blocks to the subway at Pueyrredon & Sante Fe and also less than 3 blocks to Las Heras. You can catch any subway/bus you need to with ease. That said if you are on Pueyrredon that is a very major street and it could be a bit noisy.

I don't know enough about Palermo's geography to know where Ugarteche & Segui is, but neither of those are major streets. The thing about Recoleta/Barrio Norte is that you are the same distance from Palermo & Microcentro. Both are less than 10 minutes by Subway, maybe 15 by bus from the first apartment. In Palermo, it can take you almost a half hour to get to Microcentro and longer for Boca, Retiro, or Puerto Madero.

While Palermo has more restaurants than the first apartment, I'd prefer to be closer to all restaurants than really close to some and really far from others. There are cafes on every corner in every part of town so that's not a problem.

Also you are 5 blocks from Jobs at the first apartment which is one of my favorite bars in town. Darts, archery, foosball, pool tables, and reasonably priced beer. Good times to be had by all there.

[BigShanka]

Thanks man. Appreciate the responses. I think I will try out ByTArgentina.com. The prices are definitely a lot better. My main concern is that I won't be able to *see* the place before we actually have to move in, so I'm depending on people in this forum (as well as some local contacts I've made who lived in BA) to help out here. So some followup questions for you:

1) Someone asked a question some time ago about racism. We're of Indian descent (nice to know there are some Indian restaurants over there), and so we're a serious shade of brown. I'm sure we're gonna get a lot of stares, but I suspect in the multi-cultural land of Recoleta and Palermo, we shouldn't have any problems. Agreed? (More of a comment than a question)

2) We definitely don't want to be around too many tourists - it'll just take away from our main point of visiting the country. Living in Recoleta will probably expose us to lots of tourists and expats, but I suspect we'll still get the feel of living in a different country (where English isn't spoken) - correct? If not, would Palermo be the better bet?

3) If we live in Palermo, it will be next to the Las Heras parks (and not too far away from the 3 de Febrero park). That's a good neighborhood, right?

4) I absolutely have to have high-speed internet access. I have a sweet deal with work where I can work abroad and basically tele-commute. With BytArgentina, I suspect I'm communicating directly with the landlord. If I have any problems (e.g. high-speed internet isn't up or running fast), I presumably have to deal with the landlord for this (and that's a hassle I can't necessarily afford). Have you had any problems along these lines?

5) We want to learn tango, but again, not at places typically frequented by expats and tourists. Any idea on what part of the city to go to for local lessons?

6) Where is the University of Buenos Aires located (cross streets would be nice, but general location is key) - couldn't for the life of me figure this out on my own

7) I play basketball regularly. Do you know if there are parks in Recoleta and/or Palermo where the locals play?

BTW, hopefully I'm not giving off a vibe that I dislike expats or tourists [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]. Far from. We just both want to practice our spanish and really want to socialize with the people and enjoy the culture. Not like you really care [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] Thanks again man for your responses.