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| The image is not distorted. The home is on a slope. |
The cost of an affordable middle-class home will run you about 500,000 pesos minimum, which is about 81,860 U.S. dollars as of 2013. Some homes can cost over a million Argentine pesos, which is approximately 163,720 U.S. dollars.
I recommend that you buy from a realtor (called an inmobiliaria in Argentina) rather than using a bank to buy your home. A realtor can enhance the value of your U.S. dollars from the average 6 pesos per USD to about 7 or 8 pesos per USD. This enhanced dollar value is known as “Dólar Blue.” This will significantly reduce the cost of the property you want to buy in U.S. dollars. The enhanced dollar process itself is called cotizar.
You can handle the negotiation and purchase of your property with the realtor from the States via phone or email, but I encourage you to visit Argentina and the different neighborhoods first before buying any property. You never want to go in blind. Plus, if you have children, you’re going to want to take a look at the schools in the area. I would avoid public schools here, at least in Córdoba. The private schools are a lot neater and more organized.
Updated on November 26, 2024: The Dólar Blue rate remains a key factor when buying property, with rates now fluctuating around 750 pesos per USD. Private schools are still the recommended option in Córdoba due to their better infrastructure and educational quality.
Here are some of the best neighborhoods (barrios) to live in if you move to Córdoba:
- Barrio Maipú
- Barrio Ayacucho
- Nueva Córdoba
- Urca
- Argüello - known for its middle to upper class families
- Valle Escondido - Gated Community
You can also buy property further north in Córdoba, like in “Cerro De Las Rosas,” but it’s much more expensive there.
Updated on November 26, 2024: Cerro De Las Rosas continues to be one of the most prestigious neighborhoods, with property prices now reaching 150 million pesos or more. Nueva Córdoba is also a top choice for expats due to its proximity to amenities.
- Alta Córdoba and Cofico: Once considered high-class neighborhoods, these areas have gone downhill. Watch out for thefts and assaults in the area.
- Barrio San Vicente: Not safe at night. There are a lot of break-ins. The daytime isn't so hot either.
- Barrio Colón: It’s okay, but you risk occasional graffiti on your walls, and you can’t park your car outside overnight. It might get vandalized or stolen.
- Barrio Rivadavia: Same explanation as Barrio Colón.
- Barrio Crisol - Same Explanation as Barrio Colon, San Vicente and Rivadavia.
Updated on November 26, 2024: These neighborhoods continue to face security problems. Essentially, they've gotten sh*ttier. For expats, it’s crucial to research and visit these areas personally, as safety levels can vary street by street.
Buenos Aires
If you’ve read my recent entries about my two trips to Buenos Aires this year, you might be encouraged to buy property in the capital of Argentina. I’d like to point out that while I was never a victim of a crime there, some expats and natives have claimed that it’s an unsafe area, especially during political uprisings and protests.
If you choose to move to the capital, then I recommend that you stay within the area known as “La CABA” (Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires). Think of this area as the equivalent to Washington, D.C. Some expats and Argentines have reported that the area beyond “La CABA” is considered dangerous. Think of “La CABA” as Manhattan, and the rest of the Buenos Aires region as Brooklyn and the Bronx.
Updated on November 26, 2024: Real estate in Buenos Aires remains a good option, but safety concerns continue in areas outside La CABA. Property prices in desirable neighborhoods like Palermo, Recoleta, and Belgrano now range from $1,500 to $3,000 USD per square meter, depending on the location and condition of the property.
If you choose to rent, the price range for a decent home will cost anywhere from 2,500 (409 USD) to 4,000 (654 USD) Argentine pesos a month. I recommend Nueva Córdoba as it has several condos and apartment complexes. The area is near the downtown area (“El Centro”), where you’ll find several shopping centers, McDonald’s, Burger King, theaters, Starbucks, and bookstores. Nueva Córdoba also happens to be a popular choice for expats and international students.
Updated on November 26, 2024: Rent has increased drastically due to inflation. A one-bedroom apartment in Nueva Córdoba now costs between 180,000 to 300,000 pesos per month, roughly $250 to $400 USD.
I would check the classifieds from the Argentine newspaper, La Voz Del Interior. This website provides photos of properties, price ranges (in some cases), and realtors (inmobiliarias) to contact.
Updated on November 26, 2024: The La Voz Del Interior classifieds remain a good resource for property searches. However, online platforms like Zonaprop and Argenprop now offer more detailed listings and updated pricing.
My other piece of advice would be that you learn the basic concept of Spanish, especially the differences between Argentine Castilian and other forms of Spanish commonly heard in Latin America. You’d be surprised by how such subtle differences can result in a huge misunderstanding in Argentina.
In Conclusion
Let me give you one final piece of advice. Stuff like exchange rates and property laws change around here all the time. Although it might seem difficult to keep up, it's not impossible. So don't give up.
Just something you may want to add to your post. CABA stands for Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires-- which is the capital itself. The provincia especially the area surrounding the city (also called the Conurbano or suburbios) can have some very nice areas to live as well. I think most ex pats would be interested in living in the city just because of all of the events and beautiful buildings. But if they have a family there are a lot of barrio privados or closed neighborhoods outside of the city that may interest them. These are more pricey but if you have American dollars it is probably feasible. Personally, I found "Zona Norte" or the northern suburbs of Buenos Aires to be a great place to live. If I move to BA, I am thinking about finding an apartment there. There are middle and upperclass neighborhoods that dont have the noise/ crime of the capital itself.
ReplyDeletealso hope you dont take offense to my corrections! Just trying to add a little information you may not know since you are based in Cordoba. I really enjoy your blog/ perspective on life in Argentina.
DeleteHi Grace! Thank you so much for your comments and your input. I appreciate it and I welcome it now and in the future! Thanks again for your support!
DeleteGood to hear! I am so interested in your blog because I really would like to move permanently to Buenos Aires in the next few years. I studied there for 5 months in 2012 and then went back to visit for 2 months this year. But I am working in the USA to pay back my college loans before I would be able to move to Argentina.
DeleteWell that sounds great! Keep me posted on your progress. It would be nice to have a friend in Buenos Aires to come visit and you'd always be welcome to visit here in Cordoba. Don't let the recent craziness that happened here scare you. After two days of looting, the cops were reinstated and everything went back to normal. I was walking the streets the other day and it was as if nothing had happened.
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