Bowsprit

What's the best way to research short term, 3 month rentals in Argentina? Any laws I should know about regarding 2-3 month rentals? Where is the best place for 2 under 60 year old Americans to stay for a few months in Argentina? Thanks in advance. Budget is around 4-$5000.00 usd a month. Thanks!

Bowsprit

No idea why the emoticon is there! Word is Best!

avrooster

Your question is just right for top poster http://www.fodors.com/community/profile/marniewdc/ who has been staying in BA for several months every year for the last few years.

I'll ask her to reply ASAP.

Anyway, I believe that kind of money is much more than generous, assuming you need just a one bedroom apartment. What time of the year would you be coming?

Have a great time in my country.

Bowsprit

Hi avrooster! Not sure if we're coming at all but we are considering many options. Thanks for responding. We'd be in your country for the months of Jan. Feb. March, depending upon visa requirements, etc. Again, thanks!

crellston

Staying near a Subte line is good for getting around. We found our apartment in Palermo nr Avenida Santa Fe through www BYTArgentina.com and found it worked pretty well.

Another place we really liked, although it was a little out of the way was Puerto Madero. We looked at some amazing apartments there.

One thing that was annoying was that everyone seemed to want payment in US$ cash which was a bit of a PITA to carry into the country. If going in the summer, I would make sure the apt has a pool.

Bowsprit

Thank you, so much!

avrooster

Yes, a pool would be a requirement for that time of the year, which is one of the reasons I asked for that info. Many apartment buildings have a pool at the top. MarnieWDC and her DH also come at that time. I sense a great GTG coming!

Cash is best, as it gives you more alternatives, but some apartment owners accept other forms of payment.

I have some rather strong objections to the way the owner of this firm uses the Internet to promote himself, but you could consider his apartments, particularly if bringing cash is a problem for you.

http://mikesbaapartments.com/

Otherwise, one of the most respectable short-term rental firms is: http://reynoldspropiedades.com.ar/temporary_rentals/

Have a great time in my country.

MarnieWDC

Hola Bowsprit,
Pleased to see that you already have some good responses here. I would suggest that you consider a 2 bedroom apartment (though actually, we have found 3 bedrooms easier to find) with a pool. Staying for more than 6 weeks, it is nice to spread out a bit; plus, do not be surprised if you have friends or family deciding to visit while you are in Argentina.

We prefer Recoleta, Palermo Botanico and Palermo Sojo for available, nice apartments and for convenience, atmosphere, etc.

Reynolds Propriedades, as mentioned above, and Mikes' Apartments are good places to start, along with another of our favorites, BA Habitat. And yes, these are often paid in US Dollars in cash ...a bit up front and the remainder when you arrive, check over the apt., etc. I have friends who have been pleased with AirB&B, which, I believe, handles the funds.

You are, as AVRooster has suggested, thinking very high for rental fees...so you should have lovely apartment choices. Please post back here with any specifics....once you have decided to actually come...and we can, perhaps, make more specific, useful suggestions.

Hope you will enjoy the Search as much as I have over the last 8 years.

Bowsprit

Gracias, MarnieWDC and everyone! I will keep you posted and am happy to hear I can lower my budget. 3 bedrooms makes a lot of sense. As does a pool. Thanks again for all your help. We're in the early stages of considering a seasonal relocation.

avrooster

Bowsprit: you may need to research the matter of bringing a lot of cash to Argentina, because you can save a significant amount of money by doing so.

There are MANY threads on the subject of the "blue" rate of exchange.

Have a great time in my country.

Bowsprit

Whoa. Started reading about the blue rate of exchange! Guess we'll have to decide if we are willing to go that route. Do most people use the blue rate?

avrooster

Yep. Maybe MarnieWDC will comment on the subject.

Savings by paying with cash dollars exchanged at the "blue" rate anything which can be paid with a CC stand, at this writing, at about 30%.

http://www.ambito.com/economia/mercados/monedas/dolar/

cindyjo

Edging in on thread. We won't be in Argentina until 1/2 way into our 4 momth trip. Is it safe to brimg lots of cash and carry around as we travel for 2 momths. Somehow doesn't seem smart? Am I paranoid?

Bowsprit

Thanks again. I appreciate your help so much. I'm not sure this process is within my comfort zone but I'll read more about the blue rate.

crellston

We exchanged $ at the blue rate several time without any problem. Indeed when asking around to check rates we found a couple of official Cambio offices offering the. same rates.

Cindyjo, no you aren't being paranoid. As you are going to be in other SA countries before hand you will be able to withdraw USD form ATMs in other countries . The $ is the official country in Ecuador and $ $ are available from dual purpose ATMs all over Peru and Bolvia. You would then reduce the amount of time you need to carry cash around. If carrying large amounts of a as we would always split it between us and spread it around our person in money belts, secret pockets etc. All about doing little things to reduce risk.

avrooster

If you research the matter of the "blue" rate of exchange, you will find other ways to do it, without carrying the cash during your whole trip.

One way is suggested above by top poster Crellston, but it only works if you go to other countries before going to Argentina.

Some people from the US have used https://www.xoom.com/?languageCode=en and were happy with it.

See: http://tinyurl.com/ckc8kzd

But be warned that the rate of exchange is MUCH worse than what you'd get for your cash in Argentina.

Have a great time in my country.

MarnieWDC

The official, government rate is not realistic, not just...so we had no ethical issues using the cambios in Argentina. The government is trying to prevent USDollars from leaving Argentina...so it is actually aiding this goal to bring dollars in and exchange them for Arg. Pesos.

And it was not creepy or scary. If you read about it, here and on other Fora, you will likely feel the same....if not, then XOOM would be a good second choice. For visitors coming for one or two weeks, then the difference in rates is small....but for three months or so, you would surly feel the difference.