tara3056

Some of you will have seen my other thread about a trip to BA, but I wanted to start a new one specifically about choosing an apartment.

Two choices, both in Recoleta: the first is from BAHabitat and is located at Pacheco de Melo St. & Uriburu St. It looks nice, nicer in fact than the 2nd apartment which is more expensive. The 2nd apartment is in the "poetry building" at 1280 Junin. It also looks nice and there's more "support" there for tentative first-timers to BA.

APT 1: http://www.buenosaireshabitat.com/apartment_n451.html
APT 2: http://poetrybuilding.com/rooms.php#room-1d

Pros of Apt 1: Only $595/week vs $910/week. Looks nice, reputable agency, good location I think. Cons of Apt 1: No "hand-holding" (will explain in a minute) and no crib / pack and play for my 1 year old son. Not a huge deal because I can work around that (it'll just take some more work and possibly more luggage).

Pros of Apt 2: More hand-holding in the sense that there is someone available every day from 9am-7pm to call radio taxis for us, help us with any bookings, etc. We do not speak any Spanish. I will be trying my best to learn some basics between now and then, but I have no doubt that I will not be able to order a radio taxi on my own unless they could speak English to me on the phone and understand my undoubtedly-incorrect pronunciations of BA streets. Same with making bookings for tours, restaurants, etc. They can also provide me a free baby crib for my 1 year old son. Cons of Apt 2: Substantially more expensive for a place that looks no nicer than Apt 1. And Apt 1 has an actual bedroom rather than just being a studio.

Thoughts?

qwovadis

www.saexplorers.org/cluhouses/buenosaires best locals

Lots of Habitat complaints bait and switch doctored photos

deposit refund scams be very careful with them

#2 for me of your 2... Usually pick up Sheraton Libertador

from $45/nt bidding priceline betterbidding.com stay there or

pick up what I like exactly

for better deals discounts boots on the ground.

be very careful never wire money CC/Paypal only MANY scammers

Good luck!

qwovadis

www.saexplorers.org/clubhouses/buenosaires sorry missed a b

reputable locals to assist with discounts...

yestravel

I don't understand why quovadis keeps bad mouthing Buenos Aires habitat. Perhaps he needs to produce some specific examples of the issues with them which would be more helpful then short phrases. If u do a search on their name u will find many happy customers. You can include me among one of their satisfied customers. We rented thru them last year and had a very good experience with them. They are very professional and competent. The apt looked just like the picture, no issues with deposits.

I do agree that u need to research whichever company u decide to rent thru. U can easily do that on this site or thru TA where there are many discussions of the various rental companies in BA.

MarnieWDC

I agree with yestravel - we were very satisfied with BA Habitat as well.

~MarnieWDC

tara3056

Any comments on the Plaza St Martin area in terms of safety/niceness? This BAHabitat place looks nice:

http://www.buenosaireshabitat.com/apartment_n398.html

teach2travel

I stayed in that neighborhood on my first visit to BA. I liked it very much. You have good acess to the Subte. You are between Recoleta and the Plaza Mayo (and further on San Telmo) so taxi rides are short and many places are walkable.

drdawggy

Qwovadis correctly identifies problems that are common with short term rentals in BA--rent deposit returns, bait and switch, photo shopped or old photos of apartments...and numerous other complaints. But he completely misses the mark by identifying Buenos Aires Habitat as an offender. In fact, Buenos Aires Habitat is one of only two short term rental agencies in BA that are consistently commended for NOT engaging in these practices.

In my experience, Qwo's recommendation of the South American Explorers club is off as well....They provide better advice for young backpackers than for adults with a bit more to spend....

I agree with Teach to Travel, the Retiro area near Plaza San Martin is good....I still prefer Palermo and Recoleta but would stay on/around Plaza San Martin. This specific apartment is just on the other side of 9 de Julio from Recoleta (Arenales and Carlos Pelligrini) so it should be fine...

tara3056

Thank you for your input drdawggy - I'm really happy to see your input b/c I know you're one of the experts on BA. Anyhow, you say there are 2 quite reputable rental agencies and that BAHabitat is one of the two ... which is the other? ApartmentsBA? I hope so because they've got an apartment that looks nice too that just came available after a cancellation.

avrooster

I believe there are more than two, but it's not my area of expertise, since I'm a local and obviously I don't rent from these firms, so I defer to Chief DE Marnie and her adjutant drdawggy, plus other prominent posters for a proper answer to this question.

teach2travel

I rented from Reynolds Properties and had no problems.

MarnieWDC

ApartmentsBA has a very good reputation for honest business practices and decent responsiveness. I would not hesitate to rent from them. Like BA Habitat, they seem to deal with middle-higher end properties.

Reynolds Propriedads is an excellent company, IMO and experience.

There are other good companies - several of which have only Spanish personnel. And VRBO often has very good apts. to rent - and you can often get reviews.

Do check for noise level, unless that is of no consequence to you: apts. (especially the bedrooms) that face the rear of the building and on a higher that 4th floor tend to be quieter - and of course, avoid main streets.

Good luck with the hunt - I hope you find a great apt. Keep us posted, please.

~MarnieWDC