Thread Starter.
Printable View
Thread Starter.
I have spent the past week in Rio and although I had a ton of fun it makes me realize how damn lucky and happy I am living in Buenos Aires. Rio as a sex destination has always been better than Buenos Aires with the termas but the general trend of the quality of girls deteriorating or leaving for Europe has stricken Rio as well. I noticed far far fewer hot model type girls in places like Help and Barbarellas. Help usually has several hotties and I struggled to find even 1 or 2 the past week. I did pull out 2 very pretty girls but the scene has really deteriorated there.
I am anxious to get back home as I have a lot of work to do. God bless Argentina!
I am buying an apartment in BA and will be going there in February to buy furniture and household goods.
Do you guys living there have any suggestions on where to go to buy these things?
I don't want the cheap as you can find but want a fairly good quality furniture as I need it to last and needs to show well.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Regarding buying furniture. Read this section of the forum. It has been discussed several times.
Stowe
I'm planning of staying in Buenos Aires for 3 week in February and was wondering if it makes sense to shop around for some cosmetic dental treatment (like teeth bleaching). Something is telling me it must be less expensive than in the US.
Has anyone had any experience with dental clinics in BsAs? What are the prices and the quiality of service?
Gracias!
Furniture Buying: As Stowe pointed out I have already posted on this. Still, it is the New Year and I am feeling generous so I will give you a good hint at a store that has some good stuff. Some of my clients don't want to buy custom made expensive furniture like I put into some of my properties. For those I have sent to Della Casa on Uruguay Street in between Arenales and Santa Fe. Ask for Maria. She speaks English and their prices are lower than most stores in town. You can get good dining room tables, chairs, comfortable chairs and couches, TV stands, entertainment centers, beds, etc. there. Ask for a cash discount. Definitely ask for a cash discount.
Re: Cosmetic surgery: BA has excellent physicians in the cosmetic surgery area here. It's definitely cheaper than anywhere in the states. Just ask around for a good doctor with a good reputation.
P.S. Several guys from WSG have been emailing me asking me for free advice about buying property here. I have already spent a lot of time posting FREE information here about buying property. I no longer answer emails about this. I only provide detailed information to my consulting clients. I charge a fee anywhere from u$s 600 - u$s 1,000 to help you buy property here. It really isn't a lot when you consider all the problems you could have if you don't do it right. If you can't afford this, you can't afford my services.
Please no more emails asking for free advice. I feel I have already provided enough free information. I have earned a great reputation for finding many people great properties that they are making fantastic returns on. I honestly don't know any other single individual that is buying more property here than me. My predictions about real estate here have come true. Property in some posh areas of Recoleta have now surpassed $2,000 per sq. meter. I don't see a slowdown in foreign property purchases here. I'm starting to get more upmarket clients. I had a client today make an offer on a u$s 1.2 million apartment. For more information, you can always go to my website: [url]www.apartmentsba.com[/url] Good luck fellas. Living here is the greatest experience of my life.
Hello!
I have followed this and the Argentinan forum for some time (mostly the photo-section..hehe ;) ) and have now decided to go on a trip to the two countries. Well, to be honest, not only for women, but alot for the nature aswell. But hey, nature is better seen together with a woman.
I basicly know where to go to find nice girls to pay for, and more or less some clubs for freebees, but I wondered if any of you guys know a good site for meeting women? Normal chat-boards or dating-sites, like lycoos in France. Not the one you have to pay 200$ for every reply you want to make to a girl. I'm going in 2-3 month so I wanted to be prepared and maybe find some nice friends down there.
Any tip would be much appriciated!
Oh, pardon my spelling, but it's in the middle of the night and I'm dead tired... =)
Found a great little barbershop in Barrio Norte yesterday near the Million restaruant. Itīs called La Peluqueria (of course) at Paraguay 1486, near Parana. Itīs a barbershop and they donīt appear to do women (moreīs the loss...) and a guy named Omar Pezzelatto gave me a great haircut, better than I think I've had in the States. Phone 4811-1103 or 4812-6874.
What did Omar want for the cut?
[QUOTE=Stormy]What did Omar want for the cut?[/QUOTE]
$20 pesos; sorry, I shouldīve posted that!
[QUOTE=Champagne Boy]Hello!
I wondered if any of you guys know a good site for meeting women? Normal chat-boards or dating-sites, like lycoos in France. Not the one you have to pay 200$ for every reply you want to make to a girl. I'm going in 2-3 month so I wanted to be prepared and maybe find some nice friends down there.
Any tip would be much appriciated! =)[/QUOTE]
I have used YUPI.com which is now a part of the much larger Match.com. Tremendous listing of women of all ages for Buenos Aires. But I assume you can at least write/read fluently in Spanish. If not, you can forget it. Also I found that the BA women were more difficult to connect with compared to Mexico or Spain where I have had great success. Not sure why. But they seem rather picky and not the least bit impressed with Americans - unlike Mexico. In the end, I exchanged letters with 3 different ladies yet didn't meet any of them. Strangely, one of them finally wrote me back after a year +, telling me she was now in love with me. Go figure . . .
Good Luck, -P
Thanks for the tip on the barber shop, went to Casa China for lunch this afternoon, very passable Chinese food by the way on Viamonte 1476 - you have to ask for the chopsticks, and walked a couple of blocks down Parana til I found the place. Omar did the cut, trimmed the goatee and the whole business for just as you say, $20 pesos. He actually listens to what you want done! While they may not do women, I think it's Salon Masculino, there was an attractive young tart that came out and asked whether I would like a cafe, water, soda which gave it just the right touch. I've never been wild about having my hair cut in a room full of women anyway.
Omar was great and remembered the rubio extranjero who had his hair cut there earlier.
Walking further down Parana, towards Santa Fe, I passed another small Salon Masculino - looke like two chairs. As I'm going to be living a few blocks from there next month very happy indeed. Always wanted to be able to get a local cut and razor shave. City life in BsAs is great!
I have been thinking about buying a small apartment in BA for some time now. I would prefer in the Recoleta area or very close. Any one have suggestions for something about $150-$200K USD? What can I expect in that price range?
Would also like recomendations on property managers for when I am not there. I only plan to spend about 3-months of the year in BA and a few trips off and on, the rest of the time I would likethe unit rented out.
The last time in BA I only briefly looked at real estate, and most of the agents where pretty lazy and not good at returning calls. I found the experience very frustrating and time consuming. I have lived in 3rd world countries for years, so it is not like I expect American work performance, but normally my experiences in other latin countries is that when they see the money they move their asses. Not so with many of the real estate guys in BA.
Any advise is welcome.
Cousin,
I suggest contacting "Saint" if youīre interesting in purchasing property. Saint helps Americans purchase property and heīs right on top of the game in BsAs. My impression here is that real estate brokers do not cooperate, i.e. there is no MLS service in Argentina, and consequently it may be advisable to contact many inmobiliarias (agents) to see a lot of different properties in the Recoleta. Aside from that, the purchase process can be very tricky and Saint is an invaluable resource. You can contact him via this board. If you have trouble contacting him, let me know and Iīll make some calls to locate him while Iīm down here.
Walking along Azcuenaga and always on the lookout for the Mom and Pop pharmacies that Dickhead said don't ask for a prescription before handing over the goods I decided to give this one a try at Azcuenaga 1235, a couple of blocks north of Santa Fe.
Bought 2 25mg tabs of Sedus Suldenafil and 2 20 mg tabs of Cialis. The Sedus brand is considerably less than Pfizer which they also carry. A local company I think.
2 Suldenafil 25 mg @ $ 5.95 pesos and Cialis x 2 @ $44.84 pesos. Today I bought another packet of 2 Suldenafil at $5.80 pesos, less than $1.00 a piece.
If you don't speak much Spanish write it down for them: Sedus or Pfizer Suldenafil . they'll bring it out for you. You then take the box and the bill to the front and pay the guy in the plexiglass box.
I will be cuming down to Bs.As. in oct/05, I understand there is too much pussy and you guys cannot handle it all. I would like to put together my budget for approx. 4-5 months. I need 1 bdrm apartment in nice safe and quiet area. close to transit and with all the amenities, eg. dishwasher , washer dryer for clothes ,real dsl for laptop, cable and satilite and good t/v,(being canadian i have to see my hockey games) (I won't be there if they don't get the nhl sorted out cause there will be mass suicide in canada if we have to go another year) (I think this is a terrorist plot,and you yanks are next when they take your nfl football away from you).
1-Apartment with all the bells and whistles , how mucho?
2-Golf course within 30 min. (got that)
3-Pussy at good price ,3-4 a week?
4-Gym for workout , 3-4 times a week?
5-A big wad of cash (getting that) ????
I really want to thank all of you for all the information on this thread. I have wanted to move to BA since the first time that I visited it in 1972-1975, when I was a courier for NSA delivering items to all the embassies and consulates throughout Central and South America. In November 2004, My wife and I took a tour through Brazil and Argentina. And although I didn't have a chance to check out the mongering, I was even more impressed with the BA as a world class city and have decided that I will move there in the next 3-5 years. So I have started learning Spainish again and starting to liquidate several properties I now own in different places and will take that money and invest in buying property in BA. But that will take some time, so I am only started looking into it.
I have read the entire forum and I either missed it and misunderstood it. Dickhead wrote that he lives in the Bario North area and I looked on one of Saints maps and couldn't find a Bario North. Could this be the same as Belgrano? Thank you for the help.
[QUOTE=Prokofiev]I have used YUPI.com which is now a part of the much larger Match.com. Tremendous listing of women of all ages for Buenos Aires. But I assume you can at least write/read fluently in Spanish. If not, you can forget it. Also I found that the BA women were more difficult to connect with compared to Mexico or Spain where I have had great success. Not sure why. But they seem rather picky and not the least bit impressed with Americans - unlike Mexico. In the end, I exchanged letters with 3 different ladies yet didn't meet any of them. Strangely, one of them finally wrote me back after a year +, telling me she was now in love with me. Go figure . . .
Good Luck, -P[/QUOTE]
Well... my first post here, and in general after a long while.
For FREE Internet dating sites, try:
- [url]www.ciudad.com.ar[/url] -> Te Busco
- [url]www.terra.com.ar[/url] -> Busca tu pareja
- [url]www.solitarios.com[/url] (paid service, but you can "tweak" the rules and girls contact you)
All in Spanish (maybe Solitarios, affiliated to a worldwide network, have profiles in English)
Try them. It doesn't cost more than some time to create the profiles and may provide GREAT rewards (I met some 4 non-pro girls willing to play, and a dozen willing to engage).
Caveat: These girls may end up really attached to you, so take into account the psychological side-effects of playing with them.
Hope this helps,
Andres
I will try not to be a pest, but since I am serious about moving to BA, I am looking to the many experienced people on this board for their wisdom. I have went through all the reports and haven't found any mention of available building sites. With some of the posts saying that some apartments are selling for up to $2,000 per sq ft, I was wondering if there are still good to great building lots available in Rocelleta (sp) or Bario North. And what would the average price range be for the lots?
In 1983, I was stationed in Korea. I was told that base housing was not available for me and that I should move to off base quarters and that I would receive a supplemental allowance for it. I looked and looked and could not find anything that I liked. Then I found several building sites that were perfect, so I checked into buying them. I found out I couldn't buy them since I was an American serviceman, so I went to a Vietnam buddy that was Korean and he purchased one of me in his name (which worked out great). I had to invest about $25,000.00 cash total for the lot and building. I built a three apartment house (two - 2 bedroom apartments on the first floor and my 3 bedroom 2 bath on the 2nd floor with large patios). I had my buddy have the base come out and inspect it, so it could be listed on base. It was approved and I signed a "lease" and received a $650.00 a month supplement to my pay. The bottom two leased for $575.00 a month and have never been vacant for more than a week since I built it in 1983. I built several others after this, and am very happy I did (although the cost of building them have went considerable higher than the initial one) My Korean friend makes 10% for managing these apartments for me, plus a very good maintenance fee. And now that I am retired from the service, they are all in my name.
All my properties have appreciated greatly over the years, but I don't think that with the cut backs in US Forces in Korea that I will continue to make the returns that I am currently making. It is probably time to sell and reinvest this money in BA where I will be living in the next few years.
[QUOTE=ImJustAvg] With some of the posts saying that some apartments are selling for up to $2,000 per sq ft, I was wondering if there are still good to great building lots available in Rocelleta (sp) or Bario North. And what would the average price range be for the lots?[/QUOTE]
I believe you may be speaking of 2000 per square meter. That's about $200 per square foot. (Aprox 10 sq feet in a sq meter).
I don't think there is a sp centimeter let alone a square meter of undeveloped land in Relocletta. However I'm sure you could find somebody you could bribe to let you buy a park. I really think you would have to get wayyyyy into the western suburbs to do what your thinking. I have some friends in Hurlingham and it's pretty nice out there.
I must have been reading meters, but thinking square feet! If it was $2,000.00 per square foot, it would make BA one of the most expensive areas in the world. At $200.00 per square foot it makes it equal with most medium to large size cities in the USA.
I wonder what the costs for building is?
[QUOTE=ImJustAvg]I must have been reading meters, but thinking square feet! If it was $2,000.00 per square foot, it would make BA one of the most expensive areas in the world. At $200.00 per square foot it makes it equal with most medium to large size cities in the USA.
I wonder what the costs for building is?[/QUOTE]
Construction costs were in average $500/sqmt (average quality) in 2001 before the crash. Now prices should be slightly lower.
Hope this helps,
Andres
Thank You Andres for the information.
During my July-August visit, I plan on checking this out extensively. Hopefully, everything will work out and I can find a neighborhood that I like with building plots and can get started.
ImJustAvg:
What most people do is to buy an old house on a trendy neighborhood and revamp it. Palermo Viejo used to be the place to do so, but now it got too expensive.
Before 1999-2000, people used to buy old houses in poor condition (structural or so) by $50,000-70,000 and then renew them for $30000. Today, I guess that prices of these houses increased by 50% in Palermo Viejo.
The good things of these houses are that you are relatively close to downtown and Recoleta while living in a neighborhood, and that some of them, if having a wide backyard, can fit a pool and a parking lot, something hard to find in Recoleta.
Hope this helps,
Andres
[QUOTE=ImJustAvg]Thank You Andres for the information.
During my July-August visit, I plan on checking this out extensively. Hopefully, everything will work out and I can find a neighborhood that I like with building plots and can get started.[/QUOTE]
ImJustAvg, a word of caution: the economy in Argentina is terrible compared to South Korea.
Who are your customers? Might your success in the Far East have something to do with the ready availabilty of GI tenants? Or the efforts of your local partner?
Andres;
Thank you for that suggestion. It is well worth looking into.
Hunt99;
It is true that the Argentina economy does not compair favorably with the South Korean economy at this time. However, when I started investing in South Korea it was in the early 70s and continued until their economy improved to the point that it was too expensive to build and then rent for a profit. All of my properties have increased in value over the years to the point that once I sell one I can invest in a lesser economy and purchase two, three and more apartments. I recently sold a building in Seoul with five apartments and turned around and purchased 12 apartments in Russia (granted not in Moscow but Saint Petersberg, Novorgord, etc.). Renters? True. in South Korea, I rent to DOD contractors and GIs. In Russia, I am renting to Consulate employees of several countries and also I have four on long term lease to a travel agency. With the growth of tourism in Argentina tourists are an opinion. Also many multi-national companies are doing more and more business there, so long term leases are possible also. Consulates and embassies also need long term rentals.
In my opinion, the South Korean property values are at peak or near peak values. Since I no longer plan to visit South Korea on a yearly basis and plan on moving to Argentina in the near future, it is time to start moving my assets to a place I will live and to locations I plan to continue visiting.
The bottom line is that I hit the best time to invest in South Korea, now I have hit the best time to sell my South Korean properties and invest else where!
Am planning to take a spanish class in BA for 6 months. But having just visited Cordoba, I might just move here instead.
BA is OK, but Cordoba has tons more chicas. All walking around with those tight pants and skinny stomachs. So skinny that there is that gap at the hip bones. You guys know what I am talking about.
Plus, itīs cheaper to rent an apartment here. US$400 per month for a really nice furnished one-bedroom.
Lots of hot girls walking around with fat boyfriends. Gives me lots of confidence.
Will post more later.
Yos
Fellow mongers,
Just posted info on Health Insurance under the "Living in Argentina" section.
Please let me know if you'd like further info.
Keep Safe! FormerGaucho
[QUOTE=Andres]Construction costs were in average $500/sqmt (average quality) in 2001 before the crash. Now prices should be slightly lower.
Hope this helps,
Andres[/QUOTE]
After the crash in late 2001 many things hapen, perhaps, 2005 model average for real estate it depends a lot on the neighborhood;
This is an average from a research made in 2005 by myself, only in Brand New Contrusction
Puerto Madero: USD 2.000,00 and more per Square Meter
Retiro: USD 1.700,00 / USD 1.500,00 per Square Meter
Recoleta USD 1.600,00 / USD 1.300,00 per Square Meter
Barrio Norte USD 1.300,00 / USD 1,100,00 per Square Meter
Las Canitas USD 1,500 / USD 1.700,00 per Square Meter
Belgrano USD 1.300,00 / USD 1.000,00 per Square Meter
Now, in my opinion, the best areas for buying now are in Las Canitas and Belgrano while Puerto Madero is an excellent option, seems like there is need of long time to recover the investment.
[QUOTE=MCSE]After the crash in late 2001 many things hapen, perhaps, 2005 model average for real estate it depends a lot on the neighborhood;
This is an average from a research made in 2005 by myself, only in Brand New Contrusction
Puerto Madero: USD 2.000,00 and more per Square Meter
Retiro: USD 1.700,00 / USD 1.500,00 per Square Meter
Recoleta USD 1.600,00 / USD 1.300,00 per Square Meter
Barrio Norte USD 1.300,00 / USD 1,100,00 per Square Meter
Las Canitas USD 1,500 / USD 1.700,00 per Square Meter
Belgrano USD 1.300,00 / USD 1.000,00 per Square Meter
Now, in my opinion, the best areas for buying now are in Las Canitas and Belgrano while Puerto Madero is an excellent option, seems like there is need of long time to recover the investment.[/QUOTE]
You are right. It depends on the neighborhood, and I saw similar prices to yours last week on Clarin.
Las Caņitas is good for tourists. However, I heard that the zone is getting too saturated with restaurants and trendy bistros, which makes many locals avoid moving there (few spots to park, a lot of noise during the weekends, etc).
Puerto Madero has many ups as a new neighborhood (high quality construction, renovated neighborhood, close to downtown) but lacks the ancillary services that other quarters have (supermarkets, etc).
Cheers,
Andres
...you will always find on
[url]www.som.com.ar[/url]
Whatever you are looking for in Argentina (zone, App/House/Ground, rental or buying) you find there to get an orientation of the actual prices. In som (a group of well-known and solid real estate brokers) all the brokers are working together, so if you hafe found an r-e-broker you can trust in, he will share comission with the other guy but yust represent YOUR interest.
I rarely read WSG anymore because I'm so very busy now with 3 companies under my belt. I felt obligated to post though to respond to Spassmusssein's post. I have been told that I am purchasing more residential real estate in Buenos Aires than anyone in the world. I believe this to be true based on the volume of property that I am purchasing for my clients. I average 1 or 2 apartments EACH week for my clients.
I have worked with just about every major realtor firm in Buenos Aires. I can tell you one thing with certainty. Realtors here are almost never looking out for YOUR best interests as Spassmussein mentioned. A realtor here has never told me, "Saint, this is too high priced. Let's offer a lower price". Realtors look out for THEIR best interests. Always remember that. Realtors are paid a commission by both the buyer and seller so their objective is to help you pay the highest possible price. What I do for my consulting clients is tell them what a fair price to pay is based on the market. I don't really want to mention the actual dollar amount of property I have purchased since moving here but let's just say it's VERY significant. I have also been inside over 900 apartments now in my search evaluating property. Probably more than most realtors.
Remember there is no real MLS system here and there are no "comps" (comparables) because most locals record a false price on the title deed. There are so many ways to get scammed here. I will probably write a book someday about my experiences in the real estate market here. It's been very interesting. Many told me I couldn't accomplish what I was trying to accomplish. It's very satisfying to know that I was right and they were wrong. The speed at which I am growing shocked even me but I'm working really hard. The first 10 employees was quick but I think the next 10 will be much quicker. Already, we have offers from major financial institutions to purchase my company but I will never be an employee again.
I won't post regularly anymore like I was but those of you that truly know me know that I have always helped people and asked for nothing in return. Anyone that tries saying that realtors will TRULY represent your best interests is wrong.
I wrote a "blog" which has been described as the best resource on buying real estate in Argentina in the world. I hope it helps some of you buying here. Best of luck to all. Life is good.
[url]http://www.apartmentsba.com/Consulting_&_Property_Management_Services_69/Real_Estate_Buying_Process_84/[/url]
Also, I read MCSE's post about prices. Some of it is correct and some of it is way off. New construction in Recoleta is MUCH higher than $1,300 per sq. meter for the low. I'd love to find new construction in Recoleta that cheap. Even $1,600 high price he has listed is lower than what I have seen in RECOLETA. Also, find out the motivations of buying. Are you buying to live there or are you buying as an investment. First ask yourself how often you are going to use the property. Buy in an area that isn't overpriced. Stay focused. Personally, I disagree with all the areas he mentioned to buy in. Belgrano is too far. Puerto Madero has no real soul and again I don't like the distance. Las Canitas is trendy but I wouldn't want to live there. The best areas to purchase Real estate I feel are Recoleta and Palermo. I'm purchasing as much as I can around the Recoleta Village area. I bought a unit in Jackson's building where he is renting his apartment. Very expensive property but I think it will be one of the best apartment rentals in the city once it's remodeled. My loft unit around the corner is already the most requested apartment rental in Buenos Aires. Booked on average 24 days a month and booked 3 months in advance.
Property prices continue to move up as I predicted a while ago. If you go back and read my old posts you will see I was dead on target on (1) real estate, (2) tourism and (3) the exchange rate.
Saint
"I CAN'T STOP KISSING MY OWN ASS"
Hey Starfe,
Your suggestion for the title of the book is accurate. It could also be: "My head can't fit through the door because its so big".
Or perhaps: "God pales in comparision".
It is amazing how in love with themselves some people are.
Suerte,
Stowe
Stowe,
Hey, I thought you were moving here? We are all still waiting for you to move to Buenos Aires and benefit us with your infinite wisdom and countless posts about living and working in Buenos Aires.
Yes, I am very proud of myself for what I have accomplished. So? Let's see you (or others) move to South America and accomplish something or build up a business. Argentina could very well be one of the most difficult countries in the world to do business in. The fact that I have become a market leader in a relatively short amount of time does make me proud. Actually I think this is only the beginning of amazing things to come.
Do I like myself? The person that I am? Abso-fricken-lutely. How does that harm any of you? As usual you are complaining about something. Doesn't surprise me. The information that I posted (no matter if you like the words or not) benefits people. Does your post complaining benefit anyone?
What I posted are facts. Nothing less and nothing more. I don't care if all of WSG loves me or hates me. I'll tell it like it is. I never said I was God. Maybe what bothers people like Stowe the most is that I was right all these years and continue to be right. No one said that everyone on WSG or the world had to post how THEY want them to. Again, those that know me know that I might be cocky but I'd give the shirt off my back to help others.
Good luck fellas.
Saint
I have read Saint's numerous postings for years. I have found his posts to be interesting, introspective, culturally expanding and right on target. In my opinion, he has always comported himself as a gentleman and a friend to all. I am happy and pleased to read about his hard earned successes, and wish the best to all who work hard and are honest in their dealings, as Saint has been.
Frankly, I really don't understand why members are taking pot shots at Saint. Every time I have PMed him regarding cities I wanted to travel to, I recieved polite, thoughtful and timely responses.
I applaud his success. And wish the best for all WSG members.
I'm headed over to Paraguary 877 today to try the Special.
Its Two girls for a one hour Massgae at $120 peso's rather than the standard one girls for $80 peso's.
Of course both prices include a "Happy Finish"
Exon
You are funny.
Thank you.