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Society questions about Greater Buenos Aires area

  • baseeking
  • January 5, 2025 at 3:42 PM

There are 16 replies in this Thread which has previously been viewed 478 times. The latest Post (January 7, 2025 at 12:19 AM) was by Rice.

  • baseeking
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    • January 5, 2025 at 3:42 PM
    • #1

    Hi,

    For expats residing in Greater Buenos Aires area, can you please share info about the social scene there. Is it extroverted like many other South American cities with many festivals or are people more reserved? Also, is it hectic in terms of vehicle traffic and people movement or is the ambiance laid-back for a large city.

    Any insight would be appreciated.

  • Rice
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    • January 5, 2025 at 7:30 PM
    • #2

    That’s a broad question, baseeking . I’ll start with two partsr and let others chime in. BsAs isn’t like most South American cities, in that the population is more European than indigenous So festivities aren’t as Latin in character.

    As for traffic, it’s a madhouse. Nothing laid back about Argentines’ driving!

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    GlasgowJohn
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    • January 5, 2025 at 7:35 PM
    • #3

    Any particular part of GBA?

    It's a huge area.

  • UK Man
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    • January 5, 2025 at 7:48 PM
    • #4

    I'd say it's like most other large cities in the world. It has something for everyone. Chivilcoy on the other hand doesn't even have a McDonald's to hang out in.

  • Rice
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    • January 5, 2025 at 8:36 PM
    • #5

    UK Man , who hangs out at McDonald’s??

  • UK Man
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    • January 5, 2025 at 8:51 PM
    • #6
    Quote from Rice

    UK Man , who hangs out at McDonald’s??

    I would if I could. 8o

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    serafina
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    • January 5, 2025 at 9:02 PM
    • #7

    McDonald’s in Capital are crowded even for breakfast! And there are always swarms of delivery guys waiting to pick up orders. I don’t really get it. It is not that cheap compared to traditional bars where you can order a sandwich.

    As for the OP question, outside of Buenos Aires the cultural scenario is very… basic, should I say. Argentinians of all ages like to take art classes (theater, painting, sculpting, crocheting, language classes) but the level is amateurish. If you are looking for a reason to go out, you will find options. But if you are looking for quality, nothing beats Buenos Aires city.

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    GlasgowJohn
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    • January 5, 2025 at 9:14 PM
    • #8
    Quote from serafina

    McDonald’s in Capital are crowded even for breakfast! And there are always swarms of delivery guys waiting to pick up orders. I don’t really get it. It is not that cheap compared to traditional bars where you can order a sandwich.

    As for the OP question, outside of Buenos Aires the cultural scenario is very… basic, should I say. Argentinians of all ages like to take art classes (theater, painting, sculpting, crocheting, language classes) but the level is amateurish. If you are looking for a reason to go out, you will find options. But if you are looking for quality, nothing beats Buenos Aires city.

    That sums it up fairly well, serafina

  • baseeking
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    • January 6, 2025 at 12:39 PM
    • #9
    Quote from Rice

    That’s a broad question, baseeking . I’ll start with two partsr and let others chime in. BsAs isn’t like most South American cities, in that the population is more European than indigenous So festivities aren’t as Latin in character.

    As for traffic, it’s a madhouse. Nothing laid back about Argentines’ driving!

    Thanks for the reply, yes it's quite broad as I didn't know where to start but given that it's population is more European is reassuring as I'm kind of seeking that kind culture in my search for a new home. As for the traffic, that's definitely a con but perhaps going out during non peak hours hours might help.


    Quote from GlasgowJohn

    Any particular part of GBA?

    It's a huge area.

    I don't know much about GBA, but it's a good question, and I should narrow my focus to a specific area(s).


    Quote from UK Man

    I'd say it's like most other large cities in the world. It has something for everyone. Chivilcoy on the other hand doesn't even have a McDonald's to hang out in.

    I think Chivlcoy is where I'll start my research in terms of narrowing down areas within GBA :)


    Quote from serafina

    McDonald’s in Capital are crowded even for breakfast! And there are always swarms of delivery guys waiting to pick up orders. I don’t really get it. It is not that cheap compared to traditional bars where you can order a sandwich.

    As for the OP question, outside of Buenos Aires the cultural scenario is very… basic, should I say. Argentinians of all ages like to take art classes (theater, painting, sculpting, crocheting, language classes) but the level is amateurish. If you are looking for a reason to go out, you will find options. But if you are looking for quality, nothing beats Buenos Aires city.

    It's nice that Argentinians are getting into arts as that appeals to me in a society. I'll keep my focus on Buenos Aires as I value quality. Thanks for sharing this aspect of their society.

    Edited 3 times, last by baseeking: Merged a post created by baseeking into this post. (January 6, 2025 at 12:48 PM).

  • UK Man
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    • January 6, 2025 at 12:59 PM
    • #10

    Chivilcoy's just too laid back. Most businesses here especially retail still observe the siesta all year round so everyone goes into hiding between 1pm and 5pm. Even the banks close their doors for the day at 1pm in summer.

  • Splinter
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    • January 6, 2025 at 2:51 PM
    • #11

    Chivilcoy isn't Greater Buenos Aires. It's about 2.5 hours away by car or motorcycle.

    A Brit In Buenos Aires

  • Rice
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    • January 6, 2025 at 3:20 PM
    • #12

    I’m partial to Palermo. Easy access to subte and walking distance to microcentro, Recoleta, Barrio Norte in one direction and Las Cañitas, Belgrano in the other. Easy to walk to museums and parks. Lots of restaurants. Plenty of apts with balconies, for a touch of outdoors.

  • aficionado
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    • January 6, 2025 at 4:05 PM
    • #13

    Villa Urquiza is still in the city on the last stop of the B line subte subway, so easy access to west side of Palermo via stops for Villa Crespo, and Chacarita. At the intersection of two of the commuter rails that can also travel into the center or farther out of the city. Nice long walks east through Belgrano and farther to the riverfront. Far from the tourists. 

    Juan Manuel de Rosas - Villa Urquiza · Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
    maps.app.goo.gl
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    GlasgowJohn
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    • January 6, 2025 at 4:45 PM
    • #14

    I am based in Loma Verde , part of the town of Belen de Escobar , about 60 kms north of the capital . We are in a gated community in a rural setting.

    If you are coming with a family I would recommend this part of the province but if you are on your own or coming with a partner, I am not sure it would be ideal.

    We still have a place in Villa del Parque in the capital but maybe half an hour from the centre of town . We loved living there and maybe somewhere out in that part of town could be good for you

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    serafina
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    • January 6, 2025 at 6:14 PM
    • #15

    There are a few greener and not touristy neighborhood in the Capital (Belgrano R, Villa del Parque, certain parts of Saavedra, Caballito). However, they are not as culturally as lively/food-wise diverse as the most famous ones (Recoleta, Palermo, Belgrano, Puerto Madero). A few are emerging (Coghlan, Chacarita) as new food hubs.

    The city is well connected, but if you want to be social, being within walking distance from the hot spots is worth pondering.

    You don't mention if you will be working or if you will be retired. If you are still working, the convenience to have to walk a few block to have 10+ type of restaurants is worth paying more for accommodation in a location like Palermo. If you are doing cooking yourself, and don't mind spending your days exploring the city and buying 'non standard' groceries, you can live on a budget in the lesser known areas.

    I would also consider your language fluency as an important factor in your possibility to socialize effectively. There is only so many times one can practice Spanish with the basic questions (my name is, I am from, I've been here for...) before getting bored. For me, personally, being in the city allowed to meet people who are more like me. When I was living in the Greater Buenos Aires area, I felt an odd ball most of the time.

  • UK Man
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    • January 6, 2025 at 7:18 PM
    • #16
    Quote from serafina

    For me, personally, being in the city allowed to meet people who are more like me. When I was living in the Greater Buenos Aires area, I felt an odd ball most of the time.

    I know the feeling well. ^^

  • Rice
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    • January 7, 2025 at 12:19 AM
    • #17

    Excellent point, serafina .

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