Good Morning Buenos Aires » Local Tips & Guides

Buenos Aires Overview for Newcomers

Samuel Warde — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:24:00 +0000

Expats moving to Buenos Aires will find it to be one of the most developed cities in Latin America. Known as the “Paris of the South”, Buenos Aires is Argentina’s largest metropolitan area with nearly 14 million residents. The birthplace of sultry and sensual Tango and Latin America’s Polo capital, the city is a non-stop center of action, beautiful people and European Architecture.

Along with other such noted cities as Brussels, Chicago, Kuala Lumpur, Madrid, Moscow, Mumbai, Seoul and Toronto, Buenos Aires is ranked by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network as an Alpha City, based on its cultural, economic, infrastructural and political characteristics.

A crossroad of diverse cultural backgrounds, ethnicity, history and people, Buenos Aires has developed one of the most viable and productive design industries in Latin America was named as the first UNESCO City of Design on 24 August 2005 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Association.

Buenos Aires is a hotspot for those wanting to live abroad as it offers a high standard of living, a multitude of activities, an exciting nightlife, and excellent housing options in a wide variety of neighborhoods (barrios) all at a great value for those arriving with Dollars, Euros or Pounds. Most important, Buenos Aires offers an amazingly rich and varied culture in a city where the local population is open to foreigners.

The arts are widely appreciated in Buenos Aires and the city’s culture life spans the fields of architecture, fashion, theater music and dance with a keen focus on incorporating the latest styles, technology and know-how.

Buenos Aires is a late night city with dinner commonly taken after 10 PM. Theater performances usually start around 9 PM and the last movie typically begins after midnight. The locals love to party and alcohol does not play a vital role in night life. Clubs usually do not begin to fill up until 2 or 3 AM and it is common for locals to be out dancing until 6 AM and then head out to work at 8 AM.

The city has the same civic services available to any metropolitan area in Western Europe and the United States to include an efficient and easy to use public transportation system, free healthcare for anyone regardless of immigration or tourist status and free higher education at the undergraduate level.

Buenos Aires is a city that offers expats a high quality of life at a greatly discounted price over what can be found in Europe or the United States. The only real downside is that unemployment rates are high, but many expats either work for multi-national companies or are self-employed, typically working via the internet. The city is filled with hundreds of acres of parks, gourmet restaurants, chic fashion boutiques, cultural events and more. When choosing a new place to live expats are concerned with the overall quality of life and the expats selecting Buenos Aires as their new home will find Buenos Aires to be a great choice.

Dragon Fruit Adventure at Barrio Chino!

Samuel Warde — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 07:15:51 +0000

Located in Belgrano and beginning alongside the train tracks at Juramento and Arribenos, Buenos Aires’ Barrio Chino (Chinatown) is tiny compared to those of San Francisco, London or Sydney. However, in spite of its size its impact on the culture of Buenos Aires is significant with its 100+ Asian-owned shops which receive over 15,000 visitors every weekend. Conveniently located in Belgrano, Barrio Chino has great grocery stores offering locals, expats and visitors the very best seafood in town, a wide variety of spices and herbs and great imports.

Of interest today is Good Morning BA’s purchase of some Dragon Fruit or Pitaya. [It is also known in China as huǒ lóng guǒ 火龍果/火龙果 "fire dragon fruit" , in Indonesia as buah naga "dragon fruit". and in Vietnam as thanh long (green dragon).]

Dragon Fruit is the fruit of several cactus species, most importantly of the genus Hylocereus (sweet pitayas). It comes in 3 varieties with our purchase today being the Hylocereus undatus (red pitaya) which has red skin with milky white flesh. Wikipedia tells us that this is the most commonly-seen variety of ”dragon fruit”. Dragon Fruit is native to Central and South America and according to Aztec literature dates back to the 13th century.

When purchasing Dragon Fruit be sure to look for bright even colored skin as blotches are typical of one that is too ripe. Holding one in your hand, you can give it a gentle squeeze and a perfect one should give a bit, very much like a kiwi fruit.

Dragon fruit is rich in a variety of nutrients including calcium, fiber, phosphorus, Vitamin C and is chocked full of antioxidants. Its taste is sweet, very similar to a cross between a pear and a kiwi. To eat a Dragon Fruit you simply cut it in half, lengthwise and eat the milky white center with a spoon. For those of you who are wondering from the photos, YES – the seeds are both edible and delicious!

With its variety of vital nutrients, the Pitaya fruit is suitable for all diets as it supplements fiber which is great for the liver. Similarly, people with high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity have attested to the fruit’s goodness. Recent findings show that if an obese person eats Dragon Fruit on a regular basis, it naturally reduces the weight considerably, creating a well balanced body without compromising on the individual’s health.

Without further ado, I give you the Dragon Fruit!

Finding Work in Buenos Aires

Samuel Warde — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 17:50:40 +0000

Acquiring a job here in Buenos Aires can be quite challenging, regardless of profession or experience. For example, unemployment in Europe is typically ranked at around 7% this year, but in Argentina the latest figures I could find rank it close to 9%. However, I think that figure is a bit misleading. For instance the greater metropolitan area of Buenos Aires is around 14 million people constituting around 36% of the total population of the country. In my opinion, unemployement is significantly higher here in the metro area than it is nation wide. I suspect unemployment is well into double digits here (meaning at least 10%, but I suspect much higher than that).

Due in part to unemployment, people here tend to live with their parents until they reach their 30s. At the same time, Argentina offers a free university education for undergraduate level and very cheap graduate degree programs. So what happens is since there are not enough jobs here, a lot of people attend university as there is nothing else to do when you are younger. So there seems to be one of the highest unemployment rates in the world for a country developed to the level of Argentina and there is a much higher rate of unemployment amongst college graduates here than anywhere else in the world that I am aware of. I did not take the time to look up actual statistics on that, but am confident making those statements.

I can tell you this: I have more Argentine friends than I can count on both hands and feet with advanced university degrees who are either unemployed or not working in their chosen field and the number are much more pitiful amongst my expat friends. I have friends who are doctors who are teaching English. I have a friend who is a psychiatrist who works teaching economics. I have friends who are architects working as tour guides. I have friends from all kinds of professional backgrounds renting apartments, etc….

Argentina presents a very challenging and difficult employment market. There are jobs here and you can most certainly find something. However, there does not appear to be enough decent jobs for locals and there are obvious handicaps to seeking employement as an immigrant.

With this in mind, I would strongly encourage you to research the job market here in earnest and find a job with a company that will provide effective assistance in obtaining a work visa before you consider a permanent move here. The number one issue I have seen with immigrants is a lack of meaningful and effective preparation before arriving here particularly when it comes to finding work.

There are plenty of websites out there offering general job listings such as Craigslist and ZonaJobs . Depending on one’s level of Spanish, the Work Ministry here has a great website too found here . In many instances I would strongly encourage persons look deeper at how to find a job. One could also begin by checking with the employment assistance offices at the major universities here; looking for guidance from job placement agencies; look for applicable groups and/or professionals on sites such as LinkedIn.com to connect and network with…..

The Best Pizza in Town

Samuel Warde — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:49:00 +0000

Buenos Aires is full of pizzeries and restaurants serving pizza. Pizza is a booming business in Buenos and a favorite for Portenos, tourists and the international community. Since a large percentage of Portenos have recent Italian heritage and there are hundreds of Italian style restaurants in Buenos Aires, it is hardly surprising the Buenos Aires Pizza is a big hit.

It can be difficult for visitors and newcomers to know how to select good Buenos Aires restaurants, particularly when it comes to pizza because there are just so many and nearly every restaurant in Buenos Aires serves Pizza.

There were many more Pizza restaurants that we might have suggested, but we decided to list those where we consistently get good food and service. Our Buenos Aires Pizza blog takes the ‘hit or miss’ possibility out of the equation for Buenos Aires’ visitors and newcomers. We know where to find the best Pizza in Buenos Aires.

Buenos Aires Pizza Restaurants:

BELGRANO PIZZA

LA JAZIMA – Congreso 2305, Belgrano, Capital Federal, Buenos Aires
CROXI – Conde 2020, Belgrano, Capital Federal, Buenos Aires

CENTRO PIZZA

LOS INMORTALES – Avenida Corrienets 1369, Capital Federal, Buenos Aires
FILO – San Martín 975, Capital Federal Buenos Aires

GUERRIN - Avda Corrientes 1368 Capital Federal Buenos Aires

PALERMO SOHO PIZZA

PEKIN - Honduras 5301, Palermo, Capital Federal, Buenos Aires
GRAPPA - El Salvador 5802 Capital Federal Buenos Aires

PALERMO PIZZA

ALMACEN DE PIZZA, DE MANOLO & FRANCESCA -Salguero 2802, Palermo, Capital Federal, Buenos Aires
As we find more great pizza to recommend to Buenos Aires tourists, we will update our Buenos Aires restaurant and pizza blog.

Buenos Aires Farmers Market Directory: By Neighborhood

Samuel Warde — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 18:30:07 +0000

Farmers Markets

Here is a fairly comprehensive list I obtained from a local friend recently. (Thanks Victoria!) I cannot vouch for all of these being open still, but maybe it is a good place for you to begin with finding a market close to you. The first one here is a huge one, worthy of mentioning by itself.

Mercado Boliviano: Liniers neighborhood all across Jose Leon Suarez street you can get different products from the Andes and Bolivia, all types of potatoes and peppers, as well as numerous types of grain and flours, cold cuts, etc. Very good prices.

Some of the following ones may not be there anymore, but I have been to a few lately: (you can find meats, poultry, veggies, fruit, cheese, etc). Please update me with a comment if you know of any changes.

ALMAGRO

Viernes
Osvaldo Cruz e/ Goncalvez Díaz y San Antonio
Sábado
Sarmiento y Bulnes

BARRACAS

Miércoles
California y Luzuriaga
Jueves
Finocchieto, e/ Velez Sarfield y Luzuriaga
Viernes
Herrera y Benito Quinquela Martín
Viernes
Ituzaingó e/Bolivar y Perú
Sabado
Azara, e/ Brandsen y Pinzón

BELGRANO

Miércoles
Juramento y Conde
Jueves
O´Higgins y Manuel Ugarte
Domingo
Artilleros entre La Pampa y Sucre
Domingo
O´Higgins y Manuel Ugarte

BOEDO

Miercoles
Constitución y Quintino Bocayuva

CABALLITO

Martes
Cangallo e/ Ramos Mejía y Patricias Argentinas
Miércoles
José F. Seguí y Neuquen (Plaza Irlanda)
Jueves
Colpayo y Felipe Vallese
Sábado
Hidalgo y Bacacay
Domingo
Cangallo e/ Ramos Mejía y Patricias Argentinas
CHACARITA
Jueves
Teodoro García y Fraga

COLEGIALES

Sábado
Cramer e/ Federico Lacroze y Olleros
Sábado
Moldes e/Aguilar y Zabala

FLORES

Martes
Av. Gaona y Gavilán

FLORES SUR

Martes
La Fuente y Francisco Bilbao
Sábado
San Pedrito y Crisóstomo Alvarez

FLORESTA

Miércoles
Av. Avellaneda, e/ Bahía Blanca y Mercedes
Jueves
Chivilcoy y A. M. Cervantes

LA BOCA

Martes
Necochea e/ Pi y Margall y Gualeguay
Viernes
Necochea e/ Pi y Margall y Gualeguay
Sábado
Gaboto y Arzobispo Espinosa

MATADEROS

Martes
Basualdo e/ Manuel Artigas y Juan B. Alberdi
Miercoles
Timoteo Gordillo e/ Tapalque y Bragado
Viernes
Remedios, e/ Pola y Fonrouge
Viernes
Fragata La Argentina y Ercilla

MONSERRAT

Sábado
Balcarce e/ México y Chile

NUÑEZ

Sábado
Cuba y Arias

PALERMO

Miercoles
Costa Rica y Medrano
Sábado
Malabia y Nicaragua

PARQUE CHACABUCO

Martes
Zañartú e/Doblas y Senillosa
Viernes
Victor Martínez y Av. Asamblea
Domingo
Victor Martínez y Av. Asamblea

PARQUE PATRICIOS

Martes
Brasil y Pichincha
Miércoles
Almafuerte, e/ Uspallata y Pedro Chutro

PATERNAL

Jueves
Espinosa y Donato Alvarez

POMPEYA

Miércoles
A. De Vedia e/Condor y Tabaré
Jueves
Corrales e/Avda. La Plata y Fournier
Jueves
Del Barco Centenera y Riestra

SAAVEDRA

Miércoles
Plaza e/ Ruiz Huidobro y Besares
Jueves
García del Río e/Freire y Conde
Viernes
Machain y Crisólogo Larralde
Domingo
García Del Río e/Freire y Conde

SAN CRISTOBAL

Viernes
Cochabamba, e/ La Rioja y Gral. Urquiza

SAN TELMO

Martes
Cochabamba, e/ Bolivar y Perú
Sabado por la manana
Balcarce y Mexico

VILLA CRESPO

Martes
Antezana y Olaya
Viernes
Humboldt e/ Camargo y Padilla

VILLA DEL PARQUE

Martes
Campana y Baigorria
Martes
Av. San Martín y Condarco
Sábado
Av. Gaona y Gavilán

VILLA DEVOTO

Martes
Parejas y Chivilcoy
Viernes
Salvador M. Del Carril y Lastra

VILLA LUGANO

Miércoles
La Roza, e/ Fonrouge, Pola y Eva Perón
Miércoles
Soldado de la Frontera y Combate de San Carlos

VILLA LURO

Jueves
Av. Rivadavia, e/ Corvalan y Albariños
Sábado
Cafayate y Ana Díaz

VILLA PUEYRREDON

Jueves
Larsen, e/ Zamudio y Gral. Artigas
Viernes
Helguera e/ Parejas y Chivilcoy

VILLA URQUIZA

Domingo
Nahuel Huapi y Capdevila (Plaza Echeverría)

A Little Bit About Buenos Aires for Expats

Samuel Warde — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:57:55 +0000

Where to get Books in English

Samuel Warde — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 05:08:11 +0000

Featured Location:

THE BOOK CELLAR, BUENOS AIRES
website

The newest book service in Buenos Aires brings you literature from South America and home in English, French, German Spanish and more.

Antiques, rare editions, guide books and educational material also available.

Accesible prices, exchanges, buy-back service.

Books sourced and delivered.

This year we are opening a shop! Enquire for more information.

danielzachariah@hotmail.com
www.thebookcellarbsas.blogspot.com
15-5667-6167

__________________________________

Libraries, Stores, Shipping Companies and Book Swap Groups

Here is a list of resources for reading materials in English. Feel free to add to this if you know of any other places.

LIBRARIES

1. ICANA
80 pesos a year gets you a library card and they have a great collection in English.

Centro
Maipú 672
5382 1500

__________________________________

STORES

1. Capítulo 2

Centro
San Martin 760 (in Galerías Pacífico)

5555-5128