Settling in Buenos Aires for the long haul can be challenging, especially considering the country’s daunting bureaucracy and history of economic instability. Yet despite these challenges, it’s advantageous to have a permanent status and, when you get to know your neighbors intimately, you will find that their camaraderie will make it easier for you to settle into the unpredictable whims of day-to-day life.Prices for buying or renting a home are favorable compared with those in the developed world. Whether you ultimately choose an apartment or a house (which will be discussed in the ‘Type of Accommodation’ section), you must first decide where you will live. Take into consideration the charm of the neighborhood, but also the practicality of its location and its amenities — for example, whether you prefer a lot of shopping options close by, if you’re looking for something quiet and removed from the heavy-traffic zones if you want a place that’s well connected to the center and has a high density of taxis, and so on. Of course, interesting and attractive housing can be found throughout the city, but the barrios discussed in this guide, from Recoleta, Palermo and Belgrano to the suburbs in ‘Zona Norte’, tend to be the most comfortable and popular for expatriates and their families.
