Congrats on your apartment.

We have a 2 year lease and garante, went through an immobilaria with all the fees and pay a little over 300 US dollars a month without expenses for a one bedroom we share unfurnished. (Getting a garante would be tricky unless you live here for a while and know people who own property.) Of course, I did not arrange it, so there was no gringo tax. We live in between Balvanera and San Cristobal and though not as pretty as Recoleta or Palermo, I feel a LOT safer here because there the chorros assume you have money. It´s only 2 rooms, a small kitchen and a bathroom.

On my own, I found a room in a house for 300 all inclusive, including furnishings--and it was the first place I looked.

I only say this because I, too, just don´t comprehend all the people who insist on 700-800. Your apartments must be much nicer than mine! There are GORGEOUS places to live all over BA; I just can´t afford any of those.