captainmcd
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- Joined
- Jun 14, 2011
- Messages
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I had been visiting (rather than living) here about three months a year from 1983 until 2005, when my work prevented me from spending time in Argentina for any extended period. Last week was my first visit in seven years. My wife and children have visited during those seven years and did not really notice much change. The changes I have noticed are mostly for the better.
The Subtes have been extended and improved, they are much cleaner, and you can use a card, not the old tokens. It is my prefered way to travel in the city, and now I can go more places.
The city parks were always well located, but poorly maintained. Now they are much cleaner, fenced in, and well maintained.
There is much better maintenance of the streets and sidewalks, they are still bad, but I see a definite improvement, I actually see workmen out fixing things for the first time in 30 years.
Buildings that had been under construction twenty years ago have finally been completed, there must be investment money available once again.
Finally, things in general are cleaner. As a 6 ft. tall gringo, I love walking in the city, but have had to watch were I put my feet. There was so many potholes and doggy doo on the sidewalk, but when looking down I would bump my head on street signs and tree branches. This is still a problem, but people seem to wash their sidewalks more often, so it is not as bad. Also trees are trimmed a bit higher, I think.
One negative thing. I used to find many small shops, bakers, green-grocers, butchers, fiambrias, and other businesses on my block, I didn't even need to cross a street. Now I think that the local supermarkets are replacing those kinds of businesses. One stop shoping can be convenient, but I still miss the specialty shops, where there seemed to be a better selection and quality of things you need.
I love living in Buenos Aires, but I would not want to work there. There is just too much bureaucracy, but maybe that will improve too, someday!
The Subtes have been extended and improved, they are much cleaner, and you can use a card, not the old tokens. It is my prefered way to travel in the city, and now I can go more places.
The city parks were always well located, but poorly maintained. Now they are much cleaner, fenced in, and well maintained.
There is much better maintenance of the streets and sidewalks, they are still bad, but I see a definite improvement, I actually see workmen out fixing things for the first time in 30 years.
Buildings that had been under construction twenty years ago have finally been completed, there must be investment money available once again.
Finally, things in general are cleaner. As a 6 ft. tall gringo, I love walking in the city, but have had to watch were I put my feet. There was so many potholes and doggy doo on the sidewalk, but when looking down I would bump my head on street signs and tree branches. This is still a problem, but people seem to wash their sidewalks more often, so it is not as bad. Also trees are trimmed a bit higher, I think.
One negative thing. I used to find many small shops, bakers, green-grocers, butchers, fiambrias, and other businesses on my block, I didn't even need to cross a street. Now I think that the local supermarkets are replacing those kinds of businesses. One stop shoping can be convenient, but I still miss the specialty shops, where there seemed to be a better selection and quality of things you need.
I love living in Buenos Aires, but I would not want to work there. There is just too much bureaucracy, but maybe that will improve too, someday!
