the thing is that all the estancias are very expensive. They are mostly tourist oriented.
It happened that the old families owners of these estancias were not able to afford them anymore and then changed, opening them to public, but not for everybody. You can find almost real castles, and more simple ones, but still quite expensive. I'm a local, not an expat. I never went to a estancia for $ reason, I wonder if sometime I'll go...
look for a different kind of property: "casa de campo". These are smaller properties, simpler and more affordable, and probably you'll find the experience you are looking for.
Again, I didn't try any (but here I say YET). I was checking this weeking many for some visitors. I decided for "La China", but I cannot recommend it because I don't know it. Anyway, look for "casa de campo" and you'll get a more appropiate budget
