Landed in BA 3 days ago. I'm lost

[Caribbean Cool]

Move in. Get out. Form you own opinions if you are capable. Just do something. You can do that, right?

 

[Konner_Long]

Hi @Mary_T. Good luck on your search in Argentina! It is a unique and wonderfully diverse place in terms of location. If CABA is not your place, then I'm sure you will find a great place for yourself somewhere here. Outside the south of the city and villas, it's fine to use your phone on the street. A lot of the advice here is extreme with crime. Don't be flashy, and BE aware. Sneaking your phone out on the bus and looking at the maps app is fine. Take context clues as well. If people are using their phone around you, then it should be ok for you to use yours. Just make yourself LESS of a target than the people around you.

ANYWAY! My advice would be to get out of the city centre at large. CABA is both small and big at the same time. Tourists / expats / digital nomads / migrants seem to forget that other barrios exist outside the centre of the city.
Any barrio in the north and west is going to be more up your alley, I'm sure. Saavedra, Villa Urquiza, Devoto, Villa Del Parque all those areas are still in the city but are less crowded and are mostly decent and safe outside the busy streets that run through their centres and peripheries. They also have some great parques and fewer plazas, which increases the opportunities for physical activities. I find it more authentic too as the centre has far more tourists and is priced with this in mind. This is where I would start. Spend a month outside the city centre and see if you like it.

Trying out some of the towns (Zona Norte mainly) in Provincia as other members have said could be an option. You are close enough to get to migraciones and your lawyer and have the convenience of the city during the day, but are also outside of it with more of a suburb / town vibe.

Mendoza has been suggested, but I found it icy in winter and feel that some of the houses are not all that well-equipped to handle the cold. Summer can be brutally hot and dry as well. I prefer the heat so I loved that part. Surprisingly good food options in Mendoza. Lots of good bodegas around and outside the city and restaurants in calle Aristides.

Jujuy and Salta seem like good places, but they are far more rustic (not sure what you are used to) and you may miss the conveniences that larger cities may provide. People complain about food in BA when there are so many different options now, imagine Jujuy and Salta (although the food is more influenced by Bolivia up there which is great). So many different options for activities, though. Real hiking and outdoor activities.

I would maybe look at the Punilla Valley, just outside of Cordoba. You are close to the city if you need anything, but you have so many wonderful outdoor activities in the area. You can choose the area as well. Want to be in an urban area? Then choose Villa Carlos Paz, want to be in nature, get a place near Villa Lago Azul or south near the country club for a more rural feel.

Anything in the south and patagonia is great for holidays but hard to live in as I think it's too cold in the winter. GREAT to visit, but not great for living.

Best of luck!

 

[HenryNisental]

Hi
There are different options for living here.
Inside the city places like Palermo, Belgrano, Nunez, Devoto, Caballito, etc.
If you like a watery lifestyle the Delta del Tigre is fantastic.
Also if you can afford it there are many country clubs in Pilar, Canning, etc
Good luck
Henry

 

[Johngwyn]

I absolutely love Patagonia and its nature but it's freaking cold.

Freaking cold? Really? That's a great sense of humor.

Curious where you come from? Bariloche right now is 13C while BA is 16-22.
So I'd say no. And nowhere in Argentina could be as cold as Minnesota.

BA is fine, apply common sense and go where people go, you be fine.
Try to speak Spanish as much as you can, so some people won't be taking advantage from you.

 

[FrankPintor]

If you like a watery lifestyle the Delta del Tigre is fantastic.

This is really worth checking out, in my opinion, I was very tempted by the idea of building, or buying and renovating, a house on stilts in the delta. It seems surprisingly practical, there's integrated public transport, taxis, regular deliveries of supplies, shops, and you can be in CABA in 1-2 hours. Lots of permanent residents, and a lot of tourist traffic (day traffic, and also cabins let out on Airbnb) in summer, of course.

Again, it will take more than a month to check out and make a proper evaluation.

 

[Jimbob]

Hi
There are different options for living here.
Inside the city places like Palermo, Belgrano, Nunez, Devoto, Caballito, etc.
If you like a watery lifestyle the Delta del Tigre is fantastic.
Also if you can afford it there are many country clubs in Pilar, Canning, etc
Good luck
Henry

Tigre is beautiful, very green and laid back. In fact most of the coast from Núñez to San Fernando is great to explore on a bike or take the coast train maybe.

 

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

I’ve been here 15 years and I’m still lost

 

[devilclam]

I know this isn't really what you're asking, but 3 days isn't much time! Buenos Aires doesn't have to be your city, but be patient with yourself. It sounds like this is a big change for you, and it's normal to feel out of your element. Whether here or elsewhere, give yourself time to adjust. You can't rush the process.

 

[Silvie]

You can have your cell phone but use discreetly, without displaying it too much or enter a mall, entramce of a store, galeria or coffee shop to check whatever you need or make a call. Just dont carry it in your hand or hanging from your neck.

 

[Shane]

It's not that dangerous. Just don't be flashy. I look like a gringo and never had an issue. Welcome to dm me if you are around Caballito.