I live in Cordoba and enjoy it very much. It is a great deal smaller than BsAs, but still with good flights out of the country. I visited numerous times before moving here, usually connecting through Santiago.
Not as many tourists, and the streets are not as smooth and clean as BsAs, but great cultural activities, and the sierras are right outside of town. I live in Cofico/Alta Cordoba, which is short walk down to downtown, but has wide sidewalks, international cuisine, is very safe but not overrun with college students. Rent and food are cheaper than BsAs, but "stuff" is more expensive.