Experience in Buenos Aires, Argentina by Sandra

What is it like to live in Buenos Aires? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Buenos Aires is the queen of the River Plate ‘La reina del plata’ as Carlos Gardel sang in one well-known tango. But what is the reason for this definition? Perhaps the attractive old buildings that combine with more modern ones. A legacy of ancient times like the Colon Theatre where operas are performed, the Cervantes Theatre with plays, all the year-round, the Water Museum with its exotic beauty, the Barolo Palace and its Dantean representation or just the multiple domes you can admire on a walking tour of Santa Fe avenue or the Avenue of May which leads to the Congress. You will be more than lucky in November when the jacaranda trees' trumpet-shaped flowers paint the city of magnificent purple.

Another reason to fall in love with Buenos Aires can be the various cafes where friends meet to have a chat for hours because they feel at home there. Ibérico café is my favourite one, the decoration of the place is charming, every detail is considered from the furniture to the fresh flowers that beautify the place. Early in the morning, you can go there for a delicious breakfast of café con leche completo (coffee and milk served with the Argentinian croissants called medialunas) or for bacon and eggs to start your day with energy.

Corrientes Avenue is another display of Buenos Aires' spirit. This thoroughfare is part of the identity of Buenos Aires, the tango, and the Porteño lifestyle. It is known as the street that never sleeps with its restaurants, pizzerias, bookshops, and theatres to get lost until midnight and more. Local celebrities only become as such just when they perform in any theatre of this traditional avenue.

Buenos Aires with its buildings, jacaranda trees, cafes and cultural life is nothing without the people, their characteristic Spanish of the River Plate, and their friendship expressed in so many ways; such as a barbecue on Sundays or the social event of drinking mate with friends and family. Mate, an infused drink made with yerba leaves habit of the ancient Guaraní natives of South America. If you are invited to drink a mate means that you are welcome as it is a symbol of friendship. Mate a word that curiously in colloquial English means friend.

These may be the reasons Buenos Aires is the Queen of the River Plate. However, if you visit this city, you will find for sure your own reasons to regard it as unforgettable.

What is the student lifestyle like in Buenos Aires?

Students tend to live near the universities' area in the neighbourhoods of Retiro, Barrio Norte and Balvanera. It is not very common for Argentinian people to share an apartment but there are some student's residencies in the area.

How much does it cost to live in Buenos Aires?

Rent around 320 Euros per month
Food around 78 Euros per month

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Buenos Aires? Is there any advice you can give?

No, it is not difficult to find accommodation in Buenos Aires. The nicest neighbourhoods are Recoleta, Retiro, Palermo, Caballito

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Steak is fantastic, Argentinian beef is very good, as well as Italian food.
My favourite places in Buenos Aires are:
Parrilla Peña for an autentic Argentinian barbecue.
Pal que guste on Talcahuano street to try Argentinian empanadas and listen to live folk music.
Biblos on Santa Fe Avenue and Libertad street to eat a lomito sandwich (steak sandwich) with chips and a beer.
Iberico to have a delicious breakfast in a nice environment.
Broccolino Restaurante for amazing Italian food.
Pizza Filo for Italian pizza and music at the same time.
La Pharmacie in Palermo for a complete menu.
Cadore on Corrientes Avenue to try the famous dulce de leche ice cream.
There are many places for you to discover.

What places would you recommend visiting in Buenos Aires?

Rooftop tours, Trade Sky bar, CCK, Floralis Generica, holophonic speakers at Kraft auditorium, Recoleta cemetery area, Palermo woods, La bomba de Tiempo at Konex, Fuerza Bruta performance at Centro Cultural Recoleta, the obelisk and Corrientes Avenue, the Palace of Justice (Tribunales), the Congress.

Is the nightlife good in Buenos Aires? Where is good to go?

Rose Bar in Palermo and any pub near Plaza Serrano and Honduras street on Saturday nights.

What advice would you give future students heading to Buenos Aires?

Try to interact with Argentinian students to know more about their culture, they are friendly.