Buenos Aires

Note that websites for chain facilities are listed at the end of the page.

Microcentro

The Microcentro is the city’s business and financial center as well as the central point of reference for visitors. During the day, the area is a thick congestion of people and traffic. Tourists flock to the Obelisco, one of the city’s prominent landmarks, stretch out in a historic cafe, and tour the presidential Casa Rosada (Pink House) and Cabildo at Plaza de Mayo, which can be tranquil one hour and overheated with demonstrations the next.

The shopping corridors along the pedestrian streets of Lavalle and Florida are magnets for both tourists and petty crime against tourists who stand out. At night, much of the Microcentro becomes a hauntingly subdued version of its robust self. (An exception is the theater district on Av. Corrientes, which remains frequented by nighttime pedestrians, as well as the walkways of Florida and Reconquista streets.)

Housing tends to be reasonably priced, but there is little new construction. Nevertheless, there are classic porteño apartments, with high ceilings, stained-glass windows and wrought-iron balconies situated in ornate buildings, which can be found in the blocks around the diagonal avenues (Av. R.S. Peña and Av. Roca) that lead to Plaza de Mayo. The neighborhood is convenient for those who work in the vicinity, but not in great demand since public transportation easily connects the center to other residential (and more peaceful) neighborhoods. The area is serviced by the A, B, C, D and E Subte lines.

International Schools: There are no international schools in this barrio.

Supermarkets:

• Carrefour – Av. Rivadavia 999, 4345-2296

Restaurants: The business crowd keeps most restaurants crowded during lunch, and you can always find a good sandwich or pizza shop. Dinner is a bit of a different story, and the restaurants tend to become more touristy and bit overpriced for the quality. A few standouts, for lunch or dinner, are listed below:

• California Burrito Company (Lavalle 441, 4328-3057) is a California-style burrito restaurant that was opened up in Buenos Aires a few years ago by expats from California. Expect fresh ingredients and a good selection of burritos, tacos, guacamole, and margaritas.
• Parrilla al Carbon (Lavalle 663, 4328-0824) is a classic and cheap steakhouse in the heart of the Center.

Cinemas:

• Arte Cinema, Salta 1620, 4304-8302
• Arteplex Centro, Diagonal Norte 1150, and Corrientes 1145
• Atlas Lavalle, Lavalle 869, 5032-8527
• Monumental, Lavalle 780, 4393-9008

Gyms:

• Le Parc Gym & Spa, San Martin 645, 4311-9191
• Megatlon Gym, Reconquista 335, 4322-7884
• YMCA, Reconquista 439, 4311-4785
• Sport Club, Av. Roque Sáenz Peña 647, 4328-2890

Retiro

Just north of the center, Retiro contains several blocks of posh-looking high-rise apartments and a few flashes of glitz, not unlike neighboring Recoleta. The bar-filled pedestrian street Reconquista is a popular destination for porteños after work, and there are several nice museums and galleries located within the range of beautiful Plaza San Martin.

Of course, the name ‘Retiro’ is also synonymous with the Retiro train and bus terminal, which carries a reputation for seediness and theft. If you’re looking to settle in this area, you likely won’t be affected by the crime around the station, since it’s cut off from the residential streets by the wide Avenida Libertador. For travel, you’ll doubtlessly pass through the terminal at some point, whether to take a bus out of town or ride the train to Tigre. Crime isn’t severe, but you should always be extra attentive of your belongings.

International Schools: There are no international schools in this barrio.

Supermarkets:

• Disco, Esmeralda 1365, 4393-5989

Restaurants:

• Kilkenny’s Irish Pub & Restaurant (Marcelo T. de Alvear 399, 4312-7291) is an Irish pub on bustling pedestrian street Reconquista. Try their Guinness Irish Stew, or have a pint of Harp after a long day. At night, the area turns into a happy hour lover’s dream with tables and chairs outside, enveloping the street.
• La Esquina de Las Flores (Av. Cordoba 1587, 4811-4729) is a dependable haunt for vegetarians and vegans with limited options in this meat-loving city.

Gyms:

Most Retiro residents take advantage of the gyms in the Microcentro a short walk away.

Puerto Madero

Porteños say there is the City of Buenos Aires, and then there is Puerto Madero. Lying on the old port east of the center, this newest barrio is a phoenix rising from the ashes of its rundown infrastructure. Along with swanky waterfront restaurants, Puerto Madero boasts the newest buildings and the highest real estate prices in the city. On one side of the docks lie the long rows of old, red-brick buildings that are now top eateries and converted lofts. On the other side, five-star hotels and high-rise office and condo buildings are springing up at an alarming rate. Yet the sense of a unified neighborhood hasn’t arrived just yet; a bubble seems to cloak this part of town.

To get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, many porteños escape to the tranquility of the Ecological Reserve, located on the easternmost side of Puerto Madero. Few colectivos venture here, and the only Subte line that gets you close is the B line, whose last stop is about three blocks from the western limit.

International Schools: There are no international schools in this barrio.

Supermarkets:

• Jumbo, Lola Mora 427- Dique 1, 4006-3290

Restaurants: Puerto Madero is the place to go for lavish restaurants. There’s nothing like dining dockside late in the evening and watching the glimmer of the cityscape reflected in the waters. Besides great parrillas and bars, you can find a Hooters and TGIFriday’s here as well. If it’s hot wings or a fine steak you crave, this is the area for you. Prices tend to be inflated because of the inherent trendiness of the barrio, but the service is some of the best in the city and the food quality is reliably good.

• Siga la Vaca (Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 1714, 4315-6801). Lunch prices at this parrilla have climbed, but the all-you-can-eat asado remains one of the big draws along the docks. With a price that includes access to a vast salad bar and one wine bottle (yes, bottle) per person, you’ll have no trouble feasting to your heart’s content.
• Rodizio (Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 838, 4334-3638) is a great Brazilian steakhouse right on the water, a bit fancier and pricier than Siga la Vaca. They also have buffet options and too many cuts of meat to exhaust.
• Hooters (Alicia Moreau de Justo 840, 4331-0849). Specializing in small fried chicken wings and pitchers of Miller Lite, many Americans seek the comforts of home at this shamelessly tacky-but-oh-what-the-hell bar/restaurant.

Cinemas:

• Cinemark 8 Puerto Madero, Alicia Moreau de Justo 1920, 0800-222-2463

Gyms: Most residents go to the nearby Megatlon on Av. Reconquista and Av. Corrientes. As with the supermarkets, keep an eye out for new gyms opening as this area continues to grow.

San Telmo

The antique barrio of San Telmo is what everyone thinks the “real” Buenos Aires should look like: colorful two-story houses with baroque frames lining cobblestone streets, with a picturesque bar or cafe on every corner. Lying immediately to the south of the center, it’s the historical heart of the city and today a popular area for artisans, musicians, dancers and international hipsters to congregate. This area is thought to be the birthplace of tango, and around every corner there is a restaurant that boasts a nightly tango show. During the Feria San Telmo on Sundays, tango dancers will put on free shows in the street for passersby.

The barrio does get a bad rap for insecurity, but this is mainly having to do with its proximity to Constitucion to the west and La Boca to the south. The few blocks to the west of Chacabuco St. are sketchy, as is the area in and around Parque Lezama (the southernmost point) at night. Otherwise, you’ll be fine if you don’t stand out as an out-of-towner.

International Schools: There are no international schools in this barrio.

Supermarkets:

• Super Eki – Av. Independencia & Defensa
• Coto – Perú 1496, 4362-5319

Restaurants: There are many restaurants, and the quality varies greatly. A few delicious choices are listed below:

• Brasserie Petanque (Defensa 596, 4342-7930). This is one of the few genuine French restaurants in the city, and with a freshly updated specials and lunch menu, their food always ensures delight. At lunch and dinner, each diner is greeted with a small apertif of sherry when they sit down.
• Cafe San Juan (Av. San Juan 450, 4300-1112) is a nifty little bistro that plays on the best of Argentina’s European heritage. A typical meal starts with fresh bread and zesty tapas and hits its stride with premium seafood gathered off the Atlantic coast. Reservations recommended.
• Bar El Federal (Perú & Carlos Calvo, 4300-4313). This can turn into a tourist trap as it is listed in many guide books, but the food and drinks are consistently good and inexpensive. If you’re craving a good sandwich, this is the place to go. Another surprise is the pumpkin ravioli with a basil pesto sauce – delicious!

Cinemas: There are no cinemas, as most of the original theaters have remained dedicated to tango shows. However, the Cinemark 8 Puerto Madero is close by.

Gyms:

• City Gym – Perú 467, 4343-8060

Recoleta & Barrio Norte

Recoleta is where Buenos Aires’ moneyed classes reside — living and dead. At the outbreak of a yellow fever epidemic in the 19th century, the well-heeled fled San Telmo and established this barrio as their abode. That elite air still persists today, sometimes stiflingly so. Nevertheless, it remains one of the more popular destinations for expats due to its location and comfortable living. Many of the foreign embassies are located in this area, and with the sprawling trees and beautiful European architecture, you will feel like you’re in a dream. The streets are well-lit at night, and the city noises seem to be muffled as you walk along the sidewalks, smelling the jasmine-scented senna trees, or the bright red flowers of the limpia tuvos (bottle brush) trees. The world-famous cemetery where Eva Peron rests is a must-see, and the enveloping plazas and nearby cultural center offer much cultural cool. That said, nightlife is mostly lacking and restaurants of interest are hit or miss.

“Barrio Norte” is the informal name for the area of Recoleta that borders next-door Palermo, mainly between Avenidas Cordoba and Santa Fe. The D line of the Subte runs under Santa Fe, which is also one of the principal shopping corridors in Buenos Aires. Because of its location along a main artery of the city, it is very easy to get to and from this area using any of the public transportation systems, regardless of where you may be.

International Schools: There are no international schools in this area, so many of the diplomats who are concentrated in this area send their children into the northern province where there are several English schools. See a list of schools located in the province at the bottom of this page.

Supermarkets: Many residents of these barrios shop at the smaller, local corner stores, but there is one large supermarket located on Beruti:

• Carrefour – Beruti 2951, 4108-0200

Restaurants: This area is known for its restaurants, although you won’t find a wide range of food. Most bars/restaurants are variations on the same theme, but there are a few standouts:

• Casa Bar (Rodriguez Peña 1150, 4816-2712). This American bar/restaurant has large flat-screen TVs showing basketball and American football games all night. You can order thin-crust pizza, hot wings that are getting spicier by the month, and nachos and sip of beer, or mixed drinks from the bar. The prices are reasonable, and they have happy hour every day from 8-10pm.
• Piola (Libertad 1078, 4812-0690). This restaurant has the best pasta and pizza in town, and unlike many other pasta places, there are a wide variety of dishes to choose from. The flavors are fresh and delicious, and it is frequented and known by many locals. No reservation is necessary for dinner during the week, but it is a good idea to call ahead on the weekends.

Cinemas:

• Atlas Patio Bullrich, Posadas 1245, 4814-7447

Gyms:

• Megatlon Gym, Arenales 1930, 4811-2565
• Megatlon Gym, Rodriguez Peña 1062, 0810-666-6496
• Sport Club, Paraguay 2060, 4961-4422

Palermo

This hip and trendy area covers most of Avenida Santa Fe, with the D line stopping at six stations in the barrio. Apartments here usually offer all the amenities of modern living, and the many shopping and eating options elude airs of glamour and chic, minus the exclusivity of Recoleta. With subdivisions nicknamed Soho and Hollywood, one can clearly see what Palermo aspires to. On top, the city’s largest concentration of parks and country clubs are in this barrio, as well as the Argentine Polo club and Hipodromo (horse racing track), Buenos Aires Zoo, and Japanese Gardens. Small wonder, then, that this area remains the most popular in the city for expats — families, students and retirees alike.

Because of its great, sprawling size, Palermo usually gets divided into sub-neighborhoods. Palermo Viejo is the old, house-filled part of the barrio, and is more-or-less fused with trendy Palermo Soho west of Scalabrini Ortiz. The pulsating nightlife continues further west and past the train tracks in Palermo Hollywood. On the other side of Santa Fe towards the river, there’s Palermo Chico and Las Cañitas, which have seen the greatest high-rise construction around those green spaces.

Palermo is generally safe, but there is a lot of traffic so always be sure to keep your belongings close to you. Hundreds of colectivos travel through Palermo, and it is always easy to get to and from at any time of the day or night.

International Schools: There are no international schools located in this barrio.

Supermarkets:

• Jumbo, Av. Bullrich 345 (Las Cañitas), 4778-8000
• Carrefour, Scalabrini Ortiz 3128 (Palermo Chico), 4108-0600
• Disco, Bulnes 2117 (Palermo Chico), 4825-3300
• Disco, Paraguay 4302 (Palermo Viejo), 4831-8881
• Coto, Honduras 3862 (Palermo Soho), 4861-8926
• Coto, Av. Cabildo 545 (Las Cañitas), 4711-1012. Hidden inside, believe it or not, is a full parrilla restaurant, Afuego, that serves an all-you-can-eat asado, with live shows on the weekends.

Restaurants: New eateries are opening left and right in Palermo. There are scores of parrillas, but more significantly the international food scene is blossoming. The best areas for restaurants are Palermo Soho and Hollywood: sprinkled amid the many restaurants are bars and night clubs, and both porteños and expats flock to this area for a night of dinner and dancing. Some noteworthy restaurants are listed below:

• Miranda (Costa Rica 5602, 4771-4255). This parrilla is a bit less expensive than its more popular and touristy counterpart, La Cabrera, which is located just a few streets up. The quality of food is superb, and the service is excellent. The restaurant fills up quickly, so reservations are recommended.
• Bangalore (Humboldt 1416, 4779-2621). This popular bar has a small seven-table Indian restaurant on its second floor that serves the best curry dishes in Buenos Aires. The prices are decent for the amount of food you get, and the wine and beer lists are extensive. You will have to call ahead to make reservations.
• Armenia (Armenia 1366, Primer Piso, 4776-2500). If you’re looking for authentic Armenian cuisine — including eggplant mutabal, grilled kebabs and rice pilaf — this is the place to go. Located in the small Armenian cultural district on the street of the same name. Reservations are suggested on the weekends, as it fills up quickly.
• Paru (Bonpland 1823, 4778-3307). Calling this a Peruvian restaurant is a bit like calling the Taj Mahal a white palace. Paru offers an entertaining, decorative fusion of high-quality dishes from Peru with those from the Asian countries that have influenced it the most — sushi rolls alongside ceviches and a few surprises in between. Call ahead or reserve online.
• Morelia (Humboldt 2005, 4772-5979) serves grilled thin-crust pizza with dozens of toppings to pick from, a pleasant, inexpensive departure from the standard Argentine pie. There are also some delectable pasta dishes to whet the appetite.
• Bar BQ (El Salvador 5800, 4779-9124). An American-styled joint that does a pretty good job of curing US expat homesickness. The homestyled babyback ribs and hot wings are sure to do the trick when the 4th of July rolls around.

Cinemas:

• Cinemark 10 Palermo, Beruti 3399 (Palermo Chico), 0800-222-2463

Gyms:

• Megatlon Gym, Migueletes 1023 (Las Cañitas), 4772-9736
• Megatlon Gym, Arenales 3370 (Palermo Chico), 5777-8205
• Sport Club, Cabrera 4848 (Palermo Viejo), 4776-6236

Congreso & Tribunales

This area lies directly west of the Center, from which it is separated by Avenida 9 de Julio (reputedly the widest street in the world), along the A and B Subte lines. It is the site of the National Congress, facing the beautiful Plaza del Congreso, and the nation’s highest court, the Palacio de Justicia at Plaza Lavalle, which is also the site of the city’s grand opera house, the Teatro Colon. The area sees a lot of protests and marches, and the closing off of traffic on the main avenues (Callao and Corrientes) is a common frustration. There are many law and lobbying firms close by, as well as a mix of crumbling homes and austere buildings, which lends a certain charm and true “Latin American” feeling to this area. Most of the real estate is rent-centered for politicians and their staff coming in from the provinces and the rest of the country. However, you can find some great properties for decent prices. It is a very high-traffic area during the daytime, and it’s best to stay on your guard at night.

International Schools: There are no international schools in this barrio.

Supermarkets:

• Carrefour – Av. Córdoba 1439
• Coto – Av. Córdoba 1571, 4811-1091
• Disco – Av. Callao 35, 4384-1227

Restaurants: Because of the lawyers and politicos, most restaurants cater to the lunch crowd, with empanadas and pizza being the most common food found here.

• Two of the very best old-school pizzerias are Güerrin (Av. Corrientes 1368, 4371-8141) and La Americana (Av. Callao 83, 4371-0202). If you go at lunchtime, expect to eat your meal standing along one of the counters.
• El Hispano (Salta 20, 4382-7534). This Spanish establishment delights with its variety of fresh seafood, including specialties from the Valencia and Andalucia regions of the motherland.

Cinemas: In addition to its live theaters, Avenida Corrientes has a handful of small cinema houses that show critically acclaimed international films, sometimes months after their releases in their countries of origin. For a taste of the local film industry, the main theater of the government-funded National Film Institute of Argentina (INCAA) is the place to go (Av. Rivadavia 1635, 4371-3050).

Gyms:

• Megatlon Gym, Pasco 48, 4952-3830

Once & Abasto

These neighborhoods pick up the story where Congreso leaves off, while throwing in an exciting ethnic mix into the narrative. Once (pronounced ‘on-seh’) is centered around Estacion 11 de Septiembre, the chief train station for connections to the western suburbs. The Jewish community of Buenos Aires has held a strong presence here, and the area has diversified with recent immigration from Bolivia, China, Korea and Peru. Just as prominently, this is the main district for bargain shopping in the city, where block after block of stores has cheap electronics, clothing, textiles and fabrics, and even souvenirs and party supplies; these are sold wholesale (‘por mayor’) to retailers or direct (‘por menor’) to the consumer.

Abasto more or less overlaps with Once, but it’s mainly focused at the intersection of Corrientes and Agüero. Even more than San Telmo, Abasto has a strong tango heritage, owing to its association with the legendary Carlos Gardel. The blocks surrounding the Mercado de Abasto shopping center (itself an architectural wonder) are devoted to Gardel’s myth and legacy.

Housing is well priced, although the shopping corridors are prone to petty crime, and the area around the train station is best avoided at night.

International Schools:There are no international schools in these barrios.

Supermarkets:

• Coto, Agüero 616, 4865-7515 — one of the biggest locations in the city, a one-stop megamart that takes up two floors.

Restaurants:

• El Rey (Agüero 457, 4867-3233). Abasto is where Peruvians go to satiate their homesick palates, and this restaurant with a semi-formal decor offers a nice bang for the buck. The ceviche is rich and so is the variety of pisco sours. Reservations aren’t necessary.
• Bi Won (Junín 548, 4372-1146). Finding ethnic culinary variety can be difficult in Buenos Aires, but this Korean restaurant is a gem, with low prices for bul goh gee, jap jae, and kimchi. Reservations are recommended.

Cinemas:

• Hoys Abasto, Av. Corrientes 3200, 0810-122-HOYTS (46987)

Gyms:

• Planet Fitness, Av. Rivadavia 2285, 4954-3854
• Ipanema Health Club, Boulogne Sur Mer 702, 4766-2069

Almagro, Villa Crespo & Caballito

These middle-class barrios are frequently overlooked by newcomers to Buenos Aires. They lie to the far west of the Microcentro, past Congreso, along the A and B lines (Avs. Rivadavia and Corrientes, respectively). Shopping is very much based in the specialty stores more than big-name chains and vendors like to get to know their customers. Nightlife is concentrated around Avenida Cordoba, across which Palermo has been spreading its heady influence, but otherwise life is pretty “tranquilo”. At the corner of these three barrios is Parque El Centenario, an oasis of green space with a duck pond, a lively flea market, and musicians jamming on Sundays. Many porteños are flocking to this area as a less expensive alternative to Palermo (which lies just to the north), and you will tend to get more space for your money, even if the buildings are older and the amenities are fewer. They’re an authentic surrogate to the trendier barrios.

International Schools: There are no international schools in these barrios.

Supermarkets:

• Jumbo – Guardia Vieja 4558, 4867-7300
• Carrefour – Av. Donato Alvarez 1351, 4108-0800
• Coto – Malabia 103, 4857-6799

Restaurants: Most of the restaurants in these areas tend to be small cafe or deli style.

• El Andén, Yerbal 1255, 4431-8563. A great locals place, where you can stop in any time of day and get something to eat.
• La Crespo, Thames 612, 4856-9770. Jewish delis are plentiful in Villa Crespo and this one packs a kosher punch, with a menu featuring knishes, hot pastrami sandwiches and bagels stuffed with smoked salmon.

Cinemas:

• Arteplex Duplex Caballito, Av. Rivadavia 5050, 4902-5682
• Cinemark 6 Caballito, Av. La Plata 96 y Av. Rivadavia, 0800-222-2463

Gyms:

• Le Parc Gym & Spa, Yerbal 150, 4901-8200
• Megatlon Gym, Juan B. Justo 2650, 0810-666-6496
• Sport Club, Acoyte 702, 4958-5274

Belgrano

This mostly residential barrio lies at the northernmost end of the D line, where Av. Santa Fe turns into Cabildo. After Palermo, Belgrano has been growing as a favorable destination for expats with children. Because of its location further from the Center, you are likely to get a little bit more for your money in regards to real estate. Many apartments and condos have been recently updated with air conditioning (still a luxury in Argentina) and hardwood floors, and your chance of living in an actual house is greatly increased here. Barrio Chino (Chinatown), which runs a few blocks along Arribeños, also has some pleasant neighborhoods surrounding it. There is a central hub for colectivos located at Juramento and Virrey Vertiz.

International Schools: This barrio has the highest concentration of bilingual schools, as well as a close proximity to the suburban Zona Norte where even more international schools are found.

• Belgrano Day School
• Washington School

Supermarkets:

• Carrefour, Av. Roosevelt 5749, 4574-2017
• Carrefour, Monroe 1655, 4108-5500
• Super Eki, Montañeses 2067, 4777-0000

Restaurants: There are many restaurants located in this barrio, and more specifically many wonderful Asian restaurants in and near Chinatown. A few are listed below:

• Tuk Tuk (Mendoza 1970, 4783-0887). A great little Thai restaurant and massage parlor located on Mendoza just outside of Chinatown. They’re only open for dinner, but reservations are not necessary.
• Buddha (Arribeños 2288, 4706-2382). It’s not hard to see why Buddha Bar is the star of Barrio Chino: it serves first-class dishes originating from all corners of East and Southeast Asia, and some of the best shrimp, duck, and pork plates to be found in the city. Reservations recommended; closed on Mondays.
• Big Mama (Juramento 2156, 4781-0093). One of the few restaurants that offers a variety of steak, chicken, and fish, alongside a thorough wine list. The outdoor sitting area is calm and picturesque, especially in the late spring when the flowering trees start shedding their pedals.

Cinemas: There is also a high concentration of cinemas in this barrio.

• Arteplex Belgrano, Av. Cabildo 2829, 4781-6500
• Atlas General Paz, Av. Cabildo 2702, 5032-8527
• Belgrano Multiplex, Vuelta de Obligado and Mendoza, 4781-8183

Gyms:

• Megatlon Gym, Vuelta de Obligado 2250, 4784-6635
• Sport Club, Olazabal 2978, 4781-1307

Other Neighborhoods

Although they aren’t hot expat destinations yet, the barrios immediately west of Belgrano and Palermo present a comfortable change of pace to the kinetic lifestyle that gives the city its edgy reputation. These barrios — Nuñez, Saavedra, Coghlan, Colegiales and Villa Urquiza — are almost entirely residential and consist of charming rows of houses, some of which evoke a distinctly English style. The DOT Baires Shopping Center (Vedia 3626, 5777-9500), one of the city’s newest and biggest malls, is also in this vicinity. Because these barrios are quiet and mostly family-oriented, it may be a worthy consideration for those who are settling down for the long term and not big on apartment living. There won’t be many services in English, and not all realtors are accustomed to dealing with expats, but if you do invest in this area, you’ll discover a way of life that easily gets overlooked.

Besides the lack of an international crowd, also keep in mind location for transportation purposes. The B Line of the Subte terminates in Villa Urquiza, while the D Line reaches Nuñez. The Mitre train lines also connect these barrios to the Retiro station with relative ease. Taxis are a rare sight, especially late.

Zona Norte

Beyond city limits, Buenos Aires’ northern suburbs have elite schools, country clubs, big shopping centers and lots of green pastures. The term “Zona Norte” generally refers to the stretch of communities in the Province between the capital and Tigre; these include Vicente Lopez, Martinez, Florida, Olivos (also the official residence of the President of Argentina), La Lucila, San Isidro and Pilar, as well as Tigre itself (already a popular destination for city dwellers; see the “Day Trips” section for more). The suburbs just across the General Paz Expressway are mainly a continuation of the city in terms of their housing and density, and prices are a bit cheaper (although furnished apartments are less common). In the communities farther north, like San Isidro, houses with gardens and hedgerows are the norm. The Tigre train line will get you from Retiro to Vicente Lopez in 25 minutes, and all the way to Tigre in about an hour and 15. However, you’ll certainly need an automobile to survive if you choose to live in this area.

International Schools in Zona Norte:

• Buenos Aires International Christian Academy, San Fernando
• Florida Day School, Florida
• Lincoln School, La Lucila
• St. Andrew’s Scots School, Olivos
• St. George’s College North, Los Polvorines
• St. John’s School (locations in Beccar, Martinez and Pilar)

Websites

• For movie times and schedules, go to La Nacion website at http://www.lanacion.com.ar/
• Megatlon Gym http://www.megatlon.com/
• Le Parc Gym & Spa http://www.leparc.com/
• Sport Club http://www.sportclub.com.ar/
• Jumbo Grocers http://www.jumbo.com.ar/
• Carrefour http://www.carrefour.com.ar
• Disco Supermercados http://www.disco.com.ar/