Buenos Aires Travel Forum

I am considering an apartment a block from Scalabrini Ortiz, but will be working in Puerto Madero every day in BsAs. How long will it take to go from Scalibrini Ortiz to Puerto Madero via Subte?

Also, what is the area near Scalabrini Ortiz like? Is it safe? Restaurants? Movies? If you have any insight -- I would really appreciate it!

Gracias & Cheers!
Beth

It is fairly nice area, not as upscale as some other areas but not dangerous or downtrodden. You will find lots of neighborhood restaurants and you will not be too far from Palermo SoHo where you will find many wonderful places to eat and drink. As for your question about the subte, sort of depends on where you are working in Puerto Madero. There is the city side and then there is the side across the canal. To get you close to the middle of Puerto Madero you would take the D line to 9 de Julio station and transfer to the B line to the final station Leandro N. Alem. From there you would have about a 3 long block walk. I would plan on at least a half hour commute time just on the subte.

As for movie theaters the closet ones to you would be at the Alto Palermo
Address: Santa Fe 3251
Tel: (54 11) 4827-8362
Inside the Alto Palermo shopping mall.

suerte
SAM

Beth,
My husband and I recently stayed in BsAs for two months. Our apartment was on French between Sc.Ortiz and Araoz. It is a nice area and is central to everything (shopping, restaurants, subte, etc). It is very safe and people are always on the street since they eat late. We never felt threatened and all you need to do is keep your wits about you and be smart. Sc. Ortiz is a pretty noisy street with buses running all the time and we might suggest an apartment on Arenales or at least a street that is not too near a major bus line. When we go this winter that will be a question we will ask the rental agent before renting. We also became very familiar with BsAs so we now know the right questions to ask.

The directions you received earlier were correct for getting to Puerto Madero. it is an easy commute, but may be busy depending on what time you are riding. I found a website about the subte and it is, www.wcities.com/outside.html?u=http://www.metrovias.com.ar. We always bought a multi ride ticket and it worked great. Depending on what the time is, you may be up close and personal with dozens of your new friends! ha-ha! There are times where the cars are very crowded.

There are couple of walking tour groups that give tours for free and only ask for a donation. It is a good way to get to know your new home. We used Cicerones de Buenos Aires and that was a great time. I still keep in touch with our guide. The guides are volunteers who love their city and like to show it off. Here is their website, www.cicerones.org.ar/index_eng.php?newLang=eng. Also there is a group called BA Free Tour. They also look interesting and we will probably try them next time we go just to see what they are like. Here is their site, www.buenosairesfreetour.com/en/

There is also a club called 'The English Group' that likes to meet and chat with English speaking people every Friday night.We met with them a few times and really enjoyed the experience. They meet in Belgrano which is a barrio right next to Palermo and is easy to get to via, Subte, taxi, or bus. Their site is, www.theenglishgroup.com.ar/.

The Alto Palermo theater is not in the shopping center, but is behind it on the corner Beruti and Bulnes. It is a nice theater and we went there often. It had all the latest movies and the American movies were subtitled in Spanish so there were no problems there. The seating was stadium-like and they assign you a seat just like at live theater. They will ask you where you want to sit. The prices are good and the sweet and salty popcorn is yummy.

The language there is, of course, primarily Spanish and most people don't speak much English even in the tourist areas. You will be fine even if you only have smattering of Spanish. You can find translation websites on the internet.

We also used Skype on our computer to communicate with friends and family at home. It was great and we could call their regular or cell phones in the USA for only 2 cents a minute! It is easy to set an account and if your friends have Skype you can call their computer for free!!

One last thing I would like to mention is a strange thing happened to me while taking pictures in a park. I was holding my camera out away from while looking in the viewfinder and a man rode by on his bike and snatched it right out of my hand!! So have a wrist strap and watch out for runners or bikers coming too close.

You will have wonderful adventure! Go and do as much as you can! We love it so much we may make it our home away from home. Ciao, Jackie (they say ciao, not adios)

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