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BASIC INFORMATION
FOR YOUR TRIP TO BUENOS AIRES
This packet
will hopefully help with some of the questions that some of you may be
having about going to Buenos Aires. Questions such as what's the best
way to handle my money, or what are some of the cultural differences that
I might encounter? Of course, every person is different, and every person
is going to have a different experience, but there are some common emotions
that people go through, and some common challenges that people have to
face when they are in a foreign country whether they be American, Argentine,
or Pakistani. So hopefully, this packet in some way will be a useful reference
to some of the questions that you may be having.
First
Things First, Money?
I'm sure money is the first thing on anybody's mind when traveling. What's
the best way to manage it, and where to keep it are important questions
that every foreign student is going to have. The first thing that you
will have to do when you get there is finding a bank that will allow you
to open a savings account. While looking for a bank make sure that the
bank can offer you a Banelco card (automatic teller machine card).
Make a
Budget!
During your first months in Buenos Aires make a list of your monthly expenditures.
So, the first thing to do is to start keeping track of how much money
you normally spend on things such as food, school supplies, entertainment,
and utilities(gas, water, and phone bills). You will not be able to form
your budget until you have been in Buenos Aires for a month or so.
1. Establish
your basic needs!
Your basic needs will be composed of rent, food, bathroom and cleaning
supplies, and the materials for all your classes. Some things you will
need to buy only once. For example, school supplies will be bought at
the beginning of each semester. It is the same with most of your cleaning
supplies and some of the things of the house.
2. Buy
in bulk!
Buying in bulk means to buy in large quantities. With house supplies and
food, it is always a good idea to buy in bulk. That way you don't have
to make repeated trips to store. When shopping, keep in mind that big
stores such as Carrefour, Wall Mart, Jumbo, and super markets such as
Disco, Norte, Cotto, will be less expensive and have more selection. Convenience
stores will be convenient and close to your house but often they will
be twice as expensive.
3. Food
Plans
After you have spent about a month in your new city you will realize what
your expenditures are going to be. That way you can start planning your
budget, and figuring out how much money will be necessary on a monthly
basis. Remember to leave some money for traveling and entertainment.
Miscellaneous
Information
Housing Information
1. Choices.
When beginning to search for a house it is important to know what your
choices are. You can rent an apartment, but remember that you will have
to pay at least one month's deposit and one month's commission, you can
live at a Residencia Universitaria, or rent a room at a family's. You
should also consider the means of transportation. Some areas of the city
have better transport system. You should make sure that you are close
to the subway stations, and / or bus stops.
2. Hints
for Apartment Seekers.
Be careful with landlords! That is the number one hint. Make sure you
see the apartment or house before you decide to rent it. Also, ask the
present people who live there what the landlord is like. For example,
does he fix things on time, does he call before he comes over, just basically
check with the present tenants to see if the landlord is reliable person.
The best place to look for rentals is in the newspaper, but you'll also
be able to see rental signs, and if you want you can go to a housing agency,
although these tend to be expensive.
3. Read
the Lease Carefully!
Leases can be very wordy and very hard to follow at times. If you have
any doubts make sure you have someone that you trust help you understand
the lease. Often, the landlord will ask for a lot of money due in advance.
If you monthly payments aren't made exactly on these days the landlord
has the option to charge you late fees, which can be quite expensive.
Questions
to have in mind.
- Amount
of rent? What is included in rent? (gas or electric heating, water,
laundry).
Electric heating is much, much more expensive than gas.
- How many
persons may occupy the apartment? What is the guest policy?
- When and
how must the rent be paid each month?
- If roommates
share the apartment, who is responsible if one should leave?
- Under
what conditions are the security and cleaning deposits refundable?
- What is
the length of the occupancy? What is the landlord's right of entry?
- What are
the rules concerning pets, conduct, and the use of recreational facilities?
4. Deposits
First of all, a landlord has no right to require a non-refundable cleaning
or security deposit. The landlord may only keep those parts of the cleaning
and security deposit needed to repair damage caused by the tenant, to
clean the premise, or to make up for unpaid rent. If you pay a deposit
to a landlord, and then you change your mind about living in that area,
you are not entitled to receive any of your deposit back unless you had
previously agreed to it in writing.
5. Apartment
Sharing
If one roommate decides to move out of the apartment who is not on the
lease then the other roommates are responsible for the rest of the rent.
6. Damages
If you as a tenant, or a guest of yours causes any damage, you are responsible
for making any repairs or placing damaged items. All things must be returned
as received. To protect yourself from false accusations go through the
apartment with the landlord and make a list of the condition of the house.
Make sure the landlord signs this list, and this will protect you from
any false accusations when the lease ends.
7. Rent
The law states that rent is always to be paid in advance. That is to say
that rent paid on first of October will cover your rent for October. If
rent is not paid on this date, the landlord has the right to evict.
8. Choosing
a Neighborhood
When you find a house that seems affordable in the newspaper, make sure
that you check the neighborhood that it is in. Find out about safety,
transportation (buses, subways, etc.), shopping, library, post office,
etc.....
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