Cheap Places to Live Miramar, Argentina ~ travel passion

Cheap Places to Live Miramar, Argentina

Any traveler who has ventured within its borders the last couple of years will exclaim emphatically: "Argentina is no longer cheap!" And they are correct.
As a whole, the country is slowly but surely gaining pesos to peso with its expensive neighbors Chile (to the west) and Uruguay (to the northeast) yet there are still a few desirable locations to hunker down for a year or two. A reasonable budget for Miramar would be $1000 USD per month.
You may have never heard of Miramar, Argentina before (unless you are a die-hard surfer) but most likely you have heard of Mar del Plata, Argentina - popular summer resort on Argentina's Atlantic coast just five hours from Buenos Aires.
Miramar is a short 40 minute drive (45 km/28 miles) from Mar del Plata (and its upscale shopping & vibrant nightlife) and has hourly bus service to and from Mar del Plata as well as first class direct service to Buenos Aires (6 hours), Bariloche (25 hours) and other tourist hot spots.
Miramar is a great small town to live with for an extended time with children; affectionately called "The City of Children". There is a skate park, swimming pool, gyms with youth classes, soccer leagues, etc.
A small casino and a few local pubs (many in summer) keep the adults happy most weekends (and weeknights!). The two local cinemas are open full-time only in summer with some weekend showings (and live entertainment) in winter.
However, Mar del Plata has two shopping malls, both with
multiplex movie theaters and an abundance of nightclubs and live show theatres.
There is crime and violent offenses do occur but are rare. In 2011 a teen was stabbed to death and posters with his photograph demanding justice - Justicia por Emiliano! - were plastered all over town, in cab windows, on doors of private homes. The offenders were caught by police. Important to note is that crime in Argentina is increasing throughout the country. In the past two years many older retirees have moved to Miramar to escape the high-level of crime in Buenos Aries.
You can rent a studio or one-bedroom apartment for $300 - $400 USD per month, two to three-bedroom house or apartment for $500 - $600 USD.
To find a low-cost rental you must search outside of the high-season summer months December to March. Prices triple during this time.

Best Places to Grocery Shop in Miramar

There is a chain supermarket - Toledos - yet your best bet to find budget deals and fill your bags full of all you need is to head to the intersection of Calle 19 and Diagonal Fortuna de la Plaza streets.
On the corner is Autoservicio Venezia
every deli item you could wish for and all the basics plus many imported items. It also has a large wine and spirits selection.
Next door to Venezia you have a bakery, then three doors down a carniceria (meat market in English) and huge fruit and vegetable kiosk across the street.
Two of the most popular take-out shops (no seating areas, only food to go) are located at this intersection as well – Grass with tortas, quiche, salads, pizzas, etc. and La Cocina de Mama - a rotiseria and parrilla with cooked meats, chicken, mashed potatoes, vegetable dishes, etc. sold by the kilo.
An espresso will cost approximately $1.75 USD and liter of Quilmes or Brahma beer only $1.75 USD (bought at a store, restaurant price around $4 USD).
A meal in a restaurant runs from $7 USD (choose the 'menu del dia' for best value) to $10 USD per person. You can purchase a bottle of wine for $2 USD and there are many specialty foods shops (including organic/wholefood shops great for vegetarians) - some closed during the winter months.
If you need a cadre of English-speaking expats awaiting your arrival in Miramar you will not find it. There are few English-speakers and only a handful of expats located in the area.
It is a very traditional Argentine balneario (seaside resort) with many families and elderly living full-time but the bulk of the houses owned by wealthy Argentines who visit in the summer.

Things You Will Love Living in Miramar

The city of Mar del Plata - and its shopping & nightlife - only 40 minutes away.
Miles of Atlantic ocean shoreline virtually vacant during the winter but bustling with summer fun January & February.
One of the safer locations in Argentina for families, many kid-friendly activities and locals to interact with.
Small casino for small-time gamblers!

Things You May Not Like Living in Miramar

No large English-speaking community like you have in Buenos Aires, Mendoza and Bariloche. There is a small church group with missionaries from the U.S., but not many expats.
It is a very traditional Argentine town geared towards families, and small. How welcomed you will be living there full time depends on many factors, but speaking the language is a must.
Winters are cold with bone-chilling wet weather and strong winds. Great time to hop on the bus and play in the snow at Bariloche (direct service from Miramar, 25 hours) or Esquel (an additional 3 hours from Bariloche)!