So, I spent a month in Buenos Aires, from mid-May to mid-June. As a 40-year-old digital nomad, I was keen to both work from my AirBnb and explore the city. Here’s my take on the experience, though everyone’s perspective may vary. Overall, I found the cons slightly outweighed the pros, but Buenos Aires is still a pretty cool place to chill, even for someone like me who leans towards introversion.
Let’s chat about productivity first. I had assumed May would be a decent time to visit, given the fall weather. However, it was dark until 8 am each morning, and then stayed overcast for a while, only giving me about 4 hours of good sunlight daily. This messed with my usual morning productivity vibe (my bad for not researching better). So, depending on your own rhythm, you might want to consider a different month.
On the social front, the digital nomad scene in Buenos Aires is alright. I hit up some meetups and went on a few dates. I’m not really a night owl, so the 11 pm dinner scene wasn’t my jam most nights. Also, I felt ghosting and tardiness were more common here than in other Latin American countries I’ve visited. Just my two cents.
Now, let’s talk about the city itself. Buenos Aires is super walkable. I was clocking around 20,000 steps daily. The architecture is fantastic, and I always felt safe, no matter the time of day. During my month-long stay, I appreciated the clear street signs, lovely parks, and the efficient garbage collection system. The city has a very European vibe, complete with window shades and bidets. The subway is a great way to get around, costing just a buck per ride, and it’s easy to navigate. They’ve even started accepting credit card taps for entry.
In terms of costs, my AirBnb was reasonably priced at around $950 CAD for a month, giving me a spacious 1-bedroom spot with fast internet. Ubers were also pocket-friendly. However, eating out or grabbing a drink could dent your wallet. Even a basic takeaway meal like shawarma set me back $12-15. And a single shot of liquor cost a whopping $15. Surprisingly, a bottle of Smirnoff vodka at a common convenience store was less than $10. Imported goods were pricier than local products, and beef