Some Bs. As. Neighbourhoods
 

When I go to Buenos Aires in 2010, I may have to stay in or around some of these neighbourhoods:

1) Tres de Febrero
2) General San Martin
3) Villa Martelli

How are these barrios in general? Can one walk around at will? Restaurants, bars good? How is nightlife?

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Do you speak any Spanish...?

Sí, despues de hubiese aprendido el español de nivel de cuatro años, cuando asistiba a la escuela secundaria, ahora puedo leer algo sin dificilidad, entender a cualquier quien me hable, aunque la primera idioma que hubiese aprendido por niño es inglés, español, para mí, es la próxima más fácil. También sé el francés, portugués, holandés, en suma a las arribamente dicho. También puedo hablar bastante rápidamente, aunque con unas pausas. La idioma no debería la problema además...

Yes, so, I don't feel too uncomfortable with Spanish. :)

You will need fluent Spanish in those areas... as very very few people will be able to communicate in English. Your knowledge of Spanish will be very handy !! ^

Without wanting to alarm you and not knowing exactly where you will be staying, all the areas you mention have a high degree of "variability". What I mean is that while there certainly are some nicer residential areas in Villa Martelli, some parts will warrant caution. General San Martin and 3 de Febrero are areas I know much less... and while they too will have 'better' areas, you will still need to watch out about surrounding areas.

By 'variability' what I mean is that you may have a couple of blocks that are perfectly fine.. but in some areas one block can mean the difference between middle class suburbia and an an area where the Police dont go unless they have SWAT backup.

Knowing exactly where you are going, not taking a wrong turn and getting into more difficult areas will be key. Also, I dont know if you 'stand out' as a Foreigner... but this may also be an issue. I assume you have locals that live in these areas and they will of course be best suited to give you exact & specific advice on these areas. How will you get around... will you have your own car..???

All in all, please take all the above with a pinch of salt as Im by no means an expert in any of the areas you list above...

Cheers,
Gaucho100K

As for the Bars & Nightlife.... all these areas will have a good number of casual/family type restaurants, and some great street parillas. Bars with younger crowds will be more rare... but in the 'central' district of each area you may have a couple of places where folks hang out.

As for the nightlife... here I suggest you tread with caution. Im not sure I would recommend the clubs in those areas unless you are escorted by a local that knows the club scene** in the Province of Buenos Aires. Going clubbing alone in the 'Gran Buenos Aires' unescorted can be like Russian Roulette.... rubbing someone the wrong way, and/or chasing after the wrong piece of a$$ can very quickly mean a broken jaw (if you are lucky) or even worse.

Hope this helps.

(**) and I mean a regular clubber in the area, demographics are key in this aspect

I've seen pictures of areas such as General San Martin, and Caseros/Santos Lugares/El Palomar in 3 de Febrero, and I agree some areas look fine and some very suspicious, especially the latter of the above mentioned. However, for example, I am playing tournaments, and if I choose the one in Villa Martelli, I will have to stay there for two weeks. For example, the club location in Villa Martelli is on Calle Francisco Narciso de Laprida.

There is also a club in Vicente López. Wherever I end up, I had thought it would be interesting to view Gran Bs. As., at least the areas just west of General Paz. I have no car (walk? train?), and unless I make acquaintances with players at the club (who are actual residents of Gran Bs. As.: Martelli, V. López, San Isidro, 3 de Febrero, Gen. San Martin, etc.), I really do not know the areas well.

I do not know about how if I stand out as a foreigner or not, as I planned on not bringing my silver watch, which is my only jewellery (since I am male). I usually wear a regular outfit, regular T-shirt and denim jeans/khakis with Adidas trainers. I generally don't have expensive gadgets, but I would like to carry my digital camera. Also, I speak Spanish Spanish (Spain's version with vosotros, etc.); hopefully that will not identify me as an outsider.

I would like to visit those areas though, but I hope not to end up as a victim of any mugging or robbery...

As long as you dont wander around the Gran Buenos Aires on your own, you will be fine... not that this cannot be done but there are certainly a lot of places where I would not be comfortable going, and Im a native. Perhaps you need to liaise with your fellow chess players first and then decide what you are up to doing.

Just curious, which part of Gran Bs. As. are you from, and how are your experiences there?

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I live in Martinez and have never had any issues.

So that is up north near San Isidro, that should be a good place.

Do you know of a website that has pages for hotels, restaurants, pictures, etc. for neighbourhoods in Gran Bs. As.?

Do you know of a website that has pages for hotels, restaurants, pictures, etc. for neighbourhoods in Gran Bs. As.?

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Correct.

AjedrecístaBritánico, I don't think there's any way that you won't be seen as a outsider from your accent.

Apart from using vos/second person singular, there's zheísmo, and a distinctive intonation pattern. Whereas my Argentine friends might have trouble placing some Central/South American Spanish dialects, they tell me they can easily recognize somebody from Spain.

John

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+1