Apartment #7 - Saavedra

Nacho has lived in Saavedra his whole life, right on the edge of where Buenos Aires the capital becomes the province.  And because it is so close to the border it has a real sense of space and tranquility, a nice break from the hustle and bustle of downtown BsAs.  The suburb is also home to a huge park, just a couple of blocks from where he lives.

Nacho has been living in his apartment here for about a year, which he shares with his brother and two cats, one belonging to each of them.  It is the perfect house for two adventurous cats, as the back balcony opens up to a mish-mash of neighbouring walls and gardens ready to be explored.  The 1960s brown sofa and matching armchairs belonged to Nacho´s grandfather and go rather nicely with the peach coloured walls and patterned floor tiles.  Some concertina doors keep the 60s/70s vibe going and provide the option of separating the bedrooms from the living area and the kitchen.

Being so far away from the action makes for long bus and train trips every day, but Nacho wouldn´t have it any other way. The journey makes arriving home to the neighbourhood of his childhood even better.

Apartment #6 - La Boca

Gabriela has been living in her apartment in La Boca for about two years.  It is huge by Buenos Aires standards and quite a luxury that she only shares it with her boyfriend and not three or four other people as well (and this luxury was achieved by some serious Swiss planning).

La Boca meaning the mouth, is a port-side suburb home to Boca football stadium (la bombonera), the colorful Caminito tourist precinct and a whole lot of history.  The suburb has a reputation for being on the poorer and dodgier side of town, but it is a big neighbourhood and as always it depends on where you are and who you know.  Gabi lives close to the bottom of Parque Lezama and the neighbourhood of San Telmo, in a traditional and commercial area away from the tourists.  Her apartment is at the end of a long passage and up one flight of stairs.

Opening the apartment door, light fills the corrider that leads down one complete side of the building.  Along with light it is spacious, has a view from the living room to an immense garden next door, there is an exposed-brick wall in the dining area and most importantly, a rooftop terrace.

The apartment is her oasis in the city.

 

Gabriela´s favourite thing about the apartment is the rooftop terrace, complete with a parilla or bbq and views of nearby Boca Stadium.