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I guess the memory-legend-true myth of our trip to Bariloche will always be “Let’s sell everything and live here” this after about an hour looking out over Lake Nahuel Huapi. Snowy peaks surround this lake of indescribable blue. The water so pure you could drink it straight with no harm. The air is so clean, it recalls a kind of genetic memory of a time when pristine actually described something in your life. We, in the USA, live in a world of varying shades of gray. The ’well-to-do’ exist in the lighter shades (of gray), but the rest of us move in a darker world. We buy a Quadra filter for the air, a Brita for the water, condoms to make love, we just try to survive to “Miller Time”. Now, here was San Carlos de Bariloche and the rules had changed. I couldn’t have been more stunned if Jesus Himself came walking across the water. Mi “Suegra” (mom-in-law) had just said she was willing to sell everything and move to a country where they didn’t even speak English. My wife Brandi and I had come to this place knowing we could fall in love with the beautiful scenery, hoping everything else would be good as well. But Donna, my “Suegra” hadn’t even looked at the pictures on the internet. She had come with us to see some place new, (probably wishing in her heart we had wanted to go to Italy instead). But we had found a “Sistine Chapel” done a little more directly by God and we will never be the same. The odd thing about beauty is, that it is impossible to describe, photograph, paint or fake. You can only experience it.

House in Arrayanes National Park near Bariloche

The first hurdle to getting to know the people of Argentina, of course is Spanish. Not just any Spanish. In Argentina they speak a ‘black-belt’ Spanish called Castellano. I don’t have much problem with speaking  English - when it comes to English, I have it sprawled in the dust, my knee on it’s chest. Spanish however, is another matter; I’m rolling towards the cliff, my hand on my face trying to remember the word for ‘Help’. So Spanish can be difficult. However, to my surprise learning Spanish in Bariloche turned out to be pretty easy. Years of ‘grits’ fed “americanos” saying “Beyoon-ass Dee-ass had led the entire country of Argentina to adopt “Buen Dia. Simple. Easy. Covers the bases, and sells the handicrafts. My Spanish being from Mexico and not the local brand, didn’t seem to be any problem. Bored shop workers perked up with the most simple good manners; Que Tal? (how’s it going?) Como Estas? (How are you?). They became interested and human contact was made. Strange. To test this new discovery, I began to speak to people in the street, and fellow shoppers in the stores. Even with my terrible Spanish, people talked with me, asked questions, laughed at my commentary, and made me feel a human comfort which has been absent from my USA living experience for years. People over-hearing the conversations entered in with comments and ready, easy laughter, followed by my wife dragging me away to complete our ‘pre-ordained’ shopping ‘mission’. Days later people - no longer strangers - would smile and wave. What was going on here? 

We rode the cable car to the top of ‘Cerro Otto’ and ate a bad lunch in the rotating restaurant. We walked off lunch looking at Michaelangelo art in a striking showroom, complete with a full sized “David”. We sampled chocolate liquor and exchanged taking photos with Argentine tourists. But the 800 pound gorilla - the view - is so distracting, conversations fade in mid-sentence. You find yourself staring...and try to keep your mouth closed. The boat trip to Isla Victoria takes you a little further from your routine and provides a new perspective on the magnificent Andes. As folks often do we compared this experience with others we had had but after a few moments we realized there were no “comparables”. Bariloche has Sequoias - something I miss from California - I guess I am a ‘tree-hugger’. There are hundreds of day trips you can take within a hundred miles of Bariloche. All of them look like a great way to spend the day. We ran out of time.
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San Carlos de Bariloche

Lake Nahuel Huapi

Real Estate In The San Carlos de Bariloche Region

There are at least 13 Inmobiliarias (Real Estate Companies) listed  in SISTEMA INMOBILIARIO which is a multiple listing type organization. A foreigner trying to buy property through any one of these companies is probably safe from fraud. At least this was the opinion of the bankers and lawyers we spoke to. Spend some time getting to know people and someone will recommend an agency. Hire a lawyer to check every detail. There is no “escrow” type service. A Notary called an “Escribano” will do the checking and verification of true title, back taxes, exact boundaries etc. I had two Escribanos highly recommended to me and there doesn’t seem to be a problem having the final paperwork double-checked. The Escribano is a government functionary that finalizes the deal. When they say the deal is done your name is recorded on the deed and you no longer need to worry about ‘silent partners’ or ‘hidden liens’. This being said “Exercise every bit of due diligence” you can. Check Every Corner and make sure your house is on the lot you are buying. Some beautiful 2-3-4 bedroom houses come on undivided lots - this means two (or more) houses on one lot. If you don’t speak Spanish, it is not too difficult to find someone (a third party) who can translate for you, so that you understand what and where you are buying. You can always (after May 10, 05) call us - we have legal resources and real estate professionals that can assure your peace of mind.
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Countryside near San Carlos de Bariloche

Beach near Rio Limai

To contact Doug Click Here
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