Housing near UCEMA
You've been accepted at Universidad del CEMA. Now comes the part nobody prepares you for: finding an apartment in a city you've never lived in, in a language you may not speak.
All-in prices: rent + building fees + utilities. Based on 49,408 verified listings from Airbnb, Argenprop, Zonaprop, and MercadoLibre.
All prices in USD. "All-in" = rent + building fees (expensas) + estimated utilities.
A Scout is a local expert who finds and verifies apartments for you. No fee until you sign a lease.
Top-ranked apartments near UCEMA
Ranked by a model of student daily life: commute to campus, total cost, noise, amenities. 49,408 listings total.
Rooms & studios: from $584/mo
Best-ranked shared rooms and studios near campus
Your own apartment: from $890/mo
Top-ranked 1BR apartments near campus
Spacious or prime location: from $1395/mo
Top-ranked larger apartments and prime locations
Monserrat: most affordable near UCEMA
Most students at UCEMA live in Retiro and San Nicolás. 1BR apartments in Monserrat range from $499 to $715/mo all-in.
| Neighborhood | Walk | Rooms | Studios | 1BR apts | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Retiro
Connected, uneven |
14 min | $510 to 569 | $382 to 508 | $552 to 868 | 120 |
|
San Nicolás
Central, weekday-only |
$396 to 493 | $414 to 414 | $573 to 782 | 73 | |
|
Monserrat
Best value
Historic, quiet nights |
$394 to 630 | $499 to 715 | 21 | ||
|
Recoleta
Elegant, upscale |
37 min | $600 to 746 | 10 | ||
|
Balvanera
Hectic, commercial |
$372 to 410 | 9 | |||
|
Constitución
Transit hub, rough |
2 | ||||
|
Palermo
Trendy, bustling |
1 | ||||
|
Núñez
Calm, riverside |
1 | ||||
|
Villa Urquiza
Quiet, suburban |
1 | ||||
|
Almagro
Student, affordable |
1 | ||||
|
San Telmo
Touristy, historic |
1 |
Prices in USD, P25–P75 range (middle 50% of listings). "All-in" = rent + expensas + estimated utilities. Walk = median walking time to UCEMA campus.
Bottom line: Monserrat gives you the best value near UCEMA.
True cost of a 1BR near UCEMA: $700/mo
If you see a listing for $510/mo and think that's your budget, it's not. By the time you add building fees, utilities, and guarantee costs, that apartment actually costs about $700/mo. Here's the breakdown based on 240 listings.
Business/economics focus. Sends students to Study BA portal (non-functional).
Internet and local transport not included.
International students in Buenos Aires typically choose between five housing options. The right one depends on your budget, stay length, and how much independence you want.
Five housing options, compared
| Type | Monthly cost | Pros | Cons | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Room in shared apartment | $300 – 500 | Social, cheapest, flexible terms | Less privacy, depends on roommates | Budget-conscious, social students |
| Entire apartment, furnished | $700 – 1,000 | Full independence, move-in ready | Higher cost, guarantee may apply | Couples, grad students |
| Homestay | $400 – 600 | Meals often included, safe, cultural immersion | House rules, less freedom | First-timers, younger students |
| Airbnb (monthly) | $1,200 – 1,500 | No commitment, furnished, instant booking | 39% premium over direct rentals | First 2 weeks while searching |
For stays under 12 months, furnished direct rentals (alquiler temporario) are almost always cheaper than Airbnb. A typical 1BR in expat neighborhoods costs $834/mo furnished vs $1,361/mo on Airbnb, saving $527/mo. Start on Airbnb for a few days while you view places in person.
95% of listings have WiFi, but only 27% have a desk
Amenity availability across 240 studio and 1BR listings near UCEMA.
Common (70%+) Mixed (40-69%) Rare (<40%)
What to watch out for
Deposit theft. Scammers collect deposits online and disappear. They create urgency ("someone else wants it") to pressure you into paying before you've seen the place.
→ How to avoid: Never transfer money before visiting in person. If someone asks for payment before you've seen the apartment, walk away.
Size misrepresentation. Photos show a different or larger unit than what you'll actually rent. Common in buildings with multiple unit types.
→ How to avoid: Always verify the exact apartment you'll be renting, not just the building lobby. Ask to see the unit number on the contract before signing.
Neighborhood mislabeling. Listings marked "Palermo" that are actually in Villa Crespo or Chacarita. A few blocks can mean a different barrio entirely.
→ How to avoid: Check the exact address on Google Maps before viewing. Unitrank shows the real barrio for every listing.
Mid-stay rent increases. Some landlords try to raise rent after you've moved in, knowing you're in a weak position as a foreigner.
→ How to avoid: Negotiate the full-term price upfront and get it in writing. DNU 70/2023 allows free negotiation, so your contract terms are what you agree to.
Fake guarantee companies. Fraudsters posing as guarantee providers collect fees and vanish, leaving you without coverage.
→ How to avoid: Only use recognized insurers (GarantiaYa, Garantor, Finaer). Never pay a "guarantee fee" directly to an agent or landlord.
Every listing on Unitrank shows verification data: source platform, listing age, and review count where available. Browse listings with trust data →
You may not need a guarantee
Good news: if you're staying under 12 months, you probably don't need a garantia. Temporary rental contracts (alquiler temporario) are the standard for exchange students and don't require any guarantee. This is what most international students use.
If you're signing a long-term contract (12+ months), you'll need one of these options:
Seguro de caucion: Insurance product, roughly 5% of total contract value. Recognized companies: GarantiaYa, Garantor, Finaer.
Garantia BA: Free government program for students with Argentine ID (DNI) and proof of university enrollment.
Prepay upfront: Some landlords accept 3-6 months prepaid instead of a formal guarantee.
From landing to moving in: a 7-day plan
A practical timeline from landing to moving in.
Apartments ranked for UCEMA
Unitrank ranks every listing by total cost for your life: commute to campus, rent, amenities, noise, everything.
See apartments ranked for UCEMA →Or talk to a Scout. WhatsApp +54 11-7174-5124 · EN / RU / ES