La garantía

So a quirky thing in Argentina: when you rent real estate, like an apartment, you have to have an individual who owns personal property sign on to the lease. Basically, that person and their property becomes collateral on the lease. Unfortunately, I think that Argentines fear quite a lot, and have lots of fear, comparatively more to what I've experienced in the US and other countries; I think this is one example of it. I understand the reason for their fear -- the economic crisis of late 2001 and 2002 is still fresh on everyone's mind, and most are very unwilling to even slightly risk their own assets to be a garantor. Thus, it makes it somewhat difficult for someone who can't afford their own place to rent an apartment.

So you wonder how young people start off and get going on their own? Slowly. I think I've found another reason why lots of people here stay in their parents' homes until they're 25 or 26, unless they get married before that age (that calls for a move out). It makes a lot more sense. Save longer with fewer expenses & keep eating the free cereal at home.