Villa Crespo is a middle-class, residential neighborhood located slightly off the grid from Buenos Aires' most trodden tourist destinations. It might be the geographical center of Buenos Aires' 48 barrios, but it is far from being the center of attention, with a laid back atmosphere and tree-lined, cobblestone streets. Traditionally home to a large Jewish community, the neighborhood is changing as expats and young Argentine professionals are filling apartments, bringing with them a variety of restaurants and shops. The busiest parts of the neighborhood lay along the major avenues: Avenida Córdoba, which separates the neighborhood from Palermo, and Avenida Corrientes, which cuts the barrio in two.
While Villa Crespo maintains its identity as a quiet neighborhood for families and young couples, its location just outside of the hip and charming Palermo makes the spread of new restaurants and chic stores virtually impossible to resist. Its humility remains, but Palermo’s hot atmosphere is beginning to spill into the lukewarm Villa Crespo. As Palermo pulses with tourist activity nearby, it would be foolish to assume that Villa Crespo will stay quiet for much longer.