Expat Argentina

If you've read any travel sections in almost any newspaper over the last few years, you've no doubt seen article after article proclaiming Argentina and, in particular, Buenos Aires as the hottest new destination for expats. Since the Financial Crisis of 2001, this country that once boasted prices that rivaled those of major cities in the United States and Eurpoe, has become one of the cheapest countries in South America in which to live. Although, prices are beginning to rise, and inflation along with them, Argentina and its capital, Buenos Aires, are still drawing visitors, investors, and vacationers in droves. More European than American, Argentina remixes Old Europe with New South America and creates a culture that is dynamic, exciting, sensual, and, at times, exasperating.

Climate

Argentina is the eighth largest country in the world according to area and, as such, boasts many different climates, depending where you are. The majority of the land is a temperate climate, that doesn.t get too hot, or too cold, however there are exceptions. In the very north, the summers are usually quite hot and humid, and the winters are dry and mild. In the south, the summers are mild, but the winters are extremely cold with lots of snow. The Andes are the second highest mountain range in the world, so, depending on how high you are, can be extremely cold in the winter, and mild in the summer. Buenos Aires features warm summers (January is the only month that is usually very hot), and mild winters, only very rarely dropping down near freezing. Argentina can be quite windy, and there are many names for the different winds that blow. The Zonda is one such wind that blows from June to November. The air from the Zonda is a hot, dry wind that is the result of air coming off the Andes, and can blow for hours and hours. Zondas have been known to gust up to 75 km/h.

Government

The Argentine government is a federal democratic republic, where the president is the head of state, as well as head of government. Argentina has a history of political unrest and has had their share of dictators. From Juan Peron to the military junta of the late 70s and early 80s, Argentina has seen itself ruled by strong-willed, and strong-armed men (and occasionally, women), but those days are now in the past. Although the occasional protest is organized, and the piqueteros (protestors asking for more government jobs and benefits) still shut down traffic a few times a month, these are not dangerous events, and the average Argentine usually just grumbles about the delay. Corruption in government and the police is still a problem, but doesn.t typically affect the expat community.

Visa requirements are lax, and entering the country for Westerners is as easy as showing a passport. A tourist visa is good for three months, and can be renewed at the immigration office. Many expats living in Buenos Aires take the ferry across to Colonia, Uruguay every three months to extend their visa. The trip is 2-4 hours, depending which boat you take, and costs between $40 and $60 U.S. dollars. More information can be found at the Embassy of Argentina in Washington D.C. or the United States Embassy in Buenos Aires.

Tax System

Taxes in Argentina are fairly high, with the highest income tax bracket and highest corporate tax at 35%. There is also a value added tax, and a wealth tax. You can read more about the economic situation in Argentina in the Index of Economic Freedom: Argentina.

Medical Care

Health services in Argentina are good. In Buenos Aires, many European health clinics are available with quality, well-trained staff. Basic health insurance at these clinics can be very cheap and convenient; however, this type of coverage is limited to whichever clinic you purchase the plan from. Drugs are cheap and pharmacies plentiful. Dental care is quite inexpensive as well, and in the major cities, finding a quality dentist that studied in North America or Europe is quite easy. You should be able to have an exam and cleaning in a modern dentist.s office from a good dentist for around $20US.

Real Estate

Just after the Financial Crisis, even luxury apartments could be had for a song and a cup of coffee, but those days are over. Real estate is still very cheap by Western standards, but prices continue to rise. In the months following the crisis, a studio apartment in one of the better neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, could be found for around $30,000US. These days, the same apartment might be listed for double, if not more. Be warned, though: the Argentines are notoriously difficult to do business with, and if you are a foreigner trying to buy an apartment, you will be expected to pay cash for it! It sounds completely absurd, but you will be expected to show up for a meeting with the amount of cash (no checks, no wire transfers) required to purchase the apartment, and will have to count it with several different lawyers, notaries, and agents present.

Renting a property can also be an arduous task. Renting a furnished, tourist-style apartment is a fairly easy thing to do, but an unfurnished place will require more absurdities. You may be asked to pay the entire balance up front, or half, or even to pay a huge deposit. . .say, six months! Rental prices are reasonable, though, but climbing. A fully furnished 3 bedroom apartment in a good neighborhood with all the amenities can be found starting at around $1200. If you are a solo traveler, nice, well-located and furnished studio apartments can be found from $400 and up. Be aware: there are shady dealings that go on from time to time in Argentina (especially Buenos Aires), so it.s always a good idea to play it safe.never send money to anyone from the U.S., even if it appears to be a large apartment rental company. There are many instances of these companies telling visitors that they have an apartment reserved, and then neither giving them an apartment, nor refunding their money!

Shopping

Shopping in Argentina is a great experience, and there are plenty of bargains. If your passion is clothes, then you are in the right place. Leather goods are cheap, plentiful, and high quality. Restaurants are a mixed bag, however. Many expats, upon arrival, are crazy about the food, only to soon grow tired of the lack of diversity. Carnivores will be in heaven; vegetarians will not. Steak is the staple of almost every meal, and many Argentines eat it at least once a day! Dining out is quite reasonable, and a meal at a very nice restaurant should not cost more than $20 per person. Argentina is one of the top producers of wine in the world, and the quality is top notch. Bottles of very good wine can be found in supermarkets for as little as $7.

The tap water in most parts of Argentina is ostensibly safe to drink, but bottled water is recommended.

For those who love the nightlife, Argentina should be a top destination. Argentines eat dinner around 10 P.M., and many times the nightlife in discos and bars doesn.t get started until around 2 A.M.! There are also many tango shows, theatre productions, and art exhibitions that take place nightly.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Argentina is very affordable, but the prices are rising every year. After the crisis, Argentina went from the most expensive country in South America to live in, to one of the cheapest. Now, it is moving towards the middle. For a cosmopolitan city, Buenos Aires remains a very good bargain. Utilities are subsidized by the government, and light, water, and gas are outrageously cheap. So is the Internet. There is lots of competition in the ISP market, and a 1 MB connection can be found for as little as $20 a month! Two people should be able to live very well for $2000 a month, or less, with rent being the main cost. Getting out of Buenos Aires, the prices drop considerably, so for many expats, Mendoza, Cordoba, and some of the other secondary cities may be inviting options.

Extradition from Argentina

Argentina entered into an extradition treaty with the United States in 1972.