Living In: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Much like Argentina’s bustling wine industry, Buenos Aires brilliantly blends the old and new into a flavorful, cultural metropolis.

Known as “the Paris of the South,” this sensuous city entices expats and travelers alike with its European architecture, modern gastronomy and international culture.

Around 85% of Argentina’s population are of European descent, mostly from Spain and Italy. This sumptuous city includes a diverse people in both expats and porteños (residents of Buenos Aires).

Newcomers living in Buenos Aires have little difficulty finding others to relate to in the global milage that the city occupies. Don’t allow language or other fears step in the way of you moving abroad.

This highly cultivated nation enables business and daily life to be conducted easily, even if one’s time doesn’t allow for expert Spanish.

Cost of Living and Economics:

Expats are drawn to Buenos Aires’ low-cost-upscale-living ratio. The exchange giving those with dollars and euros a stretch for their money. However, the recent government monetary controls have made it difficult to procure American dollars. Annual inflation rates of over 30% are forcing people to secure funds by trading for American dollars on the streets or risk paying high rates for limited trade at the banks.

Providing the second-largest economy in South America, the greater metropolitan of Buenos Aires is home to over 13 million. Stretching along the Atlantic Ocean is Mar del Plata, supplying Argentina with one of the major ports of South America.

Despite the 2001 devaluation crises and inflation, the county holds a high standard of living accompanied with the highest rate of university students in Latin America. Predominately because of how inexpensive, mostly free, the education is. Thus providing businesses a highly skilled workforce at a lower cost.

Buenos Aires entrepreneurial economy is flooded with fresh, creative and innovative thinkers. Entrepreneurial organizations like Startup Buenos Aires offer resources for sustaining local startups in the capital city. The Economist writes that an estimated $22m-$44m is spent daily at Latin America’s largest informal market. Known as La Salada, the market delivers entrepreneurs an estimated one million workers with 30,000 stalls of commercial resources.

A number of resources proves Buenos Aires’ eagerness to invite more business startups to it’s city. There are many local media outlets similar to the Argentinian Independent, that provides news in English, giving expats easy access to up-to-date information on the local economy.

Buenos Aires Real Estate:

A recent Reuters article reports that “Argentina is still struggling with a dearth of hard currency and mortgages but with a change of government later this year, investors at home and abroad are positioning themselves for a real estate market revival they say is already taking root.” At the heart of the city lies Capital Federal which consists of 48 varying barrios. What might look on a map as daunting at first, the city is pedestrian friendly with wide, tree-lined, elegant avenues and modern public transportation. Buenos Aires’ recent transit revolution provides majority of the city with extremely affordable and accessible subways, busses, bike paths and taxis. Taxis generally cost around $2/ kilometer with the other various forms of city transportation even cheaper. Commuting in the city can cost you as little as $30 a month, making life in Buenos Aires more affordable and attainable.

Chic neighborhoods within the city like Recoleta, Palermo and Puerto Madero are choice real estate. These upscale residential and commercial districts are lined with parks, galleries, boutiques and tasteful dining.

A flat costing a person $3,500 monthly in San Francisco could be compared to a Parisian loft in the nicest areas of Recoleta for just $700. Expats looking to invest in rental property will find reasonably high rental yields within the city.

Buenos Aires’ real estate is typically purchased with efectivo, ironically meaning cash in Spanish. And with the dollar strong here, investors holding offshore accounts are far ahead of any competition.

Experiencing the Vibrant Cultural Life of Buenos Aires:

Offering more than 100 galleries, 300-plus theaters and a multitude of museums, the city is full of cultural living. Included is the historic Teatro Colon, once the largest in itself and named by National Geographic to be the 3rd best theatre world-wide.

One living in Buenos Aires could spend their day floating between the various avant-garde galleries, historic cafes, or by The Guardian’s standards, the most beautiful bookstores in the world.

Drawing you with romance and nostalgia, the city pulses with seductiveness. The tango, still very much alive here, is danced anywhere from alleyways to tango bars.

Buenos Aires cuisine, like many of it’s inhabitants is a melting pot of international gastronomy. Sophisticated restaurants and parrillas (steakhouses) serve up giant slabs of local steak paired with affordable world-class wine. A number of noteworthy restaurants are available at a reasonable cost. A recent article published by The Washington Post proves that for under $50, and at times half, two can enjoy an extravagant tasting menu accompanied with wine pairings.

Non-meat eaters need not worry. Vegetarian restaurants are becoming abundant in the rapidly changing culture that is. The city provides a bounty of sustainable cuisine including various organic markets, eateries and organic delivery outfits. Produce is rich in variety and remains relatively cheap. A 2 lb bag of apples or tomatoes would typically cost you under $3, a dozen eggs for about $3 and a qt of milk for around $1 in grocery stores. For those seeking out a more convenient option, there are companies as Tallo Verde delivering organic, local produce and gourmet foods such as cheese right to your front door.

Your Buenos Aires Hub and Travel Network: Argentina is the eighth largest country in the world and the second in Latin America. The land is vast as it is rich in a variety of culture and landscapes.

If Buenos Aires is “the Paris of the South,” then Mendoza is surely its Italy. In less than two hours on a jet could have you in the heart of its wine country, sipping vino next to the largest mountains in the Americas. Or South to Bariloche, where in lies the ‘little Switzerland’ including the largest ski resort in South America and includes 5 star accommodation like Llao Llao.

The rest of the world is in easy access for expats doing business or leisurely travel abroad. With daily international flights departing from Buenos Aires, 11 hours of fly time lands you in New York City and to London in just 13.

Becoming a Citizen of Argentina:

Argentina is one of the fastest countries in the world to become a citizen of. Andrew shows you exactly how “having dual citizenship, or even multiple citizenships, gives you freedoms to travel and invest that having one citizenship alone can’t grant.” Whether it be for tax obligation purposes or leisurely travel, Argentina can supply expats with a passport providing visa-free travel to over 150 countries, including Europe.

Dateline: Buenos Aires, Argentina Original Article Published at Nomad Capitalist: http://nomadcapitalist.com/2015/09/14/living-in-buenos-aires-argentina-what-you-need-to-know-when-moving-to-ba/

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