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Hi Folks,
I am writing from India. I am a single person, retired, and I wish to move to Argentina sooner or later. I joined the forum, hoping to get an idea from expats who actually live there. What are the challenges you face? Language? What about living costs, lifestyle etc.?
Hope to get the conversation going.
Sunshine
Welcome sunshine. 
May I ask you why Argentina?
Welcome sunshine.
Thanks, UK man.
May I ask you why Argentina?
Basically, I want to retire in a sparsely populated country. It would be a welcome change from where I've been living all my life. Peace, solitude, these are things I value. Suits retired life too.
From the finance PoV, I gather Argentina has a somewhat lower cost of living compared to the US etc. This is also a factor because while I have enough savings, I don't have enough to throw around. I hear Argentina has a specific immigration scheme for retired people - such as showing a passive income of $1000 every month or something of the sort. This seems reasonable and the process sounds easy, at least in theory. All in all, it makes it viable for someone like me. Of course reality could be something else entirely, which is why I thought I might as well hear from people who actually live there.
I personally don't think $1000 a month is enough to live here comfortably especially when starting afresh. Once you add on accomodation costs, health insurance etc etc.
I suspect the days of Argentina being a bargain destination to retire to are coming to an end.
Thanks, UK man.
Basically, I want to retire in a sparsely populated country. It would be a welcome change from where I've been living all my life. Peace, solitude, these are things I value. Suits retired life too.
From the finance PoV, I gather Argentina has a somewhat lower cost of living compared to the US etc. This is also a factor because while I have enough savings, I don't have enough to throw around. I hear Argentina has a specific immigration scheme for retired people - such as showing a passive income of $1000 every month or something of the sort. This seems reasonable and the process sounds easy, at least in theory. All in all, it makes it viable for someone like me. Of course reality could be something else entirely, which is why I thought I might as well hear from people who actually live there.
$1000 p/m is stretching it a bit far to be comfortable anywhere in these days
I personally don't think $1000 a month is enough to live here comfortably especially when starting afresh. Once you add on accomodation costs, health insurance etc etc.
I suspect the days of Argentina being a bargain destination to retire to are coming to an end.
I don't know about living costs, but one of the retirement schemes is about showing a passive income of $1000 so that the authorities can approve of your stay in Argentina. I think it's called Argentina Rentista & Pensionista Visas. Also if you don't mind my asking, could you tell me what sort health insurance do expats prefer? Is it private or public sector? What are the merits, pitfalls, etc.? How does the system usually work?
$100 p/m is stretching it a bit far to be comfortable anywhere in these days
How much do you think would suffice for a single guy? I know a lot depends on our lifestyle and other factors, but generally ...
I think the requirements for passive income under the rentista and pensionista have been revised upwards to somewhere around USD 2000 now and works under some calculation or other.
I’ve been living off something like USD 1500 a Month very comfortably. But expenditure is entirely personal to your needs.
I use AirBnBs but I frequently see people picking up apartments via Facebook groups at better prices. That said renting that way will have utility bills, Wi-Fi etc on top Which I do not have using AirBnB. Then there’s the matter of paying a deposit, offering a guarantor, paying insurance against default etc.
I’m rambling a bit now. Just my take as someone who has spent 7 months here out of the last 21 months and is now into the 4th month of this particular visit.
How much do you think would suffice for a single guy? I know a lot depends on our lifestyle and other factors, but generally ...
That's the problem with here at the moment.....nobody knows. So predicting the cost of living for next month nevermind next year is nigh on impossible. While inflation has been going down prices for everything aren't.
This place isn’t for everyone so it’s best to come for a minimum of a month, preferably 2 or 3 and that way you will learn what you need to know and if it suits your needs.
My perspective isn’t the same as most other members here as I’m not in a relationship with a local and don’t currently live here full time. But I think my take on things can be useful from my more unique perspective.
I’m happy to answer questions as will all the members here so don’t hesitate
Also, don’t be attracted to come here because it’s cheap. It’s a terrible reason to go anywhere to live. You’ve got to like where you live or what’s the point?
And today’s financial reality may not be tomorrow’s.
Also…
Basically, I want to retire in a sparsely populated country. It would be a welcome change from where I've been living all my life. Peace, solitude, these are things I value. Suits retired life too.
Buenos Aires isn’t sparsely populated so I imagine you will be looking at somewhere else in Argentina.
Do you have somewhere in mind?
Salta, Mendoza and Bariloche attract some expats.
Bariloche is quite expensive, Salta and Mendoza somewhat less so.
Also worth mentioning. Judging from what I've read on other expat forums here the cost of living is making quite a few of them reconsider their future here. Many came to Argentina to enjoy the low cost aspect and are now beginning to find it tough financially on the budget at their disposal.
As per UK Man s post. I was warned that I would find Argentina more expensive on my arrival at the end of April. And I did.
But…
I think I was looking out for that being so because I was told to expect it. You will always find what you look for.
Soon after I arrived the exchange rate started to stretch away to make things cheaper anyway, at a rate above real time price increases.
Now some months on, exchange rates are contracting a bit so I might start to see things get more expensive from now on.
Nothing is straight forward here when talking about these things and these are just my honest and real observations
Whenever I am asked why I am in Argentina, after explaining how is life there, I always reply “because I married an Argentinian”. It seems the only reasonable answer after the many tales about double currency, poor food choice, dysfunctional bank system, import & export draconian regulations, potential scrutiny of your personal luggage when coming back etc.
I second what @Bombonera and UK Man have said: come to Argentina if you like Argentina, not because it’s cheap.
People in other countries probably can’t understand your explanation of the great parts of life in Argentina if they haven’t been to Argentina. But for people who stay, those things are the reason.
When you get back, serafina , I hope the good things outweigh the irritating, illogical, and downright crazy things that will be slamming you in the face! Argentina will be better with you in it!
Whenever I am asked why I am in Argentina, after explaining how is life there, I always reply “because I married an Argentinian”. It seems the only reasonable answer after the many tales about double currency, poor food choice, dysfunctional bank system, import & export draconian regulations, potential scrutiny of your personal luggage when coming back etc.
Ditto. First question I was asked by the students at Englishlife last week was how on earth did I end up living in Chivilcoy. Most thought I must be mad to come from Europe to live here. Next question was how did I meet my missus.
I've honestly lost count of the times I've been asked this question. It's always asked nicely with charm, because that's the way Argentines are.
All I reply now is: una mujer.
Conversation ends...
My missus finds people she deals with regularly change their manner whenever I'm with her. Last week in the bank the normally serious woman teller came over all smiley giggly girly when I was withdrawing dollars. When her male colleague at the next desk interrupted her she replied to him and my missus started laughing, I asked her what's so funny and she told me her reply to him was 'Sorry I'm too busy dealing with an International client at the moment''. 
I spotted she had a large pile of good quality elastic bands next to her. I said to my wife ask her if I can have some. My missus says she won't give you them but she asked her anyway. She replied of course he can have some and handed a big bundle of them over.
When we left I remarked to the missus how nice she was. She said everyone is like that when you're with me because you're foreign.
Chivilcoy seems to work like a village of 500 people. Very quaint.
Chivilcoy seems to work like a village of 500 people. Very quaint.
I imagine not having foreign tourists here makes a difference.
