I was wondering, ballpark, if $1,200 (before housing) would suffice as a monthly budget for an individual living in an average town or suburb.
Have you started to investigate how to live here with a valid visa for temporary or permanent residence? Tourist visa is for 3 months. A retirement (Pensionado) Visa or Rentista visa are common. There are others. I do not know the details, though I think you need to prove sufficient monthly funds. https://www.argentina.gob.ar/s…emporaria-como-pensionado
I have to say I’m fascinated by this because whilst I know of them, I did not know about them. Nor do I know anyone who has one. (Well I do now obviously). But if I had a more permanent base I would buy one of these now in a heartbeat. Because it seems to me it would serve all my purposes at a very cheap price.
Really I find a permanent base is not needed, since these are smaller than a laptop in luggage. This is why my first one in my argentina luggage was a brand new 2009 Mac mini that still works today. The Mac mini is still an option, plus the name brands like Dell make some too, though both the price and the size are not like these new mini-minis
If you stay somewhere for 1-3 months, you buy a local mid range monitor, and carry small wireless/bluetooth keyboard mouse. A USB keyboard might be borrowed for emergency reinstalls.
Good purchase and nice write up.
I bought a similar mini PC in July. And finally just now daisy-chained two monitors using only one port from the PC. That was a first for me. 32gb 1TB. It’s a great upgrade for wife needing graphic design, document illustration, image editing, and whatever other work that had become almost impossible on an ancient laptop. Fraction of the price of a new laptop, and nicely hidden via vesa mounted to the rear of monitor.
https://www.bosgamepc.com/products/bosgame-ryzen-7-5700u-mini-pc-p4?sku=18065547901913446561144095
I have also read that it is "easy" to make at home, although sesame seeds are not cheap and I don't think my blender is that powerful.
Yes, I do not want to take that step to make my own. Maybe a quick homemade sesame dressing that would be watery, but I do not want to pretend I can make something close to the real thing.
I have to say that using Tahini is crucial. It is quite expensive here in Argentina and I have brought a jar from a Italy. I have no idea how long it is going to last once opened, so I am trying to make good use of it!
I see there are some better price on ML, but with shipping costs being 4-5000, it is hardly worth it unless I combine several items in the same shipping.
I find Tahini in many dieteticas. There are a number of brands, though I have not settled on a favorite. Mostly I use it for garbanzo hummus and variants of sesame gingers noodle recipes. If I do not find it, the natural peanut butters here are an ok, though not great, substitute.
We had an impromptu 'Breaking Bread' snack-dinner with Rice and her spouse today. I had just made babaganoush (roasted eggplant smash from the Middle East) with chopped parsley and mint leaves, and added in blue cheese and blueberry marmalade as sides.
Babaganoush is a nice special for a reunion. An ideal recipe that takes preparation and extra effort to roast the eggplant.
All together, with safety in particular, and given the relocation effort, language curve and social reset, have nearly cancelled the proposition for me. I still believe there are beautiful, livable small towns and I look forward to visiting some in my upcoming first trip over (my intent had been to settle in a coastal city or town, such as Bahia or Necochea). But even there, it seems that, while safety would be better, the other challenges would remain, along with some social isolation.
It is safe. A three month vacation traveling all along the Atlantic coast towns is a good way to learn. You should consider visiting farther south than Necochea, to include many towns all the way until Comodoro Rivadavia if the coast is your preference. If traveling alone the bus between cities and towns will be easier to interact with people to ease your social isolation concerns. Starting with a week or two, or more, at a language learning school is also a good way to be around new people.
Yes indeed. A friend of Oscar's hunts boar in the Bahia Blanca area.
Wild swine are a destructive problem almost all the world. Especially in those rural farm areas where they find easy food. Nice to have the opportunity for someone else hunt it to make a tasty Sunday asado.
First off was a new one for me Wild Boar chorizo
Great! I have never had that. Someone at the gathering hunted the boar, or knew someone who did?
Yes those are the government’s own numbers. The same reported in a number of places. There is a quite a lag in publication of the statistics, so I believe those are July numbers. For inflation that means the annual rate calculation includes the 6 months before Milei. Perhaps monthly inflation is down (4-6% ??) , but the recession will continue for some time, and the poverty rate will most likely grow.
How is their wine, aficionado ?
I always liked them. It has been a few years, but now that I have been reminded I’ll search for them or order a case again.
My husband discovered this organic Malbec "Origen by Trapiche" which tastes right and doesn't give me headaches.
We used to visit an organic vineyard in Mendoza (Maipú) often. They told a good story of how the land had always grown everything without fertilizers or other chemicals. It was tiny, very casual, and they did not charge a tour fee. Their website lists a few stores who sell their wines and other orgánicos in Buenos Aires. Or order from them online. https://www.bodegacecchin.com.ar/distribuidores
Sorry, UK Man , but I’m just not into beer, so I can’t contribute. But I’d love to hear what wines are on offer at any given time. GlasgowJohn , I believe you were good in that departing the past?
I have been enjoying H.J. Fabre Assemblage Malbec ‘s that are blended with Cabernet Franc or Pinot Noir. Not the previous more famous ones, but well priced. LaAnonima and Coto $72xx - $8100 is better than what WSJ shows for $24
(Choose NY if asked) https://www.wsjwine.com/produc…-Sauvignon-Malbec/4419423
Vino Tinto Malbec-Cabernet Franc H J. Fabre x 750 cc. - Supermercado La Anónima
I walked by the National Library this afternoon. It’s near the British Embassy. It’s a 1960s horror sight of a building. There’s a term for it isn’t there? Brutalist or some such term.
If it’s as you describe, than yes probably Brutalist. I am far from being any source on architecture, but I have read often about the style in Argentina and some USA cities.
There is an Anglo-Argentine who I often see quoted as a local expert
I thought I read this NYT piece about books in Argentina some time in the past. Though the date given for the translated from English version is just this last week.
Read Your Way Through Buenos Aires https://www.nytimes.com/2024/0…e=1.NE4.I7w6.nBq6lmfSZ8hU
Oh! So I may not be able to use my card at some places then.
I better get to WU tomorrow I guess just to be safe.
The card I’ve used is a Wise Visa Card
We do not eat out enough to know, though they always explain or write on the the ticket when they give a discount for cash. Regardless still need cash for the tip. That is why I was asking since you probably have more restaurant experience over these past months.
We receive simple empty greeting cards from family which arrive in 3-6 weeks. They all know by now, to never send packages.
You did alright there. Seems to be closer to the Blue rate than the official rate.
When the card conversion is close to the Blue rate it does seem quite convenient. Bombonera do you find most restaurants take cards, or some/most are cash only or give cash only promotions?
I’ve flown two round trips on American Air each year since the COVID restrictions lessened. NYC EZE NYC direct using FF points for Premium Economy has been a great value. It’s not super, but for an 10+ hour flight it is way more comfortable than economy. I do not need attendants during the late hours since I need to stretch my legs with a walk to ask for another drink. I can never sleep on overnight flights regardless of seat location. Along with the added leg space, slightly wider seats, the extra value comes with no luggage fee for my two 50lb bags (no lounge though).
I thought you were for freedom of speech
What is the reason for the aggressive comments, instead of civil discourse?
