Bs As Getting To Be Very Pricey.

[Sockhopper]

Are there health insurance plans available to expats? Are they expensive? What is the quality of health care in France ie: are the doctors well trained, do you have to wait long or an appointment?

I'm 75 years old and one of the key reasons I'm staying in Argentina is that I like the doctors. I like the results of the care they give and I like the prices. We have a good insurance plan but there is also good free health care for those who need it.

I've used the Argentine public health care system once when no private physician was available to see me for 2 weeks. . ( be iln when no privated vehn er

 

[jantango]

A lot of our costs of living have increased dramatically in the last two years. Even in terms of US$ our food, dog food, restaurants, clothing have doubled and tripled.

I just paid $43 for cat food that is on Amazon in the U.S. for $13 whereas

Yet it appears that the restaurants are crowded, lots of people are driving new cars and traveling.

Is anyone else starting to think about finding a less expensive expat home?

Any expat who was here before December 2001 remembers when the dollar was equal to the peso. I paid $700us for a semi-furnished rental in Constitution because it was all I could find from acquaintances without a two-year lease. You can find temporary rentals today for the same price I paid in 2001.

The USA is a larger market than Argentina, so you can't compare prices and feel you're paying too much for things. We can live with less. We chose to live in Argentina, so complaining about increasing costs isn't worth the effort. I know I couldn't afford to live on social security in the USA. Argentines have seen times when annual inflation was 800%. If one has a roof over one's head, food on the table, water to drink, and health, one is rich.

I remember only old cars on the streets in 1999, and dial-up internet was all there was, expensive ($25us/month) and a connection challenge. The city is working to make streets people-friendly and reduce the traffic. New cars don't contribute anything to the quality of life.

I figured my expenses for August before reading this thread. Since I'm a naturalized citizen, I don't have any intention of looking for a cheaper city in which to enjoy my retirement. Buenos Aires has everything for me. I've lived on $500-$600 per month for years. August was just above that at $630.

The essential expenses were:
food - $245 (including some organic) I never eat out because I prefer to avoid salt, oil, and sugar.
gas - $12 (for two months)
electricity - $3 (for one month)
real estate tax and street maintenance - $13
home phone and internet - $46 (no cell or WIFI)
consorcio expenses - $73
water - $21
transportation - $10 (lots of walking and no taxis)
Total - $423

I'm on the city's free health care plan (CoPS)
I color my own hair, and a friend cuts my hair.
I clean my own apartment and have never hired a maid.
I attend free concerts several times a week.
I shop at house sales and consignment shops for clothes and shoes.
I have savings and no debt.
I own my apartment, the first property that is mine in my life.

I'm happy and have a wonderful life in BA.

 

[Sockhopper]

Are there health insurance plans available to expats? Are they expensive? What is the quality of health care in France ie: are the doctors well trained, do you have to wait long or an appointment?

I'm 75 years old and one of the key reasons I'm staying in Argentina is that I like the doctors. I like the results of the care they give and I like the prices. We have a good insurance plan but there is also good free health care for those who need it.

When a non-EU national moves to France, there must be insurance policies they can buy. When they apply for a 'carte de sejour' in
advance of their coming, they also must produce proof of having what the French admin sets as being sufficient medical insurance coverage for the length of their stay.

I moved here as an EU citizen and as a new retiree. If you're a national of another EU country and come here exercising your EU right of free movement to reside here, things work differently from how they do for non-EU nationals who come here to live. Physicians here earn less than they would were they practising in North America.

The standard of health care is excellent in France and also in Spain. I've always been able to see my family physician on the day I call her or the next day unless it's a holiday. When I've needed a specialist, she has obtained appointments within 1-8 weeks. My eye doctor happens to be the one whom I've had to wait up to 2 months to see. He's too popular.

I've used public and private hospitals in BA. They were both great. To me, the French public system is much like the private one in BA. I used Arg's public one once when no private physician I 'phoned could see me for the next 2 weeks because they were booked. At Rivadavia Hopital, I was treated by the only doctor in my life in 4 countries who actually knew the names of drugs in Europe and North America. That was very helpful.

 

[Sockhopper]

I'd have gone for the full litre mate.

.
No litres of wine available from restos in France. Just as well since my husband was driving us home between the sea and cliffs on a road that's all curves. It's just a half-litre or a bottle here.

 

[gostomper]

A lot of our costs of living have increased dramatically in the last two years. Even in terms of US$ our food, dog food, restaurants, clothing have doubled and tripled.

I just paid $43 for cat food that is on Amazon in the U.S. for $13 whereas

Yet it appears that the restaurants are crowded, lots of people are driving new cars and traveling.

Is anyone else starting to think about finding a less expensive expat home?

http://www.businessi...ech-republic-15

In Czechia/Czech Republic the beer is cheap and so are the restaurants that serve the local stuff. Though the food doesn't have that much diversity its pretty German-like. Consumer prices on many things are cheaper in Germany than Czechia, in fact those that live close drive to Germany to stock up on stuff. Overall Germany is probably better than Czechia. But overall I would say Argentina is nicer to outsiders than Czechia is, I'd only go there if you have a social circle to dive into, otherwise you'll feel like a permanent tourist. I know someone that is from/lives in Prague so I was lucky enough to get shown around there, and also ventured to other parts of the country on my own. Also unlike Argentina, you simply will not learn the Czech language unless you have some sort of autistic polyglot genius mind and I would say that English isn't as widespread outside of Prague as the European countries west of it. Though it may seem a bit obvious, if you want a cheap place to go try Mexico ie Distrito Federal. You won't have to deal with a language change and it's probably the best bang for your buck in Latin America.