Coffee and cake prices

[steveinbsas]

If you love Argentina and happy, then of course there’s no other option for you. But if you moved to Argentina because it was the cheapest democracy and now you’re struggling, you can turn your head this way. There are also many visa options for retirees or digital nomads.

Do you happen to know if there are any visa options in Europe for a "retirre" from the USA who has a monthly Social Security income of about $1,200 dollars as well as (occasionally) two or three hundred from working online?

PS: I'm not asking for myself.

 

[wineguy999]

I’m in Spain. Renovating a property. Today around 6pm driving to the hardware store, my dental bridge came off. Checked online, saw my dentist open till 9 pm and got there without an appointment. They sorted out my problem and when it was time to pay; they said you don’t need to pay anything!! This is a designer decorated very chic clinic. It’s not only the weather making people move to Spain. If you love Argentina and happy, then of course there’s no other option for you. But if you moved to Argentina because it was the cheapest democracy and now you’re struggling, you can turn your head this way. There are also many visa options for retirees or digital nomads.

SHHHHHHH!

We're opting for Spain as well. Cost of living is great, easy to travel between cities, good people, the rest of Europe in your back yard.

 

[Lanick]

Do you happen to know if there are any visa options in Europe for a "retirre" from the USA who has a monthly Social Security income of about $1,200 dollars as well as (occasionally) two or three hundred from working online?

PS: I'm not asking for myself.

I don’t think that’s enough.

 

[ArgentinaVet]

I was in Argentina throughout the 1990's. It was not nearly as expensive in dollar terms as now.

You appear to be missing the unfortunate reality that the US dollar has lost at least 66% of its purchasing power since the 1990s for most goods, services and commodities. Median housing price in 1998 $131k USD; $420K in 2025. Gold price 1998 $300; $2900 2025. Gallon of gasoline in 1998 $1.06; 2025 $3.12 per gallon.

Understanding this reality, it should not surprise anyone that prices in Argentina are 3x more in nominal US dollars in 2025 than they were in 1998.

 

[sergio]

Do you happen to know if there are any visa options in Europe for a "retirre" from the USA who has a monthly Social Security income of about $1,200 dollars as well as (occasionally) two or three hundred from working online?

PS: I'm not asking for myself.

Albania probably. France is around $1,700 per month. They will expect this in the form of pensions and annuities, stable income. I doubt online work counts.

 

[sergio]

You appear to be missing the unfortunate reality that the US dollar has lost at least 66% of its purchasing power since the 1990s for most goods, services and commodities. Median housing price in 1998 $131k USD; $420K in 2025. Gold price 1998 $300; $2900 2025. Gallon of gasoline in 1998 $1.06; 2025 $3.12 per gallon.

Understanding this reality, it should not surprise anyone that prices in Argentina are 3x more in nominal US dollars in 2025 than they were in 1998.

The sharp increases in Argentina have been in the last year. In the US inflation got out of control since the pandemic.

 

[antipodean]

Do you happen to know if there are any visa options in Europe for a "retirre" from the USA who has a monthly Social Security income of about $1,200 dollars as well as (occasionally) two or three hundred from working online?

PS: I'm not asking for myself.

Portugal has a D7 visa - minimum passive income threshold EUR 820 per month. Two years, renewable. After 5 years can apply for permanent and within 5-10 years for citizenship if well integrated.

Living in or near Lisbon or Porto would more than likely be too expensive. However, if living in the countryside or a small village would be acceptable, then this kind of income can definitely work as many locals must get by on less - obviously while ones lifestyle will not be extravagant - weather is nice, healthcare is free, transport, groceries and housing are cheap. However it is likely pensioners would still need to pay some taxes which may chip into that income (e.g. first band of income tax kicks in from your first Euro at 13% and goes up to 22%ish for that 14k - although they have or had some tax exceptions for foreign source income for first ten years...but think that regime is aimed at higher earners...double check it if interested) and living en-negro is not an option.

Obviously pensioner should take into consideration potential FX fluctuation risks over time and not to take their understanding of current costs of living in Portugal for granted.

 

[Lanick]

SHHHHHHH!

We're opting for Spain as well. Cost of living is great, easy to travel between cities, good people, the rest of Europe in your back yard.

Almost from anywhere in Spain you direct flights to most major European cities. Cost of living is great as well as the quality of life. Whereabouts are you considering?

 

[wineguy999]

Almost from anywhere in Spain you direct flights to most major European cities. Cost of living is great as well as the quality of life. Whereabouts are you considering?

We're still at least 10 months from the move, but the process is very much in the works. Have all but eliminated Madrid for the higher COL, though we love it. Our focus is now on Valencia or Barcelona. A friend of a friend suggested Benidorm, for the tourist business.

The goal is to take over or start a wine bar/tapas/music joint, maybe with a bit of an Argentine slant.

 

[FrankPintor]

We're still at least 10 months from the move, but the process is very much in the works. Have all but eliminated Madrid for the higher COL, though we love it. Our focus is now on Valencia or Barcelona. A friend of a friend suggested Benidorm, for the tourist business.

The goal is to take over or start a wine bar/tapas/music joint, maybe with a bit of an Argentine slant.

I imagine you've traveled the Mediterranean coast of Spain, there are a lot of options I believe.

We were in Alicante in January, a city with its own life, not dependent on tourism, and with amazing public services. Public transport, mainly with electric buses, is incredible, and taxi drivers (and indeed everyone else) refuse to overcharge you. The Airbnb we stayed in, in the city centre was equipped and furnished to an extraordinary degree. Mrs. Pintor wants to live there now.

We did food shopping at El Corte Ingles (think Jumbo, but better) and their own-brand products were maybe 50% of the prices in Argentina. Not as cheap as Lidl in Ireland, but certainly less expensive than I expected.

Benidorm: yuk! Do you really want to wake up to a full English breakfast every day?

There are lots more towns and cities along the coast, though, I think it's worth exploring.