Experience share as an expat - family life

[Renatta]

I’d love to hear more about your experiences as an expat in Buenos Aires! How have your children adapted to the local school system? What’s your experience been like integrating into the community? Do you find it easy to become part of the Argentine community? And what are your top tips for settling into life here? TY!

 

[BenStone]

I don't have any experience with the school system, as my daughter is only two years old. I'll share what little I have experienced so far.

Buenos Aires is the best city for children and families I have personally seen. There are parks everywhere and each has a playground. The playgrounds seem new and very well equipped. Each is a center of family life in that community. Unlike most cities I have seen, BA has lots of children and old people - like a real community.

That said I have not had luck - so far - making friends with other parents. In part because my Spanish is not very good. But also I get the feeling people here are not overly fond of outsiders.

 

[Renatta]

I don't have any experience with the school system, as my daughter is only two years old. I'll share what little I have experienced so far.

Buenos Aires is the best city for children and families I have personally seen. There are parks everywhere and each has a playground. The playgrounds seem new and very well equipped. Each is a center of family life in that community. Unlike most cities I have seen, BA has lots of children and old people - like a real community.

That said I have not had luck - so far - making friends with other parents. In part because my Spanish is not very good. But also I get the feeling people here are not overly fond of outsiders.

Thank you!! Why do you get the feeling that Argentinians are not fond of outsiders or expats?

 

[Ries]

That has not been my experience. Virtually all my friends are argentine, not expats. I have long term and very close friendships with several argentines, including holiday meals, vacations, watching kids grow up, and more. Certainly it helps to at least try to speak the language, and to be interested in argentine life and culture. From the first year we were here, we got invited to asados and parties and events.

 

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

One thing that I like about Argentine culture is that children are always treated with a lot of affection by everyone, teachers, people in the street, when you’re in a restaurant etc

Also yes you need to be able to speak the language to at least be able to half hold a conversation.

 

[Quilombo]

I don't have kids (yet) but I'd argue Argentina is one of the better countries to raise them provided you have money. Regarding speaking Spanish, I will say that being able to just makes life 100% easier here because so few people speak English. I know Argentines love to share maps which show them with the highest English proficiency in LatAm, but that hasn't been my experience at all, and it only decreases the further you get away from CABA.

Most of my friends here are Argentine or Latinos from South America. I've met a few of them here, and knew one of my best friends before moving. For me integrating hasn't been too difficult; I actually take care of the finances, health insurance, bills, contracts, leases, etc. vs. my husband who is Argentine so I'd argue if I can do a better job with these things despite Argentine society and Spanish not being native to me I've come a long way.

Whether any of us will ever be fully integrated and considered Argentines is another topic too.

 

[Renatta]

Thank you all for sharing your experiences!!