How's everyone hanging in there with the cost of living these days?

[Gringo80]

A few days ago I stopped at a local gas station just outside CABA for a coffee. $3.85 was charged to my credit card. I mentioned it to a friend who lives in Brooklyn, which is inside New York City. He said that a cup of coffee at his local gas stations is $2. No wonder people here are struggling to make ends meet.

 

[antipodean]

¿Argentina es cara o barata?: en qué productos y servicios los precios locales son más altos que en resto del mundo

Un estudio comparó los valores de iPhones, automóviles, textiles, servicios como gastronomía, ocio o tarifas, combustibles, alquiler y salarios. Qué diferencias hay con la década de dólar barato durante el menemismo

www.infobae.com

A reality check to understand the general cost of living in Argentina in November 2024 within a regional context.

 

[Stephano]

¿Argentina es cara o barata?: en qué productos y servicios los precios locales son más altos que en resto del mundo

Un estudio comparó los valores de iPhones, automóviles, textiles, servicios como gastronomía, ocio o tarifas, combustibles, alquiler y salarios. Qué diferencias hay con la década de dólar barato durante el menemismo

www.infobae.com

A reality check to understand the general cost of living in Argentina in November 2024 within a regional context.

View attachment 10052

A pretty rosy picture, if I have read the article correctly.
In the end, who needs an iPhone 16 anyway?
This is quite jarring when I think of all the people currently leaving in the streets.
I am quite curious to see how the current phrase is going to fare in a few months:

Como conclusión, FMyA consideró que el dólar oficial parece sostenible en su nivel actual, especialmente para sectores como Vaca Muerta y la minería, que no requieren un tipo de cambio elevado. No obstante, otras áreas, como el turismo y ciertas economías regionales, podrían enfrentar dificultades mientras no se reduzca la presión tributaria. Según la consultora, el dólar oficial se mantendría estable durante 2025, con una posible corrección leve luego de las elecciones de octubre o en 2026.

We'll see.

 

[FrankPintor]

Oh, so that's why thousands of Argentinians cross the border every weekend to Chile to shop. I understand everything now

Por el fin de semana largo y las compras de los argentinos en Chile, colapsaron los pasos internacionales

Se produjeron demoras de más de cinco horas para cruzar al país vecino. Al menos 16.000 vehículos enfilaron hacia el país trasandino entre el jueves y el viernes

www.infobae.com

Con el dólar a favor, volvieron los tours de compras a Chile: qué productos atraen a los argentinos

En busca de electrónica, ropa de marca y otros artículos a precios más bajos, miles de personas cruzan cada semana la Cordillera de los Andes

www.infobae.com

Locos por las compras: los argentinos vuelven a cruzar la Cordillera atraídos por los precios

Santiago de Chile se posiciona como uno de los destinos favoritos para los argentinos. La cercanía geográfica, la oferta de vuelos low cost, la variedad de productos y los precios competitivos hacen de la capital chilena un paraíso para quienes quieren aprovechar al máximo esta época del año.

www.ambito.com

 

[Patrick2006]

After living here for over two years, we’ve decided to leave in a few months and return to our home country.

Living off foreign currency income, we’ve had to monitor exchange rates daily to know when to convert to pesos. The constant fluctuations in the exchange rate have left us feeling exhausted. Months of inflation and a weakening dollar have reduced our purchasing power by 30-40%. While I used to enjoy shopping on supermarket discount days, now I rely on them out of necessity.

Although Argentina boasts stunning landscapes, it is no longer a country offering great value for money (except for healthcare services — we plan to do a body check-up and dental work before leaving). It’s not that we’re struggling to live or can’t afford things, but the same items cost half as much in my home country and are of better quality. We simply want to save money and prefer not to spend it in Argentina.

 

[Patrick2006]

Singles can survive on oatmeal, chicken wing soup and eggs. For a family of 4 no way.

Yes, for people with children, everything has gone up in price, and when you add it all together, it becomes quite a burden.

Clothes, as children are always growing, new clothes are a constant necessity.
Tuition fees, stationery, activity costs.
Food – parents might be able to go without or eat unhealthy food, but children can’t be left hungry.

 

[Ceviche]

After living here for over two years, we’ve decided to leave in a few months and return to our home country.

the same items cost half as much in my home country and are of better quality. We simply want to save money and prefer not to spend it in Argentina.

Hi. if it does not sound very intrusive, may we know your home country please. ( Only to have an idea about costs).

 

[Che1990]

I believe that this is article is right in what it’s saying. There are parallels with now and what caused the 2001 crash. With Brazil devaluing, Argentina can’t compete. If the dollar gets stronger too with Trump, it’ll cost them a lot more to sustain it.

La devaluación del real trae el fantasma del fin de la Convertibilidad

Brasil devaluó el Real un 14,2%, frente al régimen de cambio semi fijo de Milei. La inflación ya erosionó el 85% de la competitividad ganada por la devaluación de inicio del gobierno libertario.

www.lapoliticaonline.com

 

[on the brink]

After living here for over two years, we’ve decided to leave in a few months and return to our home country.

Living off foreign currency income, we’ve had to monitor exchange rates daily to know when to convert to pesos. The constant fluctuations in the exchange rate have left us feeling exhausted. Months of inflation and a weakening dollar have reduced our purchasing power by 30-40%. While I used to enjoy shopping on supermarket discount days, now I rely on them out of necessity.

Although Argentina boasts stunning landscapes, it is no longer a country offering great value for money (except for healthcare services — we plan to do a body check-up and dental work before leaving). It’s not that we’re struggling to live or can’t afford things, but the same items cost half as much in my home country and are of better quality. We simply want to save money and prefer not to spend it in Argentina.

Sad to pick where to live on the basis of where things are cheaper. Life can be so much more than low prices and purchasing power.

People with that mindset don't contribute anything to the host country - they just take advantage of what it offers, like low prices and free medical care.

This country needs immigrants, not expats.

 

[Redpossum]

I believe that this is article is right in what it’s saying. There are parallels with now and what caused the 2001 crash. With Brazil devaluing, Argentina can’t compete. If the dollar gets stronger too with Trump, it’ll cost them a lot more to sustain it.

La devaluación del real trae el fantasma del fin de la Convertibilidad

Brasil devaluó el Real un 14,2%, frente al régimen de cambio semi fijo de Milei. La inflación ya erosionó el 85% de la competitividad ganada por la devaluación de inicio del gobierno libertario.

www.lapoliticaonline.com

Oh, that is interesting. Thank you very much for posting this. Economics is complicated.