Is Argentina Still a Good Deal?

[sergio]

I have owned my apartment here for 15 years, so I am totally out of the loop about rent. But everything else is still much cheaper than NW Washington State, where I live in the USA. my utilities and "taxes" here are much much less. (ABL is not really a property tax, its the fee for garbage, street cleaning, and sewage) the amounts you would pay for sewage and garbage pickup where I live are more than my entire ABL bill.
I find almost everything I buy in Argentina is cheaper than in WA- cleaning supplies, groceries, lunch, dry cleaning, office supplies, books, concert tickets, clothing, bus fare, tools, sewing thread, you name it. BUT- I buy industria argentina whenever possible. If your desires are name brand multinational products, like Nike or Dior or Izod or Patagonia, those things are imported, and they are much more expensive, usually more than in the USA.
Shop local, live like locals, and things are pretty reasonable.
If I go to Target, in the USA, and buy Windex its 4.00 USD. If I go around the corner to the guy who refills my bottle with generic window cleaner, here, its something like 1200 pesos.
You have to learn to shop here, you have to take more time to go to specialist vendors, and you find usually higher quality, lower prices, than the mass market chinese stuff at big box stores in the USA.
Depends on your lifestyle, of course. You could be buying 40 dollar bottles of wine every night, although my guess is those would be 80 dollar bottles in the states.

Owning your own property and being established make a big difference. For someone living in the US contemplating retiring to Argentina the situation is different. I suspect too that Washington state is one of the most expensive parts of the US so your comparison may be influenced by this. So far a lot of items remain cheaper in Argentina but the fact is that they have increased dramatically in the last few months and are likely to do so in coming months. The exchange rate is uncertain as well. I think parts of Europe are now cheaper than the US and cheaper than Argentina. My suggestion is to be very cautious in making a decision. I'd advise taking a look at inexpensive European locales before you make a life changing decision.

 

[oddDistribution]

Owning your own property and being established make a big difference. For someone living in the US contemplating retiring to Argentina the situation is different. I suspect too that Washington state is one of the most expensive parts of the US so your comparison may be influenced by this. So far a lot of items remain cheaper in Argentina but the fact is that they have increased dramatically in the last few months and are likely to do so in coming months. The exchange rate is uncertain as well. I think parts of Europe are now cheaper than the US and cheaper than Argentina. My suggestion is to be very cautious in making a decision. I'd advise taking a look at inexpensive European locales before you make a life changing decision.

What countries in Europe did you have in mind? I know, for example, Portugal is popular with expats, but has apparently has gotten much more expense due to the influx of them.

The other thing with Europe is that it can be harder to get a visa. There are some exceptions though like Portugal and Spain.

 

[sergio]

What countries in Europe did you have in mind? I know, for example, Portugal is popular with expats, but has apparently has gotten much more expense due to the influx of them.

The other thing with Europe is that it can be harder to get a visa. There are some exceptions though like Portugal and Spain.

Portugal may be somewhat saturated with expats. Prices are probably lower in towns. I think Italy is a better bet. There are underpopulated towns where houses are very cheap. Small cities in Spain are considerations. I'd also consider France but not Paris of course. Europe's excellent rail network makes just about any destination worth considering as you can travel to so many interesting places quickly and easily. My understanding is that once you get residence you qualify for national health insurance. At this point food prices may be similar to Argentina - only better quality, especially dairy products and fresh vegetables.

 

[oddDistribution]

Portugal may be somewhat saturated with expats. Prices are probably lower in towns. I think Italy is a better bet. There are underpopulated towns where houses are very cheap. Small cities in Spain are considerations. I'd also consider France but not Paris of course. Europe's excellent rail network makes just about any destination worth considering as you can travel to so many interesting places quickly and easily. My understanding is that once you get residence you qualify for national health insurance. At this point food prices may be similar to Argentina - only better quality, especially dairy products and fresh vegetables.

Those are nice places, but I think it's pretty tough to get a visa to retire in the EU to be honest.

 

[sergio]

Those are nice places, but I think it's pretty tough to get a visa to retire in the EU to be honest.

I know people who have done so and they are not wealthy.

 

[QuilmesSlo]

Those are nice places, but I think it's pretty tough to get a visa to retire in the EU to be honest.

EU taxes can be tricky. France has the best deal for Americans.

 

[FrankPintor]

EU taxes can be tricky. France has the best deal for Americans.

For families, really.

 

[on the brink]

Argentina IS getting more expensive.

Just got an estimate for a replacement molar crown: U$S 400. Payable in dollars.
Used to be around a hundred and eighty dollars a few years back.

 

[Caribbean Cool]

Let's say you're trying to decide where to retire abroad. With the recent price increases in USD terms does it make sense to focus on other options in South America? Or maybe to just give them more consideration than before?

I think of my decision process about moving here last year, in regards to the cost of living, and the comparisons have been blown out of the water. Giving other countries more consideration is 100% smart. I am not saying to rule out Argentina....but it has turned upside down.

 

[oddDistribution]

I think of my decision process about moving here last year, in regards to the cost of living, and the comparisons have been blown out of the water. Giving other countries more consideration is 100% smart. I am not saying to rule out Argentina....but it has turned upside down.

How much did it change from your expectation?