Major Differences Between B.A. and Thailand

[2GuysInPM]

Okay thanks for that...price for the 64 here in BKK is 14700 baht which translates to just under 500 usd so there seems to be no need to stockpile stuff as prices are about the same.

Don't just go by the price of an iPod. While you may be able to get similar low prices on some items that are in high demand; overall imported electronics are quite expensive here. Here's an interesting article about the subject: http://www.argentinepost.com/2009/08/the-cost-of-buying-an-hdtv-in-argentina.html

Good luck!

 

[mini]

I don't know, how many "electronics" do you need? Am I missing something?

 

[jp]

It depends on how long you are going to move here.

The cost of a kettle, a TV, a microwave, a fridge, a dvd player - all these things cost a lot more that they do in other parts of the world. If you're shipping things over I'd recommend shipping electrical goods with you. Some thing cost double or even triple the price in elsewhere.

After living here for two years I still can't bring myself to pay 300 pesos for a sodding electric kettle.

 

[Ries]

Good thing you dont live in the USA- a Braun W600 stainless electric kettle is now on sale for $159 US on Amazon- its usually $299!
Thats around 600 pesos.

Of course, in the USA, you could spend more, if you wanted fancy.

Or less, just like in BsAs- my kettle cost around $150 pesos, as I recall...
About the same as an average, mid range one costs in the USA.

Its absolutely true that name brand, global imports are expensive in Argentina- but I have usually found em for one and a half to two times US prices.

But there are plenty of lower priced, Argentine, Brazilian, and Chinese imports that are not so pricy- if you are willing to settle for what everybody else here uses.
If you gotta have the best, the fanciest, the newest, the flashiest, the most trendy- expect to pay.

And there are some odd things as well- for instance, since Ipods are so expensive, there are very few stereos with Ipod docks- and the few that exist are pricey.
Whereas, at mass market electronics places in the US, there are tons of em for a hundred to two hundred dollars.

But as mentioned above- how many "electronics" do you need?

Bring along a laptop, an Ipod, a digital camera, and you can find reasonable prices locally on non name brand printers, tv's, blenders, and the like.

If its really important, schedule a stop in Hong Kong. Cant find the stuff much cheaper than there.

Its when you get into specialised, trades equipment, as opposed to consumer goods, that it gets harder to find in Argentina. I am an artist, a machinist, a blacksmith, and do a lot of embroidered textiles- and in all those categories, the machines and tools are harder to find, and quite expensive.
I have no problem finding a toaster oven- but try to find a good deal on a 6 needle embroidery machine, or a CNC milling machine!

 

[BKK to BA]

Good thing you dont live in the USA- a Braun W600 stainless electric kettle is now on sale for $159 US on Amazon- its usually $299!
Thats around 600 pesos.

Of course, in the USA, you could spend more, if you wanted fancy.

Or less, just like in BsAs- my kettle cost around $150 pesos, as I recall...
About the same as an average, mid range one costs in the USA.

Its absolutely true that name brand, global imports are expensive in Argentina- but I have usually found em for one and a half to two times US prices.

But there are plenty of lower priced, Argentine, Brazilian, and Chinese imports that are not so pricy- if you are willing to settle for what everybody else here uses.
If you gotta have the best, the fanciest, the newest, the flashiest, the most trendy- expect to pay.

And there are some odd things as well- for instance, since Ipods are so expensive, there are very few stereos with Ipod docks- and the few that exist are pricey.
Whereas, at mass market electronics places in the US, there are tons of em for a hundred to two hundred dollars.

But as mentioned above- how many "electronics" do you need?

Bring along a laptop, an Ipod, a digital camera, and you can find reasonable prices locally on non name brand printers, tv's, blenders, and the like.

If its really important, schedule a stop in Hong Kong. Cant find the stuff much cheaper than there.

Its when you get into specialised, trades equipment, as opposed to consumer goods, that it gets harder to find in Argentina. I am an artist, a machinist, a blacksmith, and do a lot of embroidered textiles- and in all those categories, the machines and tools are harder to find, and quite expensive.
I have no problem finding a toaster oven- but try to find a good deal on a 6 needle embroidery machine, or a CNC milling machine!

Im bringing in my cell,Ipod,PC,monitor a few cameras....was thinking of bringing in a stereo receiver as well and buying the speakers there,but after checking prices on that site mentioned a few posts ago it seems like stereo recievers arent that expensive.

Also started another thread elsewhere with zero responses,perhaps yall can assist here...being a saltwater aquarium junkie im looking for info on shops in BsAs that retail tanks,equipment,supplies,fish etc for marine tanks...any info?

 

[Delfina]

You can start searching here:

http://www.acuariomarino.com.ar/acuarioscapfed.html

 

[BKK to BA]

You can start searching here:

http://www.acuariomarino.com.ar/acuarioscapfed.html

Thank you!

 

[bapak]

bkk -sounds like you can't take the expense, heat, traffic and hookers in bkk.i also live in thailand(8yrs.). chiang mai, which is cheaper, cooler has access to 95% of products i can get in the U.S.. have you ever been to BA before? i'd take a trip first. which is what i plan to do next summer. "the grass is always greener......." corruption seems about the same. the visa situation seems easier in thailand. the guarantor lease thing sounds like a hassle. thai people seem happier. BA is 252nd least expensive country on the cost of living index. thailand didn't make the list! wine and beef are cheaper. the rest is not if you CAN FIND IT! automobiles and motorbikes are double. housing is similar. you need 4 season clothing in BA. and i gotta tell you a country where most of the people are of italian extraction(so am i) it sounds like they can't make a good pizza. then they go "hunting" for things like sour cream. life's too short. but the biggest thing is their terrible inflation. so i think the crawl, walk, run MIGHT be the way to approach moving to BA. ps argentina football ALOT better.

 

[No Moss]

Hi, Bapak. Thanks for your thoughts. I'm just ready for a change. I realize that Buenos Aires is not without its hassles, and it will certainly be more expensive than Bangkok in many ways--way more than Chiang Mai, but then Rosario would be cheaper than Bangkok.

I really can't afford to fly over to BA, then come back, then fly again. That's difficult logistically and very expensive, up around US$5000 for three trips. I'd rather move there and then move back if I don't like it. It won't be hugely more expensive to live there as a tourist for a few months than to live here in Bangers, where I pay US$570 for a modest studio in the "farang ghetto". Mind you, that price includes everything, including bedding and towels, maid service 2x per week, good WiFi and cable, water and electricity, pool and workout room, and excellent security and service from a large resident staff. What it doesn't include is a grand western city with people whose language I can at least partially understand, and whom I am genuinely interested in knowing.

If it were a purely economic decision, I would live in Chiang Mai. I've lived there, but gee, there isn't much in the way of cultural stimulation, and the transportation situation is pretty bad. But food is good, the weather is cooler than the rest of Thailand, and accomodation is dirt cheap ($US5-6 will buy you a night in an older but entirely acceptable hotel, and $10 a night will give you a modern if small room, spotlessly clean).

I've liked Thailand for decades of visits, but living here eventually spoiled it for me. And BAs is close to another city I adore, Rio. Dangerous now I guess, but what an amazing place when I visited two decades ago, full of Carioca dreams and the beautiful sounds of Jobim, and found the cidade maravilhosa lived up to my frothiest imaginings.

So here I come, dictionary and suitcases in hand, expecting everything and nothing, ready to lose my heart to another of the world's great cities.

 

[BKK to BA]

bkk -sounds like you can't take the expense, heat, traffic and hookers in bkk.i also live in thailand(8yrs.). chiang mai, which is cheaper, cooler has access to 95% of products i can get in the U.S.. have you ever been to BA before? i'd take a trip first. which is what i plan to do next summer. "the grass is always greener......." corruption seems about the same. the visa situation seems easier in thailand. the guarantor lease thing sounds like a hassle. thai people seem happier. BA is 252nd least expensive country on the cost of living index. thailand didn't make the list! wine and beef are cheaper. the rest is not if you CAN FIND IT! automobiles and motorbikes are double. housing is similar. you need 4 season clothing in BA. and i gotta tell you a country where most of the people are of italian extraction(so am i) it sounds like they can't make a good pizza. then they go "hunting" for things like sour cream. life's too short. but the biggest thing is their terrible inflation. so i think the crawl, walk, run MIGHT be the way to approach moving to BA. ps argentina football ALOT better.

Was the response to me,or Moss,the other Thailand to Argentina person posting here?

For me,the heat doesnt bother me.I lived on Samui,across from the beach for 4 years.The cost of living,while still not expensive has gotten worse thanks largely to a weak greenback.Hookers..??LOL,please...never met a group of people with less sexual passion,expression and imagination than the Thais...no way im paying for that!The traffic...yes amongst the worlds worst,and def the worst I've ever experienced.

Im a 'professional' expat,lived in Mexico,The Bahamas,Turks and Caicos,Martinique and Thailand and simply ready for a change.As I said in the original post,I am getting the impression that many of the issues I hate about Thailand,are going to continue in Argentina as well.However after spending 5 years in a country where im a walking target for street vendors,Indian tailorshop owners(Hey Boss!)countless scams and schemes simply because of my skin color im looking forward to being a little less conspicous.
Im also looking forward to meeting people with a little passion,perspective and opinion..whether I agree with them or not it will be a refreshing change.
Looking forward to getting some real food with Farang sized portions too.Many here seem to dismiss the dietary benefits of living in Argentina.Those who do surely have never spent time in Thailand(or anywhere in SE Asia)where Sizzler is considered to be a good spot for tasty steaks and fine dining.....No Joke!!!
Looking forward to being in a place where I share a common alphabet and can put my limited Spanish skills to some use.Try learning a new language that uses an alphabet with 44 consonants,14 vowels presented in a form that you cannot recognize or read,where the people prefer to keep you in the dark so they can talk freely in front of you and about you.

Thailand is a great place for many things but as I said after 5 years im just ready for a change.And if Argentina isnt to my liking,there are still a few hundred countries Ive yet to lay down my cap and call home.

See yall in a few weeks!