Moving In Sept! Any Advice?

[K4RR4R]

You're welcome. If you click on the sprocket next to the magnifying glass (near the top of this page) and enter the words "student" and "visa" in an advanced search you will ind more info on the subject of the student visa process as well as the average jail time given to those who enroll at UBA for the purpose of getting a student visa and don't attend classes.

Thanks again Steve,

I did do some searching on this forum, and I've learned quite a bit on what the process is etc - but that specific topic of what colleges/programs are accepted, what constitutes full-time, and how they control students who enroll for visa purposes and don't show up seem to be not showing up in my searches.

Can you perhaps direct me or advise me further?

 

[Mano Negra]

Went to see Muerte en Buenos Aires on Thursday evening. It was 75 pesos at Recoleta Mall and 70 at Abasto.

Knock off videos bought on the street (but the latest releases) only 15 pesos. And there is always some kind of free film festival (think every week in the audio-visual district etc etc), plus so much free culture that unless you want to see some latest blockbuster release you can always entertain yourself for the price of the bus ticket there and back.

 

[Mano Negra]

Please, what is "a hippie way of life"?
Nancy

I suspect it is your way of life Nancy, acting too young for your years, not taking things seriously enough, and generally having too much fun...which I hope you are both having at the moment. Looking forward to seeing you when you get back. Abrazos grandes.

 

[Mano Negra]

Hi all,

I'm moving to Buenos Aires from Vancouver, Canada this September. Really excited about it, and I thought I'd run my circumstances/situation for some experienced ex-pats to see if there's any tips or advice you can offer.

Thankfully there are a few amazing things in my favour - My girlfriend is a local, I have accommodation setup and paid for, a good group of local contacts, have visited the city numerous times and absolutely love it, I have a decent savings account should anything go wrong, and a family home in Canada should I need to head back.

I've done my math and realized it will cost me from $1500-$2500 ARS per month to get by comfortably in Argentina. This covers food, services, medical insurance, travel, and spending money. This is a 'safe' estimate that allows for inflation. In USD that is not a huge amount, but I would rather not dip into my savings if I don't have to, which brings me to my next point of career options/choices.

I am a project manager by trade, and my first option is to have a job/project paying USD that I can work remotely on from Argentina. There is a possibility that I'll find something before September, but the market for those opportunities is not an easy one, and so I definitely need a more realistic plan b.

Since I've done a bit of teaching during my college years and really enjoyed it, and it's not really necessary for me to make 5000pesos+ right away, I thought teaching English would be a great place to start. I do know the pay is extremely low, but it seems there is still demand for native English speakers, and I have no problems with 'working my way up'.

So I've been researching teacher training, and I can either complete a TESL certificate here before I arrive, or attend a teacher training course in Bs.AS (International House offers a CELTA program that is well reviewed). I'm leaning towards completing it when I arrive as I could take advantage of the contacts to get my first teaching position (as well as the fact the program cost half the amount). I'm not yet sure however.

Alternatively, I could look for a local position in project management - however I'm worried that my lack of Spanish fluency and DNI might hinder me there. I'm also not sure where to start looking.

If anyone has any advice for me, please feel free to provide your input - whether it's general advice on moving, or related to my English teaching or career opportunities.

Thanks in advance,

K

PS - Are there social ex-pat events? A bar meet-up or something to that effect? If anyone can point me in that direction would be much appreciated.

Listen, if you aren't starving you aren't dying, and if you have a way back home if the worst comes to the worst, just come and enjoy the adventure (even if it is a bit more artificial with a built in escape route). Certainly to live here well you need to learn to cook, regardless of how much money you have. But access to culture and entertainment? It has to be the liveliest and cheapest city in the world for that!!!

 

[NoVegetables]

Thanks again Steve,

I did do some searching on this forum, and I've learned quite a bit on what the process is etc - but that specific topic of what colleges/programs are accepted, what constitutes full-time, and how they control students who enroll for visa purposes and don't show up seem to be not showing up in my searches.

Can you perhaps direct me or advise me further?

There is no control during the year, at least not that i know of. But if you don't go to classes you won't be able to renew you visa the next year. They will ask for classes history and marks received from the previous year.

Registering for classes requires timing, you can only do it twice a year, (march and august) and for some courses only once a year. The school year generally begins in March, so you'll need to have everything you need to register by then. After registering, 30 days before classes begin (or later) you can get the electronic certificate of inscription. After you get that and you have you your fbi background check and other documents you can get a DNI good for year. Next year you have to reregister and go renew.

 

[Montauk_Project]

curious: when you say that you have rent taken care of, will you be living with your girlfriend in her apartment or with your girlfriend AND her parents in their apartment/house?

 

[AdrianB1983]

I haven't read all the posts, just the first ones and I gotta say you guys spend a lot... well living in Recoleta may have some effect on that.

In my case I spend a total amount of 500 pesos on gas, water, electricity, internet, phone and ARBA bills (I live with my dad, so it's 1000 pesos total).
You can get 100-150 pesos cell phone plans.
I spend about 1500 pesos tops a month on food for my own. I go to Carrefour Maxi where you can get a lot of stuff much cheaper. I don't buy meat there, just the rest.
I spend 600 pesos going out but i don't do much, so let's say 1000 pesos a month for going out.

So, with 3500-4000 pesos a month you should be fine if you live in someone else's house/apartment and you don't have to pay rent.

 

[K4RR4R]

curious: when you say that you have rent taken care of, will you be living with your girlfriend in her apartment or with your girlfriend AND her parents in their apartment/house?

My girlfriend in an apartment owned by her family - which we have both renovated together over the past 2 yrs.

 

[Montauk_Project]

My girlfriend in an apartment owned by her family - which we have both renovated together over the past 2 yrs.

Good, the other situation would get tricky!

 

[PhilipDT]

My girlfriend in an apartment owned by her family - which we have both renovated together over the past 2 yrs.

You've been here for the past 2 years and you thought you could get by on $1500 pesos per month excluding rent?