I've met a ton of Argentines living outside of Argentina on a permanent basis who have told me how happy they are. Here are just two examples: A cordobesa friend's sister has been in Barcelona for more than a decade now. She has a Spanish husband and her own dance academy, is super happy and has never looked back nor does she have any desire to move back to Argentina, despite the current economic situation in Spain. She says she never would have been able to do what she's doing in Argentina. A porteño married a friend of mine from college. He had never lived outside of Buenos Aires. They did the K1 fiancé(e) visa and have been in Houston for three years now. He never finished college back in BA but got a great IT job in Houston anyway and makes a great salary. She's a lawyer and it made no sense for her to finish law school and then move somewhere where she couldn't work. Every time I see them I ask if he misses living in Argentina yet, and he always says no. He says he has a better lifestyle, a better job that treats him well, and appreciates the safety and the general quality of life. He doesn't even miss the food because he can find just about everything except for morcilla. They are so happy and in love, and grateful to be together after surviving two years of long-distance courtship. The two Argentines in these examples are extremely close to their families and friends back home, but are content with a once-a-year visit, using the rest of their vacation time to travel elsewhere. They are also open-minded, adventurous types who don't come off as having that insular bubble mentality that Argentina is the best country in the world, sí o sí. I imagine this is a factor.
Argentines are hardly the only nationality to value their family and friends, and if a partner is willing to move overseas, I think it's a good sign. There are some who would never even entertain the thought! I am currently the overseas partner in my relationship and while it hasn't been easy (friends and jobs don't just rain from the sky, getting residency is a bitch, etc.), we are stronger than ever, dare I even say happier than ever, as a couple.
