Moving to Buenos Aires

[argentinabound4]

Hi all!
I'm graduating from college next week and my boyfriend and I are moving to BA in September for a year. I was wondering if anyone had advice on a few things. First, we want to live for a year and we don't have jobs. We're going to get tourist visas and leave the country every 90 days. Has anyone does this? Is it easy and do we have to pay the 140 fee each time we re-enter Argentina? Also, do we have to have a return flight to get a tourist visa? Any help would be much appreciated! And if anyone has any "en negro" or legitimate job openings, I'd be happy to send my resume!

THANKS!

 

[jez]

Also, do we have to have a return flight to get a tourist visa? !

http://baexpats.org/expat-life/15343-united-airlines-sass-warning.html
http://baexpats.org/expat-life/14953-buying-plane-tickets-need-return-three-months.html
http://baexpats.org/newcomers-forum/14061-arriving-one-way-ticket-problems.html
http://baexpats.org/expat-life/15159-24-hour-flight-reservation.html

First, we want to live for a year and we don't have jobs.

Teaching English maybe as you don't state any skill set, do a search for teaching English (http://baexpats.org/search.php)... it will most likely be subsistence...

We're going to get tourist visas and leave the country every 90 days. Has anyone does this? Is it easy and do we have to pay the 140 fee each time we re-enter Argentina?

Again use the search facility: http://baexpats.org/search.php

And if anyone has any "en negro" or legitimate job openings, I'd be happy to send my resume!

What do you do? Do you have a useful skill set?

Are you aware of inflation at 25%? Are you coming with enough savings to live for the first few months?

 

[thepner]

Tons of people do the 90 day border run with a ferry boat over to Uruguay for the day. You have 3 options Buquebus, Colonia Express and Seacat Colonia. Fares can be as cheap at $30 if you get the promotional seats early enough.

The $140 reciprocity fee is a one time payment good for 10 years. Brazil, Bolivia, Chile and Paraguay also have their own similar fee for specific nationalities (which includes the USA), but Chile only charges this if you fly into specific airports. Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay charge this at the border.

As for the exit ticket, my wife and I had no problem leaving Washington DC without an exit ticket, but when we got laid over in Bogota for 2 days, they did ask for our ticket. After a short debate with the Avianca desk, we they informed us that they could be fined and we talked them out of the requirement by telling them we could show bank statements or purchase a ticket in Argentina if it became an issue with Immegracion. From reading other peoples experiences, it does sound like it comes up from time to time when trying to leave on your initial flight but it isn't a problem once you arrive in Argentina. Some suggestions are to purchase a cheap refundable ticket to Santiago or Montevideo and later canceled. Another option is to purchase a ferry ticket to Uruguay that allows changes (more expensive then the web promotional rates)

 

[sesamosinsal]

The $140 reciprocity fee is a one time payment good for 10 years. Brazil, Bolivia, Chile and Paraguay also have their own similar fee for specific nationalities (which includes the USA), but Chile only charges this if you fly into specific airports. Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay charge this at the border.

Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay do not (legally speaking) charge this at the border. U.S. citizens, for example, must obtain a tourist visa at each country's respective embassy to enter legally. Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay all have consulates here in Buenos Aires.

 

[argentinabound4]

I really appreciate all the information! We're definitely coming with enough savings to last us a few months. Regarding myself, I'm a Corporate Communications and Spanish major and a minor in Linguistics. I speak good Spanish (moving to BA to perfect it). I'm very responsible and have great organizational skills. I also teach children's yoga, along with tutoring Spanish and interning at an online advertising agency. My boyfriend knows how to sail and deal with boats. He's also an artist who wants to learn about real estate. If any of that sounds appealing at all, I'd love some tips on finding a job!

Regarding the border fees, would you recommend contacting the, say, Brazilian embassy in Argentina BEFORE the trip?

 

[argentinabound4]

Just read the last thread post.... no need to answer my second questions.

Any other advice before leaving the states? Something that one of you feel was NECESSARY and wish you had known?

 

[John.St]

Just read the last thread post.... no need to answer my second questions.

Any other advice before leaving the states? Something that one of you feel was NECESSARY and wish you had known?

If you are a peanut butter addict you may want to bring some. Whether you are or not, bring a ton or two and you'll have enough money to last you for years and years - search function: peanut butter.

 

[citygirl]

Advice - it's going to be twice as expensive as you think it will be. Make sure you have enough in the bank to cover your year of living expenses and ticket home. That being said, come and enjoy it!

 

[Purcy]

Be careful doing any real estate deals for apt rentals. Best to use a reputable agency specializing in short term rentals (apartmentsba.com) to reserve a short term apt for your first week. After arriving you can seek out a longer term furnished apt which you will be able to eyeball to ensure it's what you want.

If you have a realistic idea of what the cost of living will be, don't be too frightened by the forecast of high inflation. Even though the dollar is now weak worldwide, it will more or less keep pace with Argentine inflation so that, ultimately, your cost of living should not increase dramatically during your stay here.

Have fun. Consider how you want to spend your time. You may decide that living for a year in Bs As is not as exciting as , say, traveling around Argentina and/or all of So Am.

 

[John.St]

If you have a realistic idea of what the cost of living will be, don't be too frightened by the forecast of high inflation. Even though the dollar is now weak worldwide, it will more or less keep pace with Argentine inflation so that, ultimately, your cost of living should not increase dramatically during your stay here.

I am afraid it isn't quite that simple.

The AR$ follows the U$S more or less, with a downwards slide in comparison to the exchange rate.

Compare these two graphs:

U$S http://www.valutakurser.dk/currency/showgraph.aspx?valutaid=233053
AR$ http://www.valutakurser.dk/currency/showgraph.aspx?valutaid=287417

for both select dates (dd/mm/yyyy) 02/04/2007 and 02/04/2011

You'll see a drop in U$S from 5.50 to 5.18 and in AR$ from 1.80 to 1.23, which looks favorable

- but then if you calculate the real inflation in
2007-2008: 12 percent
2008-2009: 18 percent
2009-2010: 22 percent
2010-2011: 28 percent
It isn't so favorable.

2007 (APR): 1 U$S = AR$ 3.05
An article, which then cost AR$ 30 i.e. cost ~ 10 U$S
2008: AR$ 33.60
2009: 39.64
2010: 48.37
2011: 61.91
2011 (APR): 1 U$S = AR$ 4.10.

The same article which now cost AR$ 62 i.e. cost ~ U$S 15.12
a real increase of 51.2 percent in U$S - and as can be seen, the inflation is running higher each year.

Edit: The calculation has been corrected because 1 U$S = AR$ 4.10 (and not as I originally wrote: 1 U$S = AR$ 5.10.)./edit