Plans to Leave?

[allcraz]

I'm visiting "back home" (the states) now...Altho I'm enjoying the ethnic eatery options, cleanliness, and the freedom of not worrying if my purse or phone might get snatched, too much here is based on consumerism....too few sidewalks being used, too many huge cars, and people buying stuff because it's a form of recreation. And the drug commercials (along with the requisite warnings about all the different ways they might kill you) seem more advertised on TV than any other type of product...Consumption as recreation, medication to compensate for unhealthy (mental and physical) lifestyle, and hostile politicians..not a very appealing picture..And altho.it's not the same kind of "in your face" insecurity and grit that is BsAs, at least In Argentina interests go beyond what one can put in a shopping bag or on a charge card....

This is pretty much exactly how I feel when I go home. And then my fellow average Americans' lack of culture just drives it home for me. My Argentine husband and I were at the grocery store with my mom, and our daughter had fallen asleep in the stroller. We didn't want to put her in the car and risk waking her (heaven forbid!) and it was lunch time, so my husband suggested walking somewhere close to eat. Ha. You should have seen my mom's face. What? Stepping out of the grocery store parking lot on foot? In the end, my husband looked toward the horizon and said, "How about that place?" (fried chicken no less - but actually one of my favorites when I go home) Sounded good to everyone, so my mom and I hopped in the car and drove across the street while my husband walked to a busy stoplight with no sidewalks, no crosswalks, and somehow survived.

Oh, I could go on and on. Yesterday a friend back home posted a picture that said "Signs of a good playdate." There were so many toys thrown around the playroom that, I kid you not, you could not see the carpet. There were easily over 200. My first reaction was disgust.

I'm here forever, and of course there are things that drive me up the wall, but they haven't yet driven me back to the States.

 

[fifs2]

There is another alternative rather than suffering in BsAs OR suffering in your home country. Be an expat somewhere that isn't home but that offers you the sanity/security/ethnic diversity/culture etc etc or whatever it is you're missing in Bsas. I was glad to leave Bsas after 9+ years but I sure as hell couldn't have lasted more than 4 weeks had I moved back to my home country (Ireland) which I love but which drives me demented for many reasons .With the benefit of working at a distance we chose Andalucía and quite frankly I love it. People here are so warm and joyous. The 1st year was hard as they were more conservative and less obviously friendly but having immersed ourselves into the Flamenco/sherry/hunting culture I can honestly say I feel local but just different enough which is how I like it. I've beaten the Spanish drum before. Spain is by no means paradise for everyone but for those expats bemoaning a lack of culture and excess of consumerism in the US why not consider Europe?

 

[allcraz]

but for those expats bemoaning a lack of culture and excess of consumerism in the US why not consider Europe?

Yes, of course, it's a big world out there. My reason is very simple. Family is very important to both of us, and we have always and continue to agree that we wouldn't want to live anywhere where we don't have family nearby.

 

[Dublin2BuenosAires]

Family really, also those of us who are working (or self employed) would not find many opportunities in Spain right now. It may be viable for us in fiture, but right now if I had to go back to Eu it would be London or Dublin for IT work, which are both really busy again to the extent that anyone with english, experience and a visa should be in a job in a few weeks.

Any of the germanic countries are good for jobs as I understand it, but do require a level of german or specialist experience. The amout of offers for interviews I have had in Dublin whilst living in another country is starting to get back to boom levels. Tax dodgery no doubt being at the heart of it.

If only the weather wasn't so incredibly miserable there! (Of course there are other reasons!)...my ideal scenario would be to somehow shrink the atlantic by about 8 hours flying time.

tldr - Spain is great if you are able to bring work with you, it's a dead zone for IT and financial services jobs. Mainly because of centralisation of those jobs in low cost european centres. Italy...ni siquiera hablar!

 

[Page8383]

I have a flight out next month back to Sydney after 16 months here. My girlfriend got her visa approved so she will follow in June, or thereabouts.

BA is OK - it is each to their own of course. But the thing that kills me is that I just interpret the whole place as being on a big treadmill. Everyone seems to be working for the weekend, so to speak. There seems to be no reward for effort here, and therefore there seems to be no pursuit of excellence. No one seems to care either. I speak mainly in a professional context, however this, I believe flows into other aspects of life / quality of life etc. Very few things seems to get better here and there is a real absence of vision for the future amongst the people.
I disclaim that I perceive these things from mainly a third person perspective.

But the result is that I feel like I am spinning my wheels here. There is far more opportunity back home in terms of building a career and earning money.
I work in construction and have been out of the game for 18 months now. I miss the hustle and bustle and getting up and making things happen. Very few people seem to have the get-up-and-go or the willingness to leave their mark on this world here. Whilst that is a lifestyle choice of the people here - it is not my cup of tea.

I understand that many people here are snookered for opportunity - but I also do hear a lot of excuses. This excuse culture I see at a political level. Everyone is so disenchanted with the current administration - But it baffles me that the opposition is so disorganised. There is the odd pot banging session or a lazy online petition or boycott of supermarkets - but no alternative agenda nor 'great white hope' for the people. This seems to be a long-lasting underpinning aspect to the Peronists' success here. But whether the people haven't worked it out, or maybe they just don't have that drive to make a difference for their country - the result is the same.

Of course I miss the things that all you guys miss about your hometowns, whether it be the beach, your footy club, your favourite beer, your mates, family and comfort food. But I think the above is what erodes my ability to carve out a living for myself, or even potentially for my family, here.

I am under no illusions that my life will be more stressful back home, and I'll miss the laid back lifestyle here (it has been the laziest year of my adult life - no complaints). But I can't do it forever. Maybe I'll be back - you never say never.

I'd like to buy some property down near the lakes in Neuquen - But atm I'm not investing any money here where I do not think I'll be able to liquidate easily enough.

 

[khairyexpat]

deleted

 

[kerriem]

I think Europe/Spain is a good option for those of us who can work on-line.


I agree with others that there are a lot of things that are irritating about this place, but I dislike my home country (Australia) even more. We're only a few years behind ending up in the same place as North America is at the moment: consume, consume, consume (as others on this thread have already highlighted). Being in Argentina and having a break from that (so-called) lifestyle has been so refreshing. I love that the Argentines have got more going on in their lives than house prices, private school fees, asylum seekers and endless mundane conversations about their jobs. And even more excitingly no one looks at me strangely when I mention I'm heading to a gallery on Saturday afternoon!

 

[fifs2]

Agreed, living with an extended family was key in taking us back to Europe. All the friends in the world in Bsas couldn't give us or the children the family life that we love and need, albeit with mother in law at a safe distance in Sweden. Family, friends, culture and fun come firmly before consumerism were we live. There are flash b****tds all over the world and quite a few I know in Bsas. You just need to chose your priorities in life and seek to surround yourself with similar mindsets which I am sure is as feasible in US as Europe or anywhere.

 

[Arronius]

Spain is by no means paradise for everyone but for those expats bemoaning a lack of culture and excess of consumerism in the US why not consider Europe?

I think Europe/Spain is a good option for those of us who can work on-line.

Am I underinformed? I thought it was pretty difficult for Americans and Canadians to live in Europe, let alone work there.

As a general comment on the forum, staying or leaving as an expat is a question that never really goes away, like existential worry or unrealized ambition. Grass is greener mentality is certainly a factor. After six years in Guadalajara, I have decided to make the move to BA. While I love Mexico, I hate the idea of being pigeonholed. I never wanted to be "that guy" who stayed in Mexico. I pictured myself still there in ten years asking, "why the hell am I still here?" Maybe I'll love BA, maybe I'll stay forever, maybe I'll move on to another place, maybe I'll move back to Mexico. Who knows. For those who, because of fortunate work circumstances, are able to move, I say do it, whether it is back home or to a new place. If that's what you really want, try it. You can always come back. But give it time before you do. Pushing through that (reverse) culture shock takes time.

I didn't do study abroad when I was in college because honestly, the idea of leaving my friends and my life for a semester was too much for me. Looking back now, it seems pretty dumb, but that was my world then, and who knows what might have happened to it in my absence! I would tell anyone the same thing I would tell my college self. Don't let that old me be you.

 

[enriquetta]

.You can always go back. I did.

Thanks so much for sharing DontMindMe. I have been dreaming of living here "forever" since then first time I came, about 9 years ago. I got to live a semester here in 2010 studying at UCA and I had a good time, Ive had argentinian friends since before that, since my childhood and I enjoyed being in BA more then in any other city Ive lived so I really couldnt wait to make the move. Now I am here still as a student, living from a scholarship so Im ok, but I realized it would be hard tog et a job here that would allow me a confortable life(which doesent mean luxuries, but being able to visit home every once in a while). And I have opportunities in other countries I completely didnt consider cause I was so focused in Argentina. Obsessed, really. So now I am moving back home, in the end of march, for a freelance job I got for four months while writting my master thesis, and then I will go back to Denmark to defend it and stick around for a bit. I realize I never gave Denmark a chance when I lived there for my studies, I arrived with my eyes closed and all I could think about was moving to Argentina. I might still give BA, and Argentina, another chance like DontMindMe did, I dont think I am ready to completely give up on my "argentinian dream", but I have opportunities in other countries and I feel this is the time to take advantage them. Who knows, maybe I will be bored out of my mind and want to come back, and I can always do it. But given the situation here this is the time for a break I would say.