Sophisticated & Cosmopolitan Buenis Aires

[pitipur]

There are about 13 million in Gran Buenos Aires. Almost 1/3 the national population That is pretty big so I think size-wise BA CAN be compared to New York or London.

I was just talking about the city proper, where the majority of the cultural events are likely to be found, but fair enough

 

[semigoodlookin]

I was just talking about the city proper, where the majority of the cultural events are likely to be found, but fair enough

The city proper has about 3.5 million people, I can't imagine London has more than that (talking about the central areas not the metro area), same for New York.

 

[Rich One]

Those expats who had access to the Elite circles of cosmopolitan life, Alta Costura fashion shows , by invitation cultural events, Polo circles, Gala Events, mansions, Plush estancias, Arabian Horse Haras, exclusive resorts, high end gastronomic events, etc, may have an opinion , the rest of us can only guess...

 

[mmoon]

I don't think that most people who haven't been to BA think that it is any kind of true center of culture, etc. Yes, for South America, it is definitely the center of fashion and food, music and art, but it's not world-class in my opinion. Most centers are very diverse places, with people from all over the world creating interesting culture, bringing new food into the scene, etc. It seems to me like the expat population has decreased in the past several years. The issues with currency, the restrictions on imports, the perceptions of rampant corruption all have an impact on the desirability of visiting or living in Argentina. Just trying to get a decent flight to BA from the US is a lot harder than it was several years ago. I think everything that has happened recently with politics, the economy, etc. will likely impede efforts for BA to be a true international city. BA has a lot of educated, well-traveled and cultured residents, but there's a big drag in the other direction against being part of an international community.

And regarding population size, San Francisco, Sydney and Rome are just a few relatively small cities that are arguably international centers.

 

[garryl]

Come here find out yourself. One day I feel it's sophisticated and otro dia I feel it's backward, and very often I am frustrated, if I need service.

 

[Napoleon]

The city proper has about 3.5 million people, I can't imagine London has more than that (talking about the central areas not the metro area), same for New York.

"New York" is not just Manhattan. New York is also Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and The Bronx. There are over 8 million people in NYC. The tri-state metropolitan area is ~25-30 million.

But if you want to manipulate statistics to help your point, feel free.

 

[mmoon]

I think most of the mythology of BA has been created and perpetuated by Argentina itself. I love BA and it's one of my favorite cities in the world, but I can't believe when I still hear Argentina being sold as an ideal place to retire. Yes, several years ago it was a relatively stable bargain, but now it's all a big question mark. I don't know the official statistics (if there are any reliable ones), but I get the sense there are far fewer expats and visitors. This holiday season, I found it much harder to even find good flights to BA...all of them had long layovers in Dallas, JFK or Miami and cost upwards of $2000 (one stop flights on major airlines). I can only imagine it has something to do with less demand, so reduced flights. Anyone know if this guess is actually true, not just of destinations in general, but particularly BA?
Frankly, I've always found it sad, this shooting oneself in the foot, because Argentina and BA have a ton going for them. I'll keep trying to keep some faith, but it's getting harder for sure!

 

[Ries]

I dont think you can compare "cosmopolitan" with "ideal place to retire".
In the USA, the "ideal" places to retire are usually class A pits- Yuma, Arizona, the west coast of Florida, crappy small towns in the south.
If you look at any top ten retirement destinations, there is no question, BsAs is more cosmopolitan than all of em put together.
Also, airline fares have nothing to do with sophistication.

personally, I feel that BsAs IS pretty cosmopolitan and sophisticated.
I rate the museums, film festival, architecture, jazz festival, live music in general, literary scene, theater, dance, and art happenings all pretty highly.
NYC these days is all about the money- tickets to the average event there are four, or often ten times what they cost in argentina.
Same thing with London, or other big cities.

I can have more fun here, at a reasonable price, and see things much more up close and personal than in NY or similar places.

 

[camberiu]

Yes, for South America, it is definitely the center of fashion and food, music and art, but it's not world-class in my opinion.

Food, fashion, art, culture, etc....those things tend to follow the money, and the money today is in Sao Paulo, not Buenos Aires, by a very wide margin. I am not an advocate for Sao Paulo by any stretch of the imagination. It is an ugly, chaotic, crime infested city and I'd never live there myself. But that is where the money is, and therefore it s where you will find, culture, art, fashion, etc. Best restaurants in Latin America? Sao Paulo. Best universities in Latin America? Sao Paulo. Most shows, art venues and hottest artistic scene? Sao Paulo.

Would I suggest that any expat should move to Sao Paulo? Never. But that is, without question, where the center of art, culture, food and education is not just for South America, but for all of Latin America. But hey, don't take my word for it.

 

[wineguy999]

I don't know the official statistics (if there are any reliable ones), but I get the sense there are far fewer expats and visitors. This holiday season, I found it much harder to even find good flights to BA...all of them had long layovers in Dallas, JFK or Miami and cost upwards of $2000 (one stop flights on major airlines). I can only imagine it has something to do with less demand, so reduced flights. Anyone know if this guess is actually true, not just of destinations in general, but particularly BA?
Frankly, I've always found it sad, this shooting oneself in the foot, because Argentina and BA have a ton going for them. I'll keep trying to keep some faith, but it's getting harder for sure!

United has a daily flight from Houston to BA. I've been on at least 5 of those round trips annually since 2007. I cannot remember more than 2-3 that weren't full or nearly full.

Someone's coming here.