Starting Over... with pets

[devilclam]

Hola!
We are 2 Canadians looking to move from BC to Argentina within the next 6-12mths.
We have a cat and a dog (golden retriever) * this is my biggest concern as we want to minimize the stress on them during the process.
We have an online coaching business for income plus savings but would love to eventually buy a property to have Airbnb's/camping etc
We are looking at Neuquen, San Carlos di Bariloche, Mendoza and/or Cordoba as possible places to land.
We are thinking of renting an Airbnb ourselves as our initial accommodation until we get settled?
I am currently learning Spanish to be fluent by the time we arrive.
ANY tips regarding any of the above would be amazing.
We appreciate ANY guidance anyone might have.
Thank you so much.

As others have mentioned, there is the "permatourist" approach, but I did do that and brought my cat. I had to get his rabies shots up to date and get him medically cleared by a registered veterinarian (in my case USDA) within 10 days of departure. I think there was also a small fee for him upon entry.

As far as keeping pets calm... Mine was not. Gave him a bunch of gabapentin and he fought it the whole way. But it was one bad day and he's been great ever since.

 

[LuckyLuke]

This whole thread reminds me of one vital item missing from this forum. Stickies.

I have seen in the last few months several posts from newcomers asking very basic (but complicated) questions about coming down here without understanding the full process and limitations. Most of these newcomer posts rarely get a reply, as members are tired of repeating themselves. It would save us all some time to put some joint effort into compiling a basic "Sticky" thread.

I have often seen stickies titled "READ THIS BEFORE POSTING". Perhaps someone could forward this idea to a moderator or admin.

 

[LuckyLuke]

completely fair point. thought I'd put it out there for the masses for anyone that might want to contribute some insight. How do you find Neuquen?

Thanks to the petroleum sector it is a fast growing city, that like most growing cities has some growing pains. Due the constant influx of working families, the rental market is unfortunately very tight and finding long term accommodations outside of short term stays (Airbnb, booking, etc.) will be difficult. It is also very expensive, in fact the most expensive capital in the country. I would not recommend it as an initial starting point. That being said, the city mostly offers nature and sport related activities. It is not known for being touristy or a gastronomy hotbed and it has very few cultural happenings to share beyond the ordinary. Most expats seem to prefer the euro-centric sophistication of Buenos Aires over an ordinary city like Neuquen. That beind said, it is a great place for nature lovers who want a city like feel without the city like bustle.

 

[Alby]

Much of the guidance you seek can be found by searching previous conversations with key words like immigration, banking, pet travel requirements, purchasing property.

Other issues to research thoroughly if settling down/a fresh start is the goal (and if an immigration category could be found -- the big IF) include health care/insurance and taxation implications, both in Argentina and Canada.

 

[karlaninas]

This whole thread reminds me of one vital item missing from this forum. Stickies.

I have seen in the last few months several posts from newcomers asking very basic (but complicated) questions about coming down here without understanding the full process and limitations. Most of these newcomer posts rarely get a reply, as members are tired of repeating themselves. It would save us all some time to put some joint effort into compiling a basic "Sticky" thread.

I have often seen stickies titled "READ THIS BEFORE POSTING". Perhaps someone could forward this idea to a moderator or admin.

I totally sympathize with your response. I have researched as much as I could but some of the government information is hard to parse out especially because we dont seem to fit any category to immigrate. We aren't students, we are aren't retired, we don't have sponsorship.
We are trying to escape Canada to live a life we can afford (better than here) in nature and experience the beauty and culture of Argentina.
I recognize everyone's situation is different and different rules will apply.
WE've never done this before and it is very overwhelming and daunting (as I'm sure you all are aware) to pick up and move to a new country. It's hard to know where to start. I"ve been reading other threads and alot of the situations don't really apply to us. It's challenging to parse it out with the new immigration laws and how/if they are being enforced.
We are healthy and work hard and have no intention of being burdensome. We just can't stay in Canada any longer

 

[LuckyLuke]

I totally sympathize with your response. I have researched as much as I could but some of the government information is hard to parse out especially because we dont seem to fit any category to immigrate. We aren't students, we are aren't retired, we don't have sponsorship.
We are trying to escape Canada to live a life we can afford (better than here) in nature and experience the beauty and culture of Argentina.
I recognize everyone's situation is different and different rules will apply.
WE've never done this before and it is very overwhelming and daunting (as I'm sure you all are aware) to pick up and move to a new country. It's hard to know where to start. I"ve been reading other threads and alot of the situations don't really apply to us. It's challenging to parse it out with the new immigration laws and how/if they are being enforced.
We are healthy and work hard and have no intention of being burdensome. We just can't stay in Canada any longer

It's completely understandable. Even with an Argentine spouse, landing in a city with several of her relatives well established, we found the transition incredibly stressful. Given the current administration's (Milei) stance, your immigration qualifications is your first priority to determining the viability of your move.

 

[Alby]

We are trying to escape Canada. We just can't stay in Canada any longer

Completely understandable. I felt and feel that way about my home country.

However, unless you are prepared to live the precarious lifestyle of the permatourist and never integrate into country's basic administrative and commercial systems, the only option is to migrate under one of the thirteen categories listed here: https://www.argentina.gob.ar/interior/migraciones/radicaciones-mercosur-residencia-temporaria

These categories are the same as they always have been, unaffected by the recent changes to the law.

It's the threshold question. If you don't fit currently and can't make yourselves fit in the future by changing things around, the remaining questions you might have about moving here do not arise and there is no reason to feel overwhelmed by them.

Other than the student option, the other possibility might be the Rentista: if you own an income generating asset such as a rented home back in Canada that earns you enough to meet the minimum threshold Migraciones sets (currently around US$ 1300 per month).

 

[karlaninas]

Completely understandable. I felt and feel that way about my home country.

However, unless you are prepared to live the precarious lifestyle of the permatourist and never integrate into country's basic administrative and commercial systems, the only option is to migrate under one of the thirteen categories listed here: https://www.argentina.gob.ar/interior/migraciones/radicaciones-mercosur-residencia-temporaria

These categories are the same as they always have been, unaffected by the recent changes to the law.

It's the threshold question. If you don't fit currently and can't make yourselves fit in the future by changing things around, the remaining questions you might have about moving here do not arise and there is no reason to feel overwhelmed by them.

Other than the student option, the other possibility might be the Rentista: if you own an income generating asset such as a rented home back in Canada that earns you enough to meet the minimum threshold Migraciones sets (currently around US$ 1300 per month).

that is an excellent link and advice Alby. Thank you

 

[on the brink]

"Neuquen, San Carlos de Bariloche, Mendoza and/or Cordoba" are your list of possibles.
My own personal rating of the four places:

1-Mendoza - at the foot of the Andes, scenic views, many different good-sized towns to choose from, near Chile and the sea.
2- Cordoba, landlocked, nice but not so scenic
3-Bariloche - strictly a tourist town, awesome scenery
4-Neuquen - haven't been there, but it sounds like it may be a company town.

 

[karlaninas]

"Neuquen, San Carlos de Bariloche, Mendoza and/or Cordoba" are your list of possibles.
My own personal rating of the four places:

1-Mendoza - at the foot of the Andes, scenic views, many different good-sized towns to choose from, near Chile and the sea.
2- Cordoba, landlocked, nice but not so scenic
3-Bariloche - strictly a tourist town, awesome scenery
4-Neuquen - haven't been there, but it sounds like it may be a company town.

thank you for your insight!