Things Expats Like About Living In Bsas..

[CaliCoco]

I just moved to Zona Norte BsAs from Los Angeles with my Argentine Wife and 2 6 month old twin sons. Long story short, my job in the US involved a lot of travel and my Wife wasn't thrilled to stay home alone with infant twins, so here we are. I lived in BsAs for 4 years 6 years ago so I'm not exactly a stranger. I joined this blog and I am reading so many negative things about life here.Unfortunately I concur with many of these laments. It looks like I'm in this for the long haul so my question
is "What things do you guys appreciate or enjoy about living in BsAs compared to wherever you call home?" Lie to me if you have to.

 

[camberiu]

Weather. winters is BA are wonderful compared to what I have to endure in NYC.

 

[Dublin2BuenosAires]

Sun, family, wine, long weekends, asado, ice cream, adapting, learning the language, opportunities, beer and picadas, taking the dog to the park, the parks, lots of cultural offerings, new friends, old friends visiting, hope (elections & world cup), taking your time over stuff, less commercialised holiday, better relationship with alcohol than at home

Its spring and the city is in full swing, its a good time to be here.

Cons. Traffic, petty crime and the fact that I have to work.

 

[vanessacamozzi]

I think it's easier to call out the negative side of things than the positive but there are two sides to any coin. For me starting a business was more tangible here and a realistic opportunity, whereas in the States you have to start out with so much capital that it was never going to happen (also factor in the exchange rate that worked to my favor.)

So I think it's all about perspective. There are things I love about being here and things I don't but you just have to experience it for yourself and make your own judgement again. You take the good with the bad and the bad with the good anywhere you live. That's my two cents.

Good luck regardless, I know it must be tough with twins!!! I am a twin and I know my parents had their hands full when we were young and in a new country ;-) Enjoy the beautiful weather now and head to those parks!

Best,
Vanessa
www.fukuronoodlebar.com

 

[GS_Dirtboy]

It is cheaper to live here in BA for the same lifestyle than I could either in San Diego or Philadelphia. Yes, one will probably earn less here for the same work even if you are earning in Dollars. However, the percentage of after-tax income used for housing, health care, food, education is significantly less than what we paid in the US. And, we earn in Pesos. If you earn in Dollars and spend in Pesos you could live a very comfortable life on a very modest income.

In short, we are saving money living here.

My crystal ball says there will be 5 posts right behind this saying how bloody expensive this city is, but my bank account doesn't support that accusation.

 

[Alicia karr]

It is cheaper to live here in BA for the same lifestyle than I could either in San Diego or Philadelphia. Yes, one will probably earn less here for the same work even if you are earning in Dollars. However, the percentage of after-tax income used for housing, health care, food, education is significantly less than what we paid in the US. And, we earn in Pesos. If you earn in Dollars and spend in Pesos you could live a very comfortable life on a very modest income.

In short, we are saving money living here.

My crystal ball says there will be 5 posts right behind this saying how bloody expensive this city is, but my bank account doesn't support that accusation.

Don't want to destroy your faith in your crystal ball, but I TOTALLY agree with you. Especially at this point in time and especially being from Philly!

 

[Jaredberryman]

One of the best things about living here, as compared to where I am from, is how seriously people take relationships. It seems like compared to where I am from, people are willing to sacrifice an infinite amount of time for family and friends, as compared to very little from where I come from. It's a breath of fresh air to be able to have coffee with an old friend and talk for three hours. That would never happen where I am from.

 

[germano]

It is cheaper to live here in BA for the same lifestyle than I could either in San Diego or Philadelphia. Yes, one will probably earn less here for the same work even if you are earning in Dollars. However, the percentage of after-tax income used for housing, health care, food, education is significantly less than what we paid in the US. And, we earn in Pesos. If you earn in Dollars and spend in Pesos you could live a very comfortable life on a very modest income.

In short, we are saving money living here.

My crystal ball says there will be 5 posts right behind this saying how bloody expensive this city is, but my bank account doesn't support that accusation.

I have made the same experience. Although I have the same income (in USD) as before - I live a lot better, now.

 

[pitipur]

I third the "less expensive" part, at least for me (granted, I'm not paying for my apt at the moment since I'm here for a work assignment) but I'm amazed at how little I've spent relative to in the states in the 2 months I've been here, and I've been pretty loose with my spending, but of course if I were paid in pesos I imagine this might not be the case. As a former online shopping addict, it's also been nice not to have such easy access to the things I buy all the time that I don't really need. I've been spending all my money on enjoying people and experiences rather than acquiring more 'things' and it's a really refreshing change. I also like all the sharing (from mate to meriendas to anything else) which doesn't happen so much back in the states either, and there isn't the consent sense of fear and worry that we have in the states.

This is going to sound nuts coming from the suburbs and moving to a big city like this, but I've also noticed a somewhat slower pace of life. Like someone mentioned above, we don't have 3 hour coffee chats where I come from, you're lucky if you can get an hour to catch up with someone with the way everyone completely overbooks their lives in the states.

And I completely realize that my view is completely skewed from the big picture of whatever might be going on here, but for me it's been really great, and I'm crossing my fingers that my 3 months will get extended.

 

[RAus]

I love that people use public spaces. that on a sunny day, no one is too busy to hang in a park and shoot the shit.