Thinking Of Coming Back--Question About Prices And Andes

[polostar88]

I lived in Buenos Aires in 2010-2011 for a year. At the time the exchange rate was less than it is now, and I managed to live quite comfortably on around $1500/month, which included a good apt., eating out, going out, etc.; I'm wondering if the cost of living has gone down in terms of dollars since then.

I'm also curious if anyone has info on renting a cabin (or house) somewhere picturesque; I think Bariloche is probably overpriced, but if anyone has info on where I could rent a comfortable but basic place with a mountain view, I would be grateful.

Even though I haven't been there in a while, in exchange I can offer some decent info. on restaurants and on finding good affordable apts. in Buenos Aires.

Thanks!

 

[French jurist]

+1
I'm looking myself into the possibility of moving to El Bolson (it's ok, I've partied enough in my life, don't need to go much out now, lol).

I found some chalets to buy in El Bolson, with a piece of land, for under 100.000 pesos. Thinking of buying one while I build my house on a bigger field outside of El Bolson (4.000 square meters cost about 200.000 pesos). So I guess the rental prices are likely affordable as well.

Would be interesting to know what people living in the area of Bariloche/El Bolson think.

 

[polostar88]

+1
I'm looking myself into the possibility of moving to El Bolson (it's ok, I've partied enough in my life, don't need to go much out now, lol).

I found some chalets to buy in El Bolson, with a piece of land, for under 100.000 pesos. Thinking of buying one while I build my house on a bigger field outside of El Bolson (4.000 square meters cost about 200.000 pesos). So I guess the rental prices are likely affordable as well.

Would be interesting to know what people living in the area of Bariloche/El Bolson think.

Are you in Buenos Aires right now? How is the cost of living there on dollars?

 

[French jurist]

I believe there's one or two threads in the forum telling about the life in dollars here
More seriously, the answer depends on which side of General Paz you live in.

With 1500 USD, it's a bit short in my opinion (and I belong to the "optimists" here).

 

[polostar88]

I believe there's one or two threads in the forum telling about the life in dollars here
More seriously, the answer depends on which side of General Paz you live in.

With 1500 USD, it's a bit short in my opinion (and I belong to the "optimists" here).

I lived on the "good side" of Santa Fe, around the corner from El Ateneo library. I only paid about $700/month for a decent/renovated apt. with wifi and everything. The remaining $750-850/month covered eating out almost every day, going out, etc.; this was in 2010-2011 when people were saying that it would be "hard" to live on $1500/month. Now the dollar is stronger, so I wanted to make sure.

My opinion is that people consistently overpay for apts. especially in BsAs.

 

[French jurist]

I'm not much up to date anymore with prices in the city so I cannot help.
As an example, 40 km away from BA I thought that paying tomatoes 10/11 pesos per kilo was way too much until I discovered today they are priced up to 20 pesos in the city.

As usual, what you pay X, you may also pay it 3X or 1/3X depending on your living habits.

 

[citygirl]

Prices have probably increased about 75% since 2010. If you can bring dollars down and exchange them on the blue market, it will help cushion the pain.

1500 personally, I couldn't come close to living on but YMMV.

 

[polostar88]

Prices have probably increased about 75% since 2010. If you can bring dollars down and exchange them on the blue market, it will help cushion the pain.

1500 personally, I couldn't come close to living on but YMMV.

But since the time I was there, even the official exchange rate has increased about 50%, so is it really that bad in terms of dollars?
I don't understand what people are spending money on there. Are you guys all overpaying for apts.? Going shopping for shoes, etc.? Maybe I went up to $2000 often but that's because I went out a lot. I ate out literally every day, at nice places; how is it possible that $1500/month is not enough?

Also, any advice on rural locations? In Uruguay you can rent a very nice rural house for next to nothing. I'm wondering if people know of places in Argentina, whether near Bariloche, or Salta, etc., where you can rent a good, comfortable cabin with mountain views and a peaceful atmosphere.

 

[Xeneizes]

I have been living on ~ 6k/month pesos in hand for the past few months (thankfully getting a big raise this month) and I was able to break even. I pay $2600 pesos in rent for an older 2 bedroom apartment in microcentro (my portion is 2600). I usually buy food ready to eat but I don't do too much fine dining. I usually go to bars 1-2x / week. Don't go clubbing too much.

With $1500 you should be able to get with Zoom $9500 or so, not sure of today's current rate. I think you can definitely do it, but I wouldn't expect too much luxury.

 

[Farenheit]

Basic food and toiletry items are hyper-inflated right now. 100 pesos will buy you one bag of stuff. Butter $9, jam $16, milk $7.50, small jar coffee $18, small beer $7.50, small coke $6.50, cheese $15, deodorant $20, mouthwash $20....it's easy to spend $100 a day just at the store.