Yay - After 10 Years We're Planning On Leaving Argentina

[RichardP]

TrevorCito,

Do you think it was worthwhile to spend 10 years in Argentina? Has it affected you and your children in any positive (or negative) way?

Best wishes in your transition back to civilization.

 

[TrevorCito]

TrevorCito,

Do you think it was worthwhile to spend 10 years in Argentina? Has it affected you and your children in any positive (or negative) way?

Best wishes in your transition back to civilization.

It depends on your perspective... We have enjoyed a different culture, made new friends, learned a new language so from that perspective it has been worthwhile. Economically it hasn't been as positive and it hasn't been beneficial career wise so while we've gained an international perspective and see things more broadly, that perspective has come at a cost.

I can see general Argentine apathy starting to influence my children and that comes from the schools and the friends they associate with. Corruption from the top down (president, deputies, government officials) is a bad influence and high levels of inflation are robbing their future so I'd prefer that they invest their time in a country and culture where corruption, while existent, is minimal and controlled.

While Argentina loves technology (iphone, tablets, TV's para todos), there is no innovation here and no understanding of the concept or the need to innovate high tech products. For example, I was developing a high tech product that required some basic circuit boards to be manufactured. I couldn't find a single company here that had the capability, technology or knowledge to do it. Furthermore, trying to import these circuits from China resulted in more grief than you can imagine. The message was clear... if you want to innovate, do it in another country because Argentina is for humble farmers, not capitalistic high tech visionaries.

I want my family to be safe. We believe that with worsening economic conditions that it's only a matter of time before really bad things begin to happen in this country. Argentina has done relatively well economically over the last 10 years, not because of government policies but in spite of them. The world has been buying their commodities but the trend has started to reverse and in a dramatic way due to lower commodity demand internationally. Argentina will have less money over the next few years and this will cause social unrest and problems in ways we can only imagine.

I want to show my children that other countries can function well and that the majority can benefit without the need for intense government controls, populist policies and corruption. Government interference in just about every aspect of our lives is also a problem going forward. Everything here is controlled by the government and the few enlightened persons who see what's going on are powerless to do anything about it or have drunk the 'cool-aid' and are in on it themselves.

 

[JoeGillis]

It depends on your perspective... We have enjoyed a different culture, made new friends, learned a new language so from that perspective it has been worthwhile. Economically it hasn't been as positive and it hasn't been beneficial career wise so while we've gained an international perspective and see things more broadly, that perspective has come at a cost.

I can see general Argentine apathy starting to influence my children and that comes from the schools and the friends they associate with. Corruption from the top down (president, deputies, government officials) is a bad influence and high levels of inflation are robbing their future so I'd prefer that they invest their time in a country and culture where corruption, while existent, is minimal and controlled.

While Argentina loves technology (iphone, tablets, TV's para todos), there is no innovation here and no understanding of the concept or the need to innovate high tech products. For example, I was developing a high tech product that required some basic circuit boards to be manufactured. I couldn't find a single company here that had the capability, technology or knowledge to do it. Furthermore, trying to import these circuits from China resulted in more grief than you can imagine. The message was clear... if you want to innovate, do it in another country because Argentina is for humble farmers, not capitalistic high tech visionaries.

I want my family to be safe. We believe that with worsening economic conditions that it's only a matter of time before really bad things begin to happen in this country. Argentina has done relatively well economically over the last 10 years, not because of government policies but in spite of them. The world has been buying their commodities but the trend has started to reverse and in a dramatic way due to lower commodity demand internationally. Argentina will have less money over the next few years and this will cause social unrest and problems in ways we can only imagine.

I want to show my children that other countries can function well and that the majority can benefit without the need for intense government controls, populist policies and corruption. Government interference in just about every aspect of our lives is also a problem going forward. Everything here is controlled by the government and the few enlightened persons who see what's going on are powerless to do anything about it or have drunk the 'cool-aid' and are in on it themselves.

Excellent summary! i couldn't agree with you more!

 

[camberiu]

While Argentina loves technology (iphone, tablets, TV's para todos), there is no innovation here and no understanding of the concept or the need to innovate high tech products. For example, I was developing a high tech product that required some basic circuit boards to be manufactured. I couldn't find a single company here that had the capability, technology or knowledge to do it. Furthermore, trying to import these circuits from China resulted in more grief than you can imagine. The message was clear... if you want to innovate, do it in another country because Argentina is for humble farmers, not capitalistic high tech visionaries.

This is the concept that the local protectionists cannot comprehend: The more they close their economy from imports, the harder it will be to innovate and produce high tech items in Argentina. The more they "protect" their industry, the more they are strangling it. It is like someone blocking the imports of typewriters in order to protect the local pencil manufacturers, and then wondering why the quantity of publishing material created in Argentina does not increase.

 

[JoeGillis]

This is the concept that the local protectionists cannot comprehend: The more they close their economy from imports, the harder it will be to innovate and produce high tech items in Argentina. The more they "protect" their industry, the more they are strangling it. It is like someone blocking the imports of typewriters in order to protect the local pencil manufacturers, and then wondering why the quantity of publishing material created in Argentina does not increase.

Great analogy, Camberiu! It reminds me of the many Argentines who equate assembly factories with actual industrial manufacturing plants.

 

[mmoon]

TrevorCito, it sounds like you've made a thoughtful decision for the benefit of your family. Best of luck in your move and your future!

 

[sleslie23]

This is the concept that the local protectionists cannot comprehend: The more they close their economy from imports, the harder it will be to innovate and produce high tech items in Argentina. The more they "protect" their industry, the more they are strangling it. It is like someone blocking the imports of typewriters in order to protect the local pencil manufacturers, and then wondering why the quantity of publishing material created in Argentina does not increase.

wild_unicorns will be along any minute to enlighten you about his successful startup.

 

[TrevorCito]

Great analogy, Camberiu! It reminds me of the many Argentines who equate assembly factories with actual industrial manufacturing plants.

My sentiments exactly JoeGillis. When I purchased a Sony TV I got a bit excited when the box sticker stated that it was manufactured in Ushuaia. I thought that perhaps Argentina had a hidden high tech industry. Upon closer investigation, I realised that they just 'assembed' the case and put it in a fancy box.... very sad indeed! I guess their definition of manufacture is different to mine .

 

[TrevorCito]

TrevorCito, it sounds like you've made a thoughtful decision for the benefit of your family. Best of luck in your move and your future!

It's a huge decision.... but I know it's for the best. It's really challenging (and expensive) relocating a family. Funnily enough, my Argentine friends and acquaintances are surprised that we're even here given the fact that I'm from Australia and can live in Sydney. I've tried to explain that we're here for various reasons (personal growth, enlightenment, perspective, experience) but they can't comprehend my logic. They ask.. "why would you choose to live here when you can live in Australia?". I guess we have a different perspective on things.

 

[camberiu]

I guess we have a different perspective on things.

Not anymore, it seems.