There are about a thousand questions to ask. It is a matter of what type of culture you are looking for. I do not know of a hoard of ex-pats going to Peru. There are plenty of helpful people that live in country that can help you out. Ecuador would in my opinion be a good place to visit first and see. From there Argentina is a good one and since you have outside money coming in you are pretty much insulated from the current financial activity that is going on there.

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I am not an expert. However, I spent a couple of months in Argentina (Mendoza) many years ago. I am now approaching retirement and intend to travel to Argentina, Ecuador and Peru with an eye toward settling. If I had to make a choice right now based on affordability, I would choose Ecuador. Based on everything else: Argentina. I would never consider moving to any country without investigating thoroughly and visiting each option.

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Regarding "insulation" from economic situation in Argentina: No way to not be affected. Inflation runs about 25% per year and shows no signs of slowing down. If you get your money through an ATM or a bank withdrawal, you will receive the official rate--currently about 5.2 pesos to the dollar, compared to the "blue rate" of close to 10 pesos to the dollar. Be sure to check how much money you must bring in if you have residency as a retiree. I heard the amount has just been raised to $2000 USD per month, but I could be wrong.

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OK. Long or short of it is the best. Go for on the boots advice. One of the best is a Canadian like yourself who has a huge network. Email Corey who is also a Canadian who live in Costa Rica. He pretty much knows all of the financial people who can help to understand the treaty issue. Columbia and Chile also have them so it is best to get advice on the accounting end first. Then like the previous post always do extended visits. Your time doing this is priceless. His email is: Corey Coates, corey@overseasradio.com

You will probably not be moving to his area but one never knows. There are ways around it and there may be a way to do your accounting somewhere else and go where you want to.

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My wife and I , two Americans, have lived in Argentina for the last five years and oh what a roller coaster ride it has been. Especially when we own a 108-acre vineyard with many Employees etc.

I agree with you renting a place for six months and seeing if you like or dislike the country, its people, its economics etc. first.

A couple of comments, you will never find a decent paying job in Argentina. You will have to open a business.

I believe you said you are retired. A prior post said if you go to the ATM you get AR 5.2 per US 1 Dollar and this is true. The Blue Market pays AR 9 - 10 pesos per US 1 Dollar but you need the US Dollars and once you are over here how are you going to get them?
If you brought US10,000 then you could probably live six months by getting AR 90,000 pesos. But if you have your pension, whatever, send to ARgentina you will receive the "Official" rate of AR 5.2.

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Mank,

Good advice and Corey is a great contact.

Maybe I should mention I am the weekly Host of "Welcome To Argentina" for ORN.

I know Corey well.

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Mank,

Good advice and Corey is a great contact.

Maybe I should mention I am the weekly Host of "Welcome To Argentina" for ORN.

I know Corey well.

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Tom. On the mark. However it is interesting to me. To begin with this guy is being shaved 25%. He probably needs to get his money out and where it is and not have this issue first. Then he can decide where he wants to live. He can easily get bank reference then and get into many countries if he wants.

The Canadian dollar is far more stable then the US and others right now so he probably is golden this way and could get his monthly in how he wants.

I talk to people in the US all the time wondering if their pensions are going to be nationalized. They have many questions as most of them do not know how to do anything other than what is right in their face. Amazing. Like Finzer used to say " get your money out first".

Do go over this on your show. Many want to hear it. If you are a school teacher and do not have millions waiting for you, how do you do it? No matter what, it is safer and an overall better investment in the long term for your monthly pay in.

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I think Argentina is better country compare Peru and Ecuador, but we have differents economic problem`s. The dollars isn`t a problem, I know about differents people and also I do depending who, pay in Argentina 10 pesos per 1 us and you transfer your money an other account out of Argentina.

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I think what many Americans, Canadians and Europeans fail to realize is the countries they are asking about are all "Third World" countries that may offer both charm, e.g. "the good old days" but also come with incredible bureaucratic incompetence.

Again I say, visiting for a week and eating out and drinking every nigh isn't what it will be like as a resident, you are at best a Tourist.

Staying for a few months makes you a visitor, renting a residence for six months gives you a better idea of what living in this particular country will really be like.

I have seen a lot more Americans return home than those who stay.

And I have yet to see a Company or Organization evolve aptly named: Non International Living or Don't Live and INvest Overseas or Escape Back To America or Ex-Ex Pat.

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I think what many Americans, Canadians and Europeans fail to realize is the countries they are asking about are all "Third World" countries that may offer both charm, e.g. "the good old days" but also come with incredible bureaucratic incompetence.

Again I say, visiting for a week and eating out and drinking every nigh isn't what it will be like as a resident, you are at best a Tourist.

Staying for a few months makes you a visitor, renting a residence for six months gives you a better idea of what living in this particular country will really be like.

I have seen a lot more Americans return home than those who stay.

And I have yet to see a Company or Organization evolve aptly named: Non International Living or Don't Live and INvest Overseas or Escape Back To America or Ex-Ex Pat.

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In 2009 & 2011 we spent 3 months touring Chile, Argentina & Uruguay strickly on our own. We do not speak spanish but had a really good time and no trouble. We used bus system to get around. Long distant busses are modern and comfortable.

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I would like to comment that the question is vague and ambiguous at best. Each country has its pluses and minuses. And at times each country might have not so good political and economic situations as Argentina is going through now. I live in Argentina and I am said about its current political/economic situation.

That being said and admitting both Uruguay and Chile currently have more stable governments, still I would never choose Uruguay or Chile over Argentina for a myriad of reasons.

Let me pose a question, among the three which country is best? Choose one: Costa Rica, Panama or Nicaragua?

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Tom P,

I am retiring this year. Why do you (personally) prefer Argentina over Uruguay ?

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Does Argentina tax retirees on their pensions or Social Security ? I get the impression that they do because of the "all income" wordage on their website.

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Eric,

I like Argentina over Uruguay because the Argentine people have more joie de vie.

I am a wine enthusiast and Mendoza Province is like living in Napa or Sonoma but a lot more affordable.

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I don't know if Argentina taxes a foreigner's pension but I would ask this, why on earth would you have your pension money sent to Argentina?

If you are Canadian or American, visit home twice and year and bring back US$10,000 and rather than getting the current exchange rate of AR 5.2 pesos for 1 US Dollar you would get AR 8.0 - 10.0. The same applies if you have your pension money wired here, for example if it were US$2,000 a month once the money was wired you would receive AR 5.2 x US$2,000 or AR 10,400.
Conversely if you brought the same US$2,000 over and got the "Blue" rate you would receive up to AR 20,000 pesos or 50% more.

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Hey Tom
You just hit a nerve. I grew up near the California wine country, so I know how great it is. I too picked Argentina over Uruguay but have only been to BsAs. I have been trying to get a handle on what it costs to live in Mendoza and I think you just answered my question. One guideline for a place to live for me is that it has to be cheaper than California. I hope to get over there soon.
Bob

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Bob,

Having been raised in California I can assure you that living over here would be far cheaper.

A great 2 bed 2 1/2 bath Condo with two under ground parking spaces and a fabulous view will cost about AR 8,000 pesos a month but if you bring over dollars and convert at AR 8.0 pesos per 1 US Dollar then your rent would be US$1,000 monthly.

I don't know anywhere in California with comparable amenities for that amount.

Don't believe the all of the hype where you can live for US$350 a month. You can't unless in a barrio that makes New York's Bronx look appealing.

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Maybe Argentina as it is a large country with a varity, Bariloche with Mt. & lakes and large city. Chile we loved city of Santiago & the subway system. Uruguay i think best economy, nice beaches, great Markado.

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You can receive a very reasonable rate using Xoom. We have lived in Argentina on/off over the last couple years. We left in April 2013, Xoom rate was about 7.2 and black rate 7.8

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Loony more stable then USD??

Um... I don't think so... Suggest putting down the Carney Kool-aide.


In terms of Argie inflation. As of April 2013 prices are still decent for expats in BA from our personal experience (We returned from having lived in BA prior to the take off of the black market in summer 2011). Yes prices are up but food/wine prices still much cheaper than US. You have to shop around but we lived very comfortable for less than 2k/month ... usd. And that is in BA w/ new building Guard/Pool/gym/sauna... Eating out regularly. Drinking daily.. :))

Never use a credit card. Pay for everything in cash.
USD is King in AR for rentals, and leave your Loony in the Great White North bring the "less stable" usd instead, and in the form of hard cash. If you need to transfer some Loonies for pesos to pay for everyday living use Xoom and you will get a rate very close to the blue rate. xoom.com is safe and reliable.

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Xoom is great for smaller amounts of money.

But if you want to move serious money, e.g. over US$6,000 a month then Xoom imposes a "Cap" and will require a ton of paperwork including Bank Statements that evidence "seasoning" of funds.

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Using Xoom if you want to receive cash, it's partner in Argentina (More) will make sign a "declaración jurada". We never moved more than $US2000 at once, but there were times More asked for bank statements, proof of funds and so for. Having the money deposited into a bank account in Argentina may save you from that hassle but puts you at risk of getting a visit from the AFIP (kind of the IRS). Plan and chose wisely.

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Let's say I find my dream home in Mar Del Plata, and I have my retirement check sent to Montevideo in a USD account. I have spent my USD 2000 and need to get more USD cash.
What is the drill ?
How do I get my USD from Montevideo to Mar Del Plata ?
Do I physically travel from Mar Del Plata to MVD, pick up the money, and then travel back home ?
Or, is there another way ?
Suggestions please.

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If you only need a few dollars; US$100 - US$300 you can go to an ATM at an Argentine Bank.

If you want more dollars; US$500 - US$2,500 then try Xoom. You can wire money from the US to Xoom in Argentina and receive about AR 8.0 pesos to a dollar.

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Thank you Tom.

We have lived in many countries, but only one other had a money devaluation problem similar to that described in this thread. That country was South Vietnam in the late 1960's.

We will rent by-the-month in both Argentina and Uruguay until we make the final decision of where to invest our retirement savings in real estate.

This is a great thread. Hats off to all the participants.

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Erich,

If you rent make sure the Lease or Rental Agreement is for AR pesos else you might end up paying a lot more. I know a guy who agreed to $1,000 US dollars each month and six months later she needed twice the pesos to get the same amount of dollars.

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