About bajuan

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Some Forum Posts:

Argentina: Banking and Houses:

I am a recent home owner in Argentina, I have lived in foreign countries in my youth (Europe, Asia), as an adult (Mexico and Argentina) and have properties in other foreign countries. You should definitely make sure this is a move you want to make! Argentina is really a difficult place to buy, remodel, and maintain property. The internet was of little help to me in getting accurate information about this process! Under the last administration it was impossible to wire dollars into Argentina without huge losses in the process, and wait times to have access to the funds. I don't think that much has changed with the new president. Black market offers were abundant, and some schemes involving stock and trading transactions. In the end, after a great deal of research and a trial run, we flew in the money (filing a report to US Government for taking more than 10,000 out of the country, declared the funds upon arrival to Argentina (AFIP was very helpful), carrying always documentation of the declarations, source of funds, and purchase agreement in Argentina. WE stored funds in HAUSLER -- a secure location in micro-centro with safety deposit boxes, safe rooms, money counters, and 7 security check points for entrance into the facilities... Banking is possible without an Argentina national identity card, contrary to what is being said. However, you must get a tax ID number, activate it as a person of fiscal interest, verify you domicile, and preferably have something of a utility, rent receipt, or escritura for your property. Then you must persist and insist that AFIP says you can open an account -- and find someone who is willing to actually verify and help you. But why do you want an Argentine account? Uruguay lets you open an account, no fees, withholding, and you can have a dollar account without any problems. It is the Switzerland of South America, and it free if you maintain minimum balances. There is not a charge to receive a money transfer, no withholding, no paperwork to receive money, and cash is available same day up to 50,000 dollars at the branch. It is fantastic. Every time you go you get a fresh visitor visa, at not cost other than the boat ticket. Its a nice trip as well... If you have some form of internet business, teaching (English for Example) or have a way of working outside the formal system here, you are set. Getting residency or work permit after arrival is a real big bureaucratic hassle (many stories about this and naturalization as a citizen). Teaching English is a real possibility -- but nothing is easy here! You may have special skills that will be highly regarded, but networking and finding the connection can be hard. Also, costs are rising very quickly. Some things are very expensive by north american standards, namely furniture, household items, electronics, cars, and anything you might consider to be luxurious. A lot more expensive! Having funished a home here, I would say it is even more expensive than Europe if you want quality and good design, antiquities, or comfort. You will find very poorly made, bad quality materials, and poor design to expensive! Food, restaurants, theatre, travel, can be a bargain depending upon the region you are coming from and prices you are comparing --- but this is not a c;heap retirement or even travel destination.... Don;t get me wrong. I love Buenos Aires, and after years of coming here -- have friends, people who are like family, and it is also where my child resides, works, and plays.... I look forward to my return, and enjoy finding new places, restaurants, people, clubs, and parts of the city previously unknown or un-visited. It is a great cultural city, and Argentines are a complex, contradictory, and loving people who, once you break through the social distance, are fantastic!

Date Joined:

12/12/2016

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