paddyoperry
5/21/2018 16:21 EST
Hi, I am looking for advice on a short term rental in Buenos Aires, 2 months, probably september and october. I want to enjoy the city and study Tango. I don't know if the the horrible economic scene means that I should stay away or that it's a great time to visit? Thanks, Pat
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Nersi
5/22/2018 09:46 EST
Hello paddyoperry! I just arrived on Saturday to BA after 17 years. What a DISASTER! The current president turned this rich and beautiful land in to the Mexico of South America. There's much too much poverty and people want what they can't get anymore. Remember that poverty comes together "hand in hand with crime and theft". If you are going to come to Buenos Aires, the only place for you to stay at is at a very expensive neighborhood, where the chance of crime is a "bit less", yet everything is extremely expensive, particularly the second you open your mouth and people hear you speak English/German/French. This economy can only be fixed by a foreign intelligent brain who could come here and wipe out and even eliminate everyone running this ditch , because the Argentines governments are designed to robbed from their very own people, and they happily sleep with the cleanest conscious at night surrounded by armies of security who protect them and their families from the needed and hungry Argentine. You can't even stand on the street and Google an address with your phone, without someone taking a run and snatching it off your hand. Better go learn tango in Japan, They dance as good as Argentines and they have little to no crime. If anyone tells you the opposite of me, is an idiot and a hypocrite.
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todikaios
5/22/2018 10:23 EST
I'm not an idiot and not a hypocrite. I have been visiting Bs.As. and Argentina 3 - 5 times per year since 2006. The previous president (C. Kirchner) gave everything away (football for all!) and the present president is trying to make corrections, but it is not easy to take something back (or stop giving something) from people who are 200% used to getting things for next to nothing. A recent editorial correctly pointed out that in Greater Buenos Aires, only some 8 million people the expenses for more than some 14 million other people. This produces tremendous social conflict. What other city in the world has a subway system that costs less than 30 cents to ride, or an interurban train system that costs about 1 cent per km? Yes, there is high inflation (25-30%) and lots of petty crime (as in any large city) but the Argentines are famous for bragging about their misfortunes and then they have another demonstration or protest and block traffic. There is an endemic attitude of self-righteousness, and a strong lack of self-responsibility that weighs heavily against long term improvement. Prices are as high as NYC or LA, or perhaps a bit more for certain things, but good wine is still less than $8/liter. Come as a tourist and enjoy and if possible spend some time in the provinces where there is a bit more tranquility and food is bit more reasonable. . However I don't recommend moving to Argentina....there aremany other locations in the world that offer more for a lot less $$, including Portugal, Romania, and even Poland..
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TomP
5/22/2018 11:04 EST
todikaios makes some very good points. If you think Kirchner was better than Macri you must be on the Argentine dole.
I am an American who invested in Argentina in 2008 and it has been ten long and hard years to see daylight and each time I do along comes another curveball, e.g. my worker had a bad knee that had to be replaced. While he is recovering I must play him full wages until he is capable of returning to work which could be never. Or, I can pay him 10- months wages and let him go.
We agreed to end our Employer- Employee relationship and I paid him about US$10,000.
A few months after his operation he comes to me looking for employment. Oh, in case you are wondering, I paid an additional 53% over his normal wages to give him full benefits; medical, vacation, retirement etc.
It is true butter, bread, milk or beef is about as expensive as most major US cities.
However, BA is a magical city and one worth visiting. And Argentina is a magical country and worth seeing. And many of its people are well worth meeting.
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TomP
5/22/2018 11:05 EST
todikaios makes some very good points. If you think Kirchner was better than Macri you must be on the Argentine dole.
I am an American who invested in Argentina in 2008 and it has been ten long and hard years to see daylight and each time I do along comes another curveball, e.g. my worker had a bad knee that had to be replaced. While he is recovering I must play him full wages until he is capable of returning to work which could be never. Or, I can pay him 10- months wages and let him go.
We agreed to end our Employer- Employee relationship and I paid him about US$10,000.
A few months after his operation he comes to me looking for employment. Oh, in case you are wondering, I paid an additional 53% over his normal wages to give him full benefits; medical, vacation, retirement etc.
It is true butter, bread, milk or beef is about as expensive as most major US cities.
However, BA is a magical city and one worth visiting. And Argentina is a magical country and worth seeing. And many of its people are well worth meeting.
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SaintJohn
5/22/2018 11:52 EST
So all of us, who are actually living in Argentina and have observed how the two disastrous Kirchner presidents have been destroying the national economy and thus disagree with Nersi, are idiots and hypocrites.
How wonderful that we now have Nersi, who hasn't got a clue to how life in Argentina has been those 12 years, to teach us all about it.
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SaintJohn
5/22/2018 12:20 EST
This article concur with my experience: "Expats Living in Argentina Urge Caution Before Moving to Argentina" http://www.expatexchange.com/ctryguide/4782/15/Argentina/Living-in-Argentina--Expats-Urge-Caution-Before-Moving-to-Argentina
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pampas
5/22/2018 12:53 EST
I was born in BsAs and lived many years there. My mum was English and dad Danish. I think Nersi is exaggerating a bit and I wonder why he/she has an ax to grind. Many options spring to mind. Trashing a country like that is what somebody with a hidden agenda or perhaps psychopathic propensities. Buenos Aires is as safe and as dangerous as any other big city and perhaps less so than many. As with other cities, you tend to stay away from certain neighbourhoods and do not look for trouble. Simple. Maybe Mr or Ms Nersi could explain what his/her experience is?
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Nersi
5/23/2018 10:53 EST
Dear Paddyoperry, Didn't I warn you about a lot of people writing to revoque my wise advise about coming to BA, and send you misleading information that could potentially cost your life? One claims to be an investor, but seems to disagree with the mayor great and true international investors who are predicting a soon fall of the Argentine Government. That already indicates how good of an investor he is. Also, as I said in my first message to you, that he "may" have more money to waste, and that's why he may be having it better than you will since you do not claim to be "investor". Second, you also received a message from a Pampa person who starts by writing: "I "LIVED" in Argentina. Note: Past tense "LIVED". In other words, has NO idea of the situation NOW in this country. Another one writes defending the current government and not being true honest with you. Come here and experience it by yourself. I will send you secretly my phone number for when you get in trouble and are in need of help, which you will. You'll see that neither Pampa -who is not in Argentina, the "investor person" or the other character will stretch out a hand to help you! Good luck!
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novato1953
5/25/2018 11:46 EST
Buenos Aires is ~36 degrees S. latitude, compared to, say, the mid-South (Missouri-Oklahoma) in North America. September-Oct BA weather is not unlike March-Apr. in North America -- usually still a little brisk for me. Argentina's an interesting place, but it is not what you're used to -- no matter where you come from. Argentina has orbited a different economic sun since World War One -- the nation has defaulted on its sovereign debt 11 times in the past 100 years. Don't expect reasonable answers to your questions. When I was last there, in 2016, I promised myself not to return until ARS reached 25:1 against USD -- last week, it briefly touched 24.98. Almost time. Nothing wrong with Mexico, either, by the way.
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panamajames
5/25/2018 16:32 EST
There is a lot wrong with Mexico by the way, but that is another story.
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DeniseLR
8/4/2018 10:24 EST
Argentina site really seems infested with negativity and self appointed authorities. It is an amazing country and BA is an amazing city. Not at all clear on current economic and political situation but generally have learned not to pay too much attention to many of the responders on these sites, especially the ones that hammer at you how knowledgeable they are.
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DeniseLR
8/4/2018 10:33 EST
What is the exchange rate between the peso and your country's monetary unit? That would be my main consideration, obviously, for a visit. Not hard to google. And any crime stats you can find. (Which are horrendous for Mexico, though there are still many great places to visit.)
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todikaios
8/4/2018 11:29 EST
Hi Denise: "Amazing" is an adjective that can be applied willy-nilly to almost anything. Of course Argentina and Bs.As. are "Amazing," but so is NYC, Chicago, London, Madrid...and I just got back from Prague which I would rate Super Amazing...it is now #1 of my list of favorite cities. As for negativity, sometimes the truth comes across in a negative way. You can't be very positive about high inflation, economic woes, government corruption (the latest headlines are touting about some $160 million in bribes being received), high poverty, inefficient and lacking public education, etc. I agree with Tom - come and visit Argentina and Bs.As. and see and experience lots of "Amazing" things, but there is also the need to look at things objectively and critically if you are thinking of making a life-changing decision like a long-term physical move to a new country. Also, everyone speaks from personal experience and shares their personal opinions. That's what forums like this one is all about. No one is an expert. You can "google" for a couple of hours and get lots of information as well, so of it being pure propaganda, and other being relatively accurate and helpful. If you want to learn more about Argentina and/or Bs.As., go on line to LaNacion.com or Clarin.com, or infobae.com or perfil.com or urgente24.com or ambito.com. These are all in Spanish (or course) but if you really are interested in knowing what is what in Argentina you most certainly need to have at least a basic comprehension of Castellano. Anyway, glad you are reading things on this forum. Have a great Day and give Thanks always.
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DeniseLR
8/7/2018 11:01 EST
Thanks for the lecture.
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