Did many expats move out of Buenos Aires due to the higher cost of living?

[sophos]

Just a gentle reminder that Argentina doesn’t begin and end with Buenos Aires. There are plenty of other places where one can live quite affordably—Córdoba, Mendoza, Salta, Posadas, to name a few significant ones.

Look at places like Mendoza, and my cousin there told me they have been seeing a steady influx of “financial refugees” from the United States, Europe, and Canada—mostly retirees and young professionals working remotely.

My cousin bought a few Airbnb's in Mendoza and there’s an endless stream of Airbnb listings here with empty calendars, priced at three times what they should be. He is priced reasonably and turning people away because he is fully booked.

Yes, the cost of food has gone up, but everyday expenses remain remarkably low. A bus ride costs under $1. My gas bill averages around $15, and electricity runs about $30 in the winter. My cell phone plan is $10 per month, doctor visits range from $25 to $40, and a dental cleaning is about $45. You’d be hard-pressed to find prices like these anywhere in the U.S., Canada, or the U.K. So perhaps those lamenting the cost of living in CABA should consider exploring the rest of the country? Just saying.

I know CABA can be expensive. And for context—Mendoza is considered one of the more expensive provinces. Córdoba and Salta are significantly cheaper.

 

[Finance Prof]

I hate when the locals always use that line. They say Argentina should be expensive for tourists and expats! What they fail to realize it is expensive for them too. This is silly. There is NO reason Argentina should have the most expensive food in the world. This makes it impossible for retirees like me or other retirees from Argentina. In the past 2 years since Milei won everything is 3 times more expensive in USD but they say inflation has vanished! What lies!

This is all going to come crashing down.

Not to be that person, but let’s remember inflation is a rate of growth, not some magical reset button. Low inflation just means your sky-high prices have decided to hang out at the top for a while. If everything’s already unaffordable, hooray—low inflation doesn’t exactly fix that.

And for the record, inflation isn’t actually low—it’s just less insane than it was before. So, you know… progress.

 

[ben]

Oh sure, Argentina’s totally going to change—any day now—even though nobody seems to grasp a basic concept of capitalism: in a competitive market, you make money on volume, not sky-high margins.

But nope. Here, the brilliant strategy is to slap ridiculous prices on everything and then stand around looking confused when nothing sells. Shocking outcome, right?

Until that little mental “chip” finally flips, the economy’s going nowhere fast.

 

[Avocado]

I hate when the locals always use that line. They say Argentina should be expensive for tourists and expats! What they fail to realize it is expensive for them too. This is silly. There is NO reason Argentina should have the most expensive food in the world. This makes it impossible for retirees like me or other retirees from Argentina. In the past 2 years since Milei won everything is 3 times more expensive in USD but they say inflation has vanished! What lies!

This is all going to come crashing down.

It makes no sense to be the most expensive country in the world on many products and services. Food here is outrageous. I can not go out to eat any longer. Costs have skyrocketed. Milei's time will pass.

 

[Betsy Ross]

Just a gentle reminder that Argentina doesn’t begin and end with Buenos Aires. There are plenty of other places where one can live quite affordably—Córdoba, Mendoza, Salta, Posadas, to name a few significant ones.

Look at places like Mendoza, and my cousin there told me they have been seeing a steady influx of “financial refugees” from the United States, Europe, and Canada—mostly retirees and young professionals working remotely.

My cousin bought a few Airbnb's in Mendoza and there’s an endless stream of Airbnb listings here with empty calendars, priced at three times what they should be. He is priced reasonably and turning people away because he is fully booked.

Yes, the cost of food has gone up, but everyday expenses remain remarkably low. A bus ride costs under $1. My gas bill averages around $15, and electricity runs about $30 in the winter. My cell phone plan is $10 per month, doctor visits range from $25 to $40, and a dental cleaning is about $45. You’d be hard-pressed to find prices like these anywhere in the U.S., Canada, or the U.K. So perhaps those lamenting the cost of living in CABA should consider exploring the rest of the country? Just saying.

I know CABA can be expensive. And for context—Mendoza is considered one of the more expensive provinces. Córdoba and Salta are significantly cheaper.

Great points @sophos. I couldn't live the quality of life that I have in BA in the USA. Doing an apples to apples comparison of living in a large major city like BA no way I could get by on what I'm spending. Even having a paid off place in the USA is expensive with HOA and expenses and especially property taxes. My apartment is paid off and I can get by very easily here.

Granted I can't eat out everyday like I once did.

 

[FuturoBA]

Just a gentle reminder that Argentina doesn’t begin and end with Buenos Aires. There are plenty of other places where one can live quite affordably—Córdoba, Mendoza, Salta, Posadas, to name a few significant ones.

Look at places like Mendoza, and my cousin there told me they have been seeing a steady influx of “financial refugees” from the United States, Europe, and Canada—mostly retirees and young professionals working remotely.

My cousin bought a few Airbnb's in Mendoza and there’s an endless stream of Airbnb listings here with empty calendars, priced at three times what they should be. He is priced reasonably and turning people away because he is fully booked.

Yes, the cost of food has gone up, but everyday expenses remain remarkably low. A bus ride costs under $1. My gas bill averages around $15, and electricity runs about $30 in the winter. My cell phone plan is $10 per month, doctor visits range from $25 to $40, and a dental cleaning is about $45. You’d be hard-pressed to find prices like these anywhere in the U.S., Canada, or the U.K. So perhaps those lamenting the cost of living in CABA should consider exploring the rest of the country? Just saying.

I know CABA can be expensive. And for context—Mendoza is considered one of the more expensive provinces. Córdoba and Salta are significantly cheaper.

This kinda puzzled me why so many leave Argentina completely vs relocating somewhere more affordable within it. Now it's not the same but seems like many are leaving BA to go to a smaller city in Spain, Mexico, Colombia etc where they could have gone to a smaller city here such as a Mendoza or Cordoba. For those that left, I'm sure yall must have considered them and what made you ultimately go to Spain or where ever you ended up at? @James Bond I know you went to Spain did you consider other provinces within Argentina and what were reasons either for or against them?

Great points @sophos. I couldn't live the quality of life that I have in BA in the USA. Doing an apples to apples comparison of living in a large major city like BA no way I could get by on what I'm spending. Even having a paid off place in the USA is expensive with HOA and expenses and especially property taxes. My apartment is paid off and I can get by very easily here.

Granted I can't eat out everyday like I once did.

Yeah even if I paid off my house in the US, I calculated how much taxes, HOAs, insurance (home, car, health), utilities, gas, maintenance etc would be more than what I expect to spend monthly in BA for everything.

 

[Digital Nomad]

I think the wildcard is having

This kinda puzzled me why so many leave Argentina completely vs relocating somewhere more affordable within it. Now it's not the same but seems like many are leaving BA to go to a smaller city in Spain, Mexico, Colombia etc where they could have gone to a smaller city here such as a Mendoza or Cordoba. For those that left, I'm sure yall must have considered them and what made you ultimately go to Spain or where ever you ended up at? @James Bond I know you went to Spain did you consider other provinces within Argentina and what were reasons either for or against them?

Yeah even if I paid off my house in the US, I calculated how much taxes, HOAs, insurance (home, car, health), utilities, gas, maintenance etc would be more than what I expect to spend monthly in BA for everything.

I also wondered why people don't just move to another city but honestly I think that the reason they might move back to the USA or Europe is there are more job opportunities. It's IMPOSSIBLE to make money in Argentina. I know for me I have a digital remote job and that was the only way I could afford to live in BA. I looked around and people living there make very little. I was dating a Porteña and her family was loaded. They had a ton of money and her dad was her sugar. He paid for everything and most of her friends were in the same situation.

Seems like a big divide in BA of haves and have nots.

@FuturoBA I remember you said you bought a place and paid if off. Honestly you should be in great position. I looked at some apartments and expenses were much cheaper than US and utility bills are cheap too. I was in an Airbnb and saw the bills and they weren't much at all compared to US. What blew me away was health insurance there was very expensive in Argentina. Like more than the USA or as much. Dining out became crazy at popular places but even mid level places I was surprised.

When you moving down Futuro?

 

[FuturoBA]

I think the wildcard is having

I also wondered why people don't just move to another city but honestly I think that the reason they might move back to the USA or Europe is there are more job opportunities. It's IMPOSSIBLE to make money in Argentina. I know for me I have a digital remote job and that was the only way I could afford to live in BA. I looked around and people living there make very little. I was dating a Porteña and her family was loaded. They had a ton of money and her dad was her sugar. He paid for everything and most of her friends were in the same situation.

Seems like a big divide in BA of haves and have nots.

@FuturoBA I remember you said you bought a place and paid if off. Honestly you should be in great position. I looked at some apartments and expenses were much cheaper than US and utility bills are cheap too. I was in an Airbnb and saw the bills and they weren't much at all compared to US. What blew me away was health insurance there was very expensive in Argentina. Like more than the USA or as much. Dining out became crazy at popular places but even mid level places I was surprised.

When you moving down Futuro?

I keep delaying it but current goal is to move down around September/October. I see my rental expenses and things still going up (expensas, utilities, maids/cleaning etc), albeit slower than last year but still much lower than US.

I think you said you had to return back to US per your job, any plans to return to BA as you were also looking to purchase previously?

 

[Digital Nomad]

I keep delaying it but current goal is to move down around September/October. I see my rental expenses and things still going up (expensas, utilities, maids/cleaning etc), albeit slower than last year but still much lower than US.

I think you said you had to return back to US per your job, any plans to return to BA as you were also looking to purchase previously?

I did a consultation with @BuySellBA several months ago and it is spooky how everything that is happening now they told me would happen. They told me that many locals would eventually get rid of their Airbnbs and shift over to the long term market. That is happening. All my ex novias friends sold their furniture and doing long term now. I read the prices are even falling on long term because so many from STR market are flooding back to the LTR market.

Interesting @FuturoBA that you mention about expenses keep goign up. That is what Mike told me would happen many months ago. He explained that tourism is going to get gutted in the short term with the exchange rate too strong and it would die. I just read an article that said the hotels are only at 20% occupancy this month! I guess that would be the same for apartment rentals on Airbnb. He said that owners would get tired of the higher utility bills and monthly condo fees and just do long term rentals and that is happening! How much is it going up @FuturoBA? Are you making good money? I read a thread where @Johnny was making a fortune on his Airbnb in Palermo. It didn't look too big but I tried to rent it a few times and it's always booked!

My job made a mandatory in office at least 2 times a week now so I had to come back to the USA. I couldn't find a remote job making anything close to what I was making. I was going to buy a place in BA but that depended on a loan from my dad and he was reluctant. We had a deal if my relationship lasted at least a year he would but my girlfriend ended up cheating on me so I left BA. My dad was reluctant to buy down there as he read horror stories but he did a Zoom with @BuySellBA and me and he was totally impressed.

October is a great time to be in BA @FuturoBA . I may head down during high season and if so maybe we can meet up.

Just saw the exchange rate went over 1,300 to $1 so by then maybe it will be higher as Mike is predicting!

 

[Johnny]

I hate when the locals always use that line. They say Argentina should be expensive for tourists and expats! What they fail to realize it is expensive for them too. This is silly. There is NO reason Argentina should have the most expensive food in the world. This makes it impossible for retirees like me or other retirees from Argentina. In the past 2 years since Milei won everything is 3 times more expensive in USD but they say inflation has vanished! What lies!

This is all going to come crashing down.

I was shocked shocked on my last trip. When I came in November 2023 it felt almost free. I didn't feel good paying so cheap and I felt guilty. I was giving Uber drivers 100% tip. I didn't know how they could get by.

My last trip a few weeks ago I was shocked but the other way. I couldn't believe how quickly things could turn in a short amount of time. I spent $9 dollars for a choripan in Palermo. That is much more than I would spend in C

I did a consultation with @BuySellBA several months ago and it is spooky how everything that is happening now they told me would happen. They told me that many locals would eventually get rid of their Airbnbs and shift over to the long term market. That is happening. All my ex novias friends sold their furniture and doing long term now. I read the prices are even falling on long term because so many from STR market are flooding back to the LTR market.

Interesting @FuturoBA that you mention about expenses keep goign up. That is what Mike told me would happen many months ago. He explained that tourism is going to get gutted in the short term with the exchange rate too strong and it would die. I just read an article that said the hotels are only at 20% occupancy this month! I guess that would be the same for apartment rentals on Airbnb. He said that owners would get tired of the higher utility bills and monthly condo fees and just do long term rentals and that is happening! How much is it going up @FuturoBA? Are you making good money? I read a thread where @Johnny was making a fortune on his Airbnb in Palermo. It didn't look too big but I tried to rent it a few times and it's always booked!

My job made a mandatory in office at least 2 times a week now so I had to come back to the USA. I couldn't find a remote job making anything close to what I was making. I was going to buy a place in BA but that depended on a loan from my dad and he was reluctant. We had a deal if my relationship lasted at least a year he would but my girlfriend ended up cheating on me so I left BA. My dad was reluctant to buy down there as he read horror stories but he did a Zoom with @BuySellBA and me and he was totally impressed.

October is a great time to be in BA @FuturoBA . I may head down during high season and if so maybe we can meet up.

Just saw the exchange rate went over 1,300 to $1 so by then maybe it will be higher as Mike is predicting!

I'm not sure how @earlyretirement does it but things are happening exactly what he told me would happen in July 2023 when he first recommended that I jump on a unit. He was buying a few units or himself and his other clients in Palermo and I invest with him on many projects in Mexico. I only invest in buildings where he also owns units. I figure if it's good enough or him then it's good enough or me! I did this already in Guadalajara on several, Cabo and Buenos Aires.

With my first apartment in Buenos Aires everything came true as predicted. I jumped in and the value of my place has gone up about 40% in a short amount of time based on what I paid and what others have offered to buy my apartment at. My apartment is booked solid since it finished last year. I have only had 6 days where it wasn't rented since the end of November 2024. It is booked until October and I already have bookings for October and November. It has been my best investment I ever made.

More importantly I went a few weeks ago and it turned out better than I imagined and I love staying in it. I had 2 offers to book it for one year including the Germany Embassy in BA but I turned it down as I want to stay in it myself.

 

[FuturoBA]

I did a consultation with @BuySellBA several months ago and it is spooky how everything that is happening now they told me would happen. They told me that many locals would eventually get rid of their Airbnbs and shift over to the long term market. That is happening. All my ex novias friends sold their furniture and doing long term now. I read the prices are even falling on long term because so many from STR market are flooding back to the LTR market.

Interesting @FuturoBA that you mention about expenses keep goign up. That is what Mike told me would happen many months ago. He explained that tourism is going to get gutted in the short term with the exchange rate too strong and it would die. I just read an article that said the hotels are only at 20% occupancy this month! I guess that would be the same for apartment rentals on Airbnb. He said that owners would get tired of the higher utility bills and monthly condo fees and just do long term rentals and that is happening! How much is it going up @FuturoBA? Are you making good money? I read a thread where @Johnny was making a fortune on his Airbnb in Palermo. It didn't look too big but I tried to rent it a few times and it's always booked!

My job made a mandatory in office at least 2 times a week now so I had to come back to the USA. I couldn't find a remote job making anything close to what I was making. I was going to buy a place in BA but that depended on a loan from my dad and he was reluctant. We had a deal if my relationship lasted at least a year he would but my girlfriend ended up cheating on me so I left BA. My dad was reluctant to buy down there as he read horror stories but he did a Zoom with @BuySellBA and me and he was totally impressed.

October is a great time to be in BA @FuturoBA . I may head down during high season and if so maybe we can meet up.

Just saw the exchange rate went over 1,300 to $1 so by then maybe it will be higher as Mike is predicting!

It really is amazing how accurate Mike is with his prediction. I did a consult with him back in October 2013 and everything he said that was going to happen has happened. Some people get some things right some of the time, and then you have Mike who gets all things right all of the time. It's not fair hahah.

HOAs have gone up in Jan they were around $100 and now they're about $135 and utilities in December were 45k ARS vs most recent at 62k ARS. That's also summer vs winter to take into account.

When I finally make it down, would be awesome if we could meet up.

I was shocked shocked on my last trip. When I came in November 2023 it felt almost free. I didn't feel good paying so cheap and I felt guilty. I was giving Uber drivers 100% tip. I didn't know how they could get by.

My last trip a few weeks ago I was shocked but the other way. I couldn't believe how quickly things could turn in a short amount of time. I spent $9 dollars for a choripan in Palermo. That is much more than I would spend in C

I'm not sure how @earlyretirement does it but things are happening exactly what he told me would happen in July 2023 when he first recommended that I jump on a unit. He was buying a few units or himself and his other clients in Palermo and I invest with him on many projects in Mexico. I only invest in buildings where he also owns units. I figure if it's good enough or him then it's good enough or me! I did this already in Guadalajara on several, Cabo and Buenos Aires.

With my first apartment in Buenos Aires everything came true as predicted. I jumped in and the value of my place has gone up about 40% in a short amount of time based on what I paid and what others have offered to buy my apartment at. My apartment is booked solid since it finished last year. I have only had 6 days where it wasn't rented since the end of November 2024. It is booked until October and I already have bookings for October and November. It has been my best investment I ever made.

More importantly I went a few weeks ago and it turned out better than I imagined and I love staying in it. I had 2 offers to book it for one year including the Germany Embassy in BA but I turned it down as I want to stay in it myself.

I was so close to investing right along with yall but 1. I waited too long on one of the units I had been eyeballing 2. another unit I considered would have put me over budget and 3. my initial plan was to move down in 2024 which would limit ROI on how long I would have airbnbd it.

Hindsight is 20/20 except for in Mike's case it's the reverse - his foresight is 20/20.

 

[James Bond]

This kinda puzzled me why so many leave Argentina completely vs relocating somewhere more affordable within it. Now it's not the same but seems like many are leaving BA to go to a smaller city in Spain, Mexico, Colombia etc where they could have gone to a smaller city here such as a Mendoza or Cordoba. For those that left, I'm sure yall must have considered them and what made you ultimately go to Spain or where ever you ended up at? @James Bond I know you went to Spain did you consider other provinces within Argentina and what were reasons either for or against them?

Hi @FuturoBA. It is true that many smaller cities are less expensive than CABA. Buenos Aires can be a beast and much different vs. other areas. I met many that live in smaller towns and they spend far less than in BA. Even going past General Paz you can spend much less. For me the desire to move was my girlfriend who wanted a better life for her daughter. The private schools are getting expensive in BA and so is the private healthcare insurance. For both of us it also came down to quality of life and especially being able to find a higher paying job.

I work some online and my employer is in the UK so time zone difference was a bear but now that we're in Spain it is much easier. My girlfriend has a Spanish passport. She is making much more than in Argentina. We both worried that Milei would not be successful ultimately and that looks like it is becoming the case. Let's see where we finish the year by November but I have a feeling inflation will come back again stronger.

We didn't consider other areas of Argentina. While I enjoy visiting other areas I don't want to live in another city besides Buenos Aires. It is night and day difference to me.

I was shocked shocked on my last trip. When I came in November 2023 it felt almost free. I didn't feel good paying so cheap and I felt guilty. I was giving Uber drivers 100% tip. I didn't know how they could get by.

That was a great time for cost of living and things were incredibly cheap back then. Prices are probably 4x of that time.

I was shocked shocked on my last trip. When I came in November 2023 it felt almost free. I didn't feel good paying so cheap and I felt guilty. I was giving Uber drivers 100% tip. I didn't know how they could get by.

My last trip a few weeks ago I was shocked but the other way. I couldn't believe how quickly things could turn in a short amount of time. I spent $9 dollars for a choripan in Palermo. That is much more than I would spend in C

I'm not sure how @earlyretirement does it but things are happening exactly what he told me would happen in July 2023 when he first recommended that I jump on a unit. He was buying a few units or himself and his other clients in Palermo and I invest with him on many projects in Mexico. I only invest in buildings where he also owns units. I figure if it's good enough or him then it's good enough or me! I did this already in Guadalajara on several, Cabo and Buenos Aires.

With my first apartment in Buenos Aires everything came true as predicted. I jumped in and the value of my place has gone up about 40% in a short amount of time based on what I paid and what others have offered to buy my apartment at. My apartment is booked solid since it finished last year. I have only had 6 days where it wasn't rented since the end of November 2024. It is booked until October and I already have bookings for October and November. It has been my best investment I ever made.

More importantly I went a few weeks ago and it turned out better than I imagined and I love staying in it. I had 2 offers to book it for one year including the Germany Embassy in BA but I turned it down as I want to stay in it myself.

@earlyretirement has an incredible track record. I followed him from the old forum for more than a decade. I met a fund manager a few years ago that told me that they entered the real estate market in Buenos Aires following his lead after the corralito. They raced to get out of the market once they found out Mike was selling all his properties and his client's properties in 2017. He told me they didn't exit out of everything until mid 2018 but by the following year things already were going down. They made an incredible amount of money following Mike's lead.

He also had great timing in selling his big company in 2010 to a big company. I heard Airbnb ended up buying that company for over $250 million USD. It seems like he always knows when to enter and exit Argentina.

It really is amazing how accurate Mike is with his prediction. I did a consult with him back in October 2013 and everything he said that was going to happen has happened. Some people get some things right some of the time, and then you have Mike who gets all things right all of the time. It's not fair hahah.

HOAs have gone up in Jan they were around $100 and now they're about $135 and utilities in December were 45k ARS vs most recent at 62k ARS. That's also summer vs winter to take into account.

When I finally make it down, would be awesome if we could meet up.

I was so close to investing right along with yall but 1. I waited too long on one of the units I had been eyeballing 2. another unit I considered would have put me over budget and 3. my initial plan was to move down in 2024 which would limit ROI on how long I would have airbnbd it.

Hindsight is 20/20 except for in Mike's case it's the reverse - his foresight is 20/20.

Funny @FuturoBA! I spoke to Mike a few weeks ago. And it sounds like @Johnny's experience with him in Mexico mirrors his success in Argentina as far as timing entering the market. He sounds like he has a knack for researching. Some people have it and others don't. If you read this financial blog back from way back when, he accurately called the big collapse in the USA stock market and sounds like he timed perfectly the real estate market crash in 2010 too. It doesn't sound like his good luck is limited to Argentina.

http://www.travelsur.net/forum/messages/20/2478.html

 

[Uncle Wong]

I keep delaying it but current goal is to move down around September/October. I see my rental expenses and things still going up (expensas, utilities, maids/cleaning etc), albeit slower than last year but still much lower than US.

I think you said you had to return back to US per your job, any plans to return to BA as you were also looking to purchase previously

I'm so jealous of you @FuturoBA! I wish I could move retire in the near future but after speaking to Mike I'm going to just forge ahead and make more money. I feel good to get a foothold and an apartment locked in. I have been to a lot of different places around the world and I like Buenos Aires better than most major cities. It will be cool to hear about your experiences once you move down to BA.

My place isn't done for a few years and the price is fixed in dollars so I am happy with my purchase.

It really is amazing how accurate Mike is with his prediction. I did a consult with him back in October 2013 and everything he said that was going to happen has happened. Some people get some things right some of the time, and then you have Mike who gets all things right all of the time. It's not fair hahah.

HOAs have gone up in Jan they were around $100 and now they're about $135 and utilities in December were 45k ARS vs most recent at 62k ARS. That's also summer vs winter to take into account.

When I finally make it down, would be awesome if we could meet up.

I was so close to investing right along with yall but 1. I waited too long on one of the units I had been eyeballing 2. another unit I considered would have put me over budget and 3. my initial plan was to move down in 2024 which would limit ROI on how long I would have airbnbd it.

Hindsight is 20/20 except for in Mike's case it's the reverse - his foresight is 20/20.

You are right. Hindsight is 20/20! I also was on the fence of buying something in that Meet Palermo building and wish I did! I saw Johnny's unit and I couldn't believe how great of a deal he got. I went out with them and I saw Mike's 7th floor units too. He has a 1 bedroom and a 2 bedroom apartment right next to one another. It was interesting that he markets it as a 3 bedroom option and told me that the 3 bedroom option was the most popular out of all the units. It sounds like bigger apartments are what is booking but I couldn't afford more than a studio apartment. It sounds like you are in the same boat @futuro?

Interesting HOA has gone up 35% in just a few months. That is shocking isn't it? I feel sorry for the locals. I guess they are reasonable at $100. That is what they estimated the HOA on my unit in Palermo.

I will just Airbnb it until I am able to retire and live in it. I am glad I went with @BuySellBA. They closed and signed the boleto for me and they will sign the closing paperwork too so I don't have to fly down. But the biggest reason was that I wanted to be able to have them manage it. They only manage for people that hire them.

 

[Betsy Ross]

It really is amazing how accurate Mike is with his prediction. I did a consult with him back in October 2013 and everything he said that was going to happen has happened. Some people get some things right some of the time, and then you have Mike who gets all things right all of the time. It's not fair hahah.

HOAs have gone up in Jan they were around $100 and now they're about $135 and utilities in December were 45k ARS vs most recent at 62k ARS. That's also summer vs winter to take into account.

When I finally make it down, would be awesome if we could meet up.

I was so close to investing right along with yall but 1. I waited too long on one of the units I had been eyeballing 2. another unit I considered would have put me over budget and 3. my initial plan was to move down in 2024 which would limit ROI on how long I would have airbnbd it.

Hindsight is 20/20 except for in Mike's case it's the reverse - his foresight is 20/20.

@futuro that sounds about right. My monthly condo fee has jumped about the same % since January. Almost 40% so far this year. And each month they keep going up. Yours sounds low. You must have many units in your building. I have an older apartment and only 4 apartments on each floor so we don't have many to spread it around. We are trying to get rid of the doorman that has been here many years. But we will probably have to wait until he retires as the buy out is too expensive to fire him. We will go to the totem system that you see all over BA now. The utilities jumped up a lot but my sister in California just sent me her electricity bill and it was over $1,600 dollars!! Yikes! She has a big house but it is still shocking to see someone spending that much on electricity each month.

I wish I jumped in on a property in 2023. You said you did a consultation in 2013. Did you mean 2023? Or was that 2013? I know Mike has been around since 2002 in BA. Still hard to believe. But I guess that is why his reputation is so good in BA. I didn't realize he did other start-up companies in the United States and even Canada too. It sounds like they were all successful.

I loved meeting him and @Johnny a few weeks ago. Such fun! I still feel bad for asking to bring so much stuff. @earlyretirement you coming down any time soon? I still have a few small things! just kidding!

 

[FuturoBA]

Hi @FuturoBA. It is true that many smaller cities are less expensive than CABA. Buenos Aires can be a beast and much different vs. other areas. I met many that live in smaller towns and they spend far less than in BA. Even going past General Paz you can spend much less. For me the desire to move was my girlfriend who wanted a better life for her daughter. The private schools are getting expensive in BA and so is the private healthcare insurance. For both of us it also came down to quality of life and especially being able to find a higher paying job.

I work some online and my employer is in the UK so time zone difference was a bear but now that we're in Spain it is much easier. My girlfriend has a Spanish passport. She is making much more than in Argentina. We both worried that Milei would not be successful ultimately and that looks like it is becoming the case. Let's see where we finish the year by November but I have a feeling inflation will come back again stronger.

We didn't consider other areas of Argentina. While I enjoy visiting other areas I don't want to live in another city besides Buenos Aires. It is night and day difference to me.


That was a great time for cost of living and things were incredibly cheap back then. Prices are probably 4x of that time.


@earlyretirement has an incredible track record. I followed him from the old forum for more than a decade. I met a fund manager a few years ago that told me that they entered the real estate market in Buenos Aires following his lead after the corralito. They raced to get out of the market once they found out Mike was selling all his properties and his client's properties in 2017. He told me they didn't exit out of everything until mid 2018 but by the following year things already were going down. They made an incredible amount of money following Mike's lead.

He also had great timing in selling his big company in 2010 to a big company. I heard Airbnb ended up buying that company for over $250 million USD. It seems like he always knows when to enter and exit Argentina.


Funny @FuturoBA! I spoke to Mike a few weeks ago. And it sounds like @Johnny's experience with him in Mexico mirrors his success in Argentina as far as timing entering the market. He sounds like he has a knack for researching. Some people have it and others don't. If you read this financial blog back from way back when, he accurately called the big collapse in the USA stock market and sounds like he timed perfectly the real estate market crash in 2010 too. It doesn't sound like his good luck is limited to Argentina.

http://www.travelsur.net/forum/messages/20/2478.html

Yeah it's amazing how much Mike's track record speaks for itself over the past decades over so many different predictions both in the US and abroad.

I'm so jealous of you @FuturoBA! I wish I could move retire in the near future but after speaking to Mike I'm going to just forge ahead and make more money. I feel good to get a foothold and an apartment locked in. I have been to a lot of different places around the world and I like Buenos Aires better than most major cities. It will be cool to hear about your experiences once you move down to BA.

My place isn't done for a few years and the price is fixed in dollars so I am happy with my purchase.


You are right. Hindsight is 20/20! I also was on the fence of buying something in that Meet Palermo building and wish I did! I saw Johnny's unit and I couldn't believe how great of a deal he got. I went out with them and I saw Mike's 7th floor units too. He has a 1 bedroom and a 2 bedroom apartment right next to one another. It was interesting that he markets it as a 3 bedroom option and told me that the 3 bedroom option was the most popular out of all the units. It sounds like bigger apartments are what is booking but I couldn't afford more than a studio apartment. It sounds like you are in the same boat @futuro?

Interesting HOA has gone up 35% in just a few months. That is shocking isn't it? I feel sorry for the locals. I guess they are reasonable at $100. That is what they estimated the HOA on my unit in Palermo.

I will just Airbnb it until I am able to retire and live in it. I am glad I went with @BuySellBA. They closed and signed the boleto for me and they will sign the closing paperwork too so I don't have to fly down. But the biggest reason was that I wanted to be able to have them manage it. They only manage for people that hire them.

Yeah I knew I wanted a smaller place, especially knowing HOAs were going to jump from the low of when I purchased to any time in the future. For example Jan of 2024 HOAs were about $35 and have already jumped to about $135 and that's for a studio. A few weeks ago I saw a studio unit listed on zonaprop w an HOA at 400k ARS. Crazy some of these are creeping up on US prices.

@futuro that sounds about right. My monthly condo fee has jumped about the same % since January. Almost 40% so far this year. And each month they keep going up. Yours sounds low. You must have many units in your building. I have an older apartment and only 4 apartments on each floor so we don't have many to spread it around. We are trying to get rid of the doorman that has been here many years. But we will probably have to wait until he retires as the buy out is too expensive to fire him. We will go to the totem system that you see all over BA now. The utilities jumped up a lot but my sister in California just sent me her electricity bill and it was over $1,600 dollars!! Yikes! She has a big house but it is still shocking to see someone spending that much on electricity each month.

I wish I jumped in on a property in 2023. You said you did a consultation in 2013. Did you mean 2023? Or was that 2013? I know Mike has been around since 2002 in BA. Still hard to believe. But I guess that is why his reputation is so good in BA. I didn't realize he did other start-up companies in the United States and even Canada too. It sounds like they were all successful.

I loved meeting him and @Johnny a few weeks ago. Such fun! I still feel bad for asking to bring so much stuff. @earlyretirement you coming down any time soon? I still have a few small things! just kidding!

Ahhh yes I meant 2023 not 2013. 2013 I don't know if I even knew what a Buenos Aires was lol.

I forget how many units my building has but it has the totem system without a doorman so I'm sure that helps with lowering expensas.

 

[Target]

Yeah it's amazing how much Mike's track record speaks for itself over the past decades over so many different predictions both in the US and abroad.

Yeah I knew I wanted a smaller place, especially knowing HOAs were going to jump from the low of when I purchased to any time in the future. For example Jan of 2024 HOAs were about $35 and have already jumped to about $135 and that's for a studio. A few weeks ago I saw a studio unit listed on zonaprop w an HOA at 400k ARS. Crazy some of these are creeping up on US prices.



Ahhh yes I meant 2023 not 2013. 2013 I don't know if I even knew what a Buenos Aires was lol.

I forget how many units my building has but it has the totem system without a doorman so I'm sure that helps with lowering expensas.

Who is Mike? I am new to this forum. Sorry. I will try to look at some old posts. Great forum! Futuro congrats on buying a place here. I am amazed how cheap some apartments are here for such a big city. This city is incredible. I have overstayed my tourist visa as I do NOT want to return home. Smart buying a place with low expenses.

I see such a big variety of prices on condo fees. I know the more things you have the more it is but some places are expensive and there are no pools or security. Just a doorman. Do doormen really cost that much?

 

[FuturoBA]

Who is Mike? I am new to this forum. Sorry. I will try to look at some old posts. Great forum! Futuro congrats on buying a place here. I am amazed how cheap some apartments are here for such a big city. This city is incredible. I have overstayed my tourist visa as I do NOT want to return home. Smart buying a place with low expenses.

I see such a big variety of prices on condo fees. I know the more things you have the more it is but some places are expensive and there are no pools or security. Just a doorman. Do doormen really cost that much?

Mike runs Buysellba and has been buying properties here in BA for over 23 years. He's also the moderator here and posts under the handle @earlyretirement . Definitely the person you want to contact for all things real estate. An all around awesome guy and you will see how much he loves BA and how generous of a person he as. Yes read some of the old posts, stick around, and ask questions and you'll see why.

Condo fees are across the board, the most important thing is probably how they're ran. Pools, doorman, security will increase it, but I've heard even in some buildings without them fees can still be pretty high. Others will have more info than I do.

Welcome to the forum, when I purchased the community here was instrumental in helping me in the process and likewise fell in love with the city when I visited.

 

[MikeYoung]

It really is amazing how accurate Mike is with his prediction. I did a consult with him back in October 2013 and everything he said that was going to happen has happened. Some people get some things right some of the time, and then you have Mike who gets all things right all of the time. It's not fair hahah.

Incredible. I read a lot of posts about his company. It is good to get real life feedback. I saw their company website. It seems like everything they touch turns to gold!

Mike runs Buysellba and has been buying properties here in BA for over 23 years. He's also the moderator here and posts under the handle @earlyretirement . Definitely the person you want to contact for all things real estate. An all around awesome guy and you will see how much he loves BA and how generous of a person he as. Yes read some of the old posts, stick around, and ask questions and you'll see why.

Condo fees are across the board, the most important thing is probably how they're ran. Pools, doorman, security will increase it, but I've heard even in some buildings without them fees can still be pretty high. Others will have more info than I do.

Welcome to the forum, when I purchased the community here was instrumental in helping me in the process and likewise fell in love with the city when I visited.

This is a GREAT forum. I read the old forum for a few years but it is dying faster than an overpriced burger franchise in Buenos Aires. Probably soon will go out of business. That owner of that old forum seems wacky. I read that thread about him and I met an American expat that knew him and said he is strange. A Russian guy named Igor.

I mostly am in lurk mode on this forum but I am going to try to post more. I go back and forth between NYC and BA. @FuturoBA I Love your posts. You are my favorite. Great sense of humor. I can't wait for you to move down so we can get some boots on the ground posts.

 

[Target]

Mike runs Buysellba and has been buying properties here in BA for over 23 years. He's also the moderator here and posts under the handle @earlyretirement . Definitely the person you want to contact for all things real estate. An all around awesome guy and you will see how much he loves BA and how generous of a person he as. Yes read some of the old posts, stick around, and ask questions and you'll see why.

Condo fees are across the board, the most important thing is probably how they're ran. Pools, doorman, security will increase it, but I've heard even in some buildings without them fees can still be pretty high. Others will have more info than I do.

Welcome to the forum, when I purchased the community here was instrumental in helping me in the process and likewise fell in love with the city when I visited.

Wow! Thanks for This information. I just contacted their company and already got back an email how to schedule an initial consultation. Even on a sunday they got right back to me! If this company has been providing help for 20 years they must know what they are doing. I love Buenos Aires and want to make it my new home.

I think I remember seeing this name on another forum. I see this new forum but I see a very old forum. Thank you all for your helpful advice.

 

[nikad]

Wow! Thanks for This information. I just contacted their company and already got back an email how to schedule an initial consultation. Even on a sunday they got right back to me! If this company has been providing help for 20 years they must know what they are doing. I love Buenos Aires and want to make it my new home.

I think I remember seeing this name on another forum. I see this new forum but I see a very old forum. Thank you all for your helpful advice.

Many of us post on both forums the old and this new one. Most of us have a different screen name on this forum. Some of us have the same name.

You can read about how this forum got started here.

C

Thread 'Who is the owner of BAexpats.org? Why does he delete posts and allow people to make up fake posts?'

Dec 13, 2023

I posted on BAexpats.org for many years. I finally quit in protest as he is crazy on moderation and deletes whatever he personally doesn't agree with. Many people have mentioned on Twitter the same thing and I met up with several expats on the website who said the same thing about him. They had horrible experiences with that guy.

I found this website and see that a long time poster of that forum in good standing also quit that forum in protest for the owner's antics. I read on Twitter the owners name is Igor. Does anyone know anything about him? Now I see he is making fake profiles...

• Chris M.
• baexpats baexpats.org dictator expatsba igor igor s. owner of baexpats.org
• Replies: 33
• Forum: ExPat Life

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