Follow the "Golden Rule" on ExpatsBA - Be polite, courteous or don't post on this forum

[Betsy Ross]

actually, many of us got banned from the old censored forum BAExpats dot org. are you new here? the old forum was heavily-censored and anti-free-market. i personally got banned by Igor before i even moved to Argentina. he's a little tyrannical cuck 🙂

Like you I also got banned from the old forum. Forum was censored to death. The forum is on its last leg. Almost everyone has migrated to this new website. I heard that Igor had a lot of health issues. He had health issues before and one of my friends told me that other Moderators were running the forum. They told me Igor got angry even from his hospital bed. He supposedly was trying to moderate from the hospital. That is what a friend told me. And I have no reason to believe that is false.

twitter has a huge bot problem. and there are a lot of stupid communists there. if you don't block people, your feed will be horrible. my feed instantly became better when i blocked CNN, Fox News, and all the other war propaganda outlets.

the guy who claims he didn't interact with me posted on a thread i was chatting with BuySellBA. he said something stupid, so i blocked him. just like i'm clicking Mute on you now for trying to read my mind and take a soundbyte version of me, like a typical low-IQ NPC. enjoy!

Just mute people. Stop arguing with people. Your best posts are when you just share information on Argentina. I like most of your posts except when you are calling people communists. I might not agree with some of the political post but I don't care and respect Avocado or Larry's or anyone else that wants to post.

Just mute Avocado. She has been patient with your attacks of calling her names for over a year. If you can't do that just move on.

 

[fetch rover]

bet you guys can't summarize what i actually wrote, or what my claims were. yes, i'm an animal lover, but i'm allergic to stupidity. do you have any idea what my point was about declaring 40% or 70% on a property title? please don't just repeat what the loud Peronists scream on this forum.

I haven't read all of your posts. Some that I read, especially on dogs is great stuff. I can tell you love your dog. Probably more than humans which is great. I don't know which post you are referring to. IIRC, I remember reading a post where you kept telling long time residents of Argentina that you know better than them. I have seen it in a few posts.

My husband lived in Argentina a long time. He is in finance and he is saying that it is not common to declare that low. You haven't been in Argentina more than 1 year. So you don't know what you don't know but pretend like you do. I have zero problems with you or your posts. Like I said, you were very helpful to me about a post about my dog. I am thankful of that. We still may move to BA later this year.

You may want to do a little more listening and a little less arguing.

define harassment. who is being harassed? give specific links.

Probably part of the reason why you probably need to take a break from any forums. Multiple people are saying you are the problem and you are the only one that thinks you are in the right.

 

[French jurist]

Like you I also got banned from the old forum. Forum was censored to death. The forum is on its last leg. Almost everyone has migrated to this new website. I heard that Igor had a lot of health issues. He had health issues before and one of my friends told me that other Moderators were running the forum. They told me Igor got angry even from his hospital bed. He supposedly was trying to moderate from the hospital. That is what a friend told me. And I have no reason to believe that is false.

Many of us met Igor long ago. We used to do meet ups. He was a bit of a strange guy. An introvert. The forum ran ok for many years and then something happened with moderation. A shame at its demise but this new forum is much better.

 

[BA Bound]

Like you I also got banned from the old forum. Forum was censored to death. The forum is on its last leg. Almost everyone has migrated to this new website. I heard that Igor had a lot of health issues. He had health issues before and one of my friends told me that other Moderators were running the forum. They told me Igor got angry even from his hospital bed. He supposedly was trying to moderate from the hospital. That is what a friend told me. And I have no reason to believe that is false.


Just mute people. Stop arguing with people. Your best posts are when you just share information on Argentina. I like most of your posts except when you are calling people communists. I might not agree with some of the political post but I don't care and respect Avocado or Larry's or anyone else that wants to post.

Just mute Avocado. She has been patient with your attacks of calling her names for over a year. If you can't do that just move on.

Well said. Multiple long standing members of this forum are ALL saying the same thing. Other than this dispute is there anything else on the forum that has been controversial?? I haven't seen it. It is a terrific forum and I hope it stays around. It is getting better and better.

 

[sophos]

i like to argue

Yes we can see that. Maybe try not to argue so much. Not necessary.

 

[ElQueso]

Like you I also got banned from the old forum. Forum was censored to death. The forum is on its last leg. Almost everyone has migrated to this new website. I heard that Igor had a lot of health issues. He had health issues before and one of my friends told me that other Moderators were running the forum. They told me Igor got angry even from his hospital bed. He supposedly was trying to moderate from the hospital. That is what a friend told me. And I have no reason to believe that is false.


Just mute people. Stop arguing with people. Your best posts are when you just share information on Argentina. I like most of your posts except when you are calling people communists. I might not agree with some of the political post but I don't care and respect Avocado or Larry's or anyone else that wants to post.

Just mute Avocado. She has been patient with your attacks of calling her names for over a year. If you can't do that just move on.

True. Some of us in the early days of the old forum would have meet ups and Igor went to some of them. He is a quiet guy. He went to a few but I just remember he was mostly quiet. He is a Russian guy. I think his original intent was to share information on Argentina but then started getting political and it sounds like the posts started getting deleted if he didn't agree with them. There were a few moderators on the site. I don't know how active they are now. I stopped even reading that forum. It is all but dead now. Everyone has come over to this new forum.

 

[Larry]

True. Some of us in the early days of the old forum would have meet ups and Igor went to some of them. He is a quiet guy. He went to a few but I just remember he was mostly quiet. He is a Russian guy. I think his original intent was to share information on Argentina but then started getting political and it sounds like the posts started getting deleted if he didn't agree with them. There were a few moderators on the site. I don't know how active they are now. I stopped even reading that forum. It is all but dead now. Everyone has come over to this new forum.

It is not just Igor but a lot of the other Moderators are unhinged too on that forum.

 

[Ries]

I have seen plenty of these know it all types in Argentina over the past decade here. They come to Argentina and all of a sudden think they know it all. Funny seeing him block anyone on X that disagrees with him. Even people he didn't interact with. Says it all about him.

Many such expats here. They usually end up crawling back to their home countries after a few years in Argentina.

 

[FuturoBA]

Throwing in my hat to thank @earlyretirement for such a great forum and like many others I was a member of the Banned Fam lol. The worst part is I only had like 5 posts there. But I digress...

It just shows how principled earlyretirement is, IIRC you were on that forum for 13+ years (or was it 13 years and 4 months? 🙂) and I don't know if you met anyone from there IRL but I'm sure you still made virtual connections with some of the members there. With such deep roots nobody could fault if you had stayed even if you disagreed with the mods, and truth be told I probably would have had I been in your position. But you didn't. While some fight for their principles, yous showed you live up to yours.

But what impresses me most is even after 23 years, you show your love for BA like a newly landed tourist that just arrived. In spite of everything, all your stories, the negatives, the challenges, the hoops jumped, it's obvious how much you love it. And this forum is a reflection of that.

 

[Betsy Ross]

Throwing in my hat to thank @earlyretirement for such a great forum and like many others I was a member of the Banned Fam lol. The worst part is I only had like 5 posts there. But I digress...

It just shows how principled earlyretirement is, IIRC you were on that forum for 13+ years (or was it 13 years and 4 months? 🙂) and I don't know if you met anyone from there IRL but I'm sure you still made virtual connections with some of the members there. With such deep roots nobody could fault if you had stayed even if you disagreed with the mods, and truth be told I probably would have had I been in your position. But you didn't. While some fight for their principles, yous showed you live up to yours.

But what impresses me most is even after 23 years, you show your love for BA like a newly landed tourist that just arrived. In spite of everything, all your stories, the negatives, the challenges, the hoops jumped, it's obvious how much you love it. And this forum is a reflection of that.

I was also on that forum a LONG time. I always read @earlyretirement's great posts for over a decade. What I admired is that the guy had NO agenda. Someone posted his real identity (probably with Igor's help) but never once did he ever advertise his company. Never. He doesn't need it. I tried to give him my sister's property to manage. He would have made 25% of the rentals and he held firm that he doesn't manage any properties that he didn't buy for a client. I couldn't believe it!

I totally agree with you @FuturoBA that Mike's love for Buenos Aires even after 23 years shines through. I love that he posts about the warts and all of Buenos Aires. That is my favorite thing about him. I know he is a huge Milei fan but when the Libra scandal broke out, he was the first to criticize Milei and if you look at his X account you could tell he was crushed to see that.

I never meet anyone from these forums. The old forum there were a lot of meet ups but I never went to anyone. I met @earlyretirement a few weeks ago. He was kind enough to bring a suitcase full of stuff. I am embarrassed after I saw all of it. I also met @Johnny too and that was fun. This website feels like a true community and I am proud to be a part of it.

 

[Wally]

Seems like Avocado isn't the only one that has issues with him. I just saw this on X.

So much for an echo chamber.

Throwing in my hat to thank @earlyretirement for such a great forum and like many others I was a member of the Banned Fam lol. The worst part is I only had like 5 posts there. But I digress...

It just shows how principled earlyretirement is, IIRC you were on that forum for 13+ years (or was it 13 years and 4 months? 🙂) and I don't know if you met anyone from there IRL but I'm sure you still made virtual connections with some of the members there. With such deep roots nobody could fault if you had stayed even if you disagreed with the mods, and truth be told I probably would have had I been in your position. But you didn't. While some fight for their principles, yous showed you live up to yours.

But what impresses me most is even after 23 years, you show your love for BA like a newly landed tourist that just arrived. In spite of everything, all your stories, the negatives, the challenges, the hoops jumped, it's obvious how much you love it. And this forum is a reflection of that.

Like many on this forum I started on the old forum. It has all but died and it is great to see more and more members coming over. I know many that had to change their screen names for fear Igor would ban them too but I think it's safe to say no one wants to be on the other forum now. It is embarrassing. That is crazy @FuturoBA! You only posted 5 posts and you got banned? What for? That sounds unhinged. What was the reason?

I remember when someone posted @earlyretirement's name on the forum. Everyone was shocked that someone so well known in the Buenos Aires business scene would spend so much of their life sharing information. I know I was.

I can't imagine it is cheap creating this website, hosting it and maintaining it but Mike's love for Buenos Aires seems like it's even stronger today. I hope to meet him in person one day.

I was also on that forum a LONG time. I always read @earlyretirement's great posts for over a decade. What I admired is that the guy had NO agenda. Someone posted his real identity (probably with Igor's help) but never once did he ever advertise his company. Never. He doesn't need it. I tried to give him my sister's property to manage. He would have made 25% of the rentals and he held firm that he doesn't manage any properties that he didn't buy for a client. I couldn't believe it!

I totally agree with you @FuturoBA that Mike's love for Buenos Aires even after 23 years shines through. I love that he posts about the warts and all of Buenos Aires. That is my favorite thing about him. I know he is a huge Milei fan but when the Libra scandal broke out, he was the first to criticize Milei and if you look at his X account you could tell he was crushed to see that.

I never meet anyone from these forums. The old forum there were a lot of meet ups but I never went to anyone. I met @earlyretirement a few weeks ago. He was kind enough to bring a suitcase full of stuff. I am embarrassed after I saw all of it. I also met @Johnny too and that was fun. This website feels like a true community and I am proud to be a part of it.

I heard you asked for a lot of stuff! I hate when friends do that. But I guess I always ask a friend to bring stuff down too.

 

[Uncle Wong]

Well said. Multiple long standing members of this forum are ALL saying the same thing. Other than this dispute is there anything else on the forum that has been controversial?? I haven't seen it. It is a terrific forum and I hope it stays around. It is getting better and better.

Honestly I haven't seen many issues at all on this forum. Everyone is super respectful for the most part.

Throwing in my hat to thank @earlyretirement for such a great forum and like many others I was a member of the Banned Fam lol. The worst part is I only had like 5 posts there. But I digress...

It just shows how principled earlyretirement is, IIRC you were on that forum for 13+ years (or was it 13 years and 4 months? 🙂) and I don't know if you met anyone from there IRL but I'm sure you still made virtual connections with some of the members there. With such deep roots nobody could fault if you had stayed even if you disagreed with the mods, and truth be told I probably would have had I been in your position. But you didn't. While some fight for their principles, yous showed you live up to yours.

But what impresses me most is even after 23 years, you show your love for BA like a newly landed tourist that just arrived. In spite of everything, all your stories, the negatives, the challenges, the hoops jumped, it's obvious how much you love it. And this forum is a reflection of that.

I also got banned from that forum. It is crazy! I met many that said their posts were edited. You have to be a real jerk to make @earlyretirement angry. He seems like the nicest guy in the world. I first did a Zoom with him and I could already tell he loves Argentina so much. I probably went back and read every single post he made on that forum. I couldn't believe it. 13 years worth of sharing knowledge. Incredible if you think about it!

He doesn't seem like the type that will just sit down and take abuse. He told me that he talked on the phone with Igor twice. He said that Igor is a smart guy. He told me that even Igor was shocked that @earlyretirement was who he is. Igor knew him very well and his reputation. I think it just got to be too much for Igor. Fortunately Mike has the financial resources to create another website. Probably no one would take the time and effort and money to do something like this. This website is so amazing. So quickly, clean and feels so modern. I learn something new everyday.

I just bought a pozo new construction apartment with Mike's help. I can't wait to get it at the end of 2027. Thanks!

 

[Johnny]

Honestly I haven't seen many issues at all on this forum. Everyone is super respectful for the most part.


I also got banned from that forum. It is crazy! I met many that said their posts were edited. You have to be a real jerk to make @earlyretirement angry. He seems like the nicest guy in the world. I first did a Zoom with him and I could already tell he loves Argentina so much. I probably went back and read every single post he made on that forum. I couldn't believe it. 13 years worth of sharing knowledge. Incredible if you think about it!

He doesn't seem like the type that will just sit down and take abuse. He told me that he talked on the phone with Igor twice. He said that Igor is a smart guy. He told me that even Igor was shocked that @earlyretirement was who he is. Igor knew him very well and his reputation. I think it just got to be too much for Igor. Fortunately Mike has the financial resources to create another website. Probably no one would take the time and effort and money to do something like this. This website is so amazing. So quickly, clean and feels so modern. I learn something new everyday.

I just bought a pozo new construction apartment with Mike's help. I can't wait to get it at the end of 2027. Thanks!

Great meeting you @Uncle Wong! Totally cool that we will own in the same building. I never read or posted on the old forum but I've known Mikey for 14 years. He is a force of nature! He got me so passionate about Argentina that I went from never visiting it to already buying 2 properties and I will buy a 3 bedroom in his new apartment hotel. He did the same thing for me when I visited his apartment in Guadalajara and I ended up buying one and the same building and we bought bought units in Cabo too.

What impressed me the most is I have spent 1.5 years in meetings with him with his lawyers, bankers, real estate developers. Since I plan to invest a lot of money in his projects, he invited me to all the meetings. Every single person that I met has worked with him for over 20 years and you can see they respect him so much. I have gotten to know the executive team at GyD Developers. They built my first unit and building my second. The owners that have been doing this 43 years. told me flat out that Mike is the most important person in the Buenos Aires real estate scene. I feel fortunate to have discovered Buenos Aires and bought when I did.

Love love love this forum and I can't wait to spend more time in Buenos Aires. I'm coming back in August with Mike.

 

[CraigM]

Great meeting you @Uncle Wong! Totally cool that we will own in the same building. I never read or posted on the old forum but I've known Mikey for 14 years. He is a force of nature! He got me so passionate about Argentina that I went from never visiting it to already buying 2 properties and I will buy a 3 bedroom in his new apartment hotel. He did the same thing for me when I visited his apartment in Guadalajara and I ended up buying one and the same building and we bought bought units in Cabo too.

What impressed me the most is I have spent 1.5 years in meetings with him with his lawyers, bankers, real estate developers. Since I plan to invest a lot of money in his projects, he invited me to all the meetings. Every single person that I met has worked with him for over 20 years and you can see they respect him so much. I have gotten to know the executive team at GyD Developers. They built my first unit and building my second. The owners that have been doing this 43 years. told me flat out that Mike is the most important person in the Buenos Aires real estate scene. I feel fortunate to have discovered Buenos Aires and bought when I did.

Love love love this forum and I can't wait to spend more time in Buenos Aires. I'm coming back in August with Mike.

That is awesome Johnny. Other than some tennis lessons and soccer games that I booked through AirBnB, most of my visit to Argentina was based on recommendations here which were spot on. I don't have much of an online presence but I felt compelled to share my adventures after getting so much out of this place. Kudos to Mike, it's a great resource.

 

[nikad]

That is awesome Johnny. Other than some tennis lessons and soccer games that I booked through AirBnB, most of my visit to Argentina was based on recommendations here which were spot on. I don't have much of an online presence but I felt compelled to share my adventures after getting so much out of this place. Kudos to Mike, it's a great resource.

I love how this feels like a real community. Forums for the most part are all dying and people use X. I have to admit I took some time away from posting but seeing the community here made me realize how fortunate we are to have someone paying to make a site like this.

 

[BA Bound]

I was also on that forum a LONG time. I always read @earlyretirement's great posts for over a decade. What I admired is that the guy had NO agenda. Someone posted his real identity (probably with Igor's help) but never once did he ever advertise his company. Never. He doesn't need it. I tried to give him my sister's property to manage. He would have made 25% of the rentals and he held firm that he doesn't manage any properties that he didn't buy for a client. I couldn't believe it!

I totally agree with you @FuturoBA that Mike's love for Buenos Aires even after 23 years shines through. I love that he posts about the warts and all of Buenos Aires. That is my favorite thing about him. I know he is a huge Milei fan but when the Libra scandal broke out, he was the first to criticize Milei and if you look at his X account you could tell he was crushed to see that.

I never meet anyone from these forums. The old forum there were a lot of meet ups but I never went to anyone. I met @earlyretirement a few weeks ago. He was kind enough to bring a suitcase full of stuff. I am embarrassed after I saw all of it. I also met @Johnny too and that was fun. This website feels like a true community and I am proud to be a part of it.

Wow I didn't know that @earlyretirement brings stuff down for people. Is it possible to bring me a laptop or iPhone on your next trip @earlyretirement? I tried on Grabr but lately not many are coming. I would be willing to pay you. I read how you brought so many things for Betsy. I have a list of stuff that friends bring me but BA is too expensive now and no one is coming. 🙁

It is almost impossible to find someone dependable to manage a rental property in Buenos Aires. My friends were using locals and they had to stop doing Airbnbs as the property managers were all thieves. Half the time they were using it themselves or they were renting it and not telling them. Another friend was being charged for bills but their property manager never paid any of them and it got shut off.

No way I would have anyone managing my property in Buenos Aires unless they had experience and a good reputation. Crazy that people are turning away business. I bet Mike is the only one in BA that needs to turn down money.

I love this forum. I mostly just lurk but wanted to thank @earlyretirement for making this site.

That is awesome Johnny. Other than some tennis lessons and soccer games that I booked through AirBnB, most of my visit to Argentina was based on recommendations here which were spot on. I don't have much of an online presence but I felt compelled to share my adventures after getting so much out of this place. Kudos to Mike, it's a great resource.

I read a few of your posts. I remember some of the forum members talked you out of taking a trip that you would have regretted. I loved reading your reports. They were so much fun.

 

[JonJLA]

Throwing in my hat to thank @earlyretirement for such a great forum and like many others I was a member of the Banned Fam lol. The worst part is I only had like 5 posts there. But I digress...

It just shows how principled earlyretirement is, IIRC you were on that forum for 13+ years (or was it 13 years and 4 months? 🙂) and I don't know if you met anyone from there IRL but I'm sure you still made virtual connections with some of the members there. With such deep roots nobody could fault if you had stayed even if you disagreed with the mods, and truth be told I probably would have had I been in your position. But you didn't. While some fight for their principles, yous showed you live up to yours.

But what impresses me most is even after 23 years, you show your love for BA like a newly landed tourist that just arrived. In spite of everything, all your stories, the negatives, the challenges, the hoops jumped, it's obvious how much you love it. And this forum is a reflection of that.

Amen. Great post @FuturoBA. I also posted on the old forum. I knew Mike was @earlyretirement on that board but we never discussed it. I never told him I knew it was him. And he never mentioned the forum. I just watched and read for 13 years his contributions to not only that forum but to Buenos Aires.

The way his mind works is amazing. I bought a few apartments at pozo in Palermo Uno and he was so convinced it would be something special. I did a consultation and he walked me through his hypothesis why the building would be a winner. This was my first investment outside of the United States and I was amazed with his thought process and thesis of investment. He walked me through how it would be the only sky rise in the area towering over anything else. How the developers were visionaries. Remember there was just a hole in the ground. All we had was a few brochures. And when I agreed to buy this even websites weren't too advanced. So me investing in Argentina came down to Mike convincing me why it would be a good investment.

I still own my apartment there. I did sell one of them in 2017 and made a small fortune. But I would have been fine to have kept it. My place is always rented. I have the same furniture that I bought almost 20 years ago and holding up well.

Mike is the most principled guy you will ever meet in life. You hit the nail on the head Futuro. I just spoke to Mike via Zoom a few weeks ago. It is amazing how much he loves Argentina. I think as much or more than he did when he first moved there.

Great meeting you @Uncle Wong! Totally cool that we will own in the same building. I never read or posted on the old forum but I've known Mikey for 14 years. He is a force of nature! He got me so passionate about Argentina that I went from never visiting it to already buying 2 properties and I will buy a 3 bedroom in his new apartment hotel. He did the same thing for me when I visited his apartment in Guadalajara and I ended up buying one and the same building and we bought bought units in Cabo too.

What impressed me the most is I have spent 1.5 years in meetings with him with his lawyers, bankers, real estate developers. Since I plan to invest a lot of money in his projects, he invited me to all the meetings. Every single person that I met has worked with him for over 20 years and you can see they respect him so much. I have gotten to know the executive team at GyD Developers. They built my first unit and building my second. The owners that have been doing this 43 years. told me flat out that Mike is the most important person in the Buenos Aires real estate scene. I feel fortunate to have discovered Buenos Aires and bought when I did.

Love love love this forum and I can't wait to spend more time in Buenos Aires. I'm coming back in August with Mike.

Johnny G&D Developers is who built my apartment that I live in now. I bought it pre-pozo with Mike and @BuySellBA. I knew it was a good investment because Mike bought 5 units himself in that building and his partner Luciano bought 4 so I knew it was a no brainer. I got to know Gabriel and Daniel very well with my purchases. They are very nice people.

 

[ben]

True. Some of us in the early days of the old forum would have meet ups and Igor went to some of them. He is a quiet guy. He went to a few but I just remember he was mostly quiet. He is a Russian guy. I think his original intent was to share information on Argentina but then started getting political and it sounds like the posts started getting deleted if he didn't agree with them. There were a few moderators on the site. I don't know how active they are now. I stopped even reading that forum. It is all but dead now. Everyone has come over to this new forum.

The old forum had its heyday. There was nothing else available. But many people have had run ins with Igor. Look at old X posts and people have been complaining about BAExpats for a long time. There has been a problem with moderation for over a decade and that is why the forum is ruined now.

Excessive moderation or creating echo chambers where the owner or Moderator all wants everyone to be alike or say the same or think the same is a disaster. It doesn't matter what side you are on. That is why everyone hates that one member on here that keeps telling locals not to post or harps on anyone that doesn't think the way he thinks.

 

[earlyretirement]

Like you I also got banned from the old forum. Forum was censored to death. The forum is on its last leg. Almost everyone has migrated to this new website. I heard that Igor had a lot of health issues. He had health issues before and one of my friends told me that other Moderators were running the forum. They told me Igor got angry even from his hospital bed. He supposedly was trying to moderate from the hospital. That is what a friend told me. And I have no reason to believe that is false.

Crazy Betsy. I bet I know who your friend is! There is only one person I met in person from that old forum (besides a few investor clients of mine that I know where on the forum). It's a crazy story but he is one of the first people that I met in Buenos Aires. We happened to meet up and he didn't tell me he was on that forum. I found out many years after that. A great guy that I'm still in contact with today. He knows Igor and he told me this same story. He told me how Igor was very sick and in the hospital and a bunch of Moderators were helping to manage the forum in his absence. And he got crazy angry and micromanaged. I didn't find out about this until I started this forum. It showed me how sick in the head Igor is. I have no reason to make this up. I'm just pointing this out as I was told the same exact story as you. So I'm sure it's the same person who was one of he Moderators. In fact, as he tells me the story, the old forum was his idea and Igor stole the idea. I know this other guy to be a true gentleman so I don't doubt him one bit.

Probably part of the reason why you probably need to take a break from any forums. Multiple people are saying you are the problem and you are the only one that thinks you are in the right.

He will take at least a week break. He has been banned from the forum for one week for trying to create chaos on this forum. It won't be tolerated. After a week he will be allowed to return but if he does it again he will be forever banned. No one needs or wants drama on this forum.

Throwing in my hat to thank @earlyretirement for such a great forum and like many others I was a member of the Banned Fam lol. The worst part is I only had like 5 posts there. But I digress...

It just shows how principled earlyretirement is, IIRC you were on that forum for 13+ years (or was it 13 years and 4 months? 🙂) and I don't know if you met anyone from there IRL but I'm sure you still made virtual connections with some of the members there. With such deep roots nobody could fault if you had stayed even if you disagreed with the mods, and truth be told I probably would have had I been in your position. But you didn't. While some fight for their principles, yous showed you live up to yours.

But what impresses me most is even after 23 years, you show your love for BA like a newly landed tourist that just arrived. In spite of everything, all your stories, the negatives, the challenges, the hoops jumped, it's obvious how much you love it. And this forum is a reflection of that.

Thanks @FuturoBA and al the others that posted kind thoughts about this forum. Yes, it is exactly as you mentioned. I posted for almost 13.5 YEARS on the other forum. I posted a lot of business advice, real estate advice, banking advice. Never asking for anything in return. I never ever even mentioned my company. Truth is I didn't need the business and was turning away business daily. I owned the largest property management company in South America. No reason to even have to grow and had to turn away business. Was an amazing situation. Same situation today being able to pick and choose investors.

I don't put up with BS. Even today, a friend that I have known for 14 years I had to tell him that I can't be friends with him anymore. He was ignorant. He is still a client and I'll make him a lot of money but I can't be friends with him anymore. I have the good fortune to only associate with people I like and respect. Yeah, I could have stayed on the forum and been ok but once I knew about all the moderating and saw my own posts being edited or deleted without mentioning to me, I knew the forum was on it's last legs. You see, when you want to create a true echo chamber where you want everyone to think the same or act the same, it serves NO purpose at all.

I've been a part of the Internet forums since the internet began. First on the very first websites. I have been fascinated since the early days of the internet the sharing of information on all sorts of topics. I realize that 90% of all people on the Internet are takers. They consume and they are not giver's (share information). I'm totally ok with that. However, when someone takes the time to share valuable information and you edit/delete it, that tells you about their character.

People like our banned friend that yell for other people to stop posting, or think or act like him are no different than Igor is. He is the same. I have a lot of patience but once I hit my limit that is it and this website is a reflection of that. I love Argentina and I'm so happy that people can feel the love.

What impressed me the most is I have spent 1.5 years in meetings with him with his lawyers, bankers, real estate developers. Since I plan to invest a lot of money in his projects, he invited me to all the meetings. Every single person that I met has worked with him for over 20 years and you can see they respect him so much. I have gotten to know the executive team at GyD Developers. They built my first unit and building my second. The owners that have been doing this 43 years. told me flat out that Mike is the most important person in the Buenos Aires real estate scene. I feel fortunate to have discovered Buenos Aires and bought when I did.

Love love love this forum and I can't wait to spend more time in Buenos Aires. I'm coming back in August with Mik

Thank you my brother from another mother. I love you man. I am so happy that you are going on this journey with me. I'm thrilled that you got in on the bottom in July 2023. Thanks for listening to my advice. I told you man. I am in awe at the kind words from the likes of Daniel Mintzer and Gabriel Mayo and Nicolas their newest partner. These guys are special people. These guys are legends. I'm flattered that they put me in such high regard.

Amen. Great post @FuturoBA. I also posted on the old forum. I knew Mike was @earlyretirement on that board but we never discussed it. I never told him I knew it was him. And he never mentioned the forum. I just watched and read for 13 years his contributions to not only that forum but to Buenos Aires.

The way his mind works is amazing. I bought a few apartments at pozo in Palermo Uno and he was so convinced it would be something special. I did a consultation and he walked me through his hypothesis why the building would be a winner. This was my first investment outside of the United States and I was amazed with his thought process and thesis of investment. He walked me through how it would be the only sky rise in the area towering over anything else. How the developers were visionaries. Remember there was just a hole in the ground. All we had was a few brochures. And when I agreed to buy this even websites weren't too advanced. So me investing in Argentina came down to Mike convincing me why it would be a good investment.

I still own my apartment there. I did sell one of them in 2017 and made a small fortune. But I would have been fine to have kept it. My place is always rented. I have the same furniture that I bought almost 20 years ago and holding up well.

Mike is the most principled guy you will ever meet in life. You hit the nail on the head Futuro. I just spoke to Mike via Zoom a few weeks ago. It is amazing how much he loves Argentina. I think as much or more than he did when he first moved there.


Johnny G&D Developers is who built my apartment that I live in now. I bought it pre-pozo with Mike and @BuySellBA. I knew it was a good investment because Mike bought 5 units himself in that building and his partner Luciano bought 4 so I knew it was a no brainer. I got to know Gabriel and Daniel very well with my purchases. They are very nice people.

Thanks @JonJLA! You were one of my early investors/clients and I will never forget you guys. I am still in contact with many of my old investors and it's great that many of them are coming around again and investing in Argentina again. I got many of you out in 2017/2018 at the top of the market. I'm thrilled and honored that I get to call many of you friends.

I still remember buying up 35% of Palermo Uno like it was yesterday. I had to pinch myself as I couldn't believe premium real estate could be that cheap. I bought up much of that building. @JonJLA funny as I made it a point to show @Johnny Palermo Uno a few weeks ago. Gabriel and Daniel kept telling him about how I bought up all the units. I know these guys were winners. I posted on X about it.

 

[Johnny]

Wow I didn't know that @earlyretirement brings stuff down for people. Is it possible to bring me a laptop or iPhone on your next trip @earlyretirement? I tried on Grabr but lately not many are coming. I would be willing to pay you. I read how you brought so many things for Betsy. I have a list of stuff that friends bring me but BA is too expensive now and no one is coming. 🙁

You might want to read some of his more recent posts. The last trip he checked an extra 60 pound bag of stuff. He brought stuff for @Che Vos, @Darksider415, @Betsy Ross, @sophos and about 4 other people I can't remember their screen names. He also brought stuff for his accountant and her family. I think he said he was not doing that anymore. Maybe I will do it for the same price as what Grabr charges. I'm coming down in August again. DM. I'll just donate it to a charity. The owner of G&D is a rabbi and Mike and I donated some $$$$ to his congregation. I'll donate it to that charity.

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That is awesome Johnny. Other than some tennis lessons and soccer games that I booked through AirBnB, most of my visit to Argentina was based on recommendations here which were spot on. I don't have much of an online presence but I felt compelled to share my adventures after getting so much out of this place. Kudos to Mike, it's a great resource.

I read your old trip reports and it was great. Mike told me you went to Sotto Voce two days in a row! He brought me there and it was one of my best meals. It was packed but they made room for Mike. They all knew him there! We got the rock star treatment. It was funny as there was a line of people and we showed up with no reservations. 🤣🤣 One of my favorite meals of the trip.

Amen. Great post @FuturoBA. I also posted on the old forum. I knew Mike was @earlyretirement on that board but we never discussed it. I never told him I knew it was him. And he never mentioned the forum. I just watched and read for 13 years his contributions to not only that forum but to Buenos Aires.

The way his mind works is amazing. I bought a few apartments at pozo in Palermo Uno and he was so convinced it would be something special. I did a consultation and he walked me through his hypothesis why the building would be a winner. This was my first investment outside of the United States and I was amazed with his thought process and thesis of investment. He walked me through how it would be the only sky rise in the area towering over anything else. How the developers were visionaries. Remember there was just a hole in the ground. All we had was a few brochures. And when I agreed to buy this even websites weren't too advanced. So me investing in Argentina came down to Mike convincing me why it would be a good investment.

I still own my apartment there. I did sell one of them in 2017 and made a small fortune. But I would have been fine to have kept it. My place is always rented. I have the same furniture that I bought almost 20 years ago and holding up well.

Mike is the most principled guy you will ever meet in life. You hit the nail on the head Futuro. I just spoke to Mike via Zoom a few weeks ago. It is amazing how much he loves Argentina. I think as much or more than he did when he first moved there.


Johnny G&D Developers is who built my apartment that I live in now. I bought it pre-pozo with Mike and @BuySellBA. I knew it was a good investment because Mike bought 5 units himself in that building and his partner Luciano bought 4 so I knew it was a no brainer. I got to know Gabriel and Daniel very well with my purchases. They are very nice people.

I love that building @JonJLA! On the second to last day Mike told me he needed to show me the gym of this place. He always quizzes me. We were standing in front of the building and he asked me what was special about this building? I looked and I said it's nice? He said what else. I said it's modern. What else. It has 24/7 security. What else? He went on and on until I said it's the only high-rise tower in the area. All the other buildings were only 10 floors.

He called GyD and they sent the doorman to meet up to take us up as you need special access. Very touching as the guy that was showing us was the old head doorman's son that died a few years ago. Mike knew his dad very well and they were sharing stories and the guy literally said that his dad said what a gentleman Mike was and how everyone loved him. Was touching!

I still remember buying up 35% of Palermo Uno like it was yesterday. I had to pinch myself as I couldn't believe premium real estate could be that cheap. I bought up much of that building. @JonJLA funny as I made it a point to show @Johnny Palermo Uno a few weeks ago. Gabriel and Daniel kept telling him about how I bought up all the units. I know these guys were winners. I posted on X about it.

Funny story which I hope it is ok to share online. I have since met G&D owners probably about 9 times now in meetings and lunches over 1.5 years. Mike has talked about potentially partnering with them to build his building so we had many meetings with them. I remember my first meeting with Gabriel at El Preferido last year. He was with another partner, Nicolas. I asked them if they ever lost money on any buildings. He was telling me they have been building in BA for over 40 years, in Uruguay and even in Miami. He said he never lost money. But then he said, "Johnny I have broken even one time". I asked him which one. And he said "Palermo Uno". I asked him why and he pointed to Mike. He said that he sold too many to Mike at pozo for too cheap of prices. LOL. That was hilarious.