What happens if Argentina gets too expensive? What are alternative cities/countries to move to when it's overpriced in Argentina?

[Uncle Wong]

I have heard a lot of people have moved. Just saw this on X. This guy said Germany is cheaper.

 

[Maxx]

If Argentina becomes too expensive, especially considering that many things are still relatively affordable compared to cities like New York, there are several alternative cities or countries to consider for relocation. For example, my apartment rent here is only 25% of what I would pay in New York City (if I could even find a cheap apartment there), making Argentina still a great option for affordable living. However, I have noticed an increase in prices, like for coffee. While it can vary depending on where you go, it’s noticeably more expensive at places like Starbucks, a US-based company, compared to local cafes.

If Argentina’s costs keep rising, countries or cities with similar affordability and a high quality of life could be appealing. Cities like Medellín, Colombia, or Montevideo, Uruguay, are often mentioned for their relatively lower costs of living and pleasant climates. Other places in Southeast Asia, such as Bali or Chiang Mai, are also popular for expats due to their affordable living and vibrant local cultures. Ultimately, it all depends on the lifestyle you’re looking for

 

[Uncle Wong]

BowtiedMara stated he'd be able to cut down to around your range at $1350, that is still married and without rent.

Well minimum wage is peanuts in Argentina! I don't know how locals can live on these minimum wages. Are people really making these minimum wages? @earlyretirement. @Betsy Ross, @Wally , @StatusNomadicus and others of you living there. Do you know anyone that is only making minimum wage?

Government raises minimum wage by decree for fourth time - Buenos Aires Herald

The Minimum Wage Council has never managed to reach an agreement since Milei became president

buenosairesherald.com

 

[FuturoBA]

Well minimum wage is peanuts in Argentina! I don't know how locals can live on these minimum wages. Are people really making these minimum wages? @earlyretirement. @Betsy Ross, @Wally , @StatusNomadicus and others of you living there. Do you know anyone that is only making minimum wage?

Government raises minimum wage by decree for fourth time - Buenos Aires Herald

The Minimum Wage Council has never managed to reach an agreement since Milei became president

buenosairesherald.com

As economist Thomas Sowell said "the real minimum wage is zero"

Minimum wage here in the US(federal) is still $7.25 including here in Texas

 

[Blockchain]

Well minimum wage is peanuts in Argentina! I don't know how locals can live on these minimum wages. Are people really making these minimum wages? @earlyretirement. @Betsy Ross, @Wally , @StatusNomadicus and others of you living there. Do you know anyone that is only making minimum wage?

Government raises minimum wage by decree for fourth time - Buenos Aires Herald

The Minimum Wage Council has never managed to reach an agreement since Milei became president

buenosairesherald.com

I doubt many in BA are actually making minimum wage. I asked the girl cleaning my Airbnb how much she was making and she was making like 8,000 pesos per hour just cleaning Airbnbs and was too busy to even come back. I wanted her to clean daily. She only could once per week as she had so many people.

Minimum wage here in the US(federal) is still $7.25 including here in Texas

Yes, Texas is low but we also don't have state income taxes. The Maid in BA is making about that per hour. Everyone I talked to makes much more than minimum wage in Argentina.

 

[sophos]

-Rent (if you don't own your property)
- Property taxes if you own
- Maid or Housekeeper or cleaner
-Phone (Land line and Cell phone)
- Utilities (gas, water, electricity, cable, internet, etc)
- HOA fees/expensas each month
- Maintenance and repairs (if you own a property)
- Car payments
- Car insurance
- Auto Fuel each month for each car
- Registration fees for your car each year
- Maintenance on your car to include car washes and oil changes
-Parking (various times when you're out and about plus if you don't have a garage in your apartment and have to rent one)
- Home/rental insurance for your property
- Life insurance
- Health insurance premiums
- Dental insurance premiums
- Medical/Dental expenses (what insurance won't cover)
- Prescription medications
- School expenses for kids if applicable (tuition, stuff for school, ballet classes, etc)
- Babysitter expenses
- Annual fee for Credit Cards
- Clothes for kids and yourself
- Toys for kids
- Dry Cleaning/ Laundry mat
- Health club / gym
- Taxi/Uber fares which are inevitable.
- Beauty (hair salon for hair cuts, color, nails, make up, etc)
- Extracurricular activities dues/fees
- Entertainment (movies, theatre, plays, Zoo, concerts, sporting events, etc --)
- Magazine/newspaper/Ipad subscriptions
- Dining out at restaurants
- Grocery budget
- Retirement savings contributions
- Kids college fund savings contributions
- Charity/donations
- Travel / vacation expenses
- Federal/State/local income taxes
- Any revolving debt payments you might have
- Bad habit type stuff (alcohol, smoking, etc)
- Emergency savings fund for any major health issues
- Non reimbursed office/work expenses and supplies

This is such a great list. I think most downplay the total number they will spend and what they will spend it on. This was a comprehensive list.

 

[Larry]

The margins on Coke are insane! I just watched this documentary on Warren Buffett and he was talking about coke. Staggering how many they sell each year.

Speaking of Coca Cola the prices are going back up. Shocking the prices some places are charging. 5,500 pesos for a 2.25 L.

 

[Blockchain]

Speaking of Coca Cola the prices are going back up. Shocking the prices some places are charging. 5,500 pesos for a 2.25 L.

View attachment 10047

View attachment 10048

Nuts the prices there. At least prices in USD is better for us. Imagine those prices at 1100 pesos to $1 like it was for a while during my last trip. At least at 1500 pesos to $1 it softens the blow but for the locals earning pesos ouch!

 

[Darksider415]

Everyone's betting against the peso right now with the elections coming up and a high risk of LLA underperforming

 

[Betsy Ross]

Everyone's betting against the peso right now with the elections coming up and a high risk of LLA underperforming

What do you think will happen @Darksider415? Some of my friends are not happy with the scandals but have no choice but to continue on with these reforms with Milei and sticking with the party. I told them to give him the rest of his term to see things through. Let's hope he makes sound decisions for the rest of his term and no more scandals.

 

[Darksider415]

I think LLA will end up underperforming in GBA and do decently in the bits that aren't super deeply Peronist. We'll probably see another devaluation in that scenario.

I could be wrong, but sentiment isn't very favorable to LLA right now

 

[Larry]

but sentiment isn't very favorable to LLA right now

That is an understatement!

 

[jbeas176]

got to admit i didn’t read the entire thread. excuse me early retirement but i have live next to mexico i agree there are beautiful places. i dont like the cartels control of the government. that will never change. too muchmoney involved. do you still have to buy property thru a trust not acually owning the land? my prefence is colombia, medellin and santa marta. the exchange rate is favorable. i own all my places and bounce between argentina, colombia, and the US. never stay more than a tourist visa allows. i get bored. i like the US taxes as they relate to retires and don’t feel to be a resident anywhere else. its my base of operation. headed back to colombia for the holidays and on to argentina in january. i know its hot but i come from the desert in phoenix. mis dos centavos

 

[Blockchain]

got to admit i didn’t read the entire thread. excuse me early retirement but i have live next to mexico i agree there are beautiful places. i dont like the cartels control of the government. that will never change. too muchmoney involved. do you still have to buy property thru a trust not acually owning the land? my prefence is colombia, medellin and santa marta. the exchange rate is favorable. i own all my places and bounce between argentina, colombia, and the US. never stay more than a tourist visa allows. i get bored. i like the US taxes as they relate to retires and don’t feel to be a resident anywhere else. its my base of operation. headed back to colombia for the holidays and on to argentina in january. i know its hot but i come from the desert in phoenix. mis dos centavos

Where in Colombia do you own property? Do you rent it out when you aren't there?

 

[Cali Baby]

I think LLA will end up underperforming in GBA and do decently in the bits that aren't super deeply Peronist. We'll probably see another devaluation in that scenario.

I could be wrong, but sentiment isn't very favorable to LLA right now

How much has it shifted is the question. Very difficult to tell from the States. Usually I think at the blue dollar rate to see how bad things are but even that now looks all manipulated so tough to tell how good or bad things are.

 

[Darksider415]

How much has it shifted is the question. Very difficult to tell from the States. Usually I think at the blue dollar rate to see how bad things are but even that now looks all manipulated so tough to tell how good or bad things are.

From being in the middle of it for the past three and a half years, including working locally at one point... It's far, far more anti-Milei than it was at this point last year. People are getting fed up and I'm seeing far, far more folks going through the trash container across the street this month than I have at any point in the past year.

It's not looking great for LLA, imo.

 

[Blockchain]

From being in the middle of it for the past three and a half years, including working locally at one point... It's far, far more anti-Milei than it was at this point last year. People are getting fed up and I'm seeing far, far more folks going through the trash container across the street this month than I have at any point in the past year.

It's not looking great for LLA, imo.

Thanks @Darksider415 for your local thoughts. My friends that live in BA say the same thing. I give them statistics saying poverty has gone down and they laugh and say those are fake news. Is that true? Are the poverty numbers fake? People tell me poverty seems like it has gone up and more people are on the street? I am heading there in November so I will see for myself. Hopefully the dollar is stronger.