Tough question, I think it just depends on what you are looking for.
Midwest,
Rent can be more expensive in Ar, depending on how you like to live, you can find something nice for 600 US or you can also find something nice for 1200 US, that is depending on your tastes. Lima rental property is generally cheaper, generally, unless you are talking about living in a nice modern high rise on the beach or in San Isidro. But overall I think rent is cheaper in BA.
As far as cost of living Lima is more expensive, food is way more expensive, the only things that are cheap are car prices, BA has a big mark up on cars, for instance a nice Camry in the US 26K, A nice Camry in Lima 30k, the same Camry in BA 35-40K. But everything else is cheaper in BA.
As far as punting, that all depends on your tastes as well, Lima has some good looking girls, IMHO Argentina has MORE, as in quantity, good looking girls.
As far as prices are concerned, you can go to the local Cucardas and bang to your hearts content for 50-75 Soles (25 US) a pop all night long, Or you can go to an older High class joint like Emanuelle and spend between 100-200 US (Emanuelle was the equivalent of Black in Lima, now it is more like Madahos)
If you do end up in Lima, I would suggest you hit Club 69, Expensive as hell, but the best looking girls I have ever seen in a club in Lima. Basically the set up is 50 PE entrance, 75 PE chica drink, 100 PE chica take out fee, then 100-200 US for the girl. An added plus is these places, Club 69 in particular, have on site suites, so you pay an extra 100-300 PE for a nice suite with a jacuzzi for two hours. So you are looking at about 200-300 US to bang a chick there. Plus as far as sharks go Lima probably has twice the number of sharks that BA has. Oh yeah I haven't been but I have heard that Suite De Baranco are very good as well.
Peruvian cuisine also has a big advantage over BA cuisine. It is truly worldly. And is being recognized all over the world as one of the best. They are now doing Gourmet restaurant tourism, where people actually come to Lima just to try the food. Look it up, I just read about it and found it interesting. If you have ever been to Nobu in the US or in it's other franchises in Europe, you will know that the head chef worked and studied many years in Lima before opening his own Peruvian Japanese fusion restaurant in New York.
Economically, if you bring US money you should be fine either way, the macro economy is good, the economic disparity is very bad. Politically, the government is center right. A very neo liberal country over all. BA, well I won't go into it, but it has it's good and bad as well.
What I can tell you from having been to most of the countries here in South America, I would have to say BA is at the top of the list as one of the best, if not the best, cities in SA.
If cost of living is a concern, you might also look into Montevideo and also Santiago, both on the top of all the lists as far as quality of life and stability.
I hope this was somewhat helpful. Though on a purely mongering perspective, the quality and quantity of tail in this country is AMAZING.
Regards,
Bad
PS, 2500-3000 US should be enough to live on, but again it depends if you are including rental fees. I would say it is easier to live on 3000 in BA. Just note , it all depends on HOW you like to live,
Person A) $1000 US a month long term rental fee for a nice apartment in BA $ 500-600 US on mongering a month, $600 US on eating out, and then $600-1000 on other costs. Total = 2600- 3400 a month
Person B ) $ 600 US a month on a mid range long term rental. $ 400 US on mongering ( only 100 US a week ), food $ 400 US and other expenses $ 600 US. Total = $2000
Just note that the average Porteno lives on 1000 US or less a month.
You will be fine, Unless you get a 1200 Sq foot apartment in the Faena, and eat at top notch restaurants every day, and get 100 dollar pussy every other day and have a shopping fetish. If you live like that you can easily spend 5000-6000 US.
A very interesting analysis.
I would just remark that the current Peruvian Gov't is considered by most analysts to be center-left. Nowhere near Chavez or Morales, surely, but center-left. Center-right would be Uribe in Colombia or Calderon in Mexico.
Combination of Hunt and Bad
As Hunt, the notorious gay bottom says, check them both out.
Bads numbers are pretty good but rent can be had for less. I live in Almagro which is about 30 blocks from the Obelisco up Corrientes and have a small (by US standards) one bedroom apartment. I'm comfortable in it and everybody that has seen either liked it or lied to me for 1000 pesos a month. In the center his numbers are spot on. I'm 6 subway stops from the Obelisco and there are a 1000 buses near me but not a one on my street so my apartment is very quiet.
I enjoy life a little further from the center, my barrio is safe, clean as anywhere with all the services found downtown but it feels more BsAs to me.
Don't really agree about the food part, but thats just a matter of taste. I did go to an amazing tienador libre in Miraflores once though. Not so much about the acclaim that Peruvian food is getting, just on which is better. Argentinian food is much blander sadly but I do love the carne.
It was a lot of years ago that I was in Lima so it may have changed, my overall impression based on nothing specific just comparing how I felt there and feel here is that BsAs is safer, cleaner, and with a lot more hot women. I didn't do any mongering there so I can't comment on that.
If your income is portable try them both. Try Cordoba, try Santiago, try Caracas. Hell go to Asencion (sp) Paraguayans are amazing in the sack and Paraguay is dirt cheap.
Whichever you decide I think your on the right track making the move, it's a big continant and I'm sure you will find a place you enjoy better than sex prison.
Lima has a vast amount of pretty girls
I have yet not arrived, but the contacts I get at Cupid, non-hookers, tells me that Lima can be at least as good as BA. I give you a report later.
Saludos M