[QUOTE=Exon123]Vikingt52
Once you've seen it and experienced Buenos Aires You'll be moving their.
Exon[/QUOTE]How come you don't live there then, CockSucker!:)
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[QUOTE=Exon123]Vikingt52
Once you've seen it and experienced Buenos Aires You'll be moving their.
Exon[/QUOTE]How come you don't live there then, CockSucker!:)
I would suggest this thread be merged with the already existing "Cost of Living in BA - Need Serious Advice" thread. Useful numbers are there, Viking.
uenos Aires is a very nice city and cheap too. I usually spend a month every year there.
Dickhead's pricing is absolutely right.
The problem for me is that there are not beaches close to Buenos and I don't get the feeling of being on holidays if I don't go to the beach for a few hours every day.
So for the last two years I spend more time in Fortaleza-Brasil although it is more expensive. But still within your budget. Plenty of beaches and girls. Consider that as an option too.
Alternative you may devide your time between those two places and you will have plenty of time to learn two languages.
El Greco
Thanks for all the great advice. What a helpful bunch you are. I hope I can respond by reporting later this year, if I choose to go to BsA, which does seem likely.
I have a question regading the $80k tax exemption for living abroad if anyone has any experience. In reviewing the IRS publication 54, the caveat seems to be that you must have foreign earned income to qualify (pension and social security income does not qualify as foreign earned income) What I am wondering is if I am living in BA and do consulting work for a US based company, just doing the work remotely, am I able to claim that as foreign earned income and thus be eligible for the $80k exemption? Anyone have any thoughts?
There is a thread in Living in Argentina specifically discussing the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion.
The answer to your question is yes, if you are out of the US for 330 days out of any 365 day period that includes the period when the income was earned.
Thanks for the info, I'll jump over to the other thread.
Cost of living in Buenos Aires.
Many people have wondered what are the costs to live in Buenos Aires. I have lived here over 15 years and during that time they have changed drastically at least 3 times! Now we are "enjoying" an exchange rate of about 3 pesos to 1 dollar, so if your income is in dollars, you are doing pretty well. But, many ask about health insurance, driving a car, school costs and renting an apartment. These costs can vary depending on the quality you choose, but here is a rough breakdown of what I am paying "these days", (January, 2007): (current inflation is about 10% a year. But that's one of the governments "big" lie)
*A word about renting an apartment.
Renting here in B.A. requires a co-signer who owns some property and has a good credit background. This step poses an obstacle for the foreigner. What you can do is offer to pay 2 or 3 months rent ahead of time, or give a larger deposit. Some rentals targeted to foreigners already take that into consideration. BEWARE as MANY rentals targeted to foreigners are overpriced! Rental contracts are usually for 2 years, but you can back out with a month or 2 cost. Also, as you look at the listings you will notice some values quoted are in dollars while others in pesos. Rentals in dollars are often targeted to foreigners, so, make sure to compare prices.
*A word about Medical Insurance.
There are different forms of medical insurance here. We have what are called ("Pre-Pagas) which are big companies that offer you a wide selection of hospitals and doctors to choose from all over the country. This system is, in my opinion, the best. They also cover you, with restrictions, if you travel back to the U. S. Some of the more popular companies are: OSDE, Medicus, Docthos to name a few. I have OSDE plan number 410 and it allows me to choose from a huge selection of doctors and dentists. I also realize that "upon mentioning my plan", I am often given "priority" for appointments. My plan covered my lazer eye surgery 100% and it covered the birth of my 3 kids in the Hospital Suiso.
The other form of obtaining medical insurance is by subscription with a certain hospital, like the "Hospital Italiano", "Hospital Aleman", "Hospital Suizo", just to name a few. (BE CAREFUL, there is one hospital having big financial problems, send me an email and I'll tell you which) If your idea is to make your residence the city of Buenos Aires, then you can consider these hospital plans. I would want to investigate "what happens" if you move to the interior of the country OR if you are visiting the U. S.
My OSDE plan is U$200 per month. I talk more about medical insurance in my website: [url]www.hereicomeargentina.com[/url]
APROXIMATE MONTLY COSTS (In U$ Dollars)
Rentals (2 bedroom apartment, Barrio Norte) U$500 to 800
Medical Insurance (For a Male, 25 to 40 years old) U$100 to 200
Home Owners Expenses (varies greatly!) U$50 to 90
Cel Phone, (500 minutes use) U$30 to 40
Home Phone (minimum use) U$18
Electricity (1 bedroom Apt.) U$12
Gas U$10
Maid, FULL time U$220
Maid, per visit: 25 to 35 pesos per cleaning
Satelite Cable, basic service U$25
Internet, ADSL U$20
ABL, (city taxes) U$10
Water/Garbage (usually included in HOA’s)
Yearly Tax (“luxury” tax, aprox. 0.5% of assessed value) U$20
YOUR TOTAL MONTHLY COST TO LIVE IN B.A.: From U$1000
NOT INCLUDED:
Transportation Costs
Public transportation is CHEAP. You have several lines of subways to choose from and many bus lines. You also have a very organized and thorough long distance bus system throughout the country. Taxis from one end of the city to the other are about U$4. Hired cars, “remises” charge about 50 pesos to go to the airport. Driving a car here takes LOTS of practice and experience. I took about 4 months before I dared to get behind the wheel. Argentina is STILL one of the countries with the highest statistics in traffic accidents.
NEW CARS:
A new Honda Civic is about U$17k
Car Registration, U$900 a year
Gas…takes about U$30 to fill my tank, (Honda Civic)
Insurance, yearly about U$1200
Tolls, (they’re everywhere!)
FOOD COSTS;
I didn’t include this as it is a very personal category. Some of you cook a lot, while many eat out. Food is VERY cheap in B.A., especially meat. You can get great lunch deals, complete with beverage and dessert for as little as 4 dollars in some “neighborhood” restaurants. Buying your food in a supermarket is even cheaper.
Any Comments or Questions: just ask! [url]www.hereicomeargentina.com[/url]
Excellent information especially for those of us who are planning on relocating there in the near future.
Suerte.
Stowe
Chascomus.
Excellent report.
Exon
I recently stayed in Barrio Norte on Riobama a block and a half from Santa Fe in a nice studio apartment and I inquired about the rent and was told that it was $700 pesos including the maintenenace, so I really believe that the jump from a studio for $700 pesos to U$800 - U$1000 might be quite a bit more than the reality of the situation. Granted, maybe you're comparing a higher-end 1-2 bedroom apartment but I'm sure you can get a one bedroom in Barrio Norte for much less than U$800 per month. I look on-line from time to time at some of the Argentinian geared real estate sites and also I looked at the print version of Clarin when I was there last month and I'm sure you can do better than U$800 per month. The building I stayed in, by the way, was perfectly nice with several elevators, clean floors, painted common area walls and a small manual elevator with the metal curtain that you have to close by hand, but the location was excellent and there was nothing shabby about those acommodations.
Today the taxi drop (starting fare) goes up another 9 percent to 2.60p and from .24 to .26 per click. This follows the increase of 9 percent in August '06. Last Jan. The BA Herald was priced at 1.50p, in July at 1.60P and today at 1.70P. Sunday edition now at 2.50p from 2.00 a year ago.
[QUOTE=DownBA]I recently stayed in Barrio Norte on Riobama a block and a half from Santa Fe in a nice studio apartment and I inquired about the rent and was told that it was $700 pesos including the maintenenace, so I really believe that the jump from a studio for $700 pesos to U$800 - U$1000 might be quite a bit more than the reality of the situation. Granted, maybe you're comparing a higher-end 1-2 bedroom apartment but I'm sure you can get a one bedroom in Barrio Norte for much less than U$800 per month. I look on-line from time to time at some of the Argentinian geared real estate sites and also I looked at the print version of Clarin when I was there last month and I'm sure you can do better than U$800 per month. The building I stayed in, by the way, was perfectly nice with several elevators, clean floors, painted common area walls and a small manual elevator with the metal curtain that you have to close by hand, but the location was excellent and there was nothing shabby about those acommodations.[/QUOTE]I agree with that statement, 1500 pesos and up are for people that really didnt have or much time or were too lazy to look for a cheaper option. Apartments at 600 pesos / m are not uncommon but of course not luxurious and for 1000 pesos you can get some really nice 2 rooms apartments. But of course, you won't find those advertised on the first page of your google search.
I went with a chica last week who told me that her monthly rent for her HOUSE north of the town was 450 pesos a month.
Btw, the taxi starting fare didnt rise by 10%, but by 20%, from 2.16 to 2.60, it s the distance/time unit that rose by 10%...good news, buses and trains are still under one pesos to anywhere in the town and the far surburbs (up to 50 km away).
I m surprised by the insurance quote of 1200 USD a year, since my motorcycle insurance is at 35 pesos a month (150 USD a year)
In the States it's the same, moto insurance is less because bikes generally cause less damage I think. As far as apartments I'm paying 1000 pesos a month furnished, without air for a pretty nice place.
Taxis are getting off the hook as well as remises, but I agree busses are a great option besides there is allmost always something nice to look at on them.
[QUOTE=Courcheval]I agree with that statement, 1500 pesos and up are for people that really didnt have or much time or were too lazy to look for a cheaper option. Apartments at 600 pesos / m are not uncommon but of course not luxurious and for 1000 pesos you can get some really nice 2 rooms apartments. But of course, you won't find those advertised on the first page of your google search.
I went with a chica last week who told me that her monthly rent for her HOUSE north of the town was 450 pesos a month.
Btw, the taxi starting fare didnt rise by 10% , but by 20% , from 2.16 to 2.60, it s the distance / time unit that rose by 10%. Good news, buses and trains are still under one pesos to anywhere in the town and the far surburbs (up to 50 km away)
I m surprised by the insurance quote of 1200 USD a year, since my motorcycle insurance is at 35 pesos a month (150 USD a year)[/QUOTE]