Buenos Aires, Argentina Report of what it's like to live there - 08/08/11

Personal Experiences from Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires, Argentina 08/08/11

Background:

1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?

Paris, Rome, Tel Aviv, Moscow.

View All Answers


2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?

Washington D.C. about 10 hours, plus/minus depending on airlines.

View All Answers


3. How long have you lived here?

been here 2 + years

View All Answers


4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?

government

View All Answers


Housing, Groceries & Food:

1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?

We live in the suburbs to be close to the school. The commute into the city is nasty.

View All Answers


2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?

Expensive.

View All Answers


3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?

View All Answers


4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?

Everything is available, but it is expensive and going up all the time...25% inflation.

View All Answers


5. What kinds of organic, vegetarian and allergy-friendly foods are available, such as organic produce, gluten-free products, meat substitutes for vegetarians, etc?

Gluten-free products are easily available. However this is a meat-eating country and the vegetables and fruits are an after thought.

View All Answers


6. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?

Lots of mosquitoes in the warm weather.

View All Answers


Daily Life:

1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?

Embassy.

View All Answers


2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?

Easily available and used to be quite inexpensive, but everything is going up.

View All Answers


3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?

Yes, physical appearance is VERY important here.

View All Answers


4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?

We use cc only.

View All Answers


5. What English-language religious services are available locally?

Catholic and Christian both available.

View All Answers


6. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?

View All Answers


7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?

It definitely helps to know Spanish, but basic level proficiency is easily acquired.

View All Answers


8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?

Sidewalks are broken, few ramps, bathrooms not suitable to wheelchairs.

View All Answers


Transportation:

1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?

Can't say in general they're all safe. One has to be really careful. Buses and trains are very cheap, taxis are expensive. In the city one has to be very careful where to go and petty theft is common.

View All Answers


2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?

I wouldn't bring a big car because of limited parking and a big minivan shouts "I'M AMERICAN."

View All Answers


Phone & Internet:

1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?

Available, but not dependable.

View All Answers


2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?

Get one.

View All Answers


Pets:

1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?

View All Answers


2. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?

Lots of vets - people here LOVE dogs.

View All Answers


Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:

1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?

No.

View All Answers


2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?

Less casual than in the US.

View All Answers


Health & Safety:

1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.

Many. Crime has increased dramatically and at least once a week some crime is reported among the embassy community or the neighborhood in general.

View All Answers


2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?

Medical care is fine.

View All Answers


3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?

OK.

View All Answers


4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?

Very mild, never freezes.

View All Answers


Schools & Children:

1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?

Lincoln School - high school and middle school are OK, the elementary academic level is sub-par. However, I have the attitude that it will all work out.

View All Answers


2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?

Lincoln definitely works with kids with special needs, but you need to check with the school in advance to make sure that your particular need can be accommodated.

View All Answers


3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?

You can find everything.

View All Answers


4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?

Yes, but we only patronize the school's programs because my kids are somewhat shy.

View All Answers


Expat Life:

1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?

View All Answers


2. Morale among expats:

Some love it here. Some hate it here.

View All Answers


3. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?

People go out very late here.

View All Answers


4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?

Good for everyone.

View All Answers


5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?

Yes.

View All Answers


6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?

Not that I know of. That said, it is a Latin American Catholic society.

View All Answers


7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?

Love Spanish and the steak is great.

View All Answers


8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?

Walking, having coffee, playing tennis, not too many museums.

View All Answers


9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?

Leather goods.

View All Answers


10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?

Weather is gorgeous.

View All Answers


11. Can you save money?

Not if you're a government employee.

View All Answers


Words of Wisdom:

1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?

Yes.

View All Answers


2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:

American standards and expectations. Bring $ to bribe policemen.

View All Answers


3. But don't forget your:

Patience. Very important.

View All Answers


4. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?

View All Answers


5. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:

View All Answers


6. Do you have any other comments?

You can always find things to complain about wherever you go. But most places in the world are not like America or Western Europe. So accept it, don't compare to home and you'll be fine.

View All Answers


Subscribe to our newsletter


New book from Talesmag! Honest and courageous stories of life abroad with special needs.

Read More