Buenos Aires, Argentina Report of what it's like to live there - 10/05/26
Personal Experiences from Buenos Aires, Argentina
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
First time living/working abroad for an extended period of time as a professional. Both my wife and I have been fortunate enough to travel extensively though the only other time I lived abroad was a semester exchange program as a student.
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. area, USA.
There were no direct flights to/from Buenos Aires so we had to connect. We found it most convenient to connect through Atlanta or Miami though we also flew through New York once. Argentina is deceptively far - the total cumulative travel time including the drive to/from the airport, wait time at airport, etc. was between 19-23 hours.
3. What years did you live here?
2024-2026.
4. How long have you lived here?
Two and a half years.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic mission.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Embassy housing was excellent in terms of location and the space was also abundant. Maintenance leaves a lot to be desired, both in terms of response times and quality. Overall, very satisfied with the experience.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Inflation and exchange rate fluctuations resulted in significant changes in the cost of living in Argentina. When we first arrived, most groceries, restaurants, and cafes were very affordable. By the time we left, certain items were comparable to the U.S. or still slightly less expensive, though in some cases more expensive. Many foreign goods remained more expensive throughout our stay.
Grocery stores are well-stocked though certain items may come and go (especially some foreign brands like Philadelphia Cream Cheese). Specialty stores like butcher shops, fruit/veg shops, and health food shops usually were very well stocked and carried anything you couldn't readily find at the grocery store. Overall, you can find a good variety and quality of produce (mostly seasonal) in the fruit/vegetable stores.
Cooking takes a bit longer in Argentina than the U.S. because fruits/vegetables (especially greens) might require more washing and preparation whereas pre-washed, ready-to-go items are more readily available in the U.S.
Paper products are also readily available in Argentina though the quality is not as high as in the U.S. Disposable cups/cutlery/plates were hard to find and quite expensive.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Spices, hot sauces, mustard/bbq sauce (available but expensive), paper products, party products (plates, cutlery, cups), coffee (available but expensive), canned/bottled tomato sauce.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Rappi/PedidosYa are very, very popular food delivery apps. The selection isn't quite so diverse and fast-casual dining hasn't really taken off in Argentina, so your options for delivery/pickup are primarily pizza, burgers, empanadas, or sit-down restaurant options (mostly steak houses). There are some other options available though the aforementioned seem to dominate the selection.
The cafes are awesome - both the traditional cafes and the newer boutique-style cafes. The dining scene is very nice as well though there is not a huge variety of cuisines (and good quality international food) as you might expect in some other major cities. One thing to note is the pace of dining - dinners usually start around 8pm (sometimes the kitchen isn't even open before then) and unfolds on a much slower schedule than we are used to in the U.S. This makes for a great relaxed experience but can be frustrating if you are looking to get in/out at a cafe or have a quick lunch/dinner. Some places offer discounts if you pay in cash. Prices can change frequently due to inflation.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Windows don't seem to be air-tight. If you don't have screens, you might be out of luck in the winter when the heat is blasting in the apartment and you can't turn it down but you don't want to open the windows because for some reason there are still mosquitoes out.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Embassy mailroom.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
This was our first time seeking household help. Affordable and much less expensive than in the U.S. Labor laws require paid salary/vacation even for part-time employees (beyond a certain threshold, I believe) and severance payment upon departure. It was tough to find one person who can do everything (childcare, cook, clean, etc.) so we had to find people who specialized and were able to handle each task independently. This did result in a lot of people in the apartment on occasion.
3. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
The areas frequented by expats are generally very safe. Parks are excellent for outdoor activities and there is plenty of space for exercise for people of all ages.
Cars definitely claim the right of way in Argentina, so you have to be very careful crossing the road on foot or on a bicycle. The bike lanes in the city are great though they won't protect you at the intersections.
You have to keep your head on a swivel and be very careful using your phone in public as cell phone snatches are common. I had my cell phone stolen when I was at a red light and a thief on foot smashed the window and ran off with the cell phone. Some colleagues also had their bag/phone stolen while eating at a restaurant close to the embassy. I heard many similar stories.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
There are many outdoor gym/park facilities available for free and many gyms/sports clubs available throughout the city.
5. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Yes. ATM's are common though you might not get the best exchange rate for pulling out dollars. It is best to find a reliable way to get local currency for a good rate which may involve bringing cash or using a transfer service (e.g. Western Union).
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
English is widely spoken though it would be very helpful to have Spanish. We spoke Spanish so can't really comment on what it would be like without it.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Accessibility might not be readily available at restaurants or apartments/offices. We ran into this issue with a stroller and occasionally had to carry the stroller up/down stairs or navigate tricky terrain (e.g. steep curbs/sidewalk ramps) in the city.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Yes. The prices have continued to rise but remain affordable for most expats earning in dollars. Taxis are mostly very professional and, given only the street address, will find the best route according to traffic/time of day. I'd try to avoid taxis at the airports (especially AEP) but other than that, all good.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
Bicycles work very well. Electric scooters also seem popular. Cars are convenient if you want to get outside the city but not really necessary within the city limits.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, we heard it could be tricky to install but we had a local contact who helped us get this ready ahead of our arrival.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
I ended up getting a local number which was very affordable and offered good data usage plans.
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?
Many EFMs worked at the embassy. The time zone makes it easy if you have a remote job in the USA.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Be careful of cars and watch out for your cell phone.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Great medical care overall. The emergency room medical care left a lot to be desired in my experience, using it after hours for a sports-related injury. Emergency pediatric care seemed to be better quality than emergency care for adults after hours. On the flip-side, if you don't need to go to an emergency room, many doctors are accessible via WhatsApp which makes it very easy to get in touch and get advice, even after hours.
We had a good experience with pregnancy/delivery. If expecting to navigate delivery/childbirth, one thing to note is that C-sections seem to be more popular than average in Argentina for whatever reason. Some folks told us that it might be because these procedures command a higher price tag, especially for private-pay clients. We had two children born in Argentina and both spent time in the neonatal ICU. Care was excellent though we don't have anything to compare it to. Perhaps we were impatient but we felt that they kept our first child in the NICU a bit longer than necessary and we thought it may have been due to the fact that we had already placed a financial deposit for any necessary services. It was cumbersome to get a refund for the unused portion of the deposit, though the money was eventually returned.
Overall, excellent care for a variety of conditions.
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?
I didn't notice any issues with air quality. Maybe one or two days when we noticed something out of the entire 2.5 years.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
The sun is strong in Buenos Aires. Even at lower temperatures, it makes the weather very tolerable and even enjoyable. At the coldest point of year, highs were still in the mid-50s (F).
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Lots of international schools. We didn't have school-age children but heard great things from our colleagues.
2. 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?
The Jardin (Montessori school) for toddlers was a great experience for us. The price seemed to be cheaper than in the U.S. though it continued to get more expensive during our stay.
Expat Life:
1. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Sports clubs, interest/hobby groups, community events, etc.
2. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Great post for families. Most places are very accommodating and the society seems to prioritize comfort for pregnant women and families with children (i.e. no waiting in lines, help with daily tasks, etc.). There are lots of parks and activities for families. Changing stations might not be readily available in all places like restaurants/cafes though staff will go above and beyond to accommodate a space and overall, most places are still very family-friendly.
3. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
Yes, it seemed possible to make friends with locals. The culture seemed very welcoming and a big importance is placed on friendship.
4. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Great city and great country with lots to see and explore.
5. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Try the ice cream! Definitely go to a football (soccer) match while you're here.
6. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
There are lots of nice markets throughout the city. In terms of clothes/appliances etc., Argentina can be quite expensive. I wouldn't call it a shopping post since most Argentines who can travel abroad do their shopping in the U.S. or Europe.
7. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Excellent parks, cafes/restaurants and lots to do/see. The architecture is great, the trees are beautiful and there is always a lot going on for a variety of interests.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
Things operate at a slower pace than expected. Even though Buenos Aires is a major city, it didn't feel as "global" as a city like New York, London or Sao Paolo.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes, for sure.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Winter clothes (mostly).
4. But don't forget your:
Bug spray and sun screen.
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Nada (Netflix show).
6. Do you have any other comments?
Overall great experience!
