Pros and Cons of Living in Buenos Aires
Last updated on Oct 26, 2024
Summary: The pros of living in Buenos Aires, Argentina include its vibrant culture, diverse cuisine, and exciting nightlife. The city is also known for its beautiful architecture, parks, and plazas. Additionally, the cost of living is relatively low compared to other major cities. On the other hand, the cons of living in Buenos Aires , Argentinainclude its high crime rate, traffic congestion, and air pollution. Additionally, the city can be quite noisy and overcrowded, making it difficult to find a peaceful place to relax.
What are the pros and cons of living in Buenos Aires?
Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Buenos Aires responded:
"Argentines are lovely people but they are mercilessly exploited by the people they elect to govern them. If you can stay away from politics, life for an expat - especially when married to a local - is very good. There is a very rich literary, artistic and theatre culture which most other cities elsewhere would envy - bar London and New York, of course. I am retired and married to a local so most of the bureaucratic problems wash over me but if you have to earn a living here, the tax and employment legislation can be a nightmare. My advice to an individual, coming on their own would be to do their homework very thoroughly indeed. Someone coming to work for a local corporation should be very sure of exactly what they are coming into and should ask for practical help in getting started with accommodation etc etc. Someone coming to work for the multinational company that already employs them elsewhere should insist that the company sets things up for them from the get-go. So much time and frustation in finding out the local way of doing things is the ONLY way of doing things can be avoided by planning and preparation - and if you can get somebody already on the ground to do that for you so much the better," remarked one expat in Buenos Aires .
"Expats and digital nomads generally like the vibrant culture and rich history of Buenos Aires, with its European-influenced architecture, tango music, and lively arts scene. They appreciate the affordable cost of living, which allows them to enjoy a high quality of life, including dining out at diverse restaurants and cafes. The city's public transportation system is extensive and relatively inexpensive, making it easy to get around. Additionally, Buenos Aires offers a variety of coworking spaces and a strong entrepreneurial community, which is attractive to digital nomads. On the other hand, expats and digital nomads may dislike the high inflation rate and economic instability in Argentina, which can make it difficult to plan for the future. They may also find the bureaucracy and paperwork involved in obtaining visas and setting up businesses to be frustrating and time-consuming. The city's traffic can be chaotic, and the noise pollution may be bothersome for some. Finally, while the level of English spoken in Buenos Aires is generally higher than in other parts of Argentina, language barriers can still be a challenge for those who do not speak Spanish," explained one expat in Buenos Aires .
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What do expats in Buenos Aires appreciate most about the local culture?
"Expats in Buenos Aires, Argentina appreciate the city's vibrant culture, which is a mix of European and Latin American influences. They enjoy the city's lively nightlife, with its many bars, restaurants, and clubs. They also appreciate the city's rich history, with its many beautiful colonial-era buildings and monuments. Additionally, expats enjoy the city's diverse cuisine, which includes a variety of traditional Argentine dishes as well as international flavors. Finally, expats appreciate the city's friendly and welcoming people, who are always willing to help out newcomers," remarked one expat in Buenos Aires .
"Learning from other lifestyles and letting locals teach you where to go and what to see," explained one expat living in Buenos Aires.
What do expats find most challenging?
"Expats in Buenos Aires often find the local culture to be quite different from what they are used to. The language barrier can be a challenge, as Spanish is the primary language spoken in the city. Additionally, the city has a unique blend of European and Latin American cultures, which can be difficult to navigate for those who are not familiar with the customs and traditions. Furthermore, the city is known for its passionate and intense culture, which can be overwhelming for those who are not used to it," said one person in Buenos Aires .
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.
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