Boomer Retirement Abroad - Moving to Buenos Aires, My Review

Buenos Aires made our short list of retirement locations.

Initially, I was very excited about the prospect of retiring in Buenos Aires.  All the dots seemed to line up. I knew it was one place where I could continue my same standard of living while also enjoying access to almost all of the pleasures of home. At a glance it appeared to be an obvious choice (especially given my desire to retire in my FAVORITE city, Paris). But, as I took a closer look, I discovered that all that glittered was not gold!

               

  *Note - This is my personal rating based on what is important to me. 

Everyone should do their homework and make their own decision.  

Here is my Buenos Aires Retirement Relocation Scorecard

• Cost of Living -  I give Buenos Aires an Excellent rating, a couple can live on an estimated $2.000/month.

• Housing Style and Architecture -  Another Excellent score from me. I love the beautiful old buildings and the European look. Argentina also has a solid infrastructure and good transportation.

• Housing Rental – I give housing a Fair rating, although housing prices for rentals are low they can be on the high side in some of the nicer neighborhoods (upwards of $1,500 or more). The nice neighborhood is REALLY nice! So I think it would be worth it. 

• Banking and exchange transactions - I have to give this a Poor  rating - too complicated. Unstable economy. Transactions should be conducted in pesos to take advantage of the exchange rates making it necessary to have some type of off shore banking account. I don't want to have to worry about keeping money in off shores accounts. 

• Proximity to the US - I give this a Poor, it's a long flight from the west coast.

• Travel by Air – A Poor rating.  There are many nonstop flights from certain US cities, NOT from mine. There is also a new fee called a Reciprocity Fee of $160 levied on US Citizens and is required to be paid upon entrance into Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport. On the positive side, once the fee is paid, it is good for multiple entries for 10 years.

• Traveling with pets - This gets a Failing score. Since I have 2 small dogs this is very important to me. The choice for pet transport is either cargo shipping (I read that there has been an increase in the number of deaths to pets shipped in this manner) or you can have your pet travel in the cabin with you. Undoubtedly this is the preferred option for smaller pets. You get your choice of an airline designated travel date (in cabin travel is only available on certain airlines) Your pet (1 per passenger) may travel in approved kennel/crate placed under the seat. A west coast to Argentina flight would be a VERY long time to be under the seat! 

• Visa requirements - I give Argentina an Excellent rating. Obtaining a visa for retirement in Argentina is relatively straight forward. You generally have two options; you can apply for a retirement visa or can opt for a steady income visa. For both types of visa you will need a valid passport.

• Climate - Good, the weather in Buenos Aires is not bad but seems to get a bit chillier than I would like my "ideal" climate to be.

• Crime – On this one I give the city a Fair.  I am scoring crime as fair even though I have read that crime is on the rise in Buenos Aires. I live in a high crime city, so to me, crime is relative. It happens in all cities, big and small. Unless they are shooting Americans in the street, I will give them a pass until I check out the situation from the ground.

• Food  -  Although the cuisine in Buenos Aires is excellent, I have to give food a Fair (based on our needs). This is because it is a city with lots of beef!  Neither of us are beef lovers. Access to vegetarian restaurants or even good locally grown vegetables is very limited. 

• Language - Good, Love the sound of the Argentine Spanish!  Spanish is spoken  by almost the entire population (very little English). We will definitely need to learn the language to survive there.  Also the Argentine Spanish is different from the standard Spanish but sounds, oh so beautiful, to my ears!

• Culture -  Excellent,  love the culture, museums. art, music and dance.

• Shopping - Excellent, also excellent buys on leather goods.

• Expat Community - I'll take a pass on this. It is obvious that expats are living in Argentina, however there are no known estimates. 

• Racial Diversity - BIG FAT FAIL, this is one of the biggest reasons I moved Buenos Aires off our short list.

The make up of the 13million people living in Buenos Aires is predominately 97% European. The minority population is very small. I've read that the black population was decimated by disease and no longer exists in Argentina (these reports are debatable) but because of this, Argentines rarely come in contact with people who do not look like them. In my research (which includes reports by African Americans who have traveled to Buenos Aires), being black in Buenos Aires is such a rarity that the local people will stop, stare, comment, name call, point and even ask to have their photos taken with you (you = black person) I never had that happen to me in Paris! 

Now, to be fair, I have also been assured by many, that this action is not done in a racist way but only because they are 'curious'. Uh, maybe, but after thinking long and hard about it, I decided that I did not want my retirement years to be spent, with people gawking at me and being the center of attention when I am out and about. I've had my fair share of this living in the US. I truly prefer living among a more diverse population.

Still a great place to visit!

I like to see things for myself, so I plan to pay a visit to Argentina in the future and will report my findings at that time.

I'm Just Sayin!