Boomer Retirement Abroad - Looking for an apartment in Buenos Aires? HGTV full episode

Argentina is a wonderful destination for those considering a retirement overseas. It is a beautiful country that is often compared to Europe for its culture. In other words, retiring in Argentina can be a comparable and affordable alternative for those who have dreamt of retiring in Europe but are unwilling to yield to Europe’s high cost of living.

An Economical Retirement in Buenos Aires or the Argentine CountrysideThe cost of living in Argentina is quite low, so your retirement funds will be able to stretch a long way in this part of the world.

In Argentina, you can live in the gorgeous metropolis of Buenos Aires, which is full of culture, art, and museums. Or if you are searching for more tranquility for your retirement, then you can set yourself up on a stunning private ranch in the beautiful Argentine countryside. Argentina is modern, developed country with very accessible and affordable health care. There are also lots of great real estate opportunities throughout the nation, both in Buenos Aires and the countryside. Prices that are so low, you will most likely be able to afford a retirement property in Argentina that is far superior to what you could purchase for the same price in the United States.

source: International Living

Take a look at Marisa and Mark as they search for a home and office in Buenos Aires

Helpful Tip:

Speaking Spanish Is Not a Prerequisite for Retiring in Argentina

When you retire to Argentina, it is nice to learn some basic Spanish because it will help make life easier and allow you to engage more with the local Argentines. But can you get along without Spanish? Yes. In the better hotels, restaurants, and shops, there will be at least one person on the staff who speaks excellent English. If the help is under 30 years old, they will typically speak some English from their schooling. Your only problem will be in small establishments and most taxis. But if you have the hotel or store phone a cab for you, they can tell the driver in Spanish where you want to go. Everyone is polite and willing to help, so speaking Spanish is a luxury, not a necessity.

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!

Boomer Retirement Abroad - Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires, Argentina 

The Paris of South America or The Poor Man's Paris

Buenos Aires is a beautiful and graceful cosmopolitan capital city, boasting splendid cathedrals, opera houses, and broad avenues where residents can be seen strolling until the early hours. Much like Paris, dinner in Buenos Aires frequently starts at 11:00 p.m. or midnight, and restaurants stay open until 7:00 a.m.  

Buenos Aires is an affordable alternative for those who wish to retire in Europe but can’t quite afford the living expenses! 

Argentina has many locations where one could settle, but Buenos Aires is the main destination for retirees looking for a more affordable way of life.  The city continues to appear as one of the top choices for retirement.  Even with spiraling inflation, expats report that they can live comfortably on $2,000 a month.  Healthcare is very good and there are also world renowned resorts and beach areas within a short driving distance. 

WHEN TO GO: Buenos Aires has a mild climate. Average temperatures in January, the hottest month: about 74 degrees. June, July and August are the coldest; average temperatures all three months are about 50 degrees. The shoulder seasons -- spring and fall -- are perhaps the best time to visit the city. Of course, if you plan to use the city as a springboard for visiting other parts of the country, plan for temperature variations as drastic as those in the United States.

for more info: click

Click for my Buenos Aires relocation review and scorecard

Boomer Retirement Abroad - Secret restaurant dining in Buenos Aires

Across Buenos Aires, hidden behind nondescript front doors and in family living rooms, a host of homespun restaurants are the latest fad and a big hit. 

Have you ever heard of them? The trick is, finding them.

More and more of these closed-door restaurants, or restaurantes a puertas cerradas, have been popping in Buenos Aires and they're becoming the most sought-after tables in town. 

They are a cross between a restaurant and dinner party except they are more intimate and social than a regular restaurant.  

They give chefs more leeway to be creative and the menus change daily.

I'm looking forward to visiting the most well-known closed-door restaurant in Buenos Aires, Casa Saltshaker, which is run by Dan Perlman, author of the influential Buenos Aires restaurant review site at www.saltshaker.net. Casa Saltshaker offers a five-course tasting menu (optionally paired with wine) which changes from one day to the next. Every menu at Casa Saltshaker is themed. It seats just 12 people in the Barrio Norte apartment of Perlman - and his partner Henry Tapia.


For website and list of closed-door restaurants worldwide click here

Buenos Aires in the 1950's - in film

Interesting look back at Buenos Aires 

Buenos Aires, the Paris of the south

Can you guess where we're going on our next vacation?

After much deliberation and discussion, we have finally made a decision.

*Is this Paris?

 Nope, hint...............It's almost as good as going to Paris

but cheaper :) 

Early tango was known as tango criollo (Creole tango). Today, there are many forms of tango. Popularly and among tango dancing circles, the authentic tango is considered to be the one closest to the form originally danced in Argentina and Uruguay.

Perhaps the most lasting effect of black influence in Argentina was the Tango. The tango originated in the 1890s along the Río de la Plata, the natural border between Argentina and Uruguay, and soon spread to the rest of the world.

So now you know. We're going to Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Paris of the south!

The land of gauchos, the tango, and Malbec.
 Will I learn to tango? Hmmm. Well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see!
And yes, we are still scheduled for our Panama Canal cruise, but it is still quite a ways out. This is the filler vacation we will do by air while we wait.  Stay tuned for more about our upcoming trip to Buenos Aires and updates on the tango!

*About the picture: It is a picture of the widest road on earth and it can be found in Argentina, specifically at Avenida 9 de Julio Buenos Aires, Argentina. The name of the street comes from the date of Argentina’s independence. The street measures can be compared to that of one and one-third size football field that is 416 feet at 127 meters.
The street has eighteen lanes of traffic and right in the center of the street is the mark of the heart of Buenos Aires. The obelisk stands two hundred twenty feet or sixty-seven meter. The street that serves as a gap to the whole block in the city grid.

I'm Just Sayin!