daveholman
Well-known member
I moved here in February. I really don't understand the negativity of some people in this forum. Buenos Aires is a beautiful city, with lots to offer, and it is CHEAP. I don't care what anyone else says, most people's biggest budget item is housing, and I am paying less to rent an apartment in Recoleta than it cost me in New Mexico to own my house outright with utilities, taxes and insurance.
Food at the grocery store is, for the most part, inexpensive. Yes, a few things like olive oil are ridiculously overpriced. But other things, like meat and produce are less than the US. I spend around $100 a week for groceries, eating at home 5 days a week and going out to dinner twice a week. Dining out is fairly expensive. I'd say comparable to the US.
Transportation is another big expense for most people. In the US I owned my car, and STILL paid $200-300 month for gas, insurance, etc. Here I am averaging around $15 month on buses and subte, and getting in some needed exercise by walking.
I love to listen to live music. Later today I'll be heading to the Strummer Bar for the Punk Rock Lunch. 4 or 5 bands over 4 hours. FREE. No cover, no minimum. I'll get my agua con gas and a pretty good burger for around $12. Tomorrow night I'll be heading to the Conventillo Cultural Abasto for a couple hours of Chicago Blues bands...again, no cover charge, no minimum.
In May, I'm going to see Chrissy Hynde and The Pretenders. $50. At a concert in Los Angeles, you can't park your car for $50.
I also love horse racing. I've been to the Hippodromo Palermo a couple times where you can get an all day table in the clubhouse for, basically, a $15 food/drink minimum.
I have already made many friends, and got invited to a birthday party by a guy I met here. His grandfather was a famous tango singer in the 40's, and the party was at his grandfather's San Telmo apartment. The biggest home I've seen in Argentina - 4000 sq feet, 4 bedroom 5 bath and 2 maids quarters!
So, yeah...moving to BsAs was a great decision for me, and I'm making it permanent.
Food at the grocery store is, for the most part, inexpensive. Yes, a few things like olive oil are ridiculously overpriced. But other things, like meat and produce are less than the US. I spend around $100 a week for groceries, eating at home 5 days a week and going out to dinner twice a week. Dining out is fairly expensive. I'd say comparable to the US.
Transportation is another big expense for most people. In the US I owned my car, and STILL paid $200-300 month for gas, insurance, etc. Here I am averaging around $15 month on buses and subte, and getting in some needed exercise by walking.
I love to listen to live music. Later today I'll be heading to the Strummer Bar for the Punk Rock Lunch. 4 or 5 bands over 4 hours. FREE. No cover, no minimum. I'll get my agua con gas and a pretty good burger for around $12. Tomorrow night I'll be heading to the Conventillo Cultural Abasto for a couple hours of Chicago Blues bands...again, no cover charge, no minimum.
In May, I'm going to see Chrissy Hynde and The Pretenders. $50. At a concert in Los Angeles, you can't park your car for $50.
I also love horse racing. I've been to the Hippodromo Palermo a couple times where you can get an all day table in the clubhouse for, basically, a $15 food/drink minimum.
I have already made many friends, and got invited to a birthday party by a guy I met here. His grandfather was a famous tango singer in the 40's, and the party was at his grandfather's San Telmo apartment. The biggest home I've seen in Argentina - 4000 sq feet, 4 bedroom 5 bath and 2 maids quarters!
So, yeah...moving to BsAs was a great decision for me, and I'm making it permanent.