Looking to move to Argentina in the next 5 years, need some advice...

[te_rojo]

Just don't rush into anything. How long as the relationship lasted? I did a few long distance relationships and they are very difficult. Relationships can last but I have done my fair share of long distance romance. It is tough enough to make a relationship work in the same town.

Just take it slow. I am no expert on BA but been there a few times now. I would not worry about spending money on immigration attorneys right now. Just first see if you want to be here. Come a few times. Moving to a foreign country is not a rush decision. What does your boyfriend do for work?

A year, so far, and we've known each other as friends since 2020, lol. Yeah, I definitely agree that moving countries isn't something to be rushed, but I'm pretty deadset on moving away from the US at some point in the coming years, especially given the political climate and I've familial reasons. I've visited once so far and I enjoyed it. I intend on visiting again in May, and hopefully in December this year. My boyfriend's been working in the tourism sector and helps his family with artisanal puzzles.

 

[te_rojo]

How did you meet your boyfriend? Just online?

Yeah, online. We met via a mutual friend and became friends back in 2020. Started dating last winter, 2024 🙂

 

[te_rojo]

Argentina can be an amazing place to live, but there are definitely things to consider before making the move.

First off, having remote work is a huge advantage. Buenos Aires (especially) has gotten pretty expensive lately, and while $50k in savings is a solid cushion, relying on local wages would be tough, especially as a foreigner without fluent Spanish. Tech support jobs pay way better in the U.S. than anything similar here, so keeping your remote job would be your best bet.

For residency, since you don’t qualify for a rentista or student visa and finding a local job before arriving is unlikely, your best option is probably entering as a tourist and applying for residency once you’re here. The "digital nomad visa" exists but isn't widely used, and work visas usually require a company to sponsor you, which is rare unless you have highly in-demand skills. A lot of expats renew their tourist status by leaving and re-entering, though that’s not a long-term solution if you want citizenship.

As for jobs, finding something locally without strong Spanish can be tough outside of teaching English or niche expat-oriented roles. Buenos Aires has more opportunities, but it’s also much pricier than other cities. Córdoba and other smaller cities are cheaper, but also have fewer job options. If your Spanish improves and you want to integrate into the job market, it’d be easier in person, but again, salaries are low.

Cost of living depends on your lifestyle. Rent, especially in USD, can be expensive in BA, but everyday expenses like food and transportation can still be affordable compared to the U.S. Inflation is wild, so prices change constantly.

Biggest things to think about:

• Have a remote income if possible.
• Keep an eye on inflation/currency issues.
• Improve your Spanish, it’ll make a huge difference.
• Research legal pathways to residency if you want to stay long-term.
• Be prepared for some bureaucracy, it’s part of the experience.

Hope that helps!

Ack, unfortunately my job is not remote and it's a small company so there's no chance of ever switching to a remote position with them. Should I think about looking for a fully remote job then? I see that the cost of living probably won't pose much of a challenge, since I'm able to make and stick to a budget already. It's just source of income and language that I'm stuck on I guess. Thank you very much for your help! I'm definitely expecting much bureaucracy, haha.

 

[StatusNomadicus]

since you don’t qualify for a rentista

don't discount the Rentista Savings category - i'm still in the process, but they haven't told me no yet. having a HYSA or Trust might work, depending on how much one enjoys debating with Migraciones folks every 3 months 😛

 

[Uncle Wong]

don't discount the Rentista Savings category - i'm still in the process, but they haven't told me no yet. having a HYSA or Trust might work, depending on how much one enjoys debating with Migraciones folks every 3 months 😛

I heard some talk about this but has anyone definitely done this option for sure? IIRC someone did that on the old forum setting up a trust and just paying guaranteed amounts each month? I am just scared that just because one person did it doesn't mean that it will work for everyone. Sounds like even with Milei things are chaotic in immigration section of the government.

 

[Vero]

Yeah, online. We met via a mutual friend and became friends back in 2020. Started dating last winter, 2024 🙂

It is good to meet through mutual friends. Also good you started out as friends first.

A year, so far, and we've known each other as friends since 2020, lol. Yeah, I definitely agree that moving countries isn't something to be rushed, but I'm pretty deadset on moving away from the US at some point in the coming years, especially given the political climate and I've familial reasons. I've visited once so far and I enjoyed it. I intend on visiting again in May, and hopefully in December this year. My boyfriend's been working in the tourism sector and helps his family with artisanal puzzles.

But are you affected much by political climate? America doesn't seem like it matter so much politics. Life goes on as normal no matter who is in office no? I am confused why people are so anxious to move from US besides maybe cost of living? If you can't work at remote job, and you can't get a normal job what will you do in Argentina @te_rojo?

It is not easy to make money in Argentina. It sounds like you understand that. But sticking to budget is tough if you can't make money. Or can you work with your boyfriend?

 

[Surfer]

A year, so far, and we've known each other as friends since 2020, lol. Yeah, I definitely agree that moving countries isn't something to be rushed, but I'm pretty deadset on moving away from the US at some point in the coming years, especially given the political climate and I've familial reasons. I've visited once so far and I enjoyed it. I intend on visiting again in May, and hopefully in December this year. My boyfriend's been working in the tourism sector and helps his family with artisanal puzzles.

Come down a few times before you decide to uproot your life. Does your boyfriend have no interest in moving to the USA instead of you moving to Argentina? Far more opportunities in the US vs. Argentina. Not trying to talk you out of it but since you mentioned it.

What is an artisanal puzzle? Never heard of that before.

 

[oil rush]

Hi everyone! As the title says, I want to move to Argentina and most likely gain citizenship. I know this forum is for expatriates, but I presume it's still a good place to ask for tips and advice for the general process of moving. Some hopefully relevant information: I'm from the US and in my early 20s. I currently have a basic tech support job, and make around $20/hr, before taxes, recently switched to full time hours. I've been learning Spanish for a little bit, but strongly lacking in the speaking and listening comprehension sections, so definitely a beginner.

How much should I save up? I have around $20k right now, and assuming I still have my current job and pay, I'll have at least $50k in savings the next five years, most likely more.

How to start the process? I'm unsure of how to gain temporary residency and hopefully move toward permanent residency. I don't have any external fixed income so the rentista visa wouldn't work. I'm not looking to study in Argentina, so I couldn't apply for a student visa. I'm not fluent enough to find a local job and get a work visa, at least not yet. But even if I was, is it legal to find employment while on a tourist visa? I ask because I don't see how I'm supposed to get hired before traveling to Argentina.

How difficult is it to find employment as a foreigner? In Buenos Aires? In a different city, like Córdoba? Small town? Would remote employment be a viable option? Are there jobs that don't necessarily need or require native-level fluency? I'm unsure of how proficient I'll be with Spanish in a few years...

What does the cost of living look like? And final-ish question: what other things are there to research and think about, in regards to moving to Argentina? Thank you so much to anyone who replies. Any information is highly appreciated!

What's the ultimate goal? You are young. Do not want to offend you but $20k isn't much. Either is $50k if you're moving to Argentina and won't have an opportunity to make much money here. You will still be young. Your boyfriend doesn't sound like he is well off.

Impossible to find a legal job on a tourist visa. Your options are get a remote job or work under the table. There are probably a ton of lower paid remote jobs. Tons of companies hire people to do tasks online. Look for some websites that post those types of jobs. Tons out there.

Come down a few times before you decide to uproot your life. Does your boyfriend have no interest in moving to the USA instead of you moving to Argentina? Far more opportunities in the US vs. Argentina. Not trying to talk you out of it but since you mentioned it.

What is an artisanal puzzle? Never heard of that before.

Definitely agree the more logical option would try to get your boyfriend to the US. Too many people give up income opportunities while they are younger only to be killed when they are older with very little savings or assets. Met plenty of people here in Brazil like that.

 

[Mother Russia Argentina]

Love is a big reason why many expats end up moving here. Where did you meet your boyfriend @te_rojo? Here in BA? It sounds good that you are formulating a game plan.

It's tougher to get a good job here without having a DNI but not impossible. I talk to expats that have been living here as "perma-tourists" for many years and they have not had issues living here but most of them don't depend on jobs here. Realistically if you move to Argentina to be with your boyfriend you will either move to his town or he will need to move to BA so see how viable that is for him. BA is much more expensive vs. other cities.

If you are healthy and have no kids, you can probably just manage to just pay doctors/hospitals as you might need them if you get sick. Medical care is much cheaper than in the USA but prices are going up. It still may make sense to have a medical policy.

It would be a good exercise to make a spreadsheet with ALL of your expenses you are currently spending in your town. Then just plug in the numbers here for Argentina. Post on this forum and many great people are willing to share information. This forum is all about sharing information on Argentina.

Argentina is an amazing country. Not as affordable as it used to be but still much cheaper than living in the USA for many cities. Rentals here are very affordable compared to the States. I'd say food costs are a little less here at the grocery store depending on what you are buying. Probably if you budget what you spending on food in the USA and use that same budget that would be good for your budget.

Here is a list of things that I have on my spreadsheet before I moved to Argentina. I think it would be applicable for anyone to add up their budget.

In my experience, people always underestimate what they will spend vs. overestimate.

-Rent (if you don't own your property)
- Property taxes if you own
-Phone (Land line and Cell phone)
- Utilities (gas, water, electricity, cable, internet, etc)
- HOA fees/expensas each month
- Maintenance and repairs (if you own a property)
- Car payments
- Car insurance
- Auto Fuel each month for each car
- Registration fees for your car each year
- Maintenance on your car to include car washes and oil changes
-Parking (various times when you're out and about plus if you don't have a garage in your apartment and have to rent one)
- Home/rental insurance for your property
- Life insurance
- Health insurance premiums
- Dental insurance premiums
- Medical/Dental expenses (what insurance won't cover)
- Prescription medications
- School expenses for kids if applicable (tuition, stuff for school, ballet classes, etc)
- Babysitter expenses
- Annual fee for Credit Cards
- Clothes for kids and yourself
- Toys for kids
- Dry Cleaning
- Health club / gym
- Taxi/Uber fares which are inevitable.
- Beauty (hair salon for hair cuts, color, nails, make up, etc)
- Extracurricular activities dues/fees
- Entertainment (movies, theatre, plays, Zoo, concerts, sporting events, etc --)
- Magazine/newspaper/Ipad subscriptions
- Dining out at restaurants
- Grocery budget
- Retirement savings contributions
- Kids college fund savings contributions
- Charity/donations
- Travel / vacation expenses
- Federal/State/local income taxes
- Any revolving debt payments you might have
- Bad habit type stuff (alcohol, smoking, etc)
- Emergency savings fund for any major health issues
- Non reimbursed office/work expenses and supplies

Very good list. Basically the same thing you spend in your home country make sure you take into account here. I have many friends from Russia that spend a lot of money there on things but they pretend they won't do same thing in Argentina. I have friend that smoke a lot and they did not add to budget in Argentina. Add same things for here.

I'm jealous you got to chat with the OG (BowTiedMara).

Another example but not from BA city:

My friends (no kids single late 20s working as software engineers locally) make around 2500 to 3000 usd a month (around 20/H usd). Rent is around 300 to 400 for a 3 bedroom apartment in GBA ( Greater Buenos Aires) they live in some of the nicer areas of GBA. Life is good, they get to go on holidays each year, go out for dinner every month at least once or twice. Have a used car and once every 2 or 3 years plan an international flight.
Some of them even can afford maids cleaning once a week.
One of them just bought his first apartment at 27yo after 3 years of working full-time as a SE locally, he lived with his parents to save up.

So I would guess they save 500 usd per month in the best case 250 in the worst.

If you are two bringing income to a household then it's a lot more easier than this.

Very good point. Once you get out of CABA you can spend much less. Buenos Aires is very expensive compared to other areas. I have a friend that move to Bariloche and they love it but I think even more expensive there.

I did not visit smaller towns yet. Most Russians coming to Argentina prefer to stay in BA to be close to other Russians. Already almost 10,000 Russians in Argentina but most stay in BA.

Much thanks, I'll look up the residency information and see about talking to an attorney. And blegh, I figured it'd be hard to get a job without residency. Yeah, I do want to go because I've been dating someone from Argentina. He doesn't live in B.A., but I'd rather be in B.A. and live a few hours away from him than be countries apart, lol. Thanks for giving some estimates about living spaces. I'm glad there can be cheaper options there than in the States, Food-wise, I'm spending around $150-200, depending on how often I eat out vs. home. Ack, insurance is something I hadn't thought about...

First I suggest coming and visiting for a few months and see how you like it. You don't have to try to plan 5-10 years right now! See how you like it and how relationship goes. Much different long distance relationship and living together.

I recommend you learn as much Spanish as you can. Especially if you will live in small town. Russian people do much better because we learn Spanish very quickly. We good with languages. Most American people I see they don't make effort to learn good Spanish.

 

[I Love Mate]

don't discount the Rentista Savings category - i'm still in the process, but they haven't told me no yet. having a HYSA or Trust might work, depending on how much one enjoys debating with Migraciones folks every 3 months 😛

What category did you start the process with? Did you try with the trust? Or just typical rentista income from rental income?