Explore, connect, thrive in
the expat community
Expat Life: Local Discoveries, Global Connections
Newcomer What are the most interesting aspects of Argentine culture for you?
- Thread starter amanda8
- Start date
-
- Tags
- argentine culture culture
ultraviolet
Member
I love how the city is laid out with many parks. For as big of a city with so many people I think traffic runs very smoothly. It is safe and cost of living is not too high for as nice of a city it is.
Opera Fan
Active member
I very much enjoy the opera and cultural activities. Buenos Aires has so many great activities but I especially enjoy the Opera. Teatro Colon is magnificent! I love how cosmopolitan the city is. Each neighborhood feels different and special to me. City has so much energy and life.
Tango
Member
It was my curiosity for tango that first brought me to Buenos Aires. I don't live there but every time I come back for a visit I fall in love with the city all over again. The music fills my soul! There is always life and even if the economy is bad, people try not to let that discourage them from enjoying life. It is a beautiful city and feels very European to me. People are friendly and the city is safe.
earlyretirement
Moderator
I fell in love with Argentina on my very first visit right after the corralito. What a beautiful city Buenos Aires is and what a gorgeous country Argentina is. There were so many different things about it that I loved. I couldn't describe it to friends in just words. I loved a lot of different things about the city.
The fashion, sense of style, the architecture, the food, the beautiful women (I was a bachelor when I first came down to Buenos Aires so I think I was falling in love every few days.
.
Something that I really loved was the zest for life there and the energy of the people and the city. In the United States for many senior citizens an exciting night is ordering a pizza after 9 PM. But I was amazed that I could go to La Biela Cafe at 1 AM and it would be full of senior citizens drinking expressos and enjoying life. I thought to myself, now this is an amazing city.
After the corralito, I was one of the first international investors that saw the big potential for a recovery of the real estate market. Everyone told me I was absolutely crazy but I gave my hypothesis why Argentina was going to rebound. I started buying up as much real estate in Recoleta and Palermo as I could. I saw a lot of potential for the country and it makes me feel proud that what I forecasted came true.
I will always love Argentina and I'm proud to be a 20+ year permanent resident of the country. I got married there and 2 of my children were born there. I plan to retire there in the future and I love the country as much if not more than I love my own country (USA).
There are so many things to love about the city but to me, it's always the energy of the city and the ability of the citizens there to never give up and forge ahead even during tough times.
The fashion, sense of style, the architecture, the food, the beautiful women (I was a bachelor when I first came down to Buenos Aires so I think I was falling in love every few days.
.Something that I really loved was the zest for life there and the energy of the people and the city. In the United States for many senior citizens an exciting night is ordering a pizza after 9 PM. But I was amazed that I could go to La Biela Cafe at 1 AM and it would be full of senior citizens drinking expressos and enjoying life. I thought to myself, now this is an amazing city.
After the corralito, I was one of the first international investors that saw the big potential for a recovery of the real estate market. Everyone told me I was absolutely crazy but I gave my hypothesis why Argentina was going to rebound. I started buying up as much real estate in Recoleta and Palermo as I could. I saw a lot of potential for the country and it makes me feel proud that what I forecasted came true.
I will always love Argentina and I'm proud to be a 20+ year permanent resident of the country. I got married there and 2 of my children were born there. I plan to retire there in the future and I love the country as much if not more than I love my own country (USA).
There are so many things to love about the city but to me, it's always the energy of the city and the ability of the citizens there to never give up and forge ahead even during tough times.
Betsy Ross
Well-known member
This was how it was for me. I loved all of these things you are describing and I also moved here because it was more affordable vs. the USA where I am from. I love the fact that I didn't need a car here at all. I've never gone my entire adult life without a car and in Buenos Aires was the first time and I loved it.I fell in love with Argentina on my very first visit right after the corralito. What a beautiful city Buenos Aires is and what a gorgeous country Argentina is. There were so many different things about it that I loved. I couldn't describe it to friends in just words. I loved a lot of different things about the city.
The fashion, sense of style, the architecture, the food, the beautiful women (I was a bachelor when I first came down to Buenos Aires so I think I was falling in love every few days.
Something that I really loved was the zest for life there and the energy of the people and the city. In the United States for many senior citizens an exciting night is ordering a pizza after 9 PM. But I was amazed that I could go to La Biela Cafe at 1 AM and it would be full of senior citizens drinking expressos and enjoying life. I thought to myself, now this is an amazing city.
After the corralito, I was one of the first international investors that saw the big potential for a recovery of the real estate market. Everyone told me I was absolutely crazy but I gave my hypothesis why Argentina was going to rebound. I started buying up as much real estate in Recoleta and Palermo as I could. I saw a lot of potential for the country and it makes me feel proud that what I forecasted came true.
I will always love Argentina and I'm proud to be a 20+ year permanent resident of the country. I got married there and 2 of my children were born there. I plan to retire there in the future and I love the country as much if not more than I love my own country (USA).
There are so many things to love about the city but to me, it's always the energy of the city and the ability of the citizens there to never give up and forge ahead even during tough times.
I downsized from a big house to a 2 bedroom apartment and much prefer it. Less to maintain makes for a much higher quality of life in my opinion. I found that more stuff = more problems = more expenses. I was buying things I didn't need in the States. I would order on Amazon everyday. Here in BA, I rarely find the need to buy things I don't need.
Although I lived alone, I would go to Costco for many things. Now I mostly shop by the day and don't waste anything. I don't have as much space which forces me to really think about things and prioritize. I laugh when I think of all the junk that I stored in my garage and I even had a storage unit. We have alot of junk in the USA that we don't need. No one here does that.
Here in BA there is always something to do. Many museums, parks, concerts, Opera, theatres and markets and fairs on the weekends. There is some beautiful architecture here as well. Sometimes just walking around and enjoying that is nice. There is something for everyone here.
Redpoint
Member
I love the positive spirit of celebration and open-mindedness that Argentinians generally have. It's a country where anyone can easily adapt because the locals are very hospitable and supportive, always willing to help. That's not something you find in many countries. Despite the current economic difficulties, it's an accessible country. It's true what they say about Argentinians, they always have the strength to overcome difficult situations. I admire that a lot.
Ron
Active member
You never get bored here; there are always cultural events, whether free or not, theater shows, fairs, museums... there's always something to do. I really like the landscapes and the architecture, and I enjoy going for bike rides, something I didn't do in my country. I also love soccer, and here it's enjoyed with great passion. I'm very happy living here.
Vince
Well-known member
Opera Fan
Active member
FYI for any fellow opera lovers they are playing Carmina Burana this weekend. It is excellent! Only 15,000 pesos. You can't do these kind of things in most cities but here we are fortunate to have them often.
I came across a Reddit post discussing us foreigners who choose to live here. From what I can see, the main topic is about Argentine culture and how some foreigners take advantage without considering the consequences. Many are concerned that this could lead to a rise in prices, similar to what happened in Barcelona. What do you think? How do most people see us?
Calgary Foodie
Active member
I don't see Buenos Aires having the problems like Barcelona. Spain is so close to other wealthier countries surrounding it so so many tourists come from Europe. It is a quick and easy flight. Argentina is surrounded by mostly poorer countries and much of South America is not affluent. Argentina is a LONG flight from the USA or Europe. There aren't nearly as many people or tourists like Spain gets.
There are plenty of properties on the market in Argentina. There is no shortage like Spain. Spain is turning into almost a communist country. Even with the Kirchneristas they never went to those lengths. Also, many Argentines own real estate and renting it out. Doubt Argentina will ever get like Spain.
Digital Nomad
Well-known member
Argentina isn't that cheap anymore. I don't understand all of these locals complaining. Without tourism Argentina would be in a bigger mess. Restaurants and cafes would probably close. You can't compare Argentina with Spain. I laugh when I read about locals complaining about tourists here. Never understood locals that want Argentina to be expensive in dollars. Many people won't come anymore if prices keep going up. Tourists will go to other places. Digital nomads will just go to other countries.
Locals love to complain about something. That's my take and I can say that dating a Porteña. Argentines are some of the whiniest!
Uncle Wong
Well-known member
Totally. Buenos Aires isn't that cheap anymore. Airbnbs are still about the same price. Some might have gone up but I heard from my friend that things slowed down. Tourists have been coming to BA for a long time. People are commenting in that Reddit. The economy has been terrible for decades. If tourists didn't come it would be even worse.
I don't think that locals understand how important tourism is. They may get their wish if things keep getting more expensive in dollars. I can get a plane ticket much cheaper to Europe than I can get to Buenos Aires. And costs are on par with what I would spend for meals or the grocery in Spain vs. BA and much better food.
Redpoint
Member
I get the concerns, but I think a lot of us really value Argentine culture and try to bring something good to the table. We come here looking to connect with people and enjoy what the country has to offer, not just to take advantage. Of course, it’s important to keep an eye on prices, but we can also bring in new ideas and diversity that enrich the place. Plus, I’m not sure it’s as convenient to move here now as it was in previous years, especially with the exchange rate. In the end, the best approach would be to find a balance so both locals and newcomers can enjoy.
There seems to be a small segment of locals that seem to hate on gringos. Almost everyone is very friendly but lately there seem to be lots of locals complaining about expats coming there to enjoy lower cost of living. I agree with the others it ain't that cheap anymore!
You’re right! Argentina isn’t as cheap as it used to be; in fact, many people are considering returning to their home countries... it’s sad.
Similar threads
Engage explore adapt in your expat community.
