Newcomer What are the most interesting aspects of Argentine culture for you?

[daveholman]

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 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.

This hits home for me. When I retired a few years ago, I sold a 2800 sf 5 bedroom house that I couldn't get a car in the garage because I had so much "stuff". I sold most of it, and bought a 1300 sf 2 bedroom in New Mexico. I am now in the process of selling that to move to Argentina. It's embarrassing how much new "stuff" I have bought, and now have to get rid of again.
This time, I'm going to get 400-500 sf with no room for stuff. And since buying is such a hassle, I think I'll be able to stop. It's just too easy here to go on Amazon and get the latest thing. lol

 

[Betsy Ross]

This hits home for me. When I retired a few years ago, I sold a 2800 sf 5 bedroom house that I couldn't get a car in the garage because I had so much "stuff". I sold most of it, and bought a 1300 sf 2 bedroom in New Mexico. I am now in the process of selling that to move to Argentina. It's embarrassing how much new "stuff" I have bought, and now have to get rid of again.
This time, I'm going to get 400-500 sf with no room for stuff. And since buying is such a hassle, I think I'll be able to stop. It's just too easy here to go on Amazon and get the latest thing. lol

I think many are in this situation Dave. My sister has a very large house. She has tons of storage in her garage. Heck she even has a second garage to the side. But guess what? She has so much junk she has her second garage full and half of her main 4 car garage full of junk. What's worse is she even pays $300 a month to get a storage unit close to her house for more junk!

I worry that now that import taxes have ended I notice here too people are buying more junk. My neighbor who never cooks just invited me to her apartment to have coffee. And she was all too eager to show me her latest new toy. She bought an air fryer on Amazon or maybe it was Mercado Libre. I laughed and asked her if she cooked much and she does not. She dines out and is a horrible cook. I have never used an air fryer but I doubt she will use it much.

Living in Argentina makes you realize that you do not need junk. Even if I wanted it, I wouldn't have room for all of it.

@daveholman that is a big adjustment to big house to 400 SF apartment. Is this the move to BA you are referring to?

 

[daveholman]

Living in Argentina makes you realize that you do not need junk. Even if I wanted it, I wouldn't have room for all of it.

@daveholman that is a big adjustment to big house to 400 SF apartment. Is this the move to BA you are referring to?

Yes. I am only looking at 1 bedroom apartments. Maybe 2 if/when the Russian Princess and child make it down.

And I will never need an air fryer. lol

 

[earlyretirement]

This hits home for me. When I retired a few years ago, I sold a 2800 sf 5 bedroom house that I couldn't get a car in the garage because I had so much "stuff". I sold most of it, and bought a 1300 sf 2 bedroom in New Mexico. I am now in the process of selling that to move to Argentina. It's embarrassing how much new "stuff" I have bought, and now have to get rid of again.
This time, I'm going to get 400-500 sf with no room for stuff. And since buying is such a hassle, I think I'll be able to stop. It's just too easy here to go on Amazon and get the latest thing. lol

Very true. Unfortunately with 3 kids and a wife, we literally get Amazon packages each and every day. Not just one but typically 5 or 6. To be fair, we have shifted away over the past few years from buying a lot of stuff at the store and mostly just buy everything online since it shows up the next day. It's kind of crazy just ordering a ream of paper on Amazon but we do.

I have a fairly large house but I could adjust to a smaller property. Once the kids are out of the house I would welcome living in BA in a smaller place.

I would love to see the day when I don't see an Amazon package.