Politics What This Means For Ex Pats

[Dexter]

As this is an ex pat forum, and just being as candid as I can, aside from the frustrations of getting dollars, not being able to obtain certain imported items (which now albeit being able to get are still way too expensive so I don’t even bother), and of course, just feeling a sense of disorder and chaos, I must admit that within the years 2009-2012, my ex pat life (which depended obviously on income earned outside of Argentina) was considerably more affordable than it was under the Macri government (as a matter of fact I left because I just couldn’t seem to “keep up”)

Safety and security seemed to be a bigger concern under the K government, as it did seem to me that more people would get mugged, etc (at least this was my perception and what actually occurred to me) and visually there were always less police manning the streets.

From a tourist perspective, a lot of my overseas visitors still felt like in regards to dining and for the most part tourism (although most hotels have always charged their rates in USD) they were getting really good deals and enjoyed visiting often, whereas now they always feel ripped off.

How do you think a return to the K government ways will affect expats/tourists? Will it be a full throttle K return (currency block, investment block: foreign providers having to close up shop again because of not being able to import any merchandise, planes for all and their sister, etc), surely real estate particular foreign buying may take a hit as a consequence of the uncertainty, or will this be a more “version light” of CFK?

 

[Lenono]

I think it will be a 'lighter' version but the end result will be the same. The markets will do the talking and inflation will continue on its merry way. I just hope it doesn't turn violent - I can deal with the other sh*t. The K's will keep rolling out the USA is evil line and most likely reneg on their commitments to the IMF which will cause a problem way bigger than the current recession. Those with dollars and those in Government and high positions will be the winners. The poor will have pesos thrown at them to keep them satisfied (futbol para todos yipee !!) but achieve no true improvement to their future and the middle class will suffer the most as we have seen today with mass devaluation of the pesos and severe decrease in purchasing power. Infrastructure will also go back to being left to sh*t - it was starting to improve.

 

[Dexter]

I agree that it was starting to improve, however I also have to say that unfortunately Argentina isn’t a country that can afford long wait times for said improvement. Argentines are inpatient, have very little memory, and vote however their same-day economic panorama looks like, and let’s face it, most of the lower and middle classes are struggling and a lot worst off than 4 years ago and simply don’t understand that for such a large and populated country to repair decades of damage, it requires time. Time which unfortunately many can’t wait to see. It’s nice and well to see upper middle/upper classes say “all you need is time” when they can comfortably retreat to their Recoleta homes and not have to penny pinch to pay their basic bills, but for the average Joe it’s a huge struggle and not one they are willing to endure. So, sadly, it’s a double edged sword, in my opinion.

 

[RichardOne]

Maximo Kirchner was the first one to give the Acceptance speech for the Fernandez Victory Act. The Campora is back....

 

[earlyretirement]

I think it's safe to say by the election results that CFK will definitely be back. It's hard to imagine any scenario where Macri can turn things around so quickly. The election results were pretty convincing. Absolutely once CFK is back in office (and you KNOW she will be the one controlling things), there will be major currency controls, restrictions on financial transactions, fraudulent data on inflation amongst other things. I can't even imagine what taxes/laws/changes she will put on real estate.

Anyone foolish enough not to have gotten their funds out of Argentina will surely be in a rush to do it before CFK comes back in office.

I can't imagine any ex-pat that is still in Argentina unless they have deep pockets or a steady and stable income/retirement/pension in US dollars/Euros/Stable foreign currency. If so then as crazy as Argentina is it really doesn't matter too much. The thing I'd worry more about is instability with crime because when people get desperate they do desperate things.

I really enjoy visiting a few times a year MUCH more than living there. As much as I love Argentina I don't miss living there.