How to Move to Buenos Aires

A historic and cosmopolitan city, Buenos Aires is legendary throughout South America for its charm and vibrancy. It has gained fame and popularity among expatriates for the very cheap living costs that resulted from the 2001 Argentinean currency devaluation. While costs have gone up significantly since then, Buenos Aires is still a bargain.

Instructions

1

Apply for an Argentinean visa. This should be done at an Argentinean embassy or consulate in your country of residence. You will need a valid passport. The type of visa you require depends on the length and purpose of your visit. Argentinean tourist visas are only valid for 90 days and prevent you from seeking any kind of employment. Temporary and permanent visas are more difficult to obtain; however, the Argentinean immigration system can be quite lax and there are numerous reports of expatriates living in Argentina on expired, or repeatedly renewed, tourist visas.

2

Obtain health insurance. Unless you are a permanent resident of Argentina, you will not be eligible for the Argentinean public health service. There are a number of private health insurance providers in Argentina and you can also purchase expatriate health insurance in your home country.

3

Choose the neighborhood of Buenos Aires you're most interested in. Some of the central barrios such as Puerto Madero, Retiro, Recoleta or Barrio Norte offer a vibrant and enjoyable city life. San Telmo and La Boca are the city's oldest neighborhoods and filled with historic buildings.

4

Find an apartment or house to live in. Though property values have increased significantly since the Argentinean currency devaluation in 2001, there are still bargains to be had. There are a number of sites on the Internet that offer rental and property listings. Alternatively, you can find short-term accommodations in the city and then shop around in person on arrival, which may be your best bet for finding a decent price.

5

Learn to speak Portuguese and Spanish. Residents of Buenos Aires speak with an accent particular to the city, one heavily influenced by the Italian pronunciation of Spanish as a result of a wave of Italian immigration. Pick up the accent and blend in with the locals. Also, note that Portuguese is spoken as a dominant language in Buenos Aires and Brazil, too.

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A historic and cosmopolitan city, Buenos Aires is legendary throughout South America for its charm and vibrancy. It has gained fame and popularity among expatriates for the very cheap living costs that resulted from the 2001 Argentinean currency devaluation. While costs have gone up significantly since then, Buenos Aires is still a bargain.

Instructions

1

Apply for an Argentinean visa. This should be done at an Argentinean embassy or consulate in your country of residence. You will need a valid passport. The type of visa you require depends on the length and purpose of your visit. Argentinean tourist visas are only valid for 90 days and prevent you from seeking any kind of employment. Temporary and permanent visas are more difficult to obtain; however, the Argentinean immigration system can be quite lax and there are numerous reports of expatriates living in Argentina on expired, or repeatedly renewed, tourist visas.

2

Obtain health insurance. Unless you are a permanent resident of Argentina, you will not be eligible for the Argentinean public health service. There are a number of private health insurance providers in Argentina and you can also purchase expatriate health insurance in your home country.

3

Choose the neighborhood of Buenos Aires you're most interested in. Some of the central barrios such as Puerto Madero, Retiro, Recoleta or Barrio Norte offer a vibrant and enjoyable city life. San Telmo and La Boca are the city's oldest neighborhoods and filled with historic buildings.

4

Find an apartment or house to live in. Though property values have increased significantly since the Argentinean currency devaluation in 2001, there are still bargains to be had. There are a number of sites on the Internet that offer rental and property listings. Alternatively, you can find short-term accommodations in the city and then shop around in person on arrival, which may be your best bet for finding a decent price.

5

Learn to speak Portuguese and Spanish. Residents of Buenos Aires speak with an accent particular to the city, one heavily influenced by the Italian pronunciation of Spanish as a result of a wave of Italian immigration. Pick up the accent and blend in with the locals. Also, note that Portuguese is spoken as a dominant language in Buenos Aires and Brazil, too.