Moving to and living in...Argentina

Mercer Worldwide Cost of Living Rankings 2008/2009

Mercer has released their yearly Global World Cost of Living Rankings for 2008/2009. Once again Moscow tops the list as the most expensive and Buenos Aires comes in well down the list as a relatively affordable place. Of course we all know that there are many things that go into these surveys but in comparison to many areas BA still is a bargain.

From their site:
"Worldwide Cost of Living survey 2008 – City ranking    

 

United Kingdom       

                London,        24 July 2008

   

Moscow is still the most expensive city for   expatriates; Asunción in Paraguay is the cheapest

         

•  
   
• European and Asian cities dominate the top   10
   
• Weakening of US dollar causes significant   changes in rankings
   
• London drops one place to rank   third

Moscow is the world’s most expensive city for expatriates for the third consecutive year, according to the latest Cost of Living Survey from Mercer. Tokyo is in second position climbing two places since last year, where as London drops one place to rank third. Oslo climbs six places to 4th place and is followed by Seoul in 5th. Asunción in Paraguay is the least expensive city in the ranking for the sixth year running.

With New York as the base city scoring 100 points, Moscow scores 142.4 and is close to three times costlier than Asunción which has an index of 52.5. Contrary to the trend observed last year the gap between the world’s most and least expensive cities now seems to be widening.

Mercer’s survey covers 143 cities across six continents and measures the comparative cost of over 200 items in each location, including housing, transport, food, clothing, household goods and entertainment. It is the world’s most comprehensive cost of living survey and is used to help multinational companies and governments determine compensation allowances for their expatriate employees." Read more at Mercer

 

BAFWeek - Buenos Aires Fashion Week Edition 2008

BAFWeek - Buenos Aires Fashion Week Edition 2008 is happening now. This is the most important fashion event in Argentina for the launch of the Spring/Summer 09 collections, and is the second largest fashion happening in South America.

Just a few of the designers who will be sending their nature inspired fashions down the runway include: Prüne, Laurencio Adot, Ricky Sarkany, Flavia Martini, Posse, María Cher, Kostüme, Juana de Arco, Paula Cahen d´Anvers and Ona Sáez. And not to be outdone by the established designers, watch out for the hottest new designers coming out of UBA (University of Buenos Aires).

August 20th to 23rd, 2008
La Rural Exhibition Center, Pabellón Azul. Av. Sarmiento 2704
$20 Argentine Pesos.
Tickets are available at La Rural from 2 pm to 10 pm

Podcast - Beef is Bueno from Current

Ginger Gentile and Gerardo Brossy did a fabulous podcast about Argentina's free range, grass fed beef in Beef is Bueno "...we get to know the cows, meet a "gaucho" in the pasture, see the slaughter, watch a young butcher work and hear from a hip consumer to learn how important the beef industry is to life in Argentina." Check it out at Current at Beef is Bueno

Free Spanish Classes Friday's at International House in Buenos Aires

I just received information on some Spanish courses that are being offered for free during teacher training. I'm not endorsing the school, simply posting the information for anyone who might be interested. There are many other options which I have posted about in the past, but free is always handy if you're an expat on a limited budget!

The International House World Organisation is a network of language schools worldwide that are committed to implementing high standards of quality and innovation in education and training. There are currently over 120 schools in more than 35 countries.

For the past 40 years we have been teaching languages very successfully and especially popular is our Teacher Training Course, The IH Certificate in Teaching Languages to Adults, which lasts 4 weeks and where 8 teachers are trained.

Throughout the year we run our intensive and extensive Teacher Training Courses, which consist of theory and practice. In the Teaching Practice sessions, the trainee teachers apply the methodological topics covered in the course, and it is for this teaching practice that we need foreign students with an Elementary and Intermediate level of Spanish.

The Courses we will be running are:
January, February and July, Monday to Friday, 1 to 3 pm.
March - June and August - November, every Friday, 2 to 4 pm

In the classes we will cover conversation as well as grammar, vocabulary and everyday communicative situations. There is a maximum of 12 students per group and the lessons are free of charge, all materials and coffee included. There is a deposit of $ 100 which will be returned to you at the end of the course, provided you attend at least 75% of the classes.

The courses will be held at our Belgrano school, Arcos 1824. We hope to see you in one of our courses. For further information and enrollment, ihbelgrano@international-house.com.ar Arcos 1824, Cap. Fed. Tel: 4785-4425

Buying property in Buenos Aires from New York Times

Interesting article was posted in the New York Times Great Homes and Destinations International Real Estate section..."For Sale in...Buenos Aires". Ouch of course as usual it shows the overpriced apartments that exist everywhere, particularly for foreigners. While it might seem like a bargain to someone from New York or LA, this particular pied-à-terre is a bit pricey. There are many great bargains still to be had in Buenos Aires however, and with a good real estate agent and a bit of knowledge and not shopping solely by Internet where the expats are targeted with overpriced properties, it is possible to find something.  Bottom line, do your research.

House for rent in Belgrano area of Buenos Aires

House for rent in Belgrano area of Buenos Aires for an expat. Here is the information and contact. DO NOT CONTACT ME - it's not my rental..

"Location: Located in a really nice area of Belgrano R, between Mendoza and Juramento. Belgrano Day School only two blocks from the property.

 

The house:

• It is a turn of the century,      completely renovated “petit hotel”.
• Covered garage for two cars
• Big garden with a pool,      parrilla and a separate changing area and an area to eat “al      fresco”
• 4 big bedrooms. The master      bedroom is “in-suite” with a walking closet and has a      beautiful view to the garden and the 100+ year old oak that is part of it.      All of the bedrooms are located on the second floor (the house itself has      three floors, not including the underground garage).
• There is a separate room on the      first floor that is perfect for an office.
• Everything is un-furnished and      perfect for a long term rental.

The covered area is 600 square meters (approx) plus the garden. I am looking at a long term rental (2 years or so) and we can discuss the price once you get a chance to see the property.

I can’t make this house justice with my words, but let me tell you that it is very beautiful. I think this house will be perfect for a family that is moving to Argentina for a couple of years which want to stay in a place that they can call home. The “landlords” are an easy going couple that wants to get a good, responsible tenan


If you are interested, please let me know and we can arrange a time to take a look at the house. We can also talk about the price via email or once you see the house.

Thanks a lot for looking.  You can contact me at amferreres@wellington.com "

 

House Hunter's International HGTV spotlights Buenos Aires again

House Hunter's International on HGTV is spotlighting Buenos Aires again. It airs Sunday, August 3 on HGTV.

Natural Birth Options in Buenos Aires, Argentina

If you're looking for natural birthing options in Buenos Aires then you'll definitely want to check out Dr. Burgo. You can find more information about him at his website Parto y Nacimiento Humanizado.