Hello again, Spanish language lover! If you’re enjoying the process of learning the language, I bet you’ve considered visiting a Spanish speaking country. But, have you already thought about moving to one of them? Moving to a completely different country is a big deal. If the people there speak a whole different language, well, that’s an extra challenge. But here’s the thing, it could be so worth it.
Whether you have serious plans of moving to a Spanish speaking country and living as an expat, or if you’re just curious, we have a lot of interesting information you have to know. Specifically, we are going to be talking about living as a foreigner in Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina!
Why should you choose to live in Buenos Aires?
Over 120.000 digital nomads visited Buenos Aires in 2023! That’s an impressive number, and they chose this place for a reason. The capital city of Argentina is the top choice of many expats and digital nomads. It is one of the biggest cities of South America, so it’s full of opportunities and an incredibly rich culture.
There are, of course, some challenges. For example, a somewhat unstable economy can make daily life in Buenos Aires a little complicated. The language barrier and adapting to Argentine Spanish can be difficult at first, but they are also the best part for anyone passionate about learning Spanish!
Understanding Argentine culture for expats is not so difficult. There is a growing community of foreigners living in Buenos Aires, which means a lot of helpful resources to guide you into this experience. We are going to introduce you to some of the most important things you should know about living as an expat in Argentina.
What’s the cost of living in Buenos Aires?
The first and most reasonable question you should ask yourself before moving to another country is: Can I afford it? The answer will depend a lot on each person. Your savings, your job, how long do you plan to live in Buenos Aires, and how do you like to live. So, let’s take a look at some concrete data to guide you.
- According to sources like Airbnb and ZonaProp, renting a place in the zone of Palerlmo is around $450 to $800.
- A foreigner will spend $900-$1200 monthly (according to Expatistan, Numbeo, BA Expat Hub).
- $350-$450 is the equivalent to an average argentinian salary.
How to adapt to the Spanish from Argentina
There are many benefits to living as an expat or foreigner in Buenos Aires, and learning Spanish is definitely one of them. However, a quick look into daily life in Buenos Aires will reveal that Argentinians have a very particular use of the Spanish language. If you aren’t prepared for it, it can be a little confusing.
Adapting to Argentine Spanish means understanding that many words are pronounced differently than in other Spanish-speaking countries. Additionally, in this city, the use of “Voseo” is very common. That means using the pronoun “vos” instead of the classic “tú”. What does that look like?
- ¿Vos cómo te llamás? (What’s your name?)
- ¿De dónde sos vos? (Where are you from?)
- ¿Vos sabés cómo llegar a esta dirección? (Do you know how to get to this address?)
The use of the language, like Argentine culture for expats, can take a little time getting used to. However, there’s nothing to worry about. With some constant practice and the help of native speakers, you’ll master Argentine Spanish in no time!
Cultural shocks and daily life in Argentina
Every foreigner who’s lived in Argentina has their fair share of stories about the cultural shock of living as an expat in this country. New, interesting, exciting, and sometimes confusing things are part of daily life in Buenos Aires for expats or digital nomads. Let’s take a look at some of them.
- Adapting to Argentine Spanish: Of course the language is a challenge. But we’re talking about not just a new accent but also a lot of vocabulary and popular slang that’s the norm among people living in Argentina.
- Mate culture: This is a very emblematic thing about this country. It’s an essential part of Argentine culture for expats to learn about. It’s not just about drinking this kind of tea, it’s a whole experience!
- An entirely different economy: Living in Buenos Aires you will find that, because of import fees, certain things are much more expensive than in your home country. In contrast, things made in Argentina, like those made with 100% leather, will be shockingly inexpensive for foreigners.
There you have it! Now you know so much more about what it's like living as an expat in Argentina. Of course, making a move like this requires a lot more planning and careful consideration. Maybe after knowing the basics now you will feel a little more curious about it. Even if it’s just for a short visit, you will love Buenos Aires. It’s the perfect place to put into practice all the Spanish you’re learning.
Maybe we’ll see you around here soon!
