Currently in Buenos Aires. Don’t expect the exchange rate and metro costs to be the same when you arrive. Gone are the days of 60-80 peso rides and 2-3x exchange rate. You’ll get 950-980 pesos per USD for VISA/Mastercard transactions, and about 950-1000 pesos if you bring $100 US bills or 900-950 pesos for smaller denominations ($5-$20 US bills). WesternUnion will get you 1000-1050 pesos per USD, so it still is the best option, but if your stay is short, then you may save yourself from the hassle of getting the local currency by using your credit card and Uber only. For the past couple weeks in Buenos Aires, the only occasion I needed cash was when I needed to recharge my SUBE card for public transportation. Bus rides are often around 450 pesos ($0.50 USD - depends on the distance you’re travelling), and you’d be paying $2-5 for Uber for the same distance. (As of May 1, 2024)
Yup. We updated our Western Union and "best ways to exchange money" videos and revised prices for our "best neighborhoods for expats" videos for 2024. But you are absolutely correct post late December 2023, the devaluation changed all the pricing dynamics in Argentina. I frame it for new expats as Buenos Aires is still affordable compared to a mid-priced city in the US, but it is no longer Vietnam-cheap. Increase your budget accordingly.
Hey Tony, you're gonna have an amazing time. Make sure to check out our video on how to use Western Union in Argentina. Even with the peso strengthening in 2024, Western Union still gives the best rates. ruclips.net/video/eNgkz6SpuBg/видео.htmlsi=iLYswCFHSQbRJ4G_
Hi, thanks for your video’s. I like and can use these practical tips very much when I go to BA in a few weeks. My first priority after landing is for sure a working cellphone (simcard) and bus card. The rest follows. AirBnB is booked. Will check the rest of your video’s too. Best from Panamá City!
Great. I'm glad you found the info useful. One major change happened at the beginning of 2024. The best rates for cash are now WU ruclips.net/video/eNgkz6SpuBg/видео.htmlsi=sGPUXJLW2hho0pNO Enjoy Buenos Aires. We just finished a quick one week vacation in Panama City. In my opinion, Buenos Aires blows Panama City away! Let me know what you think when you arrive.
@angelchavez2154 Things changed dramatically on the money situation at the beginning of the year. Here is an update for 2024 ruclips.net/video/eNgkz6SpuBg/видео.html
Woohoo. I'm glad you found the info useful. I do like to give folks a heads up. The beginning of 2024 had a major change after we released this vid. The best rates for cash are now WU htps://ruclips.net/video/eNgkz6SpuBg/видео.htmlsi= sGPUXJLW2hho0pNO
Thanks for this informative tutorial. What resources can I use for long term unfurnished apatment rentals in BA? I've been living in Medellin for 8 years and am ready for a change. Having visited BA twice before I feel confident I'd enjoy living there permanently.
You're in for a treat. As I'm sure you found when visiting, there are several stark differences between Medellin and Buenos Aires that heavily favor CABA in my eyes. There is a list of recommended sites and WhatsApp groups on our Argentina Expat discussion board. You can find it here. nomadicfire.com/discuss/argentina/best-ways-to-find-apartments-in-buenos-aires-without-getting-ripped-off
You should also check out our latest neighborhood guides for Buenos Aires. We cover Palermo Hollywood (my fav)- ruclips.net/video/KXqzKAt_3mQ/видео.html Palermo Soho- ruclips.net/video/X-_lD1XR6GE/видео.html Recoleta - coming soon (should be next week)
@@nomadicfire Thanks, the link is excellent.. I've been a steady buyer on Mercado Libre and was surprised to see apartments as well. Zonaprop is one I'd almost forgotten about. My decision will come down to housing availability. From several sources during my research I'm given to understand that long term apartment rentals are not in plentiful supply. What are a couple of neighborhoods where I might look for something? I can't go more than $700 dollars per month. Cheers,
RUclips doesn't list these comments in order, so I responded to your other comment with prices and neighborhoods. Here is the gist: $700 per month for rent is very doable, depending on what you are looking for. To give you an idea of recent housing prices, a newer 2 story loft is about $850 and an older 3 bedroom 2 bath for about $1000. All these were medium-term rentals, furnished, with utilities included. Studios and smaller one bedrooms usually rent for $500-ish Unfurnished longer term rentals should save you 20%-ish off the prices above. For an idea of neighborhoods and affordability, think of Palermo Soho as El Poblado minus the sleaze factor. Palermo Hollywood is a rough equivalent to Laureles. Less tourists, a little quieter, and little cheaper.
@@nomadicfire Gotcha. Laureles is where I've lived for the last 8 years. Possibly for that reason i'm particularly attracted to Palermo Hollywood except that the much broader array of food options in the Palermos is a big difference. I do have good steaks & chimichurri, and a beautiful gelato but restos is a big problem here. That plus the ever growing and encroaching begging has worn me down. I didn't see anybody molesting people on the street panhandling in your vids. Your channel ought to be getting thousands of hits. I'm not easy to impress and this is top notch stuff.
I can't speak for Uruguay or Paraguay, as I haven't lived in either (yet 😁). But I have lived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Medellin, Colombia, and Lima, Peru, as well as visited several other cities in those countries. Argentina is my favorite overall. Lima has better food, and Rio has world-class beaches, but for safety, activities, cost of living, and overall quality of life, Buenos Aires ticks all the boxes. We will be putting out loads of Buenos Aires content over the next several months. Make sure to subscribe, and you can see what I'm talking about. You can read about expat life in Colombia and Rio in my guides below: Guide to Living in Colombia- nomadicfire.com/guide-to-living-in-colombia Cost of Living in Rio de Janeiro- nomadicfire.com/cost-of-living-in-rio-de-janeiro
Thanks for dropping by. It's still too early to feel the complete impacts. Annualized inflation was close to 150% prior to the announcement, so prices increasing is just part of day to day life here. The key difference was the blue dollar rate provided a buffer for expats with income from outside Argentina. However, since the devaluation, the blue dollar hasn't moved much, so now expats feel prices changes more. Also, not all businesses change prices at the same time. Some restaurants have pushed their prices up by 20%, but others only made minor increases. My guess is any business with imported raw materials pushed things up faster. We'll know more as the market digests the changes over the next couple months.
@@nomadicfire Thanks for you're insights. Dont think spread between blue & old vs new official rate matters as much as the actual local peso price increases? (just means you've able to official things like withdraw cash from ATM at the new official rate which is closer to the blue but as long as local prices dont double still ok?) Cut in subsidies probably bumped prices up on top of inflation overnight but speculation on my part. Not in country but held off moving there until after the elections, kinda in the air about it now
I wouldn't let the current situation dissuade you from visiting. CABA has alot to offer besides a low cost of living (which is still low compared to US, UK, etc.). Buenos Aires has taken my fav city in Latin America spot by a mile.
@@holeefuk8505 I recommend u wait a few months to make a decision, the peso was artificially revalued (Central Bank isn't allowing imports to be paid in full, and since the new government took office it already owes 10B USD for this reason) and also allowed the entry of capital for carry trade (with 2-digit monthly returns in USD), this situation is unsustainable for too long so there'lll be a new megadevaluation of the Argentine peso, in not too long
Check out our companion blog post for additional tips when visiting Buenos Aires for the first time
nomadicfire.com/first-time-in-buenos-aires
Currently in Buenos Aires. Don’t expect the exchange rate and metro costs to be the same when you arrive. Gone are the days of 60-80 peso rides and 2-3x exchange rate. You’ll get 950-980 pesos per USD for VISA/Mastercard transactions, and about 950-1000 pesos if you bring $100 US bills or 900-950 pesos for smaller denominations ($5-$20 US bills). WesternUnion will get you 1000-1050 pesos per USD, so it still is the best option, but if your stay is short, then you may save yourself from the hassle of getting the local currency by using your credit card and Uber only. For the past couple weeks in Buenos Aires, the only occasion I needed cash was when I needed to recharge my SUBE card for public transportation. Bus rides are often around 450 pesos ($0.50 USD - depends on the distance you’re travelling), and you’d be paying $2-5 for Uber for the same distance. (As of May 1, 2024)
Yup. We updated our Western Union and "best ways to exchange money" videos and revised prices for our "best neighborhoods for expats" videos for 2024.
But you are absolutely correct post late December 2023, the devaluation changed all the pricing dynamics in Argentina. I frame it for new expats as Buenos Aires is still affordable compared to a mid-priced city in the US, but it is no longer Vietnam-cheap. Increase your budget accordingly.
Absolutely super advice calm voice and you remove the fear of travelling to a new place im coming from Ireland in September and really excited 😊
Hey Tony, you're gonna have an amazing time. Make sure to check out our video on how to use Western Union in Argentina. Even with the peso strengthening in 2024, Western Union still gives the best rates.
ruclips.net/video/eNgkz6SpuBg/видео.htmlsi=iLYswCFHSQbRJ4G_
Hi, thanks for your video’s. I like and can use these practical tips very much when I go to BA in a few weeks. My first priority after landing is for sure a working cellphone (simcard) and bus card. The rest follows. AirBnB is booked. Will check the rest of your video’s too. Best from Panamá City!
Great. I'm glad you found the info useful. One major change happened at the beginning of 2024. The best rates for cash are now WU
ruclips.net/video/eNgkz6SpuBg/видео.htmlsi=sGPUXJLW2hho0pNO
Enjoy Buenos Aires. We just finished a quick one week vacation in Panama City. In my opinion, Buenos Aires blows Panama City away! Let me know what you think when you arrive.
As someone trying to move to Argentina from USA this video helped so much. Great video man!
Hey Charley, glad to hear it. Buenos Aires has become one of my fav cities.
Nice bro I’m moving there from San Diego in 1 week! 😎
@@angelchavez2154 congrats bro!!!
@@angelchavez2154 I’m very jealous haha
@angelchavez2154 Things changed dramatically on the money situation at the beginning of the year. Here is an update for 2024
ruclips.net/video/eNgkz6SpuBg/видео.html
Great advice! Very helpful.
Woohoo. I'm glad you found the info useful. I do like to give folks a heads up. The beginning of 2024 had a major change after we released this vid. The best rates for cash are now WU
htps://ruclips.net/video/eNgkz6SpuBg/видео.htmlsi=
sGPUXJLW2hho0pNO
Thanks for this informative tutorial. What resources can I use for long term unfurnished apatment rentals in BA? I've been living in Medellin for 8 years and am ready for a change. Having visited BA twice before I feel confident I'd enjoy living there permanently.
You're in for a treat. As I'm sure you found when visiting, there are several stark differences between Medellin and Buenos Aires that heavily favor CABA in my eyes.
There is a list of recommended sites and WhatsApp groups on our Argentina Expat discussion board. You can find it here.
nomadicfire.com/discuss/argentina/best-ways-to-find-apartments-in-buenos-aires-without-getting-ripped-off
You should also check out our latest neighborhood guides for Buenos Aires. We cover
Palermo Hollywood (my fav)- ruclips.net/video/KXqzKAt_3mQ/видео.html
Palermo Soho- ruclips.net/video/X-_lD1XR6GE/видео.html
Recoleta - coming soon (should be next week)
@@nomadicfire Thanks, the link is excellent.. I've been a steady buyer on Mercado Libre and was surprised to see apartments as well. Zonaprop is one I'd almost forgotten about. My decision will come down to housing availability. From several sources during my research I'm given to understand that long term apartment rentals are not in plentiful supply. What are a couple of neighborhoods where I might look for something? I can't go more than $700 dollars per month.
Cheers,
RUclips doesn't list these comments in order, so I responded to your other comment with prices and neighborhoods. Here is the gist:
$700 per month for rent is very doable, depending on what you are looking for.
To give you an idea of recent housing prices, a newer 2 story loft is about $850 and an older 3 bedroom 2 bath for about $1000. All these were medium-term rentals, furnished, with utilities included.
Studios and smaller one bedrooms usually rent for $500-ish
Unfurnished longer term rentals should save you 20%-ish off the prices above.
For an idea of neighborhoods and affordability, think of Palermo Soho as El Poblado minus the sleaze factor. Palermo Hollywood is a rough equivalent to Laureles. Less tourists, a little quieter, and little cheaper.
@@nomadicfire Gotcha. Laureles is where I've lived for the last 8 years. Possibly for that reason i'm particularly attracted to Palermo Hollywood except that the much broader array of food options in the Palermos is a big difference. I do have good steaks & chimichurri, and a beautiful gelato but restos is a big problem here. That plus the ever growing and encroaching begging has worn me down. I didn't see anybody molesting people on the street panhandling in your vids. Your channel ought to be getting thousands of hits. I'm not easy to impress and this is top notch stuff.
Would you prefer BA Argentina over any city in Brazil, Peru, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia?
I can't speak for Uruguay or Paraguay, as I haven't lived in either (yet 😁). But I have lived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Medellin, Colombia, and Lima, Peru, as well as visited several other cities in those countries.
Argentina is my favorite overall. Lima has better food, and Rio has world-class beaches, but for safety, activities, cost of living, and overall quality of life, Buenos Aires ticks all the boxes. We will be putting out loads of Buenos Aires content over the next several months. Make sure to subscribe, and you can see what I'm talking about.
You can read about expat life in Colombia and Rio in my guides below:
Guide to Living in Colombia- nomadicfire.com/guide-to-living-in-colombia
Cost of Living in Rio de Janeiro- nomadicfire.com/cost-of-living-in-rio-de-janeiro
Noticed any differences in pricing since milei devalued the peso?
Thanks for dropping by. It's still too early to feel the complete impacts. Annualized inflation was close to 150% prior to the announcement, so prices increasing is just part of day to day life here. The key difference was the blue dollar rate provided a buffer for expats with income from outside Argentina. However, since the devaluation, the blue dollar hasn't moved much, so now expats feel prices changes more.
Also, not all businesses change prices at the same time. Some restaurants have pushed their prices up by 20%, but others only made minor increases. My guess is any business with imported raw materials pushed things up faster.
We'll know more as the market digests the changes over the next couple months.
@@nomadicfire Thanks for you're insights. Dont think spread between blue & old vs new official rate matters as much as the actual local peso price increases? (just means you've able to official things like withdraw cash from ATM at the new official rate which is closer to the blue but as long as local prices dont double still ok?)
Cut in subsidies probably bumped prices up on top of inflation overnight but speculation on my part. Not in country but held off moving there until after the elections, kinda in the air about it now
I wouldn't let the current situation dissuade you from visiting. CABA has alot to offer besides a low cost of living (which is still low compared to US, UK, etc.).
Buenos Aires has taken my fav city in Latin America spot by a mile.
@@nomadicfire Actually want to try living there so though costs are a factor its not everything.
@@holeefuk8505
I recommend u wait a few months to make a decision, the peso was artificially revalued (Central Bank isn't allowing imports to be paid in full, and since the new government took office it already owes 10B USD for this reason) and also allowed the entry of capital for carry trade (with 2-digit monthly returns in USD), this situation is unsustainable for too long so there'lll be a new megadevaluation of the Argentine peso, in not too long
Buenos aires 50 millions?or the whole country 50 M😂😂😂
15...Fifteen million. Sorry my accent wasn't clear :)
Very clear and practical advice
Glad you think so! Was there anything you wish I covered?