What about South America,, especially Argentina

[Patagonia]

I just noticed the link on the bottom of your posts and it explained alot and looks great. The pound is at 6.26 now, How do you see the new government and the future? Also how safe is it with temporaty home say 4 months a year from robbery or even writing up the paperwork/financials as Argentina is one of the most corrupt places on earth.

[MichelleAlison]

Originally Posted by Patagonia

I just noticed the link on the bottom of your posts and it explained alot and looks great. The pound is at 6.26 now, How do you see the new government and the future? Also how safe is it with temporaty home say 4 months a year from robbery or even writing up the paperwork/financials as Argentina is one of the most corrupt places on earth.

If you are from Canada, then you are right, the cold won't affect you. I have met two Canadian families spending their summer in Mar del Plata so that they can escape the extreme cold.

For Europeans this country is still a bargain. The Americans complain that it is getting too expensive. I will see my Canadian friend later and get his view point on the cost of living here. He told me that he had rented a four bedroom house with all the extras in an upmarket area for 4000 pesos per month during the high season here. This is approx. US$1200.

Like everywhere in the world, crime is on the up. I come from London and can tell you that we never went out after dark and we drove the children everywhere, even during the day. Both my sons were mugged there, and the youngest one, who was only 11, was mugged almost outside our house at 1.30 pm. This was the main reason we left the UK. Since arriving in Argentina, my children have found a freedom that they never knew existed. All foreign people that I talk to, tell me the same, that they feel extremely safe here. Also, most of the crime is petty theft, unlike the UK and the USA where violence is used. The Argentines are far more security conscious than the British.

You say Argentina is one of the most corrupt places in the world -corruption is everywhere - in the UK it is at the highest level of government, but here in Argentina the local police. Why? Because they earn such low salaries that they have no choice. Some people say that at least everybody knows about it here and it is not hidden under lies like in the UK government and many other governments in the world.

It also depends on the sort of person you are. We have bought and sold property here and never ever had to bribe anyone. If you are an honest person, then you generally meet honest business people - this is how I see it.

Please feel free to ask more questions.

Regards

Michelle