MichelleAlison

Porteño,

I was born in the East End, grew up in North London and when I got married, we moved to Barkingside and then Newbury Park (East London/Essex).

We swapped Newbury Park for Mar del Plata

MILNGAVIE

I haven't been browsing this forum for quite a while I see.

I'm a Scot in my 50's married to a Argentine. We moved from Glasgow to our place here (100 miles from Buenos Aires) permanently three years ago this October....how time flies. We already had our own house after visiting here every year on holiday for many years so it wasn't much of a problem for me.....and my wife was glad to be home near her mother who was getting on a bit.
Going back to the UK next month on holiday to stock up on T bags and HP sauce.

MichelleAlison

Nice to hear from you again...we will have been here four years this October and time certainly flies

We still have teabags sent over by post. I think we have three lots on their way at the moment jajaja - nothing like a good cup of English tea...can you imagine dunking biscuits in mate!!! yuk......

100 miles frm Bs As - where is that exactly?

Saludos y besos
Michelle

MILNGAVIE

Hi Michelle...we're near Bragado.

Do you not have any problem with customs having tea bags sent to you....are you allowed to receive items like tea through the post? My sister was going to send me some spices so I could make curry but I told her they might be confiscated. Certainly great to know that this would be possible. Is the postage quite high for the amount sent?

MichelleAlison

We have received all the teabags sent without any problems. When the postman delivers them, you can see that the bag has been opened and contents checked. They also put the whole parcel in a new plastic bag for protection.

It is expensive to send teabags, but I get my friends to send small amounts, so as to keep the costs down.

Get your sister to send the spices and see if they arrive.

It does take about three weeks in the post!!!!!

Saludos
Michelle

geoffreybrooks

Michelle

I didn't realize that we came from the same borough. I went to ICHS 1955-1960 and lived in Barking near the Thames. Am returning to UK for a visit early in the New Year, taking my daughter to visit two aunts (Barking) and her brother (Cardiff) for the first time. Am going to bring back as much Marmite as I can carry.

MichelleAlison

You were a bright boy Geoffrey going to ICHS Now it is almost impossible for boys to get into this school. Hundreds of boys sit the 11 plus hoping to get one of the 120 sought after places!

If you haven't been to Barking for a long time, you won't recognise the place. In fact, you won't even think you are in England

Let us know how your trip goes!

Saludos
Michelle

PS Should just mention that the last two lots of teabags still haven't appeared nearly a month on. It could because because both parcels had other things in them!!! One had Jaffa cakes

steffir

Hiya everyone

We are moving to BA from Brighton in the New Year. We're heading out in two weeks to look at schools and areas to live then my husband is coming out in November until Christmas, then we'll all move together in January.

Any top tips about making the move go smoothly would be much appreciated, and any need to know info about Argentina and the culture so we don't make any gaffe's would be helpful too!

MichelleAlison

Hi Steffir and welcome to the forum.

Although I know Buenos Aires, I don't actually live there, so I can't really comment too much, although most of the expats live in and around Palermo, Recoleta and all the areas north such as San Isidro and Belgrano etc. I think Belgrano has a lot of good schools.

Hopefully somebody who lives in Bs As can help you more!

What brings you to Argentina?

Regards
Michelle

steffir

Hi Michelle

Thanks for responding, we are moving with my husbands job, should be for around two years. We are all very excited about the move but a wee bit scared too!

How long have you been in Argentina for?

geoffreybrooks

Dear Steffir

I have lived in Buenos Aires for seven years consecutively, overall for about thirteen years.

As regards obtaining residence and other rights you will want to seek out, please see my thread "Obtaining Residence and DNI in Argentina". I have "first priority" being the father of an Argentine child and you can see from my long and incomplete adventure the problems which may confront you. I can find out immigration data for you if you require it.

You should state the ages of your children. Secondary education in Argentina begins at age twelve. It is very common in Argentina for those who can afford it to enroll in private schools. My daughter attended nursery school in the city centre from age three. We paid for private education at the same school until she was twelve. I think this is nowadays about 700 pesos per month (calculate 6 pesos to the pound sterling). If you live in the provinces it will be a lot cheaper, there are very expensive schools in the San Isidro district. We live in Boedo which is the other side of the city.

My daughter is now 15 and at a State school having qualified for entry at age twelve by means of an English language examination open to all children of that age.

When I first came to Argentina in 1993, even though I had lived in Spain for a year I found it literally impossible to follow the language. As I have family here, gradually it improved. Watching cable TV with Spanish sub-titles is a help. Nowadays I can even follow a football commentary on the radio which is the peak of achievement for British people.

Transport about the capital is by taxi, Subte (underground railway), the surface railway system or colectivo (local single-decker bus).

Ten blocks by taxi will cost you about 8 pesos. A tip is not usual.

There are six Subte lines. They are all interconnected. The entire system is underground. For 1.10 pesos (27 pence) you can go anywhere. There is a Monedero card which you can charge up at most Subte stations. Although there is some new stock, do not be surprised to see trains which appear to be the survivors of an earlier epoch - most of the rolling stock on Linea A is the wooden original and has been operating since 1913. The Subte is safe, but only operates between 0500 and 2200.

The surface railway system runs outwards from Retiro (three lines), Constitution, Once and Federico Lacroze. It is unbelievable what people will put up with for a cheap fare, and surface rail travel is the cheapest way to get around. Generally it is safe. The only line which the Board of Trade would allow in Britain is the Delta run from Maipu to Tigre, which has a conductor, heating in winter and automatically closing doors.

The inter-provincial and international buses ("micros") leave from Retiro.

The colectivo costs on the average 1.25 pesos for most journeys of intermediate length, which can be surprisingly long. At present, and for the last few years, there has been a grave shortage of coins in Argentina. Almost all colectivo journeys are paid for through a coin machine aboard the vehicle and this is one of the major causes of the shortage. A number of banks will now change from 10 to up to 50 pesos in coins, take your passport, only one visit to a particular bank per day. Colectivos do not necessarily run to a timetable. Occasionally you may consider the speed of a colectivo to be reckless. There are several routes which are notorious for getting from terminus to terminus at the fastest possible speed, and devil take the hindmost.

There are policemen stationed at many street corners. The main danger on the streets is the motorcycle with passenger (motor-chorro) for bag snatching. Never take out your wallet where it can be seen. Guard valuables such as cameras. Do not wear ostentatious jewellery. These are just precautions, the crime rate is not so serious as in Northern capitals.

Anything further just ask.

MichelleAlison

I have been here four years next month! My three children are very happy. The youngest has just turned 16 and is in high school. They have to stay at school until they are 18, otherwise they don't get their high school certificate. It's this certificate that allows them to continue onto higher education. You are also moving at a good time, because schools don't re-start until March, so the children will have the summer to acclimatise to their new surroundings and you will also have time to have a look at schools in February. How old are your children?

I am sure that your husband's company will help with many expenses, so it shouldn't be too much of an issue regarding inflation. Earning in a foreign currency is also a huge advantage!

Please keep posting questions and we will try our best to answer them.

Regards
Michelle

el rubio

Hi Steffir.

I have had one foot in BA since 1982, living mainly in the UK but spending quite a bit of time there with my family too.

I know a good few people (families and individuals) who have gone as expats and all of them have had a wonderful experience. It has to be said that this status insulates you somewhat from the difficulties you could face as a local, such as schooling, being at the mercy of the volatile national economy and so on.

Life in BA has a southern european feel to it and you should not find the social norms at all alien. Most people will welcome you into their circle and you will be on the same wavelength as the educated middle class. (Please excuse the snobbery but that's the way it is.)

As for the language, I find that the 'rioplatense' (pertaining to the River Plate) enunciation is very clear in comparison to Iberian Spanish and I could get by within a couple of months starting from zero. Like anywhere else, they have their own slang and dialect, but the big difference from most varieties is the use of 'vos' (you singular) instead of 'tÚ' and corresponding differences in verb conjugations.

I'd recommend the area to the north of the capital, namely Vicente Lopez, San Isidro, Tigre as pleasant places to live and within easy reach (traffic permitting) of downtown. As Michelle said, there are also nice places in the capital but if you want peace, quiet and fresh air I'd advise against it.

Lastly, we may be able to help you with accommodation from January. Please send me a PM (private message) if you're interested.

coopeteer

Irish/English guy, used to live in BA! Moved to India, thinking of moving back. I miss it!

maximp

Hi,

I'm Maxi, Argentinian who has lived in Brighton for more than four years. I am returning to Buenos Aires for a couple of months and I may need of your knowledge. Basically, I want to ask, where I can find in Buenos Aires the following products?

-Baked Beans
-Back bacon
-Gammon
-HP sauce
-Marmite
-Jaffa Cakes
-Cumberland sausages or similar.

Maybe, you know some shop specialised in British products in BA. I will really appreciate your help on this matter. Thanks in advance.

Max