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TEFL in Buenos Aires, Managing ExpensesA Detailed Guide to the Cost of Living in Argentina’s Capital
Buenos Aires has long been a popular destination for English teachers. But how much money will you actually need to live on?
In 2001, Argentina’s economy went into meltdown, making one of the most expensive countries in South America into one of the cheapest virtually overnight. The promises of $5 steaks and $2 bottles of wine saw a huge influx of visitors, and it became a popular destination for teaching English as a foreign language, with many different types of work on offer. So just how cheap is it to live and work in Buenos Aires? The Cost of Food and Drink in Buenos Aires The city caters for all budgets, from cheap parrillas selling grilled meat at the side of the road to expensive Japanese sushi bars in Palermo Soho. Most teachers will be on a budget, but with a wide range of pretty much any food on offer, eating and drinking is as cheap as you want it to be. A bife de chorizo (rump steak) can set you back as little as $5, and can be as big as the plate its on. Check out La Cabrera for a slightly more expensive but enormous portion. A good bottle of red wine often costs between $2 and $4, although prices go up a lot further for the really special stuff. However, try a bottle of Malbec at any price and you can’t go wrong. Accommodation Costs in Buenos Aires Accommodation is the one real problem area for teachers in Buenos Aires. Whilst you will be earning a local wage, you will be expected to pay up to three times local costs to secure an apartment because you are a foreigner. Prices vary significantly depending on the type of place you want to live in. There are numerous estate agencies catering specifically for the tourist market, and as a rough guide a studio apartment in Palermo or Recoleta will cost you about $650 all included, although these are going up all the time. However, many chose to live in a hostel or a shared house at much lower costs. Hostels are about $12 a night, with reductions for long stays, and house shares can range from $200 to $400 a month. Check out Hostel World for all the best prices on beds. The Cost of Travel in Buenos Aires With teaching sometimes involving a huge amount of travel throughout the city, the prices are fortunately very low. A bus ride to anywhere in the city costs no more than one peso (30 cents), and a ride to anywhere on the Subte (Metro) costs no more than 90 centavos (25 cents). With prices so low, the only thing that you will have to worry about is the lack of change available, which can make traveling a real nightmare. How Much Can You Live On?If you live in a hostel, eat nothing but the cheapest of meals and don’t splash out on any treats, then you could live on $500 a month. However, it’s always a good idea to treat yourself when away from home, and with so many great things to offer, a few of which are mentioned in this article about things to do in Buenos Aires, perhaps aim for a little higher to start with.
The copyright of the article TEFL in Buenos Aires, Managing Expenses in Teaching Abroad is owned by Jon France. Permission to republish TEFL in Buenos Aires, Managing Expenses in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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