What do you wish you knew/did before you moved abroad?
June 15, 2010 9:32 AM Subscribe
What do you wish you knew/did before you moved abroad?
I live in New York City, USA. I'm moving out of the country (to Buenos Aires) in a few months. Work-wise, I'll probably continue to work here, from there, so I don't really care about getting a job or work visas or anything like that. However, I'm sure there are a million things people learn from actually making a move like this. Also, given that my move is still a few months' off, I'm interested in getting the wheels in motion on things that might take time.
As much as I'm sure there are a lot of country-specific issues with paperwork and so on, I'm guessing there's a lot of general stuff too. I feel like I already have seven trillion things to figure out: health insurance, living place, transport, logistics of getting there, mail, bank accounts, etc. So what would you do different, if you had it to do over again? What do you wish someone told you before you moved?
I live in New York City, USA. I'm moving out of the country (to Buenos Aires) in a few months. Work-wise, I'll probably continue to work here, from there, so I don't really care about getting a job or work visas or anything like that. However, I'm sure there are a million things people learn from actually making a move like this. Also, given that my move is still a few months' off, I'm interested in getting the wheels in motion on things that might take time.
As much as I'm sure there are a lot of country-specific issues with paperwork and so on, I'm guessing there's a lot of general stuff too. I feel like I already have seven trillion things to figure out: health insurance, living place, transport, logistics of getting there, mail, bank accounts, etc. So what would you do different, if you had it to do over again? What do you wish someone told you before you moved?
You probably need some kind of work visa if you want to stay in the country for longer than 3 months at a time, and longer than 6 months a year.
posted by eas98 at 9:48 AM on June 15, 2010
posted by eas98 at 9:48 AM on June 15, 2010
I would have made my new home my home as soon as possible. I always thought my move was going to be temporary so I therefore didn't bring or buy all of the things that make you truly comfortable. It held me back from finding my groove in a new country.
You will find this out soon enough when you move abroad, and you may already know this: America is not the center of the universe. When you're outside the U.S. this becomes even more apparent. You will encounter a lot of people who say 'American? Meh!'. And you'll also here the word Yankee or American used in some sort of subtle derogatory manner.
posted by jasondigitized at 9:49 AM on June 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
You will find this out soon enough when you move abroad, and you may already know this: America is not the center of the universe. When you're outside the U.S. this becomes even more apparent. You will encounter a lot of people who say 'American? Meh!'. And you'll also here the word Yankee or American used in some sort of subtle derogatory manner.
posted by jasondigitized at 9:49 AM on June 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
What do you wish someone told you before you moved?
Taxes. Seriously. Speak to an accountant at home about what your taxes will look like going forward, and how/when you should file them.
If possible, it's worth speaking to an accountant with experience dealing with expats in the country you're going to. He or she might have a handle on what kind of local tax implications you can expect on the other end.
posted by generichuman at 9:51 AM on June 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
Taxes. Seriously. Speak to an accountant at home about what your taxes will look like going forward, and how/when you should file them.
If possible, it's worth speaking to an accountant with experience dealing with expats in the country you're going to. He or she might have a handle on what kind of local tax implications you can expect on the other end.
posted by generichuman at 9:51 AM on June 15, 2010 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: This thread seems to indicate that it's possible to remote-work without a working visa in Argentina, but you'd need to cross the border to renew your tourist visa every three months and could not do any actual business with Argentinians
This has been the consensus among everyone I've talked to, and is exactly my current plan. I'm not moving permanently, just want to live outside the US for a little bit, maybe a year +/- a few months?.
Taxes. Seriously. Speak to an accountant at home about what your taxes will look like going forward, and how/when you should file them.
So, I'm glad you brought this up, but I've talked to like...three or so accountants here, who were all kind of like, "uhhhh this isn't really my area of expertise." about this. It's complicated by my exact work situation here, so if anybody has any tips on finding an accountant who might know about this kind of stuff, I'd appreciate it.
posted by jeb at 9:55 AM on June 15, 2010
This has been the consensus among everyone I've talked to, and is exactly my current plan. I'm not moving permanently, just want to live outside the US for a little bit, maybe a year +/- a few months?.
Taxes. Seriously. Speak to an accountant at home about what your taxes will look like going forward, and how/when you should file them.
So, I'm glad you brought this up, but I've talked to like...three or so accountants here, who were all kind of like, "uhhhh this isn't really my area of expertise." about this. It's complicated by my exact work situation here, so if anybody has any tips on finding an accountant who might know about this kind of stuff, I'd appreciate it.
posted by jeb at 9:55 AM on June 15, 2010
Spent more time with a slang/idiom dictionary.
The best thing I did in retrospect was posted to a hobby forum I was on and said I was moving to the area and would any locals like to meet for a drink or coffee. I made some friends I still have to this day and had some locals who gave me great inside information.
posted by pointystick at 10:01 AM on June 15, 2010
The best thing I did in retrospect was posted to a hobby forum I was on and said I was moving to the area and would any locals like to meet for a drink or coffee. I made some friends I still have to this day and had some locals who gave me great inside information.
posted by pointystick at 10:01 AM on June 15, 2010
How much responsibility for keeping in touch with friends and family will fall to you.
I realise that sounds kinda self pitying but having heard with other ex-pat mates I am not alone in occasionally feeling that we were the ones doing all the work.
posted by Iteki at 10:08 AM on June 15, 2010
I realise that sounds kinda self pitying but having heard with other ex-pat mates I am not alone in occasionally feeling that we were the ones doing all the work.
posted by Iteki at 10:08 AM on June 15, 2010
Re: Argentina. It may be hard or even impossible for you to get a local bank account without the right kind of visa, beware. Also, since you're not working locally, I think you will have to buy a private health care plan and pay the full cost of it (regular workers usually get some kind of union-based discounts or even their own health plan agency). Some restrictions on the kind of plan are also possible due to your kind of visa, too (technically, I think, for local tax reasons if I'm not utterly wrong). If you do go for the kind of visa that would avoid such limitations, then I imagine you will need to pay local taxes, so that's the other side of things to consider.
As for moving in general, I've been pretty lucky and had much help from employers or new coworkers. It helps a lot to find out other foreigners with some years of experience over you in the "living there" business, it can avoid you silly timewasters and costs that are due to just not knowing where/when/how to do daily things.
posted by Iosephus at 10:19 AM on June 15, 2010
As for moving in general, I've been pretty lucky and had much help from employers or new coworkers. It helps a lot to find out other foreigners with some years of experience over you in the "living there" business, it can avoid you silly timewasters and costs that are due to just not knowing where/when/how to do daily things.
posted by Iosephus at 10:19 AM on June 15, 2010
That I was, while heading off to a remote rainforest setting with a strong socialising / drinking culture, the quiet introverted type that would, despite the locals being generally great, find it torture. Your cultural compatibility is important. (I was hundreds of miles from the nearest expat, mind you, and this was pre-internet.)
That and observe yourself: what little things make all the difference? What, despite your obvious willingness to embrace something new, are the non-negotiables for your health and sanity? Like great coffee, a place to reflect, good shaving soap, Amazon, Q-tips that don't lose their fluff as you're having a good gouge of your ear. Make a list and take them or hunt them down when you arrive.
posted by dowcrag at 10:23 AM on June 15, 2010
That and observe yourself: what little things make all the difference? What, despite your obvious willingness to embrace something new, are the non-negotiables for your health and sanity? Like great coffee, a place to reflect, good shaving soap, Amazon, Q-tips that don't lose their fluff as you're having a good gouge of your ear. Make a list and take them or hunt them down when you arrive.
posted by dowcrag at 10:23 AM on June 15, 2010
My move was for 3+ years, so this might not apply, but…that I would have moved with less stuff. (Although as dowcrag suggests, bringing my preferred personal sundries — which are quite small anyway — was important.)
posted by Dick Paris at 10:30 AM on June 15, 2010
posted by Dick Paris at 10:30 AM on June 15, 2010
I wish I'd known that it is okay to be homesick and that I should make as many friends as possible and get outside as much as possible.
posted by anniecat at 11:01 AM on June 15, 2010
posted by anniecat at 11:01 AM on June 15, 2010
Sorta seconding anniecat. You'll waste a lot of time in the first couple weeks or couple months missing all sorts of things that just "worked" back home but don't seem to work too well in your new home. Some things which you took for granted are now harder. For example, there will be foods, customes etc. that you will miss deeply.
It is called homesickness. And most people go through it. Even those who, later settle in and cannot imagine living anywhere else. You'll eventually realize that, although a few things are worth missing, most actually aren't. They were just like a comfy armchair you got used to but wasn't really all that special to begin with. It was just always there and you miss it.
Your new home will do many things different. That's ok. Some things will indeed be worse but, to your great and pleasant surprise, some things will be much much better.
posted by vacapinta at 11:35 AM on June 15, 2010
It is called homesickness. And most people go through it. Even those who, later settle in and cannot imagine living anywhere else. You'll eventually realize that, although a few things are worth missing, most actually aren't. They were just like a comfy armchair you got used to but wasn't really all that special to begin with. It was just always there and you miss it.
Your new home will do many things different. That's ok. Some things will indeed be worse but, to your great and pleasant surprise, some things will be much much better.
posted by vacapinta at 11:35 AM on June 15, 2010
seconding Dick Paris. i would have brought less with me. why did i waste space on bringing shampoo and pads?! you will be able to find almost everything you need there. seconding Iteki as well. for awhile when i first moved i'd do a weekly email digest to friends but found it seemed to all be one way... about 4 months in it peetered off and i didn't catch up with people again until i moved back, really.
posted by raw sugar at 12:17 PM on June 15, 2010
posted by raw sugar at 12:17 PM on June 15, 2010
The first few weeks will be deeply, deeply tiring. Not only are you contending with all the big things you listed above, but every single thing you do requires conscious thought where it used to be second nature, from crossing the road to buying lunch. Communication also suddenly stops being automatic and has to become a more laboured, conscious process, as you lose the common ground you used to share with those around you which made implied meanings easy to pick up. It's all part of the adventure, but drains the brain.
You don't always notice it happening, but all that extra thought it takes just to function can really build up and leave you shattered at first.
It's a totally normal part of culture shock, and it'll pass. But go easy on yourself to start with. (If you are super-excited to arrive, you might find the "Oh my God I am SO tired"stage only kicks in a little later when you come back down to earth a bit.)
posted by penguin pie at 12:40 PM on June 15, 2010
You don't always notice it happening, but all that extra thought it takes just to function can really build up and leave you shattered at first.
It's a totally normal part of culture shock, and it'll pass. But go easy on yourself to start with. (If you are super-excited to arrive, you might find the "Oh my God I am SO tired"stage only kicks in a little later when you come back down to earth a bit.)
posted by penguin pie at 12:40 PM on June 15, 2010
To further the point on homesickness, I found that there was a hump to get over at about the 6 month mark. Everything was exhilarating when I first moved away, but when routine finally kicked in I almost bolted because I suddenly had time to sit back and realize that I was homesick. Thankfully, I muscled through it, stuck around, and had the best few years of my life.
Also, bring very little, as others have said. Bring some essential clothing, a couple books, toiletries, and that's it.
posted by fso at 12:42 PM on June 15, 2010
Also, bring very little, as others have said. Bring some essential clothing, a couple books, toiletries, and that's it.
posted by fso at 12:42 PM on June 15, 2010
I lived in B.A. for a few years and my husband is Argentine, so feel free to memail me. If I were you: don't depend on getting a BA bank account, since you need a DNI (like a social security number), and to get one, you'd need to go through a long, bureaucratic process that's not worth it unless you're planning on buying property and setting up a business. It's fine to cross the border every three months. Try to have all of your depositing in order before you leave, since mail going to BA has a funny way of disappearing. Never, ever have anyone mail you a check. In the event that you need to have $$ deposited into your account, enlist a good friend or family member in the states who can do it for you.
Generally, things in BA are so inefficient, it's hard to explain to a New Yorker, so just expect that everything will take at least twice as long as a starting point, as to not get too frustrated. Apartment leases are for two years, and you need to have a homeowner sign with you--even people born in B.A. go through this. So you'll end up paying a bit more; there are plenty of real estate agencies throughout various neighborhoods that will rent furnished apartments for less than two years to foreigners, but almost none of them have the apartments online. (Nothing is online! Not even stores like Carrefour have prices. It's madness.)
One big thing: customer service there is different. As in, they tend to be jerks. Assholes is a better word, and they're even like that to other Argentines. Just remember: it's not you. It's not because you have an accent. Don't take it personally.
Also, and perhaps the hardest thing: friends. Learn as much Spanish as you can and make friends with locals, remembering that making friends anywhere can be hard. Resist them temptation to only hang out with other expats, since you'll miss out on way too much of what's really going on around you. It's easy, too easy, to just hang out with foreigners, since you'll understand each other perfectly and gripe about the same things. But they, like you, tend to stay in short bursts, be it a semester or a few years, and the turn-around can kill you, socially. (I had three of my best friends leave within a few weeks of each other, one expectedly. Argh!) So try hard to befriend expats who have real roots there.
posted by blazingunicorn at 12:44 PM on June 15, 2010
Generally, things in BA are so inefficient, it's hard to explain to a New Yorker, so just expect that everything will take at least twice as long as a starting point, as to not get too frustrated. Apartment leases are for two years, and you need to have a homeowner sign with you--even people born in B.A. go through this. So you'll end up paying a bit more; there are plenty of real estate agencies throughout various neighborhoods that will rent furnished apartments for less than two years to foreigners, but almost none of them have the apartments online. (Nothing is online! Not even stores like Carrefour have prices. It's madness.)
One big thing: customer service there is different. As in, they tend to be jerks. Assholes is a better word, and they're even like that to other Argentines. Just remember: it's not you. It's not because you have an accent. Don't take it personally.
Also, and perhaps the hardest thing: friends. Learn as much Spanish as you can and make friends with locals, remembering that making friends anywhere can be hard. Resist them temptation to only hang out with other expats, since you'll miss out on way too much of what's really going on around you. It's easy, too easy, to just hang out with foreigners, since you'll understand each other perfectly and gripe about the same things. But they, like you, tend to stay in short bursts, be it a semester or a few years, and the turn-around can kill you, socially. (I had three of my best friends leave within a few weeks of each other, one expectedly. Argh!) So try hard to befriend expats who have real roots there.
posted by blazingunicorn at 12:44 PM on June 15, 2010
I realise that sounds kinda self pitying but having heard with other ex-pat mates I am not alone in occasionally feeling that we were the ones doing all the work.
Well of course, Iteki! The ex-pat is the one, theoretically, having all the adventures. You owe it to the folks back home to keep 'em entertained!
posted by kanewai at 12:51 PM on June 15, 2010
Well of course, Iteki! The ex-pat is the one, theoretically, having all the adventures. You owe it to the folks back home to keep 'em entertained!
posted by kanewai at 12:51 PM on June 15, 2010
Nothing is online! Not even stores like Carrefour have prices. It's madness.
There's method in the madness, however. And things have improved and keep doing so regarding online information, but yes the OP will be surely shocked how little essential information about many things is available on our local sites. (As for the method in the madness: in part is to indulge in that old Argentine hobby, screwing the buyer... The less chance to compare prices and buying conditions, the better they can string you along. Besides this, makes for better deniability regarding tax evasion, another of our oldest national pastimes. Carrefour has all their prices online right now here, as do most big stores. It's the small ones that still enjoy hiding information. Plus a historical aside: we are recurrently plagued by high inflation, so many businesses have long memories about not publicizing prices that their customers can claim should be respected, when that inflation could easily add a few percentage points daily to everything. Used to be the case on such times, you went and asked for the price and the clerk would do some complicated fiddling involving today's paper, the USD cost, and some other secret lore, to tell you the price for the next 10 minutes or so of the item you were interested in!)
And yes, asshole salesmen, support people and above all bureaucrats. Don't even bother complaining, it usually just makes it much worse for you as these people have serious ego issues.
posted by Iosephus at 1:10 PM on June 15, 2010
There's method in the madness, however. And things have improved and keep doing so regarding online information, but yes the OP will be surely shocked how little essential information about many things is available on our local sites. (As for the method in the madness: in part is to indulge in that old Argentine hobby, screwing the buyer... The less chance to compare prices and buying conditions, the better they can string you along. Besides this, makes for better deniability regarding tax evasion, another of our oldest national pastimes. Carrefour has all their prices online right now here, as do most big stores. It's the small ones that still enjoy hiding information. Plus a historical aside: we are recurrently plagued by high inflation, so many businesses have long memories about not publicizing prices that their customers can claim should be respected, when that inflation could easily add a few percentage points daily to everything. Used to be the case on such times, you went and asked for the price and the clerk would do some complicated fiddling involving today's paper, the USD cost, and some other secret lore, to tell you the price for the next 10 minutes or so of the item you were interested in!)
And yes, asshole salesmen, support people and above all bureaucrats. Don't even bother complaining, it usually just makes it much worse for you as these people have serious ego issues.
posted by Iosephus at 1:10 PM on June 15, 2010
Get good at feigning appreciation for futbol and yerba mate.
Seriously though, you should make sure all of your domestic ducks are in a row. Which basically means money.
- The taxes suggestion above is a great point. Especially if you don't qualify for the 1040EZ. If you'll be earning in BA, you need to get comfortable with 2555 as well or hire someone who is.
- Recruit a "helping hand" in the US who is willing to do you a favor every once in a while by depositing checks or collecting and forwarding domestic mail. If you have regular payments due on something that can't be paid online (e.g., a storage facility), sign, postdate, and insert into pre-addressed, stamped envelopes checks sufficient for the duration of your stay. Have your helping hand drop one in the mail every month.
- Consider giving someone you trust a limited/special power of attorney to take care of matters that would otherwise require your presence.
- For any kind of billing/money management you'll still be dealing with (credit cards, student loans, investments, etc.), go paperless now (if you haven't already), and make sure you can take care of stuff through their websites.
-See what the import tariffs are like. In my case (Korea), I have a devil of a time finding stuff I want (decent vitamins and supplements, "obscure" products I would take for granted on Amazon.com in the US), and every once in a while I'll have to get them shipped here. Customs will slap a 25% tariff on any package valued at more than KRW 150,000--even if that total includes shipping. If ARG has good consumer selections and low tariffs, don't worry about it. If not, load up on the necessaries before you go.
-Not just a Skype account, but get a US telephone number for your Skype account as well.
posted by holterbarbour at 4:46 PM on June 15, 2010
Seriously though, you should make sure all of your domestic ducks are in a row. Which basically means money.
- The taxes suggestion above is a great point. Especially if you don't qualify for the 1040EZ. If you'll be earning in BA, you need to get comfortable with 2555 as well or hire someone who is.
- Recruit a "helping hand" in the US who is willing to do you a favor every once in a while by depositing checks or collecting and forwarding domestic mail. If you have regular payments due on something that can't be paid online (e.g., a storage facility), sign, postdate, and insert into pre-addressed, stamped envelopes checks sufficient for the duration of your stay. Have your helping hand drop one in the mail every month.
- Consider giving someone you trust a limited/special power of attorney to take care of matters that would otherwise require your presence.
- For any kind of billing/money management you'll still be dealing with (credit cards, student loans, investments, etc.), go paperless now (if you haven't already), and make sure you can take care of stuff through their websites.
-See what the import tariffs are like. In my case (Korea), I have a devil of a time finding stuff I want (decent vitamins and supplements, "obscure" products I would take for granted on Amazon.com in the US), and every once in a while I'll have to get them shipped here. Customs will slap a 25% tariff on any package valued at more than KRW 150,000--even if that total includes shipping. If ARG has good consumer selections and low tariffs, don't worry about it. If not, load up on the necessaries before you go.
-Not just a Skype account, but get a US telephone number for your Skype account as well.
posted by holterbarbour at 4:46 PM on June 15, 2010
This is a really good question but a really hard question to answer. Everyone reacts differently, and each country (or even city) is a whole different kettle of fish.
I would have brought my DVD collection and a bunch of books on tape. I was in a situation where I could go a week without talking to someone who spoke English, so after a while I really wanted to hear the language spoken.
I go to the country as light as possible. Not going to bring my furniture, small appliances or whatever. Get there and get the native equivalents. Yes, it costs to buy it all, but it will all work together, and other people will be familiar with it, so they can help you, and you won't be completely screwed if you need repairs.
Since you can apparently work anywhere I wouldn't move there cold. I would plan a 6 week trip there, stay in a business apartment or whatever short-term furnished rental you can get and do your research. Find the place in town you want to live and can afford, what local business you might become a regular at, what and where the other local services are. Then go back to New York, close out your life there and move over with a real plan in mind.
Can't say about Buenos Aires, but in some countries it's difficult or impossible to get a local bank account or a cell phone or other important services on a tourist visa.
Also I was very nearly refused entry into a country after doing the "3 months in, 3 days out" tango a few too many times. Find a discussion board for expatriates in Buenos Aires and ask them about the taxes, bank accounts, and visa hopping.
posted by Ookseer at 12:55 AM on June 16, 2010
I would have brought my DVD collection and a bunch of books on tape. I was in a situation where I could go a week without talking to someone who spoke English, so after a while I really wanted to hear the language spoken.
I go to the country as light as possible. Not going to bring my furniture, small appliances or whatever. Get there and get the native equivalents. Yes, it costs to buy it all, but it will all work together, and other people will be familiar with it, so they can help you, and you won't be completely screwed if you need repairs.
Since you can apparently work anywhere I wouldn't move there cold. I would plan a 6 week trip there, stay in a business apartment or whatever short-term furnished rental you can get and do your research. Find the place in town you want to live and can afford, what local business you might become a regular at, what and where the other local services are. Then go back to New York, close out your life there and move over with a real plan in mind.
Can't say about Buenos Aires, but in some countries it's difficult or impossible to get a local bank account or a cell phone or other important services on a tourist visa.
Also I was very nearly refused entry into a country after doing the "3 months in, 3 days out" tango a few too many times. Find a discussion board for expatriates in Buenos Aires and ask them about the taxes, bank accounts, and visa hopping.
posted by Ookseer at 12:55 AM on June 16, 2010
This thread has really great advice in it already. Seconding (or third-ing) what's been said: learn as much as the language as you can now. Idioms and slang are going to be hard to understand without being there. You'll be confused. It's okay. I had a very hard time with language and occasionally got intimidated. But I learned to make mistakes and laugh at them. You will make them, they will be funny. Smiling is a great social grease, use it often.
The homesick doldrums will come, but they will pass. 4-6 months is usually when people want to get the hell back home or begin to resent the little differences which seemed so quaint and interesting at first. Don't get hung up on it and get out of your house. Even a simple walk will distract you from homesickness.
Also, if and when you do start planning your return to the states, please try not to hate on what became your new home. I see a lot of people preparing to leave their post (job, school, what have you) and they just start raging on the place. Maybe it's an unconscious way of severing ties without too much sentimentality. But it just comes off as crass and negative.
And if you meet any ex-pats who just harp on Argentina, ignore them. There will be haters, they will distract you from loving your new home.
Safe travels and good luck.
posted by montaigneisright at 7:41 AM on June 16, 2010
The homesick doldrums will come, but they will pass. 4-6 months is usually when people want to get the hell back home or begin to resent the little differences which seemed so quaint and interesting at first. Don't get hung up on it and get out of your house. Even a simple walk will distract you from homesickness.
Also, if and when you do start planning your return to the states, please try not to hate on what became your new home. I see a lot of people preparing to leave their post (job, school, what have you) and they just start raging on the place. Maybe it's an unconscious way of severing ties without too much sentimentality. But it just comes off as crass and negative.
And if you meet any ex-pats who just harp on Argentina, ignore them. There will be haters, they will distract you from loving your new home.
Safe travels and good luck.
posted by montaigneisright at 7:41 AM on June 16, 2010
A final thing I realized will have many implications for you, sorry I missed it in all my babbling above... Most places will not accept credit or debit cards, no matter the size of the purchase. Of the rest, a good number will only accept them for sizable purchases. Besides this, beware if you use (as I imagine) foreign issued cards here, the overseas charges can be appalling. Get used to a cash society, with the obvious security risk of this (a reason while our thieves are so numerous, there's always people around with enough pocket cash to make the criminal risk worthwhile).
posted by Iosephus at 7:45 AM on June 16, 2010
posted by Iosephus at 7:45 AM on June 16, 2010
Nthing trying not to bring to much stuff with you. But also, try not to collect too much stuff while living there. Where you are ready to move back home, that stuff has to go somewhere. When I moved back home from japan, I threw away 20+ garbage bags of things that no one (not even second-hand stores) would take. I shipped a lot home, but so much of what I had accumulated in Japan was not cost effective to ship home.
Before you buy something big, just keep that in mind.
posted by reburn at 8:05 AM on June 16, 2010
Before you buy something big, just keep that in mind.
posted by reburn at 8:05 AM on June 16, 2010
On the 'learning idioms' point, I bought Breaking Out of Beginners Spanish on a MeFi recommendation, and it's excellent - really useful, absolutely packed with relevant phrases and explanations, and also an entertaining read, which is not something you can often say about language books.
posted by penguin pie at 9:41 AM on June 21, 2010
posted by penguin pie at 9:41 AM on June 21, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
You may not care, but I'd bet the Argentine government does. This thread seems to indicate that it's possible to remote-work without a working visa in Argentina, but you'd need to cross the border to renew your tourist visa every three months and could not do any actual business with Argentinians. The consensus on there is that the border control people "don't care" if you work remotely while in Argentina, but I think it would be interesting to test that.
Are you moving permanently? Do you have a partner there or some other tie? Or are you trying out mobile living for a while?
posted by Happy Dave at 9:44 AM on June 15, 2010 [1 favorite]