[GrandmaStabone]

Metetron,

Thank you for doing this thread (you probably saved yourself at least 8 PMs from me [img]/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]). My gf and I have decided to live abroad for a year or 2, and BA sounds really good. It is really important to me to make sure we can swing it (financially) before we go. So...

Financial questions on living abroad:

1.) A common theme in these threads on Thailand, BA, etc. is that the 'cost of living' is lower. Does this mean that, even if you worked in the city and were being paid in the peso (thats the currency, correct?), that your living expenses (rent, food, utilities, etc) are a smaller % of your income than they would be in the US?

Our plan is for me to play poker, and she is going to work wherever she feels like in the area (im assuming being paid in local currency).

2.) Are there any complications for someone staying on the visa you outlined above to find work locally?

3.) As I mentioned, I will be playing poker. You said that you have a swiss account, and that minimum balances to open an account are 5k +. We will probably have about 5k exactly at the time of the move. If I deposit 5k into a swiss account can I then withdraw 1k? Or is 5k the minimum balance? Can I open another account internationally for less?

4.) How exactly does currency exchange work? If I play in US$, can I make withdrawls in BA from an international account in US$? Do you have to convert this to the peso or can you spend US$ in BA? Any info on this topic is appreciated.

5.) You said you rent a 1br funrished in Recoleta for 1k/month. Could i find a decent one for less (~500-800) in the same area? If I grind out ~ 1.5k a month (I am trying to budget for a 'worst case scnario') and my gf works in thec city part-time. will we be comfortable financially?

As you can see, I know virtually nothing on this topic. Any other info you think may be relevent would be appreciated.

thanks again,
GS