[TheMetetron]

GS,

I am reluctantly going along with this thread despite its presence in the lounge. I would like it noted I am totally opposed to it being here, as well as this forum in general.

Moving onward to your questions.

1) No, the cost of living in lower if you are paid in US Dollars. If you are being paid in pesos it is probably only marginally lower. You plan can still work though.

2) She will be working illegally if she gets a job like this. Doesn't mean I don't know a lot of people who do it. Most Americans I know teach English here and get paid somewhere between 18-30 pesos per hour depending on where. This usually required taking a class first to be certified which is about a month long and runs about $1,000 if I am correct. Some of my friends who speak somewhat fluent Spanish are considering getting other jobs as a waitress or something similar. Others still (like poker players) work online and make USD.

3) You should probably not attempt to open a Swiss account. If you are barely at the minimum they aren't going to appreciate it very much. I'd look into a Caribbean island nation for your banking needs.

4) For me, I make money in USD from poker. I get that money wired to my USD Swiss Bank Account. When I went to take money out I transfer a certain amount to my Swiss Franc (CHF) Swiss Bank Account and use my Maestro card to take money out of an ATM. You get the interbank exchange rate with a small ($3-4) ATM fee. I also have a Argentine Peso account if I needed to wire money here in ARS, so I could do the currency exchange all at my bank in Switzerland.

USD are not really accepted outside of renting apartments, spanish classes, or private drivers to/from the airport. Back when the peso was pegged to the dollar at 1:1, they used to be interchangeable as currency everywhere in the city. Now, you have to pay in pesos.

5) I paid 1k/mo for mine. You can certainly find places for $500 for a 1 bedroom, even in the same area. The furnishings will probably be older and the building not quite as nice or new, but it's doable for sure.

If you are making 4,500 pesos per month and she makes say even 1,000 pesos a month, after paying for an apartment you should have 3,000-4,000 pesos to live which should be plenty. Even if your rent is $800, at a worse case scenario that gives you 2,100 pesos a month to live on. Could you live on $2,100 a month in the united states after paying for rent? Sure you could.