I’ve always been fascinated by these two places - both modern-ish countries, large european cultural influence, good growth potential, a language that isn’t completely foreign to a monolingual such as myself, and decent weather.
So, if you had to pick one, which would it be, and why?
Consider such things as: general national stability, weather, natural disaster potential, future prospects, current affordability, etc.
Chile has a much more competent government lately. Argentina is still just a typical third-world kleptocracy.
I’d choose Chile because according to everything I’ve read it’s supposed to be the most corrupt-free and well-off countries in Latin America.
Argentina.
No question.
Buenos Aires is a million times better than Santiago. The calculations might change if you are set on living in the Andes.
Argentina has its corruption problems but calling it a kleptocracy is just silly.
Earthquakes have pounded the crap out of poor Chile lately, haven’t they? Is quality of life there suffering because of them?
Argentina has much better food (according to Argentinians and Peruvians who might be a little biased).
Chile. You got your fjords, desert, mountains, rainforests, skiing and lakes. Plus Easter Island. It’s like New Zealand with added desert and giant statues.
Also, I have no idea what Argentinian wines are like, but the Chilean ones I’ve had were excellent. I know Argentina produces more wine, but I don’t know what they’re like.
You really choose your future home by anticipating natural disasters?
I’d say BA, though it depends on your line of work.
It’s just much more interesting.
I don’t know if you were asking seriously, or if you were just quipping at the interpretation of “natural disaster potential” as being a positive factor?
if the former, yes. why wouldn’t you?
I’ve never been to either, but there’s a decent-sized Jewish community with good kosher restaurants in BA, and nuthin’ on that front in Chile, so it’d have to be Argentina for me.
As someone who really loves to travel, and likes to go to places where my dollar stretches a long way, I have always wanted to hit both Chile and Argentina.
Does anyone know how prices (decent hotel room, a beer in a bar, a nice meal, etc.) compare as far as Santiago vs Buenos Aries goes?
I speak a tiny bit of Spanish, but understand both cities have a sizable amount of English-speakers, at least in the hospitality industries…
Santiago may not be as exciting as B.A., but I’d still choose Chile as a place to live any day. Argentina has poor economic policies in the recent (and not-so-recent) past, including debt defaults, high inflation, troubling banking regulations, and export taxes. Since Pinochet left power in 1990, Chile has been practically a model of reasonable government on both economic and non-economic matters. Chile recently joined the OECD, the exclusive 34-member group of democratic market-oriented nations. Granted, they’re currently among the poorer members, but I have high expectations for them.
Not too long ago, I read an article about Chile somewhere (internets? paper? I don’t remember) but I was impressed by them, and by the fact that they seemed to get their act together and respond well during the last earthquake.
Chile gets my vote.