either/or

A number of people have asked me why we moved from Seattle, and further, why Argentina. My short answer is ‘adventure’, which incidentally when you tell an Argentine that we moved here because we wanted to and not for work, you generally get a sense of a ’spark’ of interest and something else - they feel honored that you would desire to live in their country. Which is not to say that it is any honor at all for us to be here, i’m just glad they’re letting us stay!

But the longer answer is more complicated. The move is both the byproduct of a series of small choices to live differently, and one of those choices. An experiment in living independently, not beholden to expectations, be it from friends, family, career. A chance to learn about ourselves, etc. Chance for our kids to learn a different language.

But why not Europe? France or Spain? Czechoslovakia - Prague? Why South America, and if South America, why not Santiago, since Chile has the most stable and fastest growing economy? But i think if you look at it from the perspective of:

• The dollar is still (relatively) strong - rules out Western Europe, Australia/NZ
• Real Estate is a good investment - rules out Prague, Romania
• The language and culture are (reasonably) penetrable - nix Turkey, most of Asia
• The country is (relatively) safe - gone are Brazil, Mexico, Peru.
• Require an interesting, cosmopolitan city, which would bump BA ahead of Santiago

Very quickly Argentina is at the top of any short list. Just look at the cost of living for these European cities.