Is argentina a third world country? what is like to live there coming from, say, new york or london?

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Mary

Ohhh...Argentina. I loved it, (I just got back about three weeks ago). It is pretty much just like the US. I was in Buenos Aires, the northern suburbs (Olivos, San Isidro, Acassuso, etc.)
It is similar to the US. There are stores and malls, movie theaters... and you can also get McDonalds delivered there, along with most everything else. There are burglar bars and fences around most homes, unless the people live in apartments or security complexes.
I wouldn't say I felt unsafe while I was there...in fact, I felt very safe. The burglar bars and fences are there for security, but they are also a very European thing, which has a huge influence on Argentina, of course.
At first, I wasn't used to all of the burglar bars and fencing, but you get used to it.
I actually stayed in a security complex with my family members, in San Isidro. It was very, very safe. I would say that the most common crimes there are theft and express kidnapping. Just don't flash your money around.
The only time I felt remotely unsafe was when we were exiting a restaurant near downtown, and my family instructed me to get into the car quickly, because I am so used to chatting on the way to the car. I felt safe because of the guards, but remember, don't get lulled into a false sense of security.

They have the best ice cream (helados) and steaks by the way. The grocery stores are not as well stocked, and there is only one small section in the stores (such as Norte, Coto, or Disco) with processed foods like granola bars, cookies, and cereals. People don't buy as much when they go to the store.
Women here are also verrrry skinny.

As for living there, one should definitely visit first. It may look similar to North America or Europe, but the people are very different.
You may not be planning to visit there, but if you are, please go. I am sure you will love it.
By the way, I forgot to add that there are many very poor people here. On the Panamericana Highway, I spotted a few shantytowns, and it was very, very sad. Being in the northern suburbs and in Recoleta can make you forget about the less fortunate people. But yes, many people in Argentina live on very little.

Lobo Mike

The best description IÂ´ve heard, compared to my experience, is that it is a third world country with a first world skin.

The upper layer is quite nice and sophisticated even. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of the population, even within the city, get to partake in that.

Despite this more clever view, the truth is that there are parts of Argentina which people die of starvation and live on less than a dollar a day. But thereÂ´s also a huge part of the country which is broadband internet ready with your 88 channels of cable and pizza delivery.

That being said, you can find crime and kindness, and the distance of one block can make the difference.

ItÂ´s worth seeing the European inspired architecture combined with the social graces of people who have recently lived through financial torment.

BAGOFSWAGS

It is a developing country. There is no such thing a 3rd World anymore. It was a Cold War term that referred to countires not aligned with the US or USSR. There are not "armed guards" everywhere. Whoever said that has never been there.

There are plenty of wealthy and middle class neighborhoods throughout the country. It is much more developed than its neighbors to the North. Crime Rates were high after the crisis of 2001-2003 but have subsided since. They are still high compared to the US or Europe but much lower than Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador or Peru.

magnetik

Well I'll try not to forget anything you've asked about...

Let me see first of all you can't defined exacly what an 'Express Kidnapped' is, because you can guess it yourself by the name, but is more or less like a common kidnapped with the exeption that the person who is kidnapped is choosen by luck [unluck in this case :rolleyes:] What I mean is that often tourist and argentinian people too forget to take simple measures to rest safe, for example I've seen a lot of american and european who go wearing extravagant robes & jewels to 'caminito' in 'La Boca' which is if not the most, one of the more popular touristic place in BA but it's also one of the poorest so there is many thiefs cases, and that's when tourist become feeling unsafe & become a potential 'victim' to a express kidnapped.

But how I've said before if you take simple measure, like dress casual and there is nothing to worry about and It's an amazing place, you wouldn't regret coming.

And by the way this kind of crimes are only in the big cities, and it doesn't happend only here it's a typical crime of all southamerica countries.

The UBA (the biggest university of Argentina) is located in BA and the UNLP (another one) which is really good too is in La Plata, a smaller city near BA, capital of BA province, so if you don't want to stay in BA you could try there.

But you were asking also about the provinces, like Mendoza, I really love that place! People there is really diferent from people in BA, there are less crimes so you don't have to worry a lot. Places are smaller so people there know each other, they know who lives right besides in front and a block from their house, so it's really safer. [Obviously I'm not talking about the capital 'Mendoza City']

Valle grande is in San Rafael, a beautiful town with nice people. It's a cool place, especially if you wanna do some kind of sports like trekking, riding, ciclying, and the most popular rafting in the 'CaÃ±on del Atuel' which is also a wonderful see.
Las LeÃ±as is a near ski area, one of the biggest here apart from Bariloche, you would love it.
But if you wanna go to the University in that province then you'll have to go to Mendoza City, there's no better place to study.

Here are some oficial sites where you'll find other links.

Gobierno Provincia de Mendoza --> http://www.mendoza.gov.ar/
[Non Oficial page] Provincia Mendoza --> http://www.mendoza.com.ar/
Municipalidad de Mendoza --> http://www.ciudaddemendoza.gov.ar/
Municipalidad de San Rafael, Valle Grande [Mendoza] --> http://www.sanrafael.gov.ar
UBA [University of BA] --> http://www.uba.ar/homepage.php
UNLP [University of La Plata] --> http://www.unlp.edu.ar/

Pd: I hope you find this helpful and sorry for my English! If you wanna know anything more contact me

jusest

If you decide to go to Buenos Aires you will find yourself in a city that is quite similar to any big city in Europe, I would say that it's safe as long as you get informed where to go (to give an example, you can be in central London and you wouldn't have any problem but you may get robbed in other dangerous places in south or east London), if you just talk to the local people, they will let you know which places are dangerous.

If you go to any province, you'll find that people are very kind and ready to help you if you ask for it and I think any place in Argentina will be safer than Buenos Aires. But like I told you, just get information about the place where you want to go.

Well, if you are thinking about studying, Buenos Aires is definitely the best place in Argentina, there are many universities and you can easily compare them with many European Universities. The only thing is that you might not get you degree recognised in Europe or US.
You can also consider Cordoba to study, it is the second larger city in Argentina after Buenos Aires. There is a neighbourhood called "Nueva Cordoba" and has an unique student environment that I haven't seen in other Argentinian city, you will definitely get on with people in that place.

homeless

Buenos Aires is safer and cleaner than New York. The infrastructure is very good and is a very livable place. What ever you are looking for Argentina has

QRT

Buenos Aires is as safe as any mayor city, such as London or New York. With the good things and the bad things from a big city.

It depends on the city you are going to live. If you choose Buenos Aires, it's not that different as it's a big, cosmopolitan city. The other provinces are different.

Gustavo CL

Yes it is a third world country but all Latin America is very unequal, it's not because you are in a thirld world country that you'll live as "third worldie". The median class has a quality of life just like in European or North America countries. So if you're worried if you'll have nothing to eat (LOL) don't worry. You will live in a clean house, work or study in a clean place, eat in a clean restaurant, etc. The public transporst system is quite good in Argentina too, at least in Buenos Aires.

The country is relativily safe, more than the US, I think.

Plus, it's very beautiful, the country and the people.

--------

it is a beautiful country with alot of problems. There are no jobs and alot of crime now. I think going from the USA to there would be the biggest affect. Especially New York.

igorolman

I'd call it more Second Division than Third World. It's an economic power but too prone to rampant corruption and hyperinflation, not to mention governmental instability, to mix it with the big boys. Having said that it hasn't stopped Italy!
Third World to me means pissant little African countries with no resources, massive debt, civil war and famine.

Hibee

No. It's a developed country, but can be scary. High crime levels and armed guards everywhere.

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