Which South American country is the easiest place to move to as a foreigner and work?

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jasonphos

Several people have said Argentina. I've been in Buenos Aires, Argentina for a year. Let me take a stab.

You want to emigrate easily, and work to support yourself. For the emigrate easily part, Argentina is probably better than other countries. I don't know the policies of other latin american countries, but they are very lax with foreigners overstaying their visas, and they offer an investor visa, a business visa, as well usually offering amnesties every couple of years. A lot of people come here on just a tourist visa, and stay several years. When you leave the country, you just pay a fine, and then you're good to come right back in.

Finding low-paying work is pretty easy. By low-paying, I mean relative to U.S. pay. Many locals wouldn't 't consider the jobs you could get, in either a call-center or teaching English, to be low-paying :) Bottom line: There are lot of jobs available in Buenos Aires for English speakers.

Finding a job in your field at a wage that can support you is going to be nearly impossible. You won't find it. If you do find a job in your field, you'll be lucky to make even U.S. $700 dollars/month. I can't speak to your vocation, but I've poured through job offers, and talked to locals, and its very hard to find high-paying jobs. I've decided that the main way to make it in Argentina are A. Have family/friends to help you, and be willing to live on almost nothing, or B. Have a lot of savings to see you through.

Let's look at a few average monthly salaries down here. I'll list everything in dollars:

Cashier - U.S. $200-300/month, depending upon location
High School Teacher - U.S. $500/month (If they are lucky :)
Software Developer (my field) - U.S. $1000/month (If you are good)
Furthermore, a good rule of thumb is that services cost 1/4th what they do in the U.S., processed food 1/2, fresh meat/fruit/vegetables 1/4th. Cars, Electronics cost more. Cars are about 25% more, Electronics are about 50% more.

Housing is maybe 3/4ths of U.S. prices, although it depends on the location :) Housing is a big problem in the city of Buenos Aires. Outside of Buenos Aires, I'm sure housing is much more reasonable.

I've never been to Chile, but if you can swing the emigrate part, then I think Chile would have more jobs that could support you. Everything I've heard about them sounds like they are closer than Argentina to a first world country.

Ivy likes Good Charlotte

Argentina by far

BAGOFSWAGS

Buenos Aires is almost impossible to find decent paying work. Chile is much better. Forget your line of work if you don't speak perfect spanish or have a work visa, though.

Gustavo T

Colombia

lovetotravel

I agree with Buenos Aires, Argentina. You will be able to find work and although you should learn Spanish most of the upper class people working in the capital speak English as well. It is true though that you will not make a decent wage compared to the US or say Europe. But..cost of living is less than it is in other coutries. You get 3 pesos to every US dollar so your momey will stretch a far way. If you get a corporate job or something really high up in a company you will obviously get a higher wage.
I would definitely take some Spanish immersion classes either before you get there or as soon as you get there because you will be shown more respect if you know the language.

nettosnerdicus

Buenos Aires, Argentina is probably the best/easiest place for a European to move to...or Panama if you want to go further north (central america)

lola m

Argentina.

It's very easy for foreigner (especially Europeans) to feel at home. Buenos Aires is very european, great restaurants, excellent public transportation (bus,taxi,subway,train), many cultural choices, people are very elegant, educated and friendly. Great nightlife too. And most important, very affordable.
Completely different from the rest of Latin America.

PS: If you go there, don't ask for tacos,chips, enchiladas, salsa or rice and beans. They don't eat that stuff!!!

but for sure, you'll get great pasta dishes, pizzas, beef and ice cream!

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