How I moved to Argentina and married Geronimo?

Moving

Initially, we intended to return to Russia, and we had already purchased tickets for our return flight. I have always had a special fondness for Latin American countries and have enjoyed traveling throughout this region. I already have experience visiting countries like Mexico, Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, and Cuba. I am determined to explore every corner of this continent; it has been my long-standing plan.

I speak Spanish. Before going to Argentina, I was told that the local Spanish is different from what I was used to. So I decided to use the internet to find people for audio file exchanges to better grasp the local pronunciation. One of those conversation partners was Jeronimo, who later became my husband.

Jeronimo was invaluable in helping me improve my pronunciation. When I arrived in Argentina, he took time off from work to spend time with me and show me around Buenos Aires. A tender feeling developed between us. Jeronimo came to Russia several times, and eventually we decided to start a life together: first it was in Russia, and then we had a plan to move to Argentina. But the lockdown completely changed our plans. Jeronimo left first, and I didn't get away in time.

At the end of 2021, we finally managed to reunite and get married. That's how I ended up in Argentina. After our wedding, we intended to return to Russia again and even bought tickets. However, due to the current circumstances, we had to reconsider our plans and postpone the trip.

Education and profession

I am a chemistry and mathematics teacher by education and profession. Initially, I hoped to spend the school years between Russia and Argentina. But now it seems impossible due to the rising prices of airline tickets. If this situation continues, it is unlikely that we will be able to leave Argentina.

Wedding

All that is required to solemnize a marriage ispassportTo register a marriage, you need to visit the official website and fill out the necessary information. There are many requirements, including:

• passport number
• personal data: place of birth, names of parents and their occupations
• preliminary information about twowitnessesthat should be present at the registration

After entering the data, a date is set for the registration ceremony. All that is needed is a passport, which then has to be translated and notarized. On the appointed day we came to register the marriage. The registry clerk asked if we were really ready to take responsibility and tie our fates. He checked all the documentation, both ours and those of our witnesses, and finally issued a red book with all the data of the newlyweds, witnesses and information about the marriage registration.

According to tradition, newlyweds are showered with rice, so announcements are posted at the registry office stating that this ritual is only allowed to be conducted outside, not inside the building. Traditional families often hold lavish celebrations with a large number of guests and banquets in restaurants. However, many young people prefer modest ceremonies, limiting themselves to just the official registration. When we got married, there were two other couples at the registry office besides us: one was planning to have a traditional ceremony, while the other, like us, chose a more relaxed style and came in jeans.

Unexpected circumstances with the marriage

It's hard for me to say that we didn't plan to celebrate our important event with guests, but until a certain point, I had doubts about the possibility of entering into an official marriage. Six years ago, I was engaged to a young man from Portugal, and at that time, I learned that a translation of a certificate of single status is required to get married. I didn't have it at that moment, and as it turned out later, in Argentina, this certificate is not mandatory.

Also, just two weeks before our planned date, I lost my passport, which caused me real panic. Heronimo and I decided that if we could get married, we would later organize a celebration or revisit the issue in Russia, since we were planning to leave in two months.

A little celebration after the check-in

Therefore, considering all these circumstances, we were unable to organize a large-scale event. After the registration, we spent time at a restaurant with Geronimo's parents. It should be noted that it has become significantly more difficult to enter Argentina now, especially for expectant mothers; it used to be much easier.

Rules for citizens of Russia

• Russians can travel to Argentina without a visa.
• Permanent residence is possible for a period of up to three months.
• When crossing the border, foreigners are required to indicate their place of residence and provide a return ticket.

Although in practice these requirements are sometimes ignored. After three months, one can contact the immigration authorities to extend their stay in the country.

Immigration nuances

Many tourists don't even see the need for this, as Argentina does not deport illegal migrants. In such cases, foreigners can stay in the country for a long time, but they may encounter problems when trying to leave, as they could be denied re-entry upon returning.

Obtaining an Argentine passport

As for immigration to Argentina, after two years of legal residence, it is possible to apply for an Argentine passport. It is important that at the time of application you have a document proving your legal stay in the country. You can be legalized on fourteen grounds, among which the most common are the following:

• Visas for retirees.
• Visas for students.
• Visas for investors.
• Visas for family reunification.

My situation with the documents

As for me, I wasn't adequately prepared for the process of obtaining a residence permit, as I was planning to get married and leave for Russia right away. For example, I didn't have a certificate of no criminal record. However, I sincerely asked the immigration service staff to accommodate me, as I couldn't realistically return to Russia for the documents.

As a result, I was given a temporary document known as a "precarious," with the condition that I would later provide the required certificate once all circumstances are resolved.

Migration processes in Argentina

Migration processes in Argentina can be complex Herausforderungen, especially when it comes to obtaining a temporary residence permit. Once you apply for a residence permit, local migration authorities issue the foreigner with a document called a precaria. This certificate authorizes you to stay in Argentina, travel outside Argentina, and return to Argentina while the plastic identity card is being processed.

The human factor in government institutions

From my own experience, I can say that there is often a noticeable human factor in government institutions in Argentina, but this largely depends on the specific employee. Sometimes staff may be tired and overwhelmed with work, which prevents them from giving proper attention to your requests. One of my significant advantages is my knowledge of the Spanish language. Without this skill, even the friendliest official won't be able to help you, as conversational English is not widespread and is mainly used in tourist areas.

Differences in salary

Despite the many nuances that may arise, it is important to mention the differences in earnings. Salaries in Argentina are significantly lower than in Russia. I hold a PhD in chemistry and biology and work remotely for Russian clients. If I decided to look for a job in my field here, my salary could be only 15,000 to 25,000 rubles a month, which is considerably lower than the income from my online lessons in Moscow.

Currency systems in Argentina

In Argentina, there are two currency systems: the official one and the unofficial one, known as "blue." The official exchange rate is set by state banks, but only Argentine citizens have access to this system, and even then, only under a number of strict conditions. For foreigners, this process is nearly impossible. On average, the "blue" rate is significantly higher—often twice as much—as the official rates. To exchange money, locals most often turn to private exchange houses, especially for exchanging dollars.

Difficulties of currency transfers

It is also worth noting that currency transfers can pose some difficulties. To transfer rubles to Argentina, I use the cryptocurrency platform "Binance." First of all, I:

• I'm transferring money to my account, paying the fee.
• I'm sending funds to the exchange office account in Argentina, which again requires expenses.
• Subjected to yet another fee when withdrawing cash from this exchange account.

As a result, for one Russian ruble, I get about five pesos, but taking all the fees into account, the actual amount is around four pesos – which is almost twice as beneficial as using an official bank.

Difficulties with receiving transfers in dollars

Moreover, there are a number of difficulties in receiving dollar transfers to a card. Although it seems to be allowed, in practice, managing such funds is almost impossible without documents proving the legality of these earnings. Even if the money was transferred from relatives, the process turns out to be quite complicated. In one case, my husband from Russia tried to send his mother 200 dollars, and she spent an entire year at the bank, signing various applications and providing documents, but she still couldn't receive the transferred funds. Furthermore, the money never returned to her account in Russia.

Conclusion

Thus, the realities of migration and financial conditions in Argentina can pose a real challenge for foreign citizens. However, as practice shows, with the right approach and certain knowledge, many obstacles can be overcome, and life in this country can become more comfortable.

The salary he receives is approximately $4,000 per month. However, there are significant bureaucratic difficulties in obtaining his earnings. He has to fill out a lot of paperwork, which leaves him with less than 50% of the total amount.

Ways to transfer money in Latin America

In Latin America, there are several common methods for transferring money from abroad. For example, this can involve exchanging funds through local exchange offices or transferring to foreign bank accounts. A popular practice among Argentinians has become opening bank accounts in neighboring Uruguay, which can be reached in just an hour and a half by car.

In Uruguay, they can withdraw cash in dollars without much trouble and later return to Argentina to exchange money at private exchange offices. Although this approach may be considered illegal, in practice, it is often overlooked, and there are quite a few such cases.

The economic situation in Argentina

Economically, the situation in Argentina has changed dramatically.

This is my first winter in Argentina, and I'm feeling quite a strong cold.

Security in Argentina

As for safety, I feel just as comfortable here as I do in Moscow. Argentina seems to me to be a country with a relatively low crime rate. I have visited almost all regions of this country, and except for one unpleasant area in Buenos Aires, I felt cozy and calm everywhere else.

For example, I often hold my iPhone in my hands and have never once encountered suspicious looks. My friend from Moscow, who came to visit me, also noticed this. However, my husband has a different opinion.

Husband's personal experience

A few years ago, his mother was attacked by an acquaintance with a knife, and this incident affected their perception of safety. Also, in the 90s, his family had an unpleasant situation when their car was stolen at gunpoint. Considering that such incidents were quite common at that time, they still remember it, which is why our car is equipped with armored glass.

Comparison with Europe

Undoubtedly, Argentina is not comparable to Europe. If you are at a street café, you shouldn't leave a pile of cash on the table — it's more a matter of common sense than the level of safety. However, even in Europe, the sense of security doesn't seem to be as high as it used to be.

Personally, I like learning in cafes. I have left my things at the table more than once, going away for a while, and I have never encountered any missing items.

Rental prices

When it comes to renting housing, local prices are quite reasonable, although signing a contract can be a real challenge. There are two rental markets: one for locals and the other for foreigners.

• Renting accommodation through platforms like Airbnb is not cost-effective due to the high prices that locals simply cannot afford.
• For example, my friends pay $1500 a month, while I can rent a two-bedroom apartment for just $140.

This became possible because I signed a three-year contract, which is difficult to obtain. To do this, you either need official employment in Argentina or a guarantee letter from an insurance company, costing 200-300 dollars.

Legislation and rental agreements

By law, landlords cannot evict tenants for non-payment, so they seek clear guarantees of ability to pay. The rent is fixed for one year and then adjusted for inflation.

• When I started the rental, the price was $250, and now it's $140.
• She will likely return to 250 again in the future.

Although the amounts may remain stable in pesos, they are quite volatile in currency equivalent.

Long-term contract for foreigners

Theoretically, a long-term contract is available for foreign citizens as well, but if you don't know the language, it will be challenging. It's best to have someone who can assist with translations and negotiations.

Problems with realtors

As for realtors, that's a separate topic. In Argentina, almost all properties are rented out through agencies, and the process can be extremely slow. You get the impression that these agents are doing you a favor when they respond to your inquiries.

Overall, life in Argentina is full of various nuances, and it's important to learn how to navigate these peculiarities to ensure that everything is going well for you. My time in this country is becoming increasingly fascinating, despite some challenges.

Searching for an apartment in Argentina

A recent search for an apartment in Argentina was a real challenge for us. It all started when we started researching information on the internet and then contacted a real estate agent to clarify our options by scheduling an arrival date. We waited patiently for a few weeks, but two days before our scheduled arrival date, the realtor informed us that she was going on vacation. As a result, we were left without a place to live.

Unexpected difficulties

It turns out that such cases happen quite often. Very often, when we inquire about a specific apartment, we find out that the option is no longer available. At other times, when we request current listings, realtors either don’t respond or promise to send information via email, but it never happens. And even if we do manage to get some options, it often turns out that the apartments have already been rented out by the time we try to follow up on our interest.

Adventures in the search for housing

Finding accommodation in Argentina was a real adventure. If in Moscow you can find an apartment quickly, here we had to look for several months. In the end, we were lucky: my mother-in-law noticed a man who was putting up advertisements for apartments for rent. She talked to him on the spot, looked at the apartment and was able to agree to rent it, promising to pay a deposit the same day.

Difficulties in interacting with realtors

The entire process of interacting with realtors and searching for housing was often accompanied by various difficulties that distracted us from our main goal. For example, there are many companies that don't start working until ten in the morning, and they don't operate at all on weekends. Delivering goods can also become a real challenge:

• Sometimes packages can take up to two weeks to arrive.
• It's almost impossible to find out when the courier will arrive.
• As a result, you have to wait all day for it so you don't miss it.

The kindness of the local residents

Despite the everyday challenges, Argentina and its people are a true treasure trove of human warmth. Interacting with the locals brings joy: Argentinians are very friendly, and their openness is inspiring.

Recoleta Cemetery

One of the famous attractions in Buenos Aires is the old Recoleta Cemetery, which has become a cultural symbol of the city. One day, I decided to spend some time there with a friend. When we arrived, we found out that there was an entrance fee. We didn't have the necessary amount with us, as I didn't have a bank card, and our cash was quite limited. In the city, it's not always possible to pay by card – sometimes there's no signal, and other times the transactions simply don't go through. Moreover, sometimes it turns out that the prices for card payments are higher than for cash.

An unusual case at the cemetery

Sometimes I use my husband's card cautiously, but in most cases, we make all payments in cash. In the end, we approached the cemetery worker and explained our situation, offering various options, including paying cash through him. To our surprise, he refused, but nevertheless, he let us through for free!

Experience in Bariloche

Another interesting incident happened to me in Bariloche, a small town at the foot of the Andes. I decided to take a walk in the surrounding mountains alone and returned along the road after dark. This experience turned out to be quite memorable. Argentina is full of surprises, both positive and negative, but in the end, the locals leave a pleasant impression, and that is what makes you appreciate every moment spent in this amazing country.

Conclusion

Life throws many unexpected changes our way, and my move to Argentina has become a real turning point for me. At first, Jeronimo and I planned to return to Russia and even bought tickets, but the current situation in the world changed our plans. Now, looking back, I realize that it was not just an obstacle, but an opportunity.

Reflecting on these moments, I realized how important it is to adapt to new circumstances. After getting married and considering all the challenges we had to overcome, I learned to appreciate every moment. My introduction to Argentina, its culture, and of course, its people became the key to new opportunities. The country opened up its unique atmosphere to me, and I continued to explore not only the language but also the customs, traditions, and the nuances of life here.

Legalization and adaptation

It is also important to note that legalization in Argentina was another step in my journey. I faced bureaucracy, but thanks to theHumanityI quickly found common ground with government officials. This opened doors for me not only to live in this country but also to participate in its life.

New horizons in relationships

My relationship with Geronimo has strengthened, and now we are building a future together here in Argentina. Inspired by this new experience, I have realized that, above all, supporting each other is what matters. Our story is not just about moving, but also about love, understanding, and the willingness to face new challenges together.

Main findings

• Moving– it's not just about a new place, but also about new opportunities.
• It's important to adaptand learn new things.
• Love and supporthelp to overcome all difficulties.
• Legalizationopens doors to new opportunities.

In conclusion, I would like to say that every move is not only about a new place, but also about personal growth and how much we can love and adapt despite living in uncertainty. So maybe in the future we won't return to Russia, but it doesn't matter: I am happy here and we are excited to build our home in this beautiful country.