Looking for a combination of South American culture and European influence?
If so, consider the best places to live in Argentina, where the natural landscapes are stunning, the locals are welcoming, and the cost of living is low.
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The best cities in Argentina offer a unique experience, from vibrant city living to adventures in the Andes to laid-back life in the wine country.
The following five best cities to live in Argentina are all popular spots among expats who have settled down in the country and digital nomads passing through.
Buenos Aires
The vibrant capital city is easily one of the best cities to live in Argentina for all types of expats. Although a bustling cosmopolitan city, Buenos Aires is full of culture and history.
Moreover, as around a third of Argentina’s population lives here, the city is at the heart of the action.
Buenos Aires boasts a lively nightlife with many excellent bars, a diverse range of restaurants, and plenty of cultural entertainment, from the tango to the ballet.
There is also a cheap and efficient public transport system, allowing you to get around the entire city without needing a car.
Of course, this is also the best place to base yourself if you’re looking to climb the career ladder, as the capital city has many job and business opportunities for foreigners.
For example, you’ll find many large international companies in the banking, oil, gas, and IT sectors. Plus, there is always a demand for English teachers.
One of the most popular neighborhoods for foreigners in Buenos Aires is Palermo. This trendy district’s impressive range of bars and restaurants makes it popular for young expats.
At the same time, the number of co-working spaces draws in digital nomads and remote workers.
San Telmo is another favored district, particularly for older expats and those who want to experience authentic Argentian charm. It is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the country.
It has maintained its original European feel with cobbled streets, colonial buildings, antique shops, and local markets.
As the capital city, there are naturally some cons to Buenos Aires. It is very crowded, and the traffic can be horrendous at times.
There is also a lot of noise pollution, so if you’re moving to Argentina in search of some peace and quiet, perhaps this is not the city for you.
While not the cheapest place to live in Argentina, Buenos Aires is still very affordable for highly-skilled expats and remote workers.
Rent is affordable; one-bedroom apartments typically cost between $200 and $300 a month, and three-bedroom places are around double that.
Cordoba
Cordoba is Argentina’s second-largest city, yet it is uncrowded compared to the capital. It is a vibrant, youthful university town with a significant international presence.
Thus, English is widely spoken here, and the city is welcoming and easy to adjust to.
Cordoba is a neo-baroque-style colonial city with many old buildings like the National University of Cordoba. Beautiful mountains and many small, authentic villages are nearby, making for fabulous weekend trips.
Because the region had mainly German settlers, Cordoba has a fusion of European and indigenous cultures. You’ll notice this influence with the city’s traditional German fare and beer offerings.
Another reason why Cordoba is one of the best cities for expats and remote workers is because of the low cost of living. One-bedroom apartments cost around $200 a month, whereas larger houses average about $350.
In terms of jobs, the IT and tech industries are thriving with a huge demand for software developers and testers.
There are also plenty of international companies, NGOs, and schools that frequently hire foreigners.
Mendoza
Located in the heart of the wine country, Mendoza is, without a doubt, one of the best places to live for anyone who wants to spend their weekends sipping wine in the vineyards.
As a small city, Mendoza is compact and easy to navigate, which makes it ideal for expats.
The surroundings of Mendoza are breathtaking, but the city itself is also charming. The wide tree-lined streets host a blend of modern and art deco buildings and many lovely plazas.
The vibe here is much more relaxed than in the bigger cities, so it is ideal for those looking for a chilled style of urban living and plenty of nature nearby.
As the city has a developing economy, the number of job opportunities for foreigners is increasing.
For example, some international companies are present here, such as IBM, Accenture, and PwC. Plus, teaching jobs are always available.
Mendoza is not just about high-quality wine and cuisine. There is also a vast range of hiking, mountain climbing, and white water rafting opportunities in the nearby Andes.
There are also good-quality schools, medical care, and an international airport.
Another pro to living in Mendoza is the low living costs. Rent is very cheap, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $100 a month and 3-bedroom houses less than $300.
However, the locals here are less likely to speak English than in other cities. Plus, due to the northern location, the winters in Mendoza can get pretty cold.
Bariloche
The Patagonia region is one of the most beautiful parts of Argentina. The city of Bariloche offers an idyllic place to live for expats and remote workers to enjoy stunning nature every day.
Life here is very different from that of the big Argentinian cities. So if a slow-paced lifestyle close to the wilderness sounds more appealing than hectic city life, this may be the town for you.
Bariloche is surrounded by the breathtaking Andes mountains and many serene glacier lakes, including Nahuel Huapi, which the city borders.
In addition, the winters here are freezing and snowy. As a result, the region has become renowned for its ski resorts and Swiss alpine feel.
Aside from the cold weather, one downside of living in Bariloche is that the ski season brings an influx of tourists, most of which choose to stay in town.
The cost of living is also higher than in some of the other best Argentinian cities.
One-bedroom apartments are, on average, $250 to $300 a month, and larger family homes cost up to $400.
However, this is the safest city in Argentina and is family-friendly, with high air quality. So if you don’t mind the cold and the tourists, you’ll enjoy an excellent quality of life here.
Still, many of the jobs for foreigners are seasonal here. Thus, Bariloche is ideal for people who do online work on the side or run an online business that brings in another source of income.
Salta
If you want to get even more off the beaten track, Salta in the rural northwest may be one of the best cities in Argentina for you.
Salta is a beautiful mountainous city surrounded by canyons, vineyards, and the Yungas cloud forest.
The city of Salta has a very authentic feel and a small-town vibe. It is famous for its food, wine, and animated music halls.
Although Salta has a peaceful atmosphere, a decent amount of tourists pass through to explore the nearby nature; thus, there may be job openings in tourism.
Despite having a tourist presence, this is somewhere where you will need to speak Spanish, as many of the locals do not speak English.
Like Bariloche, Salta is ideal for remote workers living and working in Argentina as the low living costs will allow you to quickly build your savings.
Final Thoughts On Best Places To Live In Argentina
Expats are attracted to Argentina for many different reasons.
From low living costs to a welcoming, lively culture to gorgeous wilderness spots, building an enjoyable and comfortable life in Argentina is not hard.
So whether you prefer being in the heart of the action or immersed in nature, one of these best places to live in Argentina will be your perfect fit.
Not sure if Argentina is the right place for you? Read one of the following guides:
