Expert: Laura Zurro - 6/6/2006

Question
I appreciate any and all advice you may be able to provide me on the subject of moving from Wash DC area to BA with my husband for a year or more.
Husband is a IT project manager for the Navy with many years of gov't contracting experience (also a photographer) I have been in healthcare for eight years, but have an interest in teaching. We are both in our early 30's.

We hope to be able to make the move about one year from now and hope to be able to keep our home and rent it out during the period we are away. What is the job market like for Americans- is IT very in demand? Do you believe I need to have a certificate to teach ESL?

We are taking the coming year to improve our Spanish skills. We have decent ability, but will need practice to operate with fluency in a business environment. Do you feel it would benefit us greatly to seek out an Argentinian teacher, or is that unnecessary.

Any general words of wisdom appreciated. Much thanks for your expertise.

J

Answer
Jen, sorry for the delay, I seem to have had some issues with answers to messages getting through.

If you want to keep your home and rent it out you may be able to apply for a rentista visa which is a visa predicated upon outside income of 900.00 US per month.

Job market for Americans: not unless an american company sends you here. The companies here that are hiring Americans are usually paying in pesos not dollars and it's not worth it. To teach ESL in a structured environment it's better to have the certificate but not necessary. The problem inherent in that will be that people will want you to have a DNI valid for working and will again pay you in pesos. You can however do home tutoring which is what many people do instead.

The best thing for your Spanish is to have a solid working knowledge overall. You can get a tutor here, cost is currently around 25 pesos per hour for a private, in-home tutor, who can help you with the language differences, but people will understand your generic Spanish just fine.

Take a look at my blog http://movingtoargentina.typepad.com for more in-depth information about relocating here and general everyday living.

Feel free to email me directly if you want to begin a dialogue about the move. Or of course you can always send another message here as well.