"First World" countries in South America? (crime, life, country)

[vegaspilgrim]

I have never been to the South American continent before, but I'm starting to get curious about it for some reason. Chile and Argentina in particular, but a bunch of others as well. Which country do you think has the highest "standard of living" in South America? Which South American country is your favorite? Where would be a good choice for an American interested in working abroad but still wanting to maintain a "First World" lifestyle?

[charolastra00]

Something like 75% of Argentina's population lives in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area, so it's very cosmopolitan. Santiago, Chile is also very "first world", though I've heard that once you get out of the big cities, it's just like any backwater Latin American country.

The large cities in Mexico are very much like large cities in the US. I hope to be able to find work there after college- though I have no interest in maintaining typical "1st world" amenities.

My favorite Latin American country by far though is Bolivia. While I haven't been there (my parents nixed a summer program there), an American could live with a very high standard of living on very little there.

[BlueWillowPlate]

I've heard very good things about Uruguay.
The spouse might be be going there this year to work on a development project.
But I've never been south of Guatemala.

[simone g]

How can I find out the average income for an architect in Uruguay? I've been looking for days! I'm so frustrated

[email]deepspacedesign@hotmail.com[/email]

[recycled]

I have visited most countries in South America. There are no countries in South America that as a whole can be considered "first world" developed nations such as USA, Canada, Australia, NZ, Western Europe, Japan and a few other east Asian nations.

Chile is economically quite stable and has progressed a lot in the last two decades. Parts of Santiago (such as city center, Providencia, Las Condes, Lo Barnechea) are very prosperous and look like you might be somewhere in Spain or Italy. Many other parts of Santiago are not as prosperous (San Miguel, Puente Alto) and you know that it is a third world country, but even in those less prosperous places there are encouraging signs of economic development and improvement.

Outside of Santiago, there are many attractive and pleasant cities, especially in the central valley heading a few hours south on highway 5. The wine region in the Maule Valley has countryside that could pass for Napa or Sonoma valleys, but not the level of wealth in the towns.

Argentina has some prosperity around Buenos Aires, but they still have a big percentage of the population that is unemployed or underemployed. I think Argentina is sort of an economic teeter totter, very unstable. Leave the capital city and things really start to change. They don't have a large manufacturing base.

Brazil has the largest pockets of first world development in Latin America, mainly in the southern states of Sao Paulo, Parana, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. There is still a portion of people living in third world poverty in the cities and countryside of these states, but there is a significant middle class in these four states and by far the strongest and most diverse economy going in Latin America. It is an interesting and eye opening place to visit, and many quite nice places to live. I am bullish on Brazil, the most potential for social and economic improvement of all countries in Latin America.

[Neutre]

Hi!

I'd say Brazil has the highest standard of living in South America. At the same time it probably also contains one of the lowest ones, depending on where you are.

Saludos

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by recycled

Brazil has the largest pockets of first world development in Latin America, mainly in the southern states of Sao Paulo, Parana, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. There is still a portion of people living in third world poverty in the cities and countryside of these states, but there is a significant middle class in these four states and by far the strongest and most diverse economy going in Latin America. .

I hear there's a movement in Southern Brazil to split away from the "northeasterners" and form their own country.

Brazil does seem like one of the most divided countries out there. In one section of the country, you have a primarly European population with a high standard of living, in another part of the country you have third world-esque slums and poverty and then in another part of the country you have wilderness.

[RangerDuke08]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

I have never been to the South American continent before, but I'm starting to get curious about it for some reason. Chile and Argentina in particular, but a bunch of others as well. Which country do you think has the highest "standard of living" in South America? Which South American country is your favorite? Where would be a good choice for an American interested in working abroad but still wanting to maintain a "First World" lifestyle?

You sure are a sojourner Vegas pilgrim, I almost moved to Chile for many reasons but I would say Brazil is where many American investors are going today, I would go with Chile for it's traditional feel, both European and Latin American feel, low crimer rate, lower divorce rates and it's scenic divide from north to south of deserts, mediterranean, lakes and patagonia. I am nonetheless very fond of Chile and it's people.

[califantastic]

The countries in the southern part of South America like Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and some parts of Brazil have more of a European flavor. In the northern part of South America you have countries with a more uniquely Latin American flavor like Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecquador. For vacation I definitely prefer northern South America because it is more exotic and the people are friendlier. But as a place to live I might choose southern South America because it is a bit more like the US since the standard of living is often higher.

[lndigo]

Go for Chile.