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I've heard good things about Panama from Americans as a slightly more cosmopolitan, economically vibrant Costa Rica with good beaches and expansive rainforests. But, who knows, living there over the long-term might lessen the glow. But it sounds like it might be worth checking out.
I've heard good things about Panama from Americans as a slightly more cosmopolitan, economically vibrant Costa Rica with good beaches and expansive rainforests. But, who knows, living there over the long-term might lessen the glow. But it sounds like it might be worth checking out.
My friend just got back from Panama. He told me an impressive skyline is going up in Panama City. It is looking like Miami now. There is even talk of it becoming the "Singapore of Central America." Now I know...it has a lot of work to do before they become developed. But give it time...so if any country in Central America becomes developed in 40 or 50 years, it will be Panama.
Argentina: it's a tough one. Yeah, prices are cheaper, wine is fantastic, food is pretty good, people are pretty good looking... but everything... everything... is pretty... subpar, if you will. Electricity, water, gas, basic services.... on the surface u would never guess it to be a third world country, but as you spend time there, it becomes crystal clear why they deserve that classification.
Source: Someone who has travelled extensively through all of south america except Paraguay, Guayana, Suriname, and French Guiana.
I'm curious about this comment. What is it that you found subpar? I've been to places like India, China, and Mexico. I would consider India way down this list compared to the other two. China and Mexico both very greatly, with parts being as modern as any big city in a highly developed nation, to abject poverty with deplorable conditions. How would Chile and Argentina compare with say China or even the bigger cities in Mexico? I've heard complaints about the stability of the electrical grids in some parts of South America, but I though that was mostly in the north. My co-worked is from Chile, he said it was very comparable to the US, though he did mention gas and heat costs were much higher.
Researching Central America, came across info on El Salvador. Now it has serious poverty, but there are pockets of prosperity and pretty much every American fast food chain is there. I can't remember the name, but a suburb of the capital San Salvador, where the U.S. embassy is located, has an average family income of over $60k. And pretty much everything you'd find in the States. Instead of looking for an entire country consider looking for prosperous suburbs of major cities. And don't forget Mexico. I've seen pics of commercial areas of cities like Morelia and Chihuahua City that look just like a prosperous American city. Mexico is the world's 11th largest economy. I think you may be missing out on much of what's good about various countries though. I'll most likely end up in Oaxaca City, Mexico not because they've got modern shopping, movie theaters, etc(which is a nice plus) but because of a very beautiful, historic, colonial centro, with great weather, food, and culture. The colonial legacy of both Spain and Portugal make for a fascinating atmosphere to live in.
I'm curious about this comment. What is it that you found subpar? I've been to places like India, China, and Mexico. I would consider India way down this list compared to the other two. China and Mexico both very greatly, with parts being as modern as any big city in a highly developed nation, to abject poverty with deplorable conditions. How would Chile and Argentina compare with say China or even the bigger cities in Mexico? I've heard complaints about the stability of the electrical grids in some parts of South America, but I though that was mostly in the north. My co-worked is from Chile, he said it was very comparable to the US, though he did mention gas and heat costs were much higher.
Your co-worker is Chilean and as such is going to give great accolades to his country... and they do deserve it. They've come a long way and their country is probably the safest in Latin America, but they still have a ways to go on a lot of things... more on that later...
As far as Argentina and subpar services: I wasn't comparing it to China or Mexico, I was comparing it to developed countries. That being said, both China and Mexico are eager to modernize, and there is a push to privatize government owned businesses in both countries to make it more efficient. Argentines are content with extremely inefficient state-owned monopolies.
It's hard to pinpoint, so I'll just give a couple of examples.
In Mexico, or even places like Honduras, a 5 star hotel would be a gorgeous building, and include all the works; people would be waiting on you hand and foot with a smile, all TV channels imaginable and with great amenities. In Argentina, a "5 star hotel" will include beligerent and extremely unhelpful concierge service, itchy sheets, questionable heating/cooling systems, a breakfast that makes u run to the closest panaderia, and 3 local Argentinian TV channels.
In China, to do business you have to just bribe one local official who takes care of the rest. In Argentina, from many of the enterepreneurs I met in South America, you not only have to pay extremely high taxes (what are they actually spent on?), but you also have to bribe a slew of people, and god forbid you live in a neighborhood where 'protection' money is needed.
In India, you have access to a highly educated, highly skilled, hard working population that works for competitive wages. In Argentina, you have a very low-skilled, somewhat educated, but not horribly efficient population that demands 1st world wages and demands to work European style hours.
Customer service in Argentina is probably the worst I've experienced anywhere (and I've been to the former soviet countries!)
The whole time I was in Argentina, every person I met... it just felt like everyone lives beyong their means to put up this image.
I know I make a lot of sweeping generalizations here, but this is what I've observed on my many trips to Argentina. I love Argentinian food, and do love their version of Spanish (who doesn't?), and its a beautiful country, but it's definitely a 3rd world country.
As far as Argentina and subpar services: I wasn't comparing it to China or Mexico, I was comparing it to developed countries. That being said, both China and Mexico are eager to modernize, and there is a push to privatize government owned businesses in both countries to make it more efficient. Argentines are content with extremely inefficient state-owned monopolies.
It's hard to pinpoint, so I'll just give a couple of examples.
In Mexico, or even places like Honduras, a 5 star hotel would be a gorgeous building, and include all the works; people would be waiting on you hand and foot with a smile, all TV channels imaginable and with great amenities. In Argentina, a "5 star hotel" will include beligerent and extremely unhelpful concierge service, itchy sheets, questionable heating/cooling systems, a breakfast that makes u run to the closest panaderia, and 3 local Argentinian TV channels.
In China, to do business you have to just bribe one local official who takes care of the rest. In Argentina, from many of the enterepreneurs I met in South America, you not only have to pay extremely high taxes (what are they actually spent on?), but you also have to bribe a slew of people, and god forbid you live in a neighborhood where 'protection' money is needed.
In India, you have access to a highly educated, highly skilled, hard working population that works for competitive wages. In Argentina, you have a very low-skilled, somewhat educated, but not horribly efficient population that demands 1st world wages and demands to work European style hours.
Customer service in Argentina is probably the worst I've experienced anywhere (and I've been to the former soviet countries!)
The whole time I was in Argentina, every person I met... it just felt like everyone lives beyong their means to put up this image.
I know I make a lot of sweeping generalizations here, but this is what I've observed on my many trips to Argentina. I love Argentinian food, and do love their version of Spanish (who doesn't?), and its a beautiful country, but it's definitely a 3rd world country.
With the exception of customer service and the quality of the hotels (which I find to be no different then the rest of Latin America) I actually tend to agree with this.
Last edited by diablo234; 07-29-2012 at 01:39 PM..
With the exception of customer service and the quality of the hotels (which I find to be no different then the rest of Latin America) I actually tend to agree with this.
GLad you didn't take offense to that. All you have to do is get on youtube and find a bunch of videos of Mexicans and Argentnians trying to take a p;$s on each other over who's the 'better' country.... which is truly pathetic in my mind. You can be proud of who you are and where you come from without having to feel better or worse than anyone.
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