Britain: Where Now? Goodbyeee: . . . but don't cryeee. For those who despair of a future in Britain, we offer the Good Emigrants Guide. Where to go, what to expect, where the chips are worth a detour: Argentina
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Your support makes all the difference.ARGENTINA is a nation of immigrants: the constitution defines it as a government duty to encourage immigration. Britons are among the most welcome.
Prospects are better than at any time for 20 years. After years of recession and hyperinflation, economic growth of three to five per cent is forecast for next year, and inflation is down to a historic low of 1.5 per cent a month. There is a construction boom and if you are a skilled electrician, civil engineer, manager, plumber or industrial worker you will find your services in demand, albeit at salaries lower than at home.
Europeans (from whom most Argentines are descended) are made welcome. Argentines' traditional soft spot for the British has not been dented by the Falklands war. The country's prestigious English schools are always on the lookout for native-speaking teachers, especially with an English, rather than American, accent. They pay some pounds 1,500 a month, a good wage by Argentine standards.
After two years' residence, a European can apply for - and easily obtain - citizenship, but this confers no great advantage beyond the right to vote. Democracy rules for now, but bear in mind Argentina's history of military terror.
Rented accommodation is difficult to find; a three-bedroom flat in a middle-class part of the capital costs dollars 100,000 (pounds 60,000) to buy, a new family car about dollars 12,000. (One peso equals one dollar, and Argentines are accustomed to talking, and dealing, in US dollars.)
A home is cheaper in the provinces, where you may also find work as a doctor or skilled craftsman or shopkeeper or even a goldminer. The country's oversupply of doctors is confined largely to the capital. But if you are a lawyer, accountant or a psychoanalyst, forget it. Argentina has far too many.
Health care is good, provided you buy into a private insurance scheme for about dollars 1,000 a month. Public health services are poor, and state pensions pitifully low, dollars 150 a month.
Food is organically farmed and tastes wonderful. Meat and almost everything else is cheaper and better than anywhere in the world. A kilo of steak costs dollars 6 and it is difficult to spend more than pounds 30 a head on the most self- indulgent blow-out in the smartest restaurants in town. You can even get a decent cup of tea.
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