'relocating my young family' Expat

jenny (86.152.33.156) -

Can anyone give me advise on good schools english or american as we are not spanish speakers and also good tennis or paddle clubs in Uruguay. Montevideo area is my first choice but I am open to suggestions as I will be coming to Uruguay this summer to travel all along the coast to check out the place

Comment #1 Peter Stross from Montevideo - URUGUAY (Contact Member) -

Hi Jenny,

you have the Uruguayan American School in Carrasco, which also provides you, if you want so, the full american school program. The British Schools is also located in Carrasco. In this school there is the possibility of the International Bachelor (IB). Then in Montevideo you have lots of English schools, most of them located either in Carrasco or Pocitos.

One of the best Tennis clubs in Montevideo is the Carrasco Lawn Tennis Club. This club offers you also different kinds of sports and activities. The second one is the Círculo del Prado.

Peter Stross

Uruguayan Relocation Services

uruguay-relocation.com

Comment #2 jenny (86.152.33.156) -

thank you Pater for your information I noticed you are from the Uy Relocation Services what other information could you help me with should I decide to move to Uy or are you aware of any good websites I could go on

Thank you very much

Jenny

Comment #3 JOCELYNNE from ARGENTINA (Contact Member) -

I WILL LIKE SOME INFORMATION ABOUT HOW IS LIVING IN URUGUAY AS AN AMERICAN

Comment #4 Lee from Pocitos (Contact Member) -

What kind of information are you looking for?

Comment #5 Andy from New Zealand (Contact Member) -

I don't think one can answer "how is living in Uruguay as an American".

Americans like other nationalities have vast differences in lifestyle desires and personalities.

If you are looking for the walmart and cheap electronic import lifestyle, Uruguay is probably not for you. If you want a slower less material oriented life it may well be.

Comment #6 Mike (209.167.106.11) -

Hi,

We are also a young family of three kids. How much do the private English schools cost in Uruguay?

Comment #7 Senna (63.176.159.210) -

You can still live like an American (or any nationality) in Uruguay. Uruguay doesn't suppress one's nationality or even prohibits one to exercise his democracy there. The only concern there is the change in lifestyle and the proper blending in to that new environment, that society. You and your family have decided to moved (or going to move) in Uruguay so be prepare to embrace their people, language, culture and the nation, all the while living as an American.

Comment #8 Elaine (1) from Ireland (Contact Member) -

When asking "how is life in X as an American" I think many people might be referring to how Americans get treated. It is no surprise that many people around the world have disagreed with American foreign policy over the past few years and as such many citizens (who often ALSO disagree with the choices their leaders made) have taken a bad rap for it.

Not to mention that there is a strong tendency in many Latin American countries to immediately rule someone out as a yankee or gringo once they know they are American.

If it is either of these things that you're referring to then you'll be happy to hear you're safe in Uruguay!

Uruguayan's love foreigners - they want to know why you chose to come here and live in their self-proclaimed 3rd world country, they want to hear about where you're from - most are genuinely interested and very friendly. There aren't a huge number of foreigners here so you tend to be somewhat of a novelty.

As for the gringo issue...it is much less prominent that say in Costa Rica or Venezuela, but of course there is still a small degree of it. However here it is not so much a "pick on the American" attitude but I have found that the level of poverty can often cause some people to think "if you have it then you can afford to replace it and I obviously need it more than you"!

In THAT way it is hard to be an American or foreigner here. You have to make a big effort to blend in, speak the language, or else yes - you will remain a "foreigner" for your time here.

Comment #9 Klarita from Canalones (Contact Member) -

Montevideo has several bilingual schools, eg British School, the American School and others

on the lawn tennis club, tennis is very well but is expensive .

• American school

Comment #10 ANA (63.176.159.12) -

Yes, the Uruguayans love foreigners so there is nothing to fear, welcome all to this small but beautiful country!!!

Comment #11 Patrick from Rural east Colonia departmento (Contact Member) -

"Americans"

Yes indeed. This elderly immigrant Irishman received a very warm welcome.

To a non-American like myself, calling the citizens of the United States "Americans" can be confusing. Most of my neighbours are Americans... just not "norte" ones :-)

Comment #12 Juana from Northeast US, for now (Contact Member) -

"From the United States"

Yes, I agree with Patrick. In fact, schoolchildren in many Latin American countries learn in school that there are 5 continents. What we call North America and South America is simply called "America". I prefer to just say I'm from the United States. Canadians are also norteamericanos.

Thanks for all your posts! I'm learning so much!

Comment #13 Maragata Martha from San Jose de Mayo, Uruguay (Contact Member) -

""American""

For those USA'ians who want to maintain some link with your roots, there are groups, organized and informal, of individuals who gather periodically to socialize.

The American Association of Uruguay welcomes anyone with any connection to the USA....either from citizenship, previous residence or interest. I have attended some meetings, and they are always anxious to welcome new members. For newcomers, it is a nice place to make connections, and get involved in a wide variety community outreach activities.

• American Association of Uruguay

Comment #14 Maragata Martha from San Jose de Mayo, Uruguay (Contact Member) -

"Another bilingual school possibility...."

St. Brendan's is another school possibility for families with school-aged children.

As it is located closer to Pocitos, many find it more convenient than the American School out in Carrasco.

• St. Brendan's School

Comment #15 curtis (63.176.159.170) - 01/09/10 16:06

Why would you want to move your family away from their home anyways?

Comment #16 Kasi (63.176.159.249) - 02/01/10 20:12

There are quite a few good suggestions above and not only have they given names but useful links as well. But Tennis in Uruguay I have not heard much of that but best of luck to you in your search.

Comment #17 Sammy (109.111.97.60) - 02/26/10 22:08

Hi there guys. I would like to know more about the process on how I can be able to enroll my kids in some of the schools in Uruguay. We are moving there this year and so I would like to know if I can be able to enroll my kids there. I would really appreciate all of your post coming in here guys. Thanks a lot and have a nice day.

Comment #18 Marisa (1) from Montevideo, Uruguay (Contact Member) - 03/01/10 15:21

"tennis courts"

Other than the already mentioned Carrasco Lawn (which has no lawn courts, in spite of its name) and the Círculo in El Prado, a good tennis club, with 17 or so courts, is Nacional.

There's also a state-owned tennis center with 3 hard courts and three clay courts (a fourth, singles-only clay court is being built) in the middle of Parque Rodó, next to the National Visual Arts Museum.

For a monthly fee of about 20 dollars you can play as much as often as you want. Clay court maintenance varies but is usually decent but not great. The hard courts were just repaved a few months ago.

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