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Quality of lifeThis forum post has messages dated from 04/14/10 through 04/15/10, please be sure to read all the messages. If you feel it is old or outdated, please follow up with a question or comment and someone may be able to update it, or reply with newer information if you have it.
| Quality of life Hi Guys, I see a lot of posts talking about how expensive it is in Uruguay. Even coming from California the prices seem high, which begs the question why did you guys decide to move there in spite of the high costs? Real estate does not look particularity cheap, especially in spite of the worldwide housing melt down, that is still in its infancy. I know International Living continues to hype overseas markets, but this housing crisis thing has not finished unwinding, not by a long way. It is also no cheap to fly to. The other day I wanted to fed ex a letter (not a package) and it was $124 USD. That is outrageous. Comments? What drew you there. What keeps you there? Is it worth it? Thanks, Mike |
| "FedEx?"
I always use the post office... for a few things express mail... but usually first class (or priority when weight requires it).I moved here for a change of pace from Costa Rica and it was June (the middle of winter or so).. so I decided if I could deal with the winter I'd stay and have been here for 5 years. Food (in Restaurants) was much more than in Costa Rica (in 2005). But it was a much more complete and filling meal. The internet is less problematic here than in Costa Rica and the USA. I have constant hassles with a T1 from Qwest and AT&T in the USA. Few hassles with the internet here and receptive tech support when I call. |
| "Mike 3 and the prices posted"
I don't live in Uruguay (yet) but I am wondering if you're not being confused by the fact that the Uruguayan peso is posted with the $ sign before the numbers for prices. Each peso is worth about 5¢ US so the prices you're looking at, if they're Uruguayan prices, may be cheaper than you think. So something that says it's $3, 000.00, is in fact only $150± in US dollars. |
Comment #304/14/10 23:19Rural east Colonia departmento | "Quality of life."
Quality of life (especially rural life) is the principal reason I'm here. My initial motive for coming was in search of a green and pleasant tax haven but what I found was closer to my view of the ideal society for a pensioner than anything I've met elsewhere. The laid-back attitudes, the slightly reserved friendliness, the levels of pragmatism, the survival of extended families, European culture and the balance between personal liberty and welfare statism are exactly to my taste. The country doesn't appeal to everybody and you have to engage with your local community to reap the benefits but if you think that you might prefer to be living in 1968 (with the added option of celphone, internet and satellite TV) then rural or small town Uruguay might appeal to you :-) Montevideo seems more 1980s to me :-) I moved here before the "world" recession and the ROU's recovery from 2002. I'd like to claim that the timing was down to clever foresight but in reality, it was mostly luck :-) With the mighty peso and sickly dollar/pound/euro, the ROU seems expensive these days but I've no doubt that the financial pendulum will swing back the other way given time. |
| "Why Uruguay?!"
This question - Why Uruguay?! (said with very confused facial expression) - will become part of your daily life if you move here. Both Uruguayans and people in your home country are dumbfounded by the idea of moving here and no matter how many times I explain, no matter how many different reasons I give it doesn't satiate their curiosity.There are 2 articles in the Expat Guide (link below) called Positive Aspects and Negative Aspects of life in Uruguay, you should take a look. As you say: - The prices are high - Real estate is not particularly cheap - Flights are expensive and limited in terms of direct connections Moving country may be a fairly simple decision if you're young and single and well paid. However if you're old, retired and looking for peace or you're pulling up the roots of your family and kids to move thousands of miles away price and the availability of flights aren't the only thing you're interested in. Uruguay is a very peaceful and laid-back place. Depending on where you're coming from that is something that doesn't have a price. People feel more at ease letting their children out to play, many people have mentioned feeling less pressure and presence of consumerism, there is very little stress as the pace of life is simply slower...but really, in the end, your decision to move here is very personal and as it is not "the cheapest place in the world to live" you'll find that everyone has their own reasons rather than those they read in a International Living newsletter - something I think makes the expat community here quite unique. |
| "Making it in Uruguay"
Hi Mike, I think the best thing you can do before you can make a final decision is to actually live in Uruguay for at least 3-4 months, get a feel for the country and its people, and find out if you are comfortable, happy and can "fit in", so to speak. Not everyone can. Not even people who were born in Uruguay. In the XX century, Uruguay transformed itself from being a country of immigrants to being a country of emigrants. By most accounts, half a million Uruguayans emigrated to other countries since the 1960s for various reasons, the most important one being economic. It's just a fact that, for a significant chunk of the population, it's not exactly easy to make a living, especially if you have to depend on local wages. Not even if you're highly skilled. This is not to say that there are plenty of Uruguayan who have achieved a very good standard of living in various areas of the economy and live very, very comfortably. If while in Uruguay your income will be coming from elsewhere (i. e. an international source), then it's a different story. Depending on your level of income, you just won't have to be concerned too much with meeting your basic needs (i. e. housing, food, clothing, medical insurance, transportation, etc.), and consequently, you will be able to enjoy everything Uruguay has to offer to the fullest. And the good news is that Uruguay has A LOT to offer!!! Among some of the things that come to mind: 1. Generally friendly, welcoming, peace-loving, laid back, and well educated people. 2. Beautiful geography and excellent climate (year-round). 3. "First world" pressure-free environment. 4. Stable, democratic, functioning government. 5. Social stability and relatively good public safety in comparison to other countries in the region. 6. Good schools, public and private. 7. Good and sometimes very good value (not "cheap") for real estate, relative to current international standards 8. Best BEEF in the world!!!! 9. Etc., etc. Good luck! |
| "Thanks again"
Hi Guys, I really appreciate all your feedback. Bik, thanks, but I was not making an exchange rate error. My electric bill is averaging about $30 per month USD. While that is cheap, I have never in my life had a bill over $100 in California. I never need to run heat or air conditioning where I live. This information is extremely helpful. I think I need to really evaluate my decision. Initially I was thinking it would be a good place to scout out for the future. But Elaine makes a very good point, it comes down to each persons desires. I have been to cities that International Living raves about, which I could not leave fast enough. While I don't think Montevideo is one of them, I'm not sure life there would be how I am idealizing it. I think the weather, clean air, water, ect are the biggest reasons I chose Uruguay over the hotter climate areas of Panama, ect. But I already live in arguably the best climate in the world, so I'm not escaping a frozen tundra. But the reality I'm not ready to stop working and traveling and Uruguay is not exactly a convenient place of a "weekend getaway" especially after a 20 flight from Asia. I can't thank you enough for this real world advice and input, I have some thinking to do now. Mike |
| "Experience vs Thought"
I would go for less thinking and more experiencing! International Living gets people excited because it sparks their imagination.. a vision of luxury for just pennies a day (to steal a line from some of their advertising).Now such a dream is great, especially if you never have the opportunity to leave your armchair! However, such a dream can never beat the experience of actually going someplace, especially if you want to find a new place to live for whatever reason. I think it is best to save the deep thought for to examine your own experiences. You've seen several viewpoints here and until you walk the streets a bit your own viewpoint will remain a mystery to you. Come spend the week and when you go home do the thinking! |
| "Real Estate"
Mike - Coming from California should be hard to find something expensive, especially in the Housing market even after the collapse.The difference is what you get for your money and if Uruguay is right for you. American citizens from California or Florida will adapt to Uruguay better than somebody from New York or Chicago (my opinion) When comparing prices you will need to do your homework, don't just look at numbers. I just got a response to a Real Estate question from Alberto about La Paloma area. He answered all my concerns but also gave me an inside look of the present and the future of the area. We brought three houses in the USA( New York - Florida) it was no LUCK that we made the right decision in price and in location. But not too many people - Go to the City Hall and asked about future plans for the area - or care to know the House and Neighborhoods history - How old is the Roof and the Air Conditioning etc. And the most important question "Is the Market up or down right now" Good for here also good for Uruguay. Enjoy Uruguay but one week is not enough. |
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