'Apartment rentals' Real Estate

Doug from Asia (Contact Member) - 06/15/09 02:33

I hope to move to Uruguay in early August. I'll be looking for an affordable apartment - hopefully under $200US per month. (I live modestly)

Is there a rental (or real estate) agency I could contact before my arrival?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Doug

drig26@gmail.com

Comment #1 Elaine (1) from Ireland (Contact Member) - 06/15/09 08:44

Hi Doug,

A lot of people are under the (false) impression that Uruguay is cheap - I'm afraid it is quite simply NOT!

Of course it depends on the apartment - if you want to live in a studio up the Cerro (not a safe area!) then I'm sure you can find a very cheap place.

However if you want something in a safe area that is clean and has heating then you will pay upwards of 300 - 400 US dollars (this is for furnished apartments, if you don't need furniture you can find one much cheaper but to buy furniture here is very expensive)

Try this website below. From this you can get an idea of what areas are cheaper.

Comment #2 Lee from Pocitos (Contact Member) - 06/15/09 13:16

I think Bus Cando casa is the the Elaine was talking about.

I have a friend that pays about $1800 pesos a month for an apartment. That is US$78. No heat. No furniture. No hot water tank (bring your own). Not good condition (among other things a breeze comes in through the walls, there are holes in the walls and plenty of cockroaches, if not mice and rats). Probably doesn't offer the normal security against break-ins. A neighborhood Americans probably don't look in (Union). On the bright side, it is CHEAP and QUIET.

My friend is looking for a new apartment and is frustrated because all the prices are now $4000 pesos an up. US$175.

You didn't give an idea of your needs or desires for a US$200 a month apartment in terms of amenities and location.

• Buscando Cada

Comment #3 Doug from Asia (Contact Member) - 06/15/09 20:17

Elaine and Lee,

Thank you so much for the prompt reply(s). Let me narrow my needs and expectations: First, a studio apt. is fine; heat is good; I'd like to be safe (I'm too old to be tussling with intruders); rats, roaches and other critters, not good; and from what Lee said, until I find comfortable digs, a furnished apt. seems sensible. Second, $200 to $350 per month is not unreasonable.

Further help and information will not be forgotten. I really appreciate the time you've both taken on my behalf.

I look forward to your reply(s).

Doug

Comment #4 Lee from Pocitos (Contact Member) - 06/15/09 20:54

I just looked in Buscandocasa.com and the cheapest studio (ambiente) is 6500 pesos (US$280) plus 1780 for the gastos comune us$80 and that seems to include central losa heat. The best kind of heat you can find here. It's on the 8th floor and maybe 1 block to the beach, though maybe you have to go around a bit to actually get the the beach. Unfurnished.

The most expensive studio listed in Pocitos is US$516 and seems to be within a block of the first.

In Centro the prices range from 3800 pesos (US$163) with no apparent heat to US$516. + $176 gastos comune.

Play with Buscandocasa.com to get a feel. The properties there are offered via real estate agencies so you might fare better with classifieds.

Comment #5 Doug from Asia (Contact Member) - 06/15/09 22:04

Thank you Lee. The first one you mentioned sounds good, but I doubt it will be available in two months time.

Centro is probably more to my taste and budget. At my age, the allure of beaches is long in the past, though the occasional stroll along the malecon can be a welcome relief.

May I trouble you for one more nugget of information? The classified ads. you mentioned, anyone or anything in particular. Bear in mind, mi Espansol es muy malo.

P.S. The "gastos comune" I assume is the damage deposit?

Comment #6 Lee from Pocitos (Contact Member) - 06/16/09 07:11

No the security deposit is another tough area. The maximum allowed is 5 months rent. For a 1 year lease you will he hard pressed to find someone that accepts less (a few might ask for more). For a 6 month lease I rented a place that want a 3 month deposit (I stay there for 20 or so months).

Gaste comune is the building fee. Like condo association fee. Almost all apartments here are really Condos. In the very small places it might basically just be the water. In larger building it includes the elevator, doorman, common area cleaning, swimming pool (if the building has one), and depending on the heat, that too. The first one I mentioned had Central Losa heat... hot water pipes in the floor. That would be included in the gastos comune. Individual losa would not (and could be gas or electric).

Gastos comune could run from a couple hundred pesos to 12, 000 (us$600ish) or more. I've always paid between 2, 500-3, 500 for a 2 br place including heat and a doorman.

Here is a link to the online version of the El Pais classifieds. The big day for classifieds is Sunday. They don't go online until Monday.

• Gallito Classifieds

Comment #7 Doug from Asia (Contact Member) - 06/16/09 08:25

Lee,

I can't thank you enought for the wealth of information you've provided. You've been most generous. Why you waste time with other gringos is beyond me. It goes without saying, I didn't expect a "walk in the park, " nonetheless, the fact that you took the time and effort to accommodate a total stranger is evidence enough that you are a man of ethics and beyond reproach. I hope to repay the many favors some day soon. I'm no less discourgaged from moving there. My limited pension must be my guide. Since Spanish is my second language (however rudimentary), I always knew I'd finish off life in a Spanish-speaking country. I've lived and worked (an English teacher of 20 plus years) in China for the past seven years. As much as I love the students and the local, I've had my limit. Why I mentioned this, I have no idea beyond the fact that I want you to know that you're dealing with a descent human being.

In the end, I'll no doubt find my own way over there - like I've managed to do everywhere in the world I've lived. But nonetheless, the fact that you've extended a helping hand will not be forgotten. When I arrive, consider me a friend.

Doug

Comment #8 Lee from Pocitos (Contact Member) - 06/16/09 08:55

By answering your questions here... it really helps hundreds of other people who may read the messages. I moved here over 4 years ago and really with very little information.

It was an experiment... arrived in the winter and see if we liked it and if so stay. One of the biggest shocks was the rental deposits.

Another one is the issue of heat and one should really do some research on that. It can be the difference between a long, cold winter and a mild comfortable one.

If you have other questions about living in Uruguay... post a new message so we can try to keep each one more or less on topic.

Hope to see you at one of our Sunday meetings soon.

Comment #9 Shirley (190.64.3.62) - 06/20/09 21:29

Hello, Doug.

If you engage a rental agency to help you find a place, be aware that the agency may expect you to pay a fee of up to one month's rent for their assistance.

Once you are "on the ground" here, you should be able to find something very livable for your budget of US$200-US$350, negotiating directly with the owners (especially if you speak Spanish). El Gallito is a great place to start. Also walk the neighborhoods where you'd like to rent; some places' only advertising is a sign in the window.

I have Uruguayan friend who was renting an unfurnished ambiente (studio) for US$100 per month. It was in excellent condition and included an alarm system and intercom, and had a nice patio/yard. It was just *small*, and not in one of the coastal neighborhoods.

If you are looking for a short-term rental to start off while you hunt for a good deal, here is a website I put together that lists more resources you might find useful.

Best of luck!

• MVD Apartments

Comment #10 Elaine (1) from Ireland (Contact Member) - 06/21/09 19:38

I would love to know where people are finding these apartments for 200-300 US dollars a month! please let me in on the secret! Are they unfurnished?

Comment #11 Shirley (190.64.2.176) - 06/22/09 11:01

Hi, Elaine! Maybe the secret is that you have to be Uruguayan! (hence tapped in to the local network of information and relatives) But for a foreigner, I would recommend looking in neighborhoods away from the coasts (or maybe Ciudad Vieja), use El Gallito but also walk the sidewalks looking for "se alquila" signs in the windows, and get a Uruguayan friend to do the negotiating for you. Sometimes (not always) you can get a discount by paying for a whole year upfront.

Unfurnished, yes.

Outside of Montevideo the rents are also lower.

Comment #12 Lee from Pocitos (Contact Member) - 06/24/09 16:51

Here is a link to my new article outlining the process of renting (3+ months) an apartment in Montevideo.

If I missed anything let me know.

• Renting in Uruguay

Comment #13 Lee from Pocitos (Contact Member) - 06/24/09 16:51

I've lived in Montevideo for over 4 years now and rented 4 different apartments... he's the stories of my ups and downs... nothing really bad.

• My rental experiences in Montevideo

Comment #14 Doug from Asia (Contact Member) - 07/11/09 13:17

Thanks for the wealth of information Lee and Shirley. I had every intention of moving to Uruguay next month, but the university where I just retired from is pressuring me to stay on for one more year. After reading Lee's detailed account of the renting process, I may just take them up on their offer and delay my move until next year. It will give me the time to bone up on rudimentary Spanish and put some more scoots in the bank.

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