relocation

jaybay · Member

relocation

Brian · Veteran Member

We didn't... A lot of people we know did... I think it's a personal preference...

The way I look at it is... When my great grandparents came to the US from Ireland and Germany, they just went... They didn't visit first... When they got to New York and processed through Ellis Island they moved on to Chicago and Kansas City without ever visiting first... When I moved to Seattle I never visited first... The same thing with a few places I've lived around the US... So for me; I was more of the let's just go... We can always go somewhere else or back to the US if it isn't for us...

If we ever left, it would be much easier to come back now that we've lived here... But living here is different than visiting...

This is a really good question... I'm really curious to see what other people have to say on this topic...

jaybay · Member

Thank you very much Brian, that was very encouraging. I am also curious about other will say about this, let see. talk to you soon

irishelaine · Member

I think it depends on so many things.

If you are young, single, or with only very young children then just coming might be easier. However if you are older or have school-age children there can be a lot more to organize. You'll need to know about the school system, get them signed up, have a house/apartment organized in advance etc etc.

Anyone can just pick up and come here, if it all happens to work out then they will say "yeh sure, do it", but the ones that do it and fail aren't the ones who tend to hang around Uruguay forums after they get back, so its unlikely you'll hear their stories. I know of 3 families in the past few months that have come without visiting and have gone back a few months later feeling very disappointed. One family went to Colonia, one to Montevideo, and one to Maldonaldo on the coast. They were overwhelmed, unhappy, were led to believe Uruguay is super cheap (which it is not) and so were disappointed and left. The whole exercise was upsetting and very expensive for them.

In the end this is quite a personal question. It depends on you, what kind of person you are and how to adapt and respond to situations. If you're a very flexible person who is willing to make mistakes and have things be a little uncomfortable while you find your feet then you should be ok. If you expect to move here, get straight in to the perfect house, and have things be really easy then you may be upset when things don't work out that way.

jaybay · Member

Thank you very much, that was quite interesting and I really appreciate it. You have certainly highlighted some things that I may not have thought about to some extend. I will discuss with my family and see what is the next move.

Blessings to you.

Brian · Veteran Member

Elaine is right on... I've moved around a lot; but I was in the Military then after that I enjoyed moving from place to place... Adapting to new environments is what I've grown accustomed to over the past 15 years... But, my experience is a lot different than my wife's experience... She's lived in Southern California her whole life... So coming here for her was a bigger change for her than it was for me... Our motto since we've been here is... it's all about accepting the things we can't change... and that's helped tremendously.

If we had school ages kids; for sure we would have taken an exploratory trip first... But with young children, no worries...

Moving to Uruguay because it's cheap is a thing of the past. There are a lot of places in North America that are cheaper to live than here... And South America too, if you want cheap SA go to Ecuador...

We've been here for 8 months tomorrow... The cost of living has increased by around 25% since we've arrived. The UYU was trading at around 23.5 to 1 USD at the beginning of May... Now it's hovering around and below 19.5 UYU to 1 USD... Not to mention local inflation (the price of everything) has went up between 7-10% since we arrived... It's still a fraction of the cost of living in Southern California, but it's pretty expensive living in SoCal... Coming to Uruguay should be more than about the cost of living... If you're looking for cheap South America, there's Ecuador...

The long and short of it is... If you think you need an exploratory trip, you do... If you don't think you need an exploratory trip, you don't... Go with your gut...

lulu · Newbie

Hi everyone, I am new here, I mean in the blog, and I wanted to introduce myself. I am Lulu, married with 4 children. We will be relocating to Montevideo in august! We are from Venezuela, so you must imagine our reasons!. The kids are okey with the idea and we are all eager for this school year (in Vz) to finish to move!. We work on the internet with some travels, but would like to have a business in UY to make some pesos there. We have traveled to MVD twice with the whole gang and we love it there, even thou we know it will be hard in some aspects, it will be WAY better than here. Kids can go to the University for free because we are all moving as a family. So far, we have spoken to the U and some schools, have researched real state, (we want to rent), cars, beaches, clubs, restaurants,even food at supermarkets. We plan to go too MVD next month to see some properties and get again the "feel" of it.
Any advise will be VERY much appreciated.

Brian · Veteran Member

Hi Lulu...

Thanks for joining our forum... It seems like you've got your head on straight and you're on the right track... What type of advice are you looking for?

lulu · Newbie

Thanks for your reply, Brian. I am very happy to have found this blog!.
I think I just want kind of reassurance... I sure want to know about importing a car from the states and about prepaid medicine. I think taxes are too high for the car but I am not sure. We have a service of prepaid medicine here in Vz, (Sanitas) that would cover for doctors appointments,(their doctors) emergencies, surgeries, (in their authorized clinics), but not medicines, or glasses, or preexisting conditions. I would like to know if there is something similar in UY.. Thanks for any input!

Brian · Veteran Member

Hi Lulu,

You're welcome... One resource we have that might help you out is our website under Expat Info and Health Care... We have information about health care in Uruguay on our blog... For preexisting conditions Asociation Expanola is a good hospital that will accept anyone with a preexisting condition.

After you go through that information, please respond back with any questions you may have...

Have a great day!

joyandrane · Member

Brian...well, we have been on a quest to move to Uruguay since our visit in November. However, after reading this information on the exchange rate (we all ready knew about this) but we didn't know about the local inflation of 7-10%. As we will be on a limited income of approximately$2000 per month, we are now wondering if maybe moving to Uruguay will be detrimental to our living within our meansin UY. What is your thoughts on this? We are not interested in moving to Ecuador or Peru or anywhere else in South or Central America. We truly loved Uruguay when we were thre--the people, the feeling of the country, it's beauty. But if we cannot live within our means, then we may have to back out of our dream and figure out how I can retire early here in the U.S. Not an especially positive thought on our part as we have been looking forward to the adventure of a new country, new people, new language, new style of living. But don't want to be stupid about it. We do have some money to invest, but by no means are we flush. Your opinion is valued.

Brian · Veteran Member

@joyandrane... You pose some good questions... I know for a fact that you can live here on 2K per month... on the other hand... I don't know what type of lifestyle you live in the US. I read an article the other day that Uruguayan economists are speculating another 6-8% of inflation through 2010...

When we got here; our basic expenses... rent, food, Internet, utilities, etc were running around U$S 1,500-1,800 per month (that doesn't include us going out and doing all of the extras)... Now our basic expenses are running around U$S 2,200-2,400 for the same exact same things... We've been told by several expats that we arrived at the peak... Here's a real life example... In the last week, diapers went up in price about U$S 1 at the drugstore we buy our diapers at...

I just read on the Total Uruguay Forum the other day a gentleman form Great Britain said over the past 2 years it's become 50% more expensive for him to live here...

I know of several expats who are leaving or considering leaving Uruguay... and the expense of living here is one of the reasons...

You can find places here that are really dirt cheap... But, things like furniture are expensive... We bought a used sofa cama (sofa bed) for our apartment... It's in decent condition; it looks like it's from the late 80s.... It's pretty comfortable to sleep on, but it sucks to sit on for any period of time.... When we move out of this apartment I'll sell it for U$S 150 and I'll get it... Cars are atrocious... I read on one of the other forums that a gentleman bought a used car with something like 220,000 K on it a few years ago for around U$S 7,000 and recently sold it for over U$S 8,000...

If you're looking for a cheap place to retire; Uruguay isn't it... not right now anyway...

If I wanted cheap in the US... I'd go to somewhere in non-coastal CA...

joyandrane · Member

Hmmmm...so you DO think we can do it on $2K...would that be in Colonia or Piriapolis? Our style of living is very frugal. We sold our home 2 years ago and have been living in an 8x31 RV. We spend about $200 US a month on groceries, and we do not want to own or have a car in UY, thus lowering our outgo. I make all our food from scratch, I sew and make our clothes, quilts, drapes, etc. We could use the money from the sale of our RV (as soon as it sells, which may take awhile in this economy) and the sale of furniture, paintings, stereo equipment, electronics, etc. in order to live a very frugal and low-key, not typical American but more Uruguayan existence. I have been an administrator/asst for a major university for 8 years, and manager for engineering firms, a home school program, and other business related things, plus I have been a travel agent, and event planner. Also managed a restaurant and had my own catering business, so have many skills. So that's where we are. THanks for the information & for anything you might think of to give us hope.

-- Edited by joyandrane on Friday 22nd of January 2010 07:01:03 PM

Brian · Veteran Member

@ joyandrane... Based on the lifestyle description you described, yes, I think you could live on U$S 2,000 per month here.... I don't know about Piriapolis or Colonia...

I'd really love for someone else to chime in on this...

Esteban · Member

Hello @ joyandrane. I am uruguayan, so we might have different opinion about what is important and not, or how much money I consider I need to have a reasonable life.
But there is something that might shade some light about the discussion on the cost of living. The uruguayan national statistic institute (www.ine.gub.uy) as many in the region, measures the cost of living for a standard family of 4, including in this "basket" all basic items as health, transportation, home, food, education, etc. In 2008 the number for a reasonable (all basic needs covered) subsistence of a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children) was estimated in UY$ 31.000. Considering inflation it must be around $36000 today (my numbers, not official figures, 2009 final result will be ready in March), which equals USD 1885 (taking average exchange rate in January 2009).
In general life outside Montevideo is cheaper, and you have also less chances to waste money.
Hope this helps.

lulu · Newbie

Esteban, good info, thanks a lot. I supposed that cost of renting a house also varies from one neighborhood to another, right? I know that this is very difficult and imposing, but where would you recommend to rent a 4 bedroom house and how much do you think would be a reasonable price? Thanks!!!!!

Esteban · Member

Hi Lulu, you are very welcome.

You are right, prices vary substantially depending on where you rent. A recommendation is something near impossible, as it is something very very personal. I have my own likes and dislikes, but they obey to my own reasons :). A 4 bedroom house is expensive, expect over USD 500 in a regular zone and up to USD 3000 or more in a upscale area. And you can find anything in between. This is always talking about MVD. If you head west you can find nice properties not that expensive, but you will not be very close to downtown and "isolated" from other expats. For what I have seen there is a curious trend to live in Pocitos - Pta. Carretas, neighborhoods relatively close to downtown and pretty crowded.
Probably the best to make a good choice is come to visit and explore yourself, but if you can explain exactly what you are looking for, maybe together we can reduce the options...
I am sure I am not being of any help now, but the place to live is really something very personal, and each area here has its own pros and cons.

Oh, you mentioned before Colonia, near the city there are nice places as Santa Ana where you can get good deals. I personally love that area, it is very close to Colonia del Sacramento and just a short distance from MVD and Buenos Aires too.

Well, I would love to be of more help, so let me know any idea or specific idea you have about the place or kind of live you would like to have and then we could figure out what places might fit better for that.

Have a great time!

lulu · Newbie

thanks, Esteban! We are a family of 6, my younger children is 13 years old, so we have to be relatively close to a high school and to the U de la Republica (it is not necessary to be walking distance of course, just reasonably close, we travel a media of half an hour now to get to school and U), we would like to rent a house with at least 4 bedrooms, 3 bathroom, a patio or back yard (we have a dog) and parrillera! that is very similar to what we are renting right now). I prefer it not to be in Ciudad Vieja or Centro, preferably Pocitos, Punta Carretas,, something close to the water....I have heard a lot about Punta Gorda and Ciudad de la Costa,(Lago Mar, Pina Mar, Atlantida, etc,) but I am not sure how distant they really are.
I think these places are east to Montevideo, what would be the areas west to the city that you mentioned? What about Malvin, Buceo, Parque Battle, Rodo, El Prado?.
Thanks a lot and sorry for so many questions!

Lulu

Esteban · Member

My pleasure again Lulu. And don’t worry about the questions…actually, I would ask you more questions. The UdelaR is not all together on a campus, is a city university, or urban campus, it means that depending on what your kids want to study they could be in different locations. Do you have more than one in college age? What are they going to study? Obviously you have high schools all along the city, but you might be looking for a certain kind of education so defining this would be important as well.
Budget is something else to consider, here a few ideas:
If you are looking for a house life, disregard Pocitos. You can still find houses there, but most likely you will have a building or many buildings around, and the worst, lot of new ones, with no style or soul. Well, this is my own perspective, but I do not like being in the backyard surrounded by windows and balconies…..Among the options you mentioned, and considering the distance to the estuary, I would vote for Malvin. Maybe because that’s my childhood neighborhood  You can get the house you are looking for (are you renting? In that case I have seen houses around UDS 2000 monthly, there could be cheaper ones). Punta Gorda is very nice as well, maybe little bit more expensive, but as Malvin has relatively good bus services, in Punta Gorda you do not have too many options. Bus ride to Centro is around 40’. I live in La Blanqueada now, very close to Parque Batlle and Tres Cruces. In this area you can find nice houses, prices vary a lot, and it is very well connected to all the city, but you will need a bus or bike ride to the beach. The park itself is considered a dangerous place at night, but I normally walk my dog there and nothing has happened to me, maybe just good luck. Parque Rodo is a good option too, near the green park, close to some beaches and near Centro. Now, and this is very personal, I do not like beaches in Parque Rodo or Pocitos. If you want to be close to the water to actually use it, I would recommend Malvin and Punta Gorda. Again, this is my very personal appeal, so this observation surely will not be share for everyone. Atlantida, Lagomar etc are kind of suburban areas, metropolitan areas, not fully urbanized, except for Atlantida which is a small city but a city in the very sense of the word. It is cheaper and nice, but moving in and out Montevideo everyday, maybe more than once daily (university classes are not always organized in block) can be tedious. My wife is a school teacher, and she has larger vacations than me, so we sometimes rent a place in Atlántida, which is close enough to let me go everyday to work while they stay enjoying summer. I hate the 2 weeks I do this :P I know a lot of people do that everyday, but I just got used to have a 15’ to 30’ ride to almost everywhere.
Prado and Paso Molino, west of town are simply lovely places form an architectonical perspective. There are some impressive houses there, but again the communications are not the best and where they are good prices are normally very high.
Well, this is a lot of info, not sure if of any help at all. Nothing in Montevideo is really far away; it depends on your backgrounds. People from Bs. As. find Montevideo small and tranquil, while people from small towns find it huge and stressful. Just perspective  About where to live…aside the reasons, there is nothing like the feeling on the place.
What are your kids going to study? Any preference/needs about high schools? Are you coming to visit?

Cheers,

Esteban