'Interested In moving to Uruguay.' Expat

Interested In moving to Uruguay.

Talk for and about Expats. Living in this Uruguay? Let others know about it. Want to live here? Ask questions! Expat Interviews

Howard C. Lockamy (68.221.180.229) -

Ive always wanted to live abroad and have done my research on South America and am Interested In living In Uruguay or maybe Argentina.Any help I can get with will be appreciated.I can share my findings with others as well.

Sincerely,

Howard

Reply #1 Roy (64.76.36.108) -

What kind of information are you looking for? When do you plan on visiting the area? Montevideo and Buenos Aires are close, so you can check them both out during the same trip.

You'll probably find a better selection (and prices) for flights to Buenos Aires. Then you can hop over the river to check out Uruguay.

You can go by bus for about 20 bucks. You can go by boat (I found the prices on the web to be nothing close to buying a ticket here -- ie: the web prices were very expensive). You can fly (American charges $62 round trip for Buenos Aires to Montevideo -- though there is another $42 or so in taxes). The Brazilian airlines are less expensive though sometimes booked.

The biggest danger you'll find in either country is the problem of eating too much since the food (beef) is so good and inexpensive.

Reply #2 Howard (68.221.170.50) -

Roy,

I would like to leave by the end of the year and the Ifo I need are things like, can I work without being a resident,apartment searching etc.

I know all about the distance and travel between Argentina and Uruguay.The boat trip always seemed Interesting.I was told by one guy an easy way to renew my visa was by going over the border to another country and back again.

Tahnks for the response.

Reply #3 Roy (64.76.36.108) -

Here is a great website for finding houses and apartments. Most have photos. The only confusing points are which ones have furniture (I think you'll find MOST of the apartments DO HAVE!).

Also if a price is $5000 it is probably pesos and not dollars. the US$500 would be in dollars. You may find that the deposit requirements and commissions are higher than what your used to. The law allows up to a 5 month deposit on apartment rentals. You may get away with 3 or 2 (on a very short term like 3 month rental). You will also find the property owners are very good at return the deposit at the end of the term. You'll also find the rentors and renters generally pay a commission to the agency when you rent an apt (1 month rent on a year term). Each party uses their own agency.

Both Argentina and Uruguay should give you a 90 day stamp when you enter. You can probably renew those without much effort... or a trip across the river.

Once you apply for residency you have no trouble staying while they process the application. The immigration office has signs telling to you bring a translator if you don't speak spanish and there don't seem to be many lawyers or others pushing residency services (in english) as you find say in Costa Rica. I'm sure you can find english help in that arena if you go looking.

I don't think you'll find any country that permits to you "work" without permission. However, unlike Costa Rica, all types of residency in Uruguay allow you to work. I don't know if they allow you to work while they process your application.

• Buscano Casa

Reply #4 Adrian (24.1.108.164) -

Dear expat,

1. How diffcult is it for a middle-aged couple (50+) to settle down in Uruguay (i.e to get a permanent residency status)? Is an investment in Uruguay (say, in the turist industry) manadatory? What about people who want to have a free-lance career (writers, etc) in Uruguay?

2. I would like to know about health care in Uruguay. What about pre-existing medical problems? Are there any government health insurance plans that will cover such conditions? What about public health care in Uruguay (quality, cost)?

Thanks a lot in advance for your answer,

Adrian

ADRIANRODICAVEXLER@comcast.net

Reply #5 Ed (200.2.55.249) -

Hi Adrian

I answered your questions in two new messages "Settle down in Uruguay" and "health care in Uruguay". I made the new messages since they are really completely different topics and I hope some others will offer their insight as well.

How did you become interested in Uruguay?

Ed

Reply #6 Gordon (168.209.98.43) -

I live in South Africa. I am 32 years old. I work in the Information technology sector. I would like to work/migrate to Uruguay. Possibly even start my own buisness.

What would the best route to take, seeing that I am sitting in South Africa.

Do I need a sponsor??

Can I seek employment from here??

Could anyone please assist me?????

Reply #7 peekaboo from my frozen igloo (Contact Member) -

Do you need to know how to speak latin in order to live in this country, or do they speak fluent english as well?

Reply #8 Lee from Pocitos (Contact Member) -

It sure helps to speak Spanish, though they use their own version... for example ll is prounced as sh intead of y.

Many speak English, though you will be severly limited by a lack of Spanish.

Reply #9 Cinderella from Cinderella's Castle (Contact Member) -

I would definitely have a general fluency in Spanish before moving to any Latin American country. Peekaboo, that's cute, but no one speaks Latin anymore unless you're at high mass at a Catholic Church, maybe. ;-) Although, taking Latin in school helps tremendously with learning other languages, especially Spanish and Portuguese.

Reply #10 Lee from Pocitos (Contact Member) -

I found it easier to understand Portuguese in Rio than my wife who's first language is Spanish. I think the reason is that I have lived where I am not fluent in the language for many years. So I am used to trying to grasp the concept of with as few a words as possible... before trying to understand the full meaning of something.

For example in a restaurant, once I figure out if something if beef or chicken then I'm 90% ready to order without worrying about the little details like what comes with it.

I am told there is a colony of brits here who speak only English in their community.

Reply #11 kztyler (89.218.162.33) -

i am planning a trip to uruguay/argentina in march to research retirement property. i would greatly appreciate any insight or comments from people familiar with the area, market, etc. also, recommendations on travel agents, real estate agents, immigration lawyers, interior travel options.

for international flights, is it better to fly into ba, then hop over to uruguay? in uruguay, i would like to check out montevideo, colonia and punta del este. are there any other places i should investigate? if i get that warm fuzzy feeling, i'd be looking to initially buy an apartment that fulfils the investment requirements for residency/citizenship.

Reply #12 Lee (4) from Montevideo, Uruguay (Contact Member) -

I would fly to which ever is cheaper... Buenos Aires or Montevideo. Use the ferry to go between then.

You can buy US$100, 000 of real estate for residency in Uruguay.. -OR- show US$500/month of income.

Interior travel bus is very cheap and comfortable... and the bus/taxi cost is probably considerably less than car rental/gasoline.

• Montevideo Expat Meeting

Reply #13 Paul & Kerry (58.165.37.114) -

Hello from Brisbane, Australia.

We'd like to know what business opportunities are available in Montevideo and how difficult is it to set up, etc.

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