About lasoria

Currently Lives:

Maldonado, Uruguay

Citizen Of:

United States

Some Forum Posts:

Uruguay: possibly moving:

Be prepared for culture shock when transitioning here... and lots of bureaucracy - nothing is done easily here. I would not recommend coming to Uruguay looking for a job.. there are too few to go around for the nationals as it is... unless you are exceptional at what you do and especially if you do not speak the language, which is Spanish, but it's "criollo" Spanish - only spoken by Argentina and Uruguay... with many different pronunciations and idioms than the neutral or Mexico Spanish and even "Castizo" Spanish spoken in Spain. Most people in Uruguay do not speak English. Your budget seems adequate - depending on where you plan to live... Montevideo is one of the most INexpensive cities to live in the world, as are practically all other cities and towns in Uruguay, but Punta del Este is just as expensive as any US resort city or international resort in the world, if not more. I would strongly recommend coming to Uruguay on an extended .. (maybe a couple of months) visit to get a feel for it before packing up and moving here.

Uruguay: Anyone have problems with bank wires?:

Because of money laundering problems and concerns, the USA is requiring that Uruguay have much more stringent rules and regulations with regards to wire transfers. One has to provide much information regarding the proceeds of the monies and proof of how they are to be used while in Uruguay. Lots of paper work and more bureaucracy.

Uruguay: House security when gone?:

You HAVE to have a good alarm system and preferably good home insurance as well in Uruguay. You can also do what some do, if you have the space and the set up in your home - have "caseros" or hired people who mind your home while you're away. Some expats have "house sitters" as well.

Uruguay: Moving to Montevideo, Uruguay:

I take my hat off to the Uruguayan gentleman who has had the gumption and the honesty to call it like it is in Uruguay today. "Copamientos" are "home invasions" and where before they would just break in to homes to steal saleable valuables quickly for their drug fixes... now they are getting bolder and there have been reports of deaths happening and the newest "fad" are express kidnappings - just like in Mexico. I don't know what you mean by "living a low maintenance existence" but I can tell you that if lack of everything you've been used to being able to get at the drop of a hat at affordable prices is a big part of it, then Uruguay is the place to be. Montevideo is considered one of the most INexpensive cities in the world to live... that is if you don't care to have decent health insurance (or care for that matter - forget "state-of-the art" anything no matter if you go to the best hospital and the medical "system" here is like nothing you've ever experienced - I call it M.A.S.H); don't have home insurance - which you really have to have plus a good alarm system and they don't come cheap... the monitoring costs are exorbitant by US standards... and I hope you're ready to drive in what can only be called "chaos" and taking your life in your hands every time you venture out into the "asphalt jungle" because if you drive like you do in CA you'll be eaten alive... you can use public transportation but it's not anything like you've ever known in the US. A recommendation from a 4-year resident of Uruguay (Punta del Este) by way of California (and yearning to go "home"... someday): by all means PLEASE come and stay in Montevideo for a couple of months before making your final decision. Everyone is different and Uruguay is not for everyone. There are those who love it and those who don't. Look for guidelines for residency requirements through the Uruguay consulate in Los Angeles - they may have them on their site - if not call them and have them email you the most recent rules and regulations - but let me warn you, in Uruguay, the left hand doesn't know what the right hand does - there is no "book" to go by, and everyone you talk to will give you different stories... at every level - especially the government.

Uruguay: Cost of living?:

Please!!!!!! There is no way you can live on $1300 a month in Uruguay unless you plan not to have any decent medical insurance, no home insurance (bad choice if you decide not to), decide to freeze in winter (electricity is VERY expensive here!)...not drive at all (gas is very expensive) and you must have auto insurance now by law... and that's not cheap... you'll need it believe you me! Many of the sources you've been getting your information from are not accurate... my husband and I were also told (by a family member who lives in Montevideo...!! but who we now know lives very differently to what we're used to living like in the US) we could live on $1500 - 2000 a month and that's just NOT true. I strongly suggest you visit here for at least a month if you can muster it and get a feel for Uruguay before packing up and trekking out here... Advice from a 4-year resident from CA who yearns to return home ... someday. PS: Atlantida will be less expensive, as will Colonia, but La Barra is very expensive (home prices have skyrocketed in the past five years!) since it's the "trendy" place to be and one other thing... if you plan on being here year-round La Barra is a ghost town in the winter months (May - September)... and food and restaurants are just as expensive or more than in the US.

Uruguay: Hospital Work:

I would say for you to explore all avenues. If you're used to working in the USA, the public hospital in Montevideo might be a very different experience - maybe even too different. My husband had many medical problems in the USA during our last 7 years there... from a perforated duodenal ulcer to a triple (twice-spontaneous) pneumothorax to prostate cancer and we were very lucky to have had the best of treatment, wonderful hospitals and doctors while we were in CA for the 21 years we were there. We have found Uruguay very different in their medical "system" and the hospitals we have visited for routine procedures since we've been here these past nine months (Britanico, Americano, Impasa and Sanatorio Cantegril/La Asistencial (in Maldonado/Punta del Este) are all very differenti in their quality and technologically-speaking. As an informed patient, if I were lucky enough to have a choice, I would only be treated at the Britanico in Montevideo and at the Cantegril in Punta del Este. I believe your expertise will be very much needed and in demand in Uruguay. I have no idea what the salaries are in the medical field here but what Elena tells you about US$500 being the tops for most FT jobs is completely accurate. If there's anything we can be of help with please don't hesitate to contact us. C

Uruguay: Expats living in Uruguay:

My husband and I have been living in Punta del Este for 9 months now. He's a US citizen born in Uruguay and I'm also a US citizen. I would say that if you like crowds and lots of activity then the "high season" frenzy is going to be to your liking - but the rest of the year is quieter. I prefer the quieter Punta del Este and milder weather. You'll find all kinds of different opinions and thoughts on life in Uruguay. Suffice it to say we're all different and our reasons for choosing to live here are also... adapting to a new country will also be different for everyone depending on your expectations, your state of mind and personal way of dealing with change. I would say that Uruguay is not for everyone and that you should come with an open mind and lots of patience. If there's anything I can be of help with don't hesitate to contact us - both my husband and I would be glad to be of any assistance. C

Date Joined:

2/27/2007

Total Posts:

8

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