About gbowwii

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Uruguay: MVD English-Speakers' Lunch?:

Someone is asking me but I cannot find any news of these still going. Do you have news. The only English-speakers' lunch I know of is in Atlantida (Las Tosas actually) http://mydayinuy.com/events/ Thanks!

Uruguay: Feeling a bit Overwhelmed:

I want to amplify Vortice's recommendation to hone your Spanish skills. Specifically, set aside time each day to take a course like Synergy Spanish (just start with the basic course; don't get anything extra until/if you complete the first). Don't worry about the differences in the local dialect and new vocabulary. I did and put off learning; wished I hadn't. You'll be way ahead of some expats.

Uruguay: Real estate offers:

Worth amplifying the point that a number of expats who agree to buy at the listed price, have found that the seller increases the price. In my opinion, one shouldn't go along with that but I also know how "in love" you may be with the place.

Uruguay: Thanksgiving restaurant?:

Anyone know of a restaurant doing a Thanksgiving dinner between Atlantida & Piriapolis ...or Montevideo? Thanks!

Uruguay: Puzzled By Expat Attitudes:

In case you hadn't seen it yet, there's another post Before & After that is worth looking at that relates to this. As to "why they didn't move", some are economic refugees from the US or other places that may not find it easy to move again. The US financial repression continues to impoverish anyone with even a bit of money saved so they may trying to restart. A problem with Uruguay is a greater inflation rate and so coming here may not fix that without special attention to that. When I first came here I did not like the city's grime and grafitti. I still don't but have gotten to like MVD more but would prefer not to live there. Coastal or campo is more for me. Yes, the people are often very nice and helpful but learning Spanish is a priority and if one cannot start now and make progress with that, may not really be committed to the move to here (or another Spanish-speaking country).

Uruguay: Uruguay Before and After you Moved There:

I had started to learn a bit of Spanish before coming and found it much harder than I thought. I should have started much earlier. I know people who were fluent in Spanish who found the Rio Platense dialect difficult initially but doing better now. I think if a prospective resident does not work hard at learning Spanish before coming they are not really committed. And Spanish is usable many places so it's not wasted if the plan to go to Uruguay doesn't work out. I had underestimated how much summertime rents would increase (like 25o-300%) and so it was a shock going from off-season. Even though it appears that vacation housing is overbuilt along the gold coast, the renters don't seem to be inching their asking price down. While annual rents are more reasonable (by US standards), many houses are generally miserable to live in during the winter because of the inadequate heating and humidity that makes mold a problem. Extra searching and a really good/expensive $3000-5000 wood stove can make the difference here. Because prices are moderate, we could have afforded to live on the water (across the beach road actually). But extra maintenance and cold, strong winds many have made that less affordable long term. Most choose to live several blocks back to avoid that maintenance/icy blasts ...or in the campo. I never expected the routine kindness of strangers here. They are so often helpful and perhaps because we are older they are more accepting of our need. The relatively high portion that speaks English, apologize for it but it's often pretty good. Only one person per year has shown annoyance at how we don't speak their language. Having said that, we are often stymied at getting simple things done or understood because of our still poor Spanish. Unlike in other Latin American countries, we don't *look* out of place until we try to speak! The English speaking community is both a big help but effectively a hindrance to our learning Spanish more quickly out of desperate need.

Uruguay: Zika:

Here's a good news anecdote: Out in the campo, I have seen 4 mosquitoes in 16 months. Each was dealt with quickly. When we lived in a coastal town, I'd swat 30 mosquitoes each night before diving under the netting (occasionally one would follow me under there.) FWIW I have heard conflicting news on Zika but regardless of that, I do appreciate Morrell's passing along news stories of potential interest. So thank you for that; let's not shoot the messenger.

Uruguay: Cheese starter cultures & supplies?:

Yes, cheddar please.

Uruguay: how can i know who is the owner by padron number?:

I am curious to see what others think about this--not just the "how to" but whether it's a culturally acceptable approach. I don't know but my suspicion is that most people here would not want to be approached unless if they already had a For Sale sign posted.

Uruguay: biggestcheapest lighting store in uru?:

Sometimes, just finding what you want is the first phase before comparing prices. To that end, along the southside of the IB at Atlantida (not far after the Ruta 11 bridge) there is a good lighting store, Maudy.

Date Joined:

7/14/2012

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63

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