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Moving to Uruguay Soon!!

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Sizzla86
  11/16/2017 00:20 EST

Hi, All,

A new member of the forum and also soon to be moving to Uruguay early next year 2018 for business purpose.
However, my wife and 3 and 1/2 year old daughter will be accompanying me and would like some information please!
I am looking to rent so what are the rents like in the suburbs and city center?? What budge should I consider?? I work from home so I would like to know how much income I will need!!
My daughter will be going to KG and would like to know what type of schools are available and there fees or should I consider public schools.
Just a little information as I will be stuck there for over a period of 12 months. I heard that living in Uruguay can be expensive.

Since my tourist visa is valid for 3 months, I will need to change to a temporary or permanent residence. So what does that look like?? Apologies for the questions, so am diving into a territory that is not my field.

Thanks!!
Eager Entrepreneur

Morell
  11/16/2017 06:36 EST

Many people who are here for a short time simply renew their visitor's visa. You can do it once in Montevideo for a further three months then you need to leave - a quick trip to say Buenos Aires and then repeat. Others don't bother to renew it and pay the fine when they leave, a low amount I believe. Starting permanent residency will complicate your life. For example, you then require permission to leave the country for any reason and will have expenses that will be wasted unless you do actually plan to move here permanently.

Cannot help with costs but Numbeo can give you an idea of basic costs. (I think I would budget at least $2,500 - 3,500 US a month for a modest lifestyle, at a guess.) Hope you are also considering healthcare insurance, the public system is for poor or unemployed Uruguayans and is underfunded and overcrowded.

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Pancho
  11/20/2017 06:33 EST

Woeking from home means you will need a good Internet connection. This will restrict you search area enormously to Montevideo, Maldonado (Punta del Este) and Colonia.
Secondly, I would reconsider the option of a public school for you kid, because in this case you will have much more restrictions in finding good public schools as the differences depend very much on how much the parentes of the kids in that school get financially involved in finding solutions not provided by the State. Even in Montevideo the learbing quality in different public schools are enormous depending of the school you live next, because the child must be schooled in the school of the area where you live. Consider also that most of expats with kids, send them to private schools thinking in their future. Homeschooling in Uruguay is not accepted and for Residency purposes ypu MUST inscribe you kid in a school.

carlitos
  11/20/2017 08:55 EST

There is reliable and fast internet in other places not restricted to the ones mentioned before.

mjferriesmcgrew
  11/20/2017 12:05 EST

i dont know the schools part of your query, but as far as wifi/work from home, i live out in one of the little towns/cities , MINAS and i have excellent wifi. People i know here, who live out in the countryside, dont. But mine is in town, and wired through a land line, and in 2 years it has only gone down twice, i think . ( in big storms ) Antel company.

EdNewYorkCity
  11/20/2017 21:25 EST

According to this article which is pretty recent Uruguay has the fastest internet in Latin America. I understand that Uruguay has a new cable connected directly to the US which it's going to improve even further the speeds and connectivity
I believe right now the coverage of fiber optic cable throughout the country is about 70%

http://santiagotimes.cl/2017/06/02/uruguay-dethrones-chile-for-latin-americas-fastest-broadband-speeds-crown/

William RussellWilliam Russell
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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.

William RussellWilliam Russell

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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Vortice
  11/22/2017 06:27 EST

I recently read that the connection by fiber optics in Uruguay is 43%, which is still a big number. In our old neighborhood in Santa Barbara there has been fiber optic cable installed on the power poles for many years, but it is not yet connected to any houses! The big Telecoms there are happy with their current high profits and poor service. When we said we were moving to Uruguay, people there would ask, "But what will you do for internet service?", as if we were moving into the "Selva Negra" to live among savages in the 3rd world! I told them that Uy has better/faster internet than most of the US. The fiber network here is growing fast and cx speeds are increasing.
Definition of a 3rd world country: One that primarily exports raw materials and imports finished goods. The US has fit that description for many decades now, which is very sad.

carlitos
  11/22/2017 06:38 EST

In this map you can zoom in and see where there is fiber installed or not.

http://www.antel.com.uy/personas-y-hogares/internet/fibra-optica/zonas-de-instalacion

afj21
  1/27/2018 22:10 EST

Sizzla86, After spending 3 years in Uruguay, with a wife, 2 children and working for a tech company, I felt I could provide you with some valuable details. I private messaged you with some in depth information.

In short I agree with Morell's estimate of $2500 - $3500 U.S. per month. I would err on the side of caution and stay closer to the $3500 mark. Also, you should expect to pay upfront for some things when you first arrive, i.e. hotel/taxi, rent for the first 4 months, car if you purchase, and school for your daughter.

Carlitos is also right, the internet in some of the more rural areas of Montevideo is not bad, but I'd stick to the bigger cities where repair services are much quicker especially if you are working from home and can't afford outages and downtime. Also, you'll have more options for equipment in the city, specifically Montevideo, if you need it.

Best of Luck.

DeLeoterio
  2/5/2018 13:38 EST

I'm Brazilian living in Brazil and traveling often to Uruguay. What I may say is:

- internet: unless you choose to live in some very small village you'll be fine.

- cost of living: it's high, almost like USA (I would say 80%). On the bright side expenses (grocery, gas, restaurants, maybe more...) paid through international credit/debit cards get a 20% rebate on the card's statement. I'm not sure if a resident can, legally, enjoy this rebate.

- you didn't ask but, well...: Uruguayans are very helpful and polite. This why I like to spend my holidays there.

Expat91364
  2/5/2018 14:16 EST

Just to clarify, Hotels, restaurants and other Tourism related expenses charged on a foreign issued card can get about 90% of the IVA charge back. Grocery store and gasoline are not part of that program. On the other hand many vendors and stores, restaurants run special promotions if you pay with a certain banks credit card but it must be Uruguayan issued bank like santander or Itau. Often 25-30% off actually.

As to comparing costs to the US that is problematic as the costs in the US vary tremendously. Housing in Uruguay is on par with say suburban tennessee, or central florida. Property tax will be half of Central Florida but gasoline more than double. Utilities about the same but services, repairs etc about 1/4 of the cost. Restaurants are on average are less in the States, except better dining in places like NY or LA. Not talking gourmet specialty just your neighborhood upper eastside Manhattan Italian place will be much more. (although the food will be oh so much better in NY)

On average I spend more in a month in the supermarket here in UY than there, but I probably spend much less on going out in UY as the restaurants I find are boring and not worth it, and frankly I am a better and more interesting cook!!! Modest too.

But Uruguay pays for itself in many ways and is a great place to make a home.

William RussellWilliam Russell
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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.

William RussellWilliam Russell

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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joemindwarp
  2/24/2018 15:12 EST

I recommend renting thru airbnb.com
my friend has a 1 bedroom apartment on the main street ( Sarandi ) in the best section of Montevideo, pedestrian zone 7th floor roof top apartment with large terrace just across from the Church, You will want to make your plans soon, it is the end of tourist season so this is a good time

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/18856127

joemindwarp
  2/24/2018 16:20 EST

I have a house in Pinares, a suburb of Maldonado , it is about 1 and a half hour by car from Montevideo but much less congested, cleaner and quieter. I can send you pics if you are interested. I describe it as a smaller version of Montevideo. There is a bus stop at the end of the street to take you to town, large grocery or there is a small town with in walking distance that has a decent sized grocery and other shops, taxis are also inexpensive as ic beef, chicken, pork and fish. A fishing boat sells fresh fish from the marina

joemindwarp
  2/24/2018 16:42 EST

If you can rent thru a private party you will save realtor fees, typically 1 - 2 months rent, and not have to put the utility services in your name, I sent you pics of my place, let me know if you are interested, I am told that it is the nicest house in the area, all completely renovated.

Fermatt
  3/1/2018 12:37 EST

Hello,

Can you send me photos and information about Pinares.
Best,
Dan

Morell
  3/1/2018 12:46 EST

Also check out Youtube for videos of Maldonado and other areas of UY.

mypinares
  3/1/2018 13:35 EST

private rentals can have a caveat. You may save the realtor's fee, but without an officially registered rental contract, you have no way of legally claim any defect, return of deposit etc. Have have heard of many foreigners who regretted their 'private' deals. Besides, since this summer, the government inspectors are out in force, searching on private rentals via AirB&B, bookings or owners own sign outside their property in order to charge owner the due taxes...

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