Since a number of my readers
are actually considering moving to Uruguay, I have been asked for more
information on prices.
This week, I had the
pleasure chatting via messenger at length with a very interesting gentleman
from Europe, who is moving here: from his native Switzerland to the Switzerland of
South America. I think the lack of
personal income tax and the ability to operate tax-free in the Free Zones has
something to do with his decision.
Current local hotel prices
can be found on their websites, which are linked from the blogroll to the right
which is just below the picture of the local World Trade
Center building.
Taxis are cheap, typically
less than U$S1.00 per mile—there is a surcharge after dark and on
holidays. But they are tiny—if you want
something bigger you have to ask for a Renault Kangoo, they are bigger—sort of
a minivan.
On to living expenses.
Food: You can get current food prices from the blogroll’s
UY Links. From that page, go to Grocery
stores. One thing to note: meat and dairy products are locally produced
and are wonderful and cheap! Neither Kansas City steaks nor Virginia hams have anything over the local versions. If you happen to be a devotee of the Adkins
Diet, this is Paradise.
Rent: as previously noted, we are paying U$S850.00/month
rent for our furnished house just off the beach. The big surprise on that was the
across-the-board requirement here for a deposit equal to 5 months rent. (I am told that is because it takes that long
to toss out a non-paying tenant.)
Housekeeper: We hire her through an agency. The total cost to us is U$S2.10/hour and they take care of all the employment paperwork, worker's comp, etc. She comes in 6 days each week, 2-4 hours per day as needed. Our total cost last month was just over U$S100.00.
Utilities: Our electricity bill is a mere U$S83.00/month. That includes outside lights and three
computer systems on at all times. There is
also a big refrigerator, two hot water heaters and a clothes washer. I’ll have to revise that when we turn on the
central heat. The bill for natural gas
is a paltry $9.00/month. The
water/sewer bill for April was U$S8.00 for a month (We had a leaking water heater that ran up the previous bill).
Telecoms: he basic phone cost, before ANY calls is U$S5.63/month. You pay for every call—pennies per minute
locally, more for cellphones, etc. We
pay U$S82.00/month each for our two ADSL lines:
each is 768kb down and 192kb up. The
last item today is prepaid cellphone costs, there are three rates: the lowest
to another cellphone from the same company, about U$S0.09/minute; to another
cellphone company or to landlines are higher, but I haven’t figured out how
much yet. From a landline to a cellphone is about U$S0.25/minute.
If you have other things you
want to know about, please leave a comment—if you don’t want it published,
simply say that and I will honor your request.
No comment is published until after I review it—that will prevent any
unwarranted insults…as opposed to the warranted kind.
Never forget the immortal words of Winston Spencer
Churchill: “a gentleman never insults
anyone…by accidentâ€.
I am moving to Uruguay too, how hard would it be to find a job as an engineer?
Left by liz on April 15th, 2006
Based upon the high level of unemployment here and the low wages, I would suspect it would be very hard to get a job here. Neverhteless there might be an unfulfilled need for someone with your special talents that I don’t know about. But, based on what I do know, it is far better if you bring your job with you, as I have.
I wish I could be more optimistic, and I may be wrong. If you really want to move here, keep checking other sources–also, a knowledge of Spanish will broaden your possibilities.
Left by The Southron on April 15th, 2006
I have updated and corrected some of the prices.
Left by The Southron on May 16th, 2006
Wow, great website, we are an Australian manufacturer in Malaysia at the moment and are looking to relocate, the choice is between Chile and Uruguay, with Uruguay coming out on tops at the moment. The site is very helpful. Im still going through information so i cant comment on much else at the moment :) One question i have though, is Canelones a big wine area or really only a token vieyard or 2? Im thinking about buying some rustic place there (i dunno maybe im dreaming)
Left by Keith on May 18th, 2006
Can you please give us an update on how the utilities are going through the Winter, in particular the electric bills you’ve received for the winter months.
It would be interesting to note the increase from $83. for the Summer month, now that you’ve used the heating system, which you seem to indicate is electric.
Regards, Adrian.
Left by Adrian on August 19th, 2006
The electric did not jump much– only U$S117, and much of that can be attributed to the equipment in use for a staff assistant we hired.
The big jump was in tha price of natural gas, which went from almost nothing to U$S217. That being said, it should be understood that this is a goodly sized house and that the kitchen door is left open half the time, even in the cold, for the dogs to come in and out.
As it is, the total winter gas bill will be about U$S600.00-700.00. Add that to a $10-15 average for the other 9 months and it is pretty acceptable.
Left by The Southron on August 22nd, 2006
Hi there and greetings from Seattle! First off let me congradulate you on the fine blog site you’ve put together. I’m moving to uruguay on Oct. 2nd and I’m very happy to see all this info you’ve including. However I was wondering if you might be able to answer a few more questions, you suggested asking if I didn’t see the answers. That’s a nice gesture on your part, I don’t know how busy you are but if you find the time to write me back or leave something on your site, I would be VERY GREATFUL.
A little bit about me and my plan: I’m going as a low budjet type plan. I travel around the word on nest to nothing playing and singing bossa nova in nice restarants. I’m good at what I do and people like the “sonic walpaper” I offer. It’s not an exciting rock concert, but I love doing it.
Anyway, I want to live in Uruguay. Why? Because I love spain and Europe but it’s so so expenvive now and the rules are getting tighter now. I’ve met many WONDERFUL people in Spain from Uruguay and I’m impressed by them. Most people think I’m crazy to not go live in Buenos Aires, but the idea of a tranquil, self assured Uruguay appeals to me more than the brasher, haughtier ways of the Argentines. I’m speaking in generalities of course. But I deeply think that Uruguay is my idea of an artistic environment, one that I want to be a part of. I’m tired of the self centered americans but don’t have alot of money and I can only stay in Spain for three months at a time, whereas it sounds like uruguay is much easier with being able to cross over to BA and back without any problem.
Ok, sorry about the rambling. Here are my questions. Again thank you very much for taking the time to consider them:
For a studio apmt what could I expect to pay per month in Montevideo? In other areas such as La Paloma? Colonia de Sacramento?
It looks like Colonia has a thriving arts scene with lots of funky little shops, restaurants, etc. Have you ever seen anyone crooning away in a restaurant or art gallery there? Is Colonia a funcioning, working town? Do normal people actually live there?
What would I need to gain residency there? Is it just money or ?
Thanks for your help!! I arrive oct 3rd and the flight returns 6 months later. I like the idea of staying longer than that. We’ll see. I speak FLUENT spanish and fair portuguese.
I would be interested in meeting you in person once I’m down there. It sounds like your disabled.
Best,
javier
Left by Javier Anderson on August 26th, 2006
IF ANYONE HAS ANY INPUT FOR THIS GENTLEMAN, PLEASE POST A COMMENT OR EMAIL SOUTHRON@BANK-MAIL.COM.
Hopefully some of our readers can respond more in depth to you on your specific questions, especially about Colonia.
I can offer this much information. Residency is pretty easy, basically a birth certificate , police clearance letter and proof of income of U per month or more. I am doing a detailed recap of the residency process later this week.
In your case, you really don’t need residency. You get a 3 month Visa when you come into the country. If you take the Buquebus ferry to BA before the end of the 3 months and spend overnight there, you can get a new three month visa when you return the next day.
The only issue would be a work permit, but it sounds like you might be able to work things out on n infomal basis. The major advantage of residency, expecially if you wanted to return, is that you would be able to work legally without a problem.
Left by The Southron on August 26th, 2006
Hi there, Southron-
Thanks for your response and also for posting my questions. I’ll look forward to reading your residency recap later this week!
Cheers,
javier
Left by Javier Anderson on August 27th, 2006
I notice many questions and answers about the length of stay. When you arrive you will get a 90 day visa. IT IS NOT NECESSARY to leave the country after 90 days; you can go to the immigration dept and pay a small fee to have your visa extended for another 90 days. At the end of that 90 days you will have to leave the country for 24 hours. Best bet is to go to BA. Then you can start the 90 X 90 all over again.
Left by Peter on September 5th, 2006