We have had a few days that looked like they might produce snow, but the most we got was heavy fog. In fact, early this past week, the fog was so heavy that the airports both here and in Buenos Aires were closed, as was the seaport on Montevideo.
If I were to send you photos of the local walking down the street, you might think you were in Boston, Yorkshire, Hamburg, or many Antarctica. Anytime the weather goes below 50F/10C, they act as if they are in Siberia.
The truth is that the Winter has, thus far, been easy. The past ten days have been the coldest, and yet yesterday was sunny and warm and about 70F/21C. We have generally had about 4-5 gloomy days and then an equal number of bright days. This is much better than some places I remember where one did not see the sun for weeks…
The Stats for July and August are as follows:
MaxTemp
Avg Max
AvgMin
MinTemp
July
77/F25C
62F/16C
49F/9C
35F/1C
August
55F/12C
53F/11C
39F/3C
33F/0.5C
It should be noted that since sunrise is relatively late here, at 07.34 today for example, the very coldest part of the day is at about 6AM, just before Astronomical Twilight.
What I want to know is how these wily Uruguayans get the sun to sleep in too?
As I write this in Hot Springs, Arkansas, the current temperature is 102F or 39C - oven like conditions, especially for a Brit like me! Your description of nice foggy day has great appeal and would make a welcome change.My experience of the USA has been of south Florida and AR, as I’m sure you know Summers in both places are very oppressive.We are planning a visit to MVD in September (for initial recce) and hope the fog will allow for planes to land.I understand log fires are a very popular form of heating, what is the most common form of heating in city apartments, do they have electric storage heaters?Please email me some fog.Adrian.
Left by Adrian Moore on August 9th, 2006
Hello Adrian:I can’t answer your question about heating statistically, only anecdotally. fireplaces certainly are common, especially because of the relative brief really cold periods. Most newer houses seem to have raditor systems that are heated with natural gas. Older places seem to use a lot of space heaters fueld by propane gas.If anyone reading this has more complete knowledge on this subject, I will be happy to publish it.
Left by The Southron on August 12th, 2006
Just got more information about heating. Every air conditioner unit sold here also has heating included. Many newer apartments offer under floor heating as well. It seems that almost every kind of heating is available here except for your own old fashioned coal furnace or your new personal nuclear power plant.
Left by The Southron on August 12th, 2006
This too is anecdotal information but based on a broader range of experiences. Most apartments of middle class buildings heat with ‘losa’ which are tiles in the sub floor heated by hot water. It is clean, silent and invisible. Very nice unless the pipe breaks…… The heating costs may be included in your homeowners fees (losa central) or individually billed to you(losa individual). Radiators do exist in some buildings as well but less common.Private homes use a variety of systems based on the preference of the builder/owner. Heating is not a huge issue. Air conditioning is uncommon.
Left by Clara on August 13th, 2006
Thanks for the additional info’ on heating systems, very much appreciate your attention to detail on our behalf.I’ve been checking out real estate on the web, though the digital pictures I’ve managed to find are not very good.However we’ve booked flights for September and will try and arrange to meet a Realtor. We look forward to the experience of MVD first hand.We would prefer to make our home in an older building in the city. From the info’ we’ve read, apartments in the Centro or Old Town area may work, depending on maintenance costs, property taxes and the noise factor.We’re following your adventures with great interest and appreciate all the detail you can share.The health care you describe is impressive both in quality and cost. Also the application for permanent resident process is very interesting, in particular how long the process will take. (do you know if this can be completed through a consul in the States).Keep up what you’re doing,Regards, Adrian.(shame about the personal atomic power)
Left by Adrian on August 13th, 2006
Thanks a lot for your response.
Left by The Southron on August 13th, 2006
There are some good apartment pictures on the web. A good place to start is http://www.apartamentos.com.uy/bc/apartamentos/default.asp.There is conflicting information about the level of crime in Centro and Ciudad Viejo. I cannot yet quantify it but urge you to take that aspect into account in those areas–they are the only areas about which I have heard those concerns expressed.The residency process can be accomplished in about 4 weeks, but must be done here. There are at least three personal appearances you must make: the first when you turn in your papers, which I described in It Ain’t Ellis Islands…, the second for an interview at which your fingerprints are taken for an Interpol check, and the final one when you collect your cedula.
Left by The Southron on August 13th, 2006
Personal safety is of far less concern in Montevideo than in large U.S. cities. The possible exceptions would be Centro, Ciudad Vieja or the Port Area. There are numerous buildings which have been taken over by (unsavory) squatters in those locations. The Old City is the location for office based businesses and is sparsely inhabited at night which creates vulnerability. There are wonderful apartment homes available throughout the city and nearer to the beach. You can find something in a wide range of prices. Carrasco, Positos and Punta Carretas may be nice places to begin looking.
Left by Clara on August 14th, 2006
I agree with Clara, in regard to safety in the US. Having lived in the Miami area (local supermarkets have armed guards). What was seen following Katrina,in my experience just reflects the reality of most cities and towns, mostly and thankfully, things just tick over.Add the cost and questionable quality of health care, you have prime motivating factors for people to look for a better quality environment in which to live and retire.It was this Blog site together with Lee Harrison’s e book on “Uruguay for Retiring,Investing or Just good Living”, that inspired my interest.If there is anyone who has read Lee’s book that knows MVD, It would be interesting to hear their opinion, if it’s a fair reflection?On checking out the “Frommer” travel notice board it is difficult to find a positive comment on MVD, making it seem like old East Berlin. I don’t believe that would be a fair reflection.I am visiting in September and plan to focus on checking out MVD as a place to live and retire. It is noticeable that information on Security and Taxes have been thin on the ground, which makes one think that this could be the Achilles heel. It is interesting the attention being shown by “International Living”. they do seem to try and whip-up property prices, getting pushed beyond the reach of most locals and many ex pats. Panama City is a good example of this. However it can have a spin off of improved security.There is nothing like first hand experience and I look forward to visiting and will certainly take the advice given on board.Regards, Adrian.
Left by Adrian on August 14th, 2006
We are continuing to probe about security, AND are working with our accountants to create acomplete report on the tax situation. Both should be available by the end of the month. — The Southron
Left by The Southron on August 15th, 2006
I hope this link helps with the crime/security question. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1054.htmlHere is a snippet…SAFETY AND SECURITY: Regular protests, some with an Anti-American flavor, take place outside Congress, City Hall and the “University of the Republic.” U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Uruguay are advised to take common-sense precautions and avoid any large gatherings or any other event where crowds have congregated to demonstrate or protest. If travelers encounter a protest they should walk the other way or enter a commercial establishment until the protest passes. Taking pictures of protesters is not a good idea.another snippet…CRIME: Montevideo is facing a wave of petty street crime that is largely non-violent. T ravelers should exercise reasonable caution to minimize their exposure to crime. Criminals prey on the unaware, particularly those carrying cameras, pocketbooks, laptops, or backpacks. Travelers are advised to lock most valuables in secure hotel safes and to avoid carrying excess credit cards and cash. If dining at an outdoor restaurant, be very careful with pocketbooks or bags. While parts of “Ciudad Vieja” are popular tourist attractions, the only sections of Ciudad Vieja with continual police patrols are Plaza Independencia, the pedestrian street Sarandi, and the Mercado del Puerto. Muggings are common in other parts of Ciudad Vieja - particularly for travelers walking alone, or couples walking at night. A smart alternative is to call for a taxi for evening travel between restaurants, bars, and hotels.Victims are usually foreign tourists, individuals openly carrying valuable items, and motorists in unlocked vehicles stopped at busy intersections, particularly on Montevideo’s riverfront road known as the Rambla. Drivers should keep all car doors locked, the driver’s window open only one inch, and purses, bags, briefcases and other valuables out of sight on the floor or in the trunk. Parked cars, particularly in the Carrasco neighborhood, are also increasingly targeted for break-ins. During the summer months (December-March), beach resort areas such as Punta del Este attract tourists, and petty street crimes and residential burglaries–similar to those that occur in Montevideo–rise significantly. Visitors are advised to exercise common sense in the conduct of their activities around Montevideo and in Uruguayan resort areas. They should be very attentive to personal security and their surroundings in the aforementioned areas.
Left by Enzo on August 16th, 2006
I am well aware of the protests, which seem to be on the upswing right now because of the proposed Free Trade Agreement. But as far as I can tell, and after extensive consultation, the protests are directed against the agreement and not the American people. I can find NO RECORD WHATSOEVER of any American being assaulted or endangered whatsoever.If I were a Uruguayo, I would protest the treaty as well, while it is fully mutual in theory, in practice it will be about as equal as me on the one side of a see-saw and your average 6th grader on the other–someone is going to be left up in the air!
Left by The Southron on August 16th, 2006
That’s why it’s so important to add good controls to the Agreement and tailor it well because it’s obvious that they are quite asymmetrycal countries. But I think that if it’s done right it can be good for Uruguay. Nice page by the way.
Left by AnUruguayan on September 15th, 2006