Comments on: Winter is a Foggy Notion here

By: Adrian Moore

Adrian Moore — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

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.

By: The Southron

The Southron — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

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.

By: The Southron

The Southron — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

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.

By: Clara

Clara — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

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.

By: Adrian

Adrian — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

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)

By: The Southron

The Southron — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Thanks a lot for your response.

By: The Southron

The Southron — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

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.

By: Clara

Clara — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

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.

By: Adrian

Adrian — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

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.

By: The Southron

The Southron — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

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