Montevideo is literally awash in gringos from our UruguayLiving.com website. Since I have gotten my cedula, I have decided we don't need any more foreigners, so I am canceling this blog!
Just kidding… We are not closing, in fact we hope to be expanding our efforts.
The truth is, that there is an amazing amount of interest in Uruguay. A bunch of members of our blog community either have moved here, are here now or have been here and will be moving. They include:
Mat from Switzerland, who has his residency and will be moving here before the end of the year,
Shirley from Indiana, who was here, visited, went home for a few weeks and is back,
Elena from LA who moved here with her daughter,
Alexander from Novosibirsk, Siberia, Russia, who moved here with his wife and young son (three more Orthodox Christians for our little Church),
Adrian & Sybil, originally from the UK, but now living in Arkansas, have arrived and are giving UY a thorough look over,
Marcus & Jenny from Virgina showed up unexpectedly, spent 5 days here in a whirlwind tour and will be arriving back next month with their 4 year old son,
last but not least, Richard and his wife are moving here, sight unseen, from the UK. They have already rented a house, which we checked out for them. (If they hate it here, they will probably have a hit put out on me.)
At the rate we are going, I think we are going to have the inaugural event of Sociedad Southron in December. Between the existing expats we have found, a colony of Germans connected to our immigration consultants, and the British Society, I think we will have enough to get going.
So, for the time being, I guess we'll keep going with the blog, at least until the damnyankee index rises too high…
I’m looking for some help…We’re starting a podcast for/by people who have immigrated to another country. We’d like to bring stories/articles by contributors FROM every continent, TO every continent. (i.e., a Mexican living in Canada, or a Scot living in France, a Dane living in Japan, an Ecuadorian living in Brazil, an Australian living in Africa, etcetera, etcetera.)The “immigrant” category is rather large, examples include: expatriates, academics, aid workers, refugees, foreign businesspeople, spouses of “foreigners” etc.I’ve written to quite a few organizations searching for good contributors; journalism schools, international corporations, non-profit aid organizations, etc. I’ve had a lot of interest, but not a lot of actual work submitted.I was hoping to find help here in the blogosphere, as you all are prolific writers!Please help! I need people to contribute articles (2-3 pages), 3 times per year. You may of course choose the topic, it may be light or heavy. Please see the guidelines set out in our website in the “contribute here” section.Bradleyhttp://www.freewebs.com/rabbitholedaily/ P.S. Podcasts will be available starting mid-to-late September, please check us out on itunes; Rabbit Hole Daily. (Go to the website for an explanation of the funny name)
Left by bradley on September 21st, 2006
Hi,Don’t forget about me! I too am here now. Looking for property, walking and walking and walking, buying food, speaking to anyone with patience enough to stand my Spanish (which is everyone really. They will cancel their whole day practically to help you out!). Soo nice here. OOps, yeah, too many gringos, never mind.Just kidding.Thanks Southron!
Left by Gloria on September 21st, 2006
Sorry Gloria, I guess I just can’t keep track.
Left by The Southron on September 21st, 2006
Don’t forget about me either! I’m moving from Seattle, Washington to Montevideo on November 1. One month, eleven days and counting. Even from 8,000 miles away the Uruguayans who I’ve been in contact with have been incredibly friendly and helpful. And very patient with my very rusty Spanish. Southron, I can’t thank you enough for this blog. Originally I was looking at moving to Buenos Aires. The more research I did about BA the more references I saw to Uruguay. When I stumbled across your blog I had already decided to forgo Argentina in favor of UY. The information you have provided here and the comments from the other community members have confirmed beyond a shadow of a doubt that I have made the right choice. My past experiences living in Latin America were Miami (I lived there about ten years in total) and Medellín, Colombia (about a year). It seems to me that somehow Uruguay has managed to retain the good qualities of Latin America (warm and friendly people) and to minimize the bad (corruption and crime). As more Europeans and North Americans discover Uruguay I hope it continues to attract immigrants who are moving there because of the culture and wonderful Uruguayan people and not just for the low cost of living and the real estate. Everyone on this blog seems to have a sincere desire to learn Spanish and become a part of Uruguayan society, which is fantastic! In addition to making new Uruguayan friends I’m looking forward to getting to know other free-spirited immigrants from around the world who have also chosen such a special place to call home. Best of luck to all future and current immigrants! MichaelB
Left by MichaelB on September 21st, 2006
Southron, Hey, don’t scare us like that!! We depend upon your blog for honest reporting. The few Uruguayans we’ve communicated with have been extremely down to earth. I too have ordered the UY owner’s manual from IL. I agree with you, it might just be in the making now. We are adjusting the balance of our trip to provide more time in UY, than in BA, which I am increasingly confident that I made the right decision. Best regards, Anthony
Left by Anthony on September 21st, 2006
I’m looking forward to meeting you all! (Anyone who discovers Uruguay and decides to move here is bound to be someone interesting!)
Left by Shirley on September 22nd, 2006
Southron, Just a thought, would you know the tariffs if one brought a vehicle into UY, or is it advisable to purchase one here? Would you consider another category called “Details”? I’m sure most everyone would like to know what to bring and what to jettison before arriving. Thanks, Anthony
Left by Anthony on September 25th, 2006
There is one investor category where you can bring in a used vehicle for your own use which you cannot sell for a number of years.Frankly, unless you are handicapped or have some other special purpose vehicle, I would strongly advise against it for one simple reason: PARTS. If you need to get a FedEx from the USA every time you break a gadget on your vehicle it becomes annoying very very quickly.My experience is that it is better to buy most things in your new location so that you have a ready availablility of parts and qualified repairmen.Hev you ever tried getting grits in New England? It is a little easier than getting stuff for US models here.
Left by The Southron on September 25th, 2006
In regards to handicapped or special needs vehicles, can you provide a source for the regulations for bringing in a vehicle? Almost all vehicles sold in UY are standard transmission. There are purchase options for handicapped individuals to order a vehicle in UY with tax breaks but thus far I have not been able to get clear information re import versus purchase in UY. I am speaking of a Hyundai which is a brand common there. It is the body type and automatic transmission which may be an issue. Any ideas on the subject? Or a resource? Help would be greatly appreciated.
Left by clara on September 25th, 2006
I am asking my staff to research this and try to get an answer for you. If you do buy something there to bring to here, MAKE SURE IT IS A MODEL THEY ALSO HAVE HERE, otherwise you will be no better off than if you have brought a DeLorean.
Left by The Southron on September 25th, 2006
Don’t forget me! I will be coming with my girlfriend in Feb-Mar of 2007!
Left by nepoez on September 25th, 2006
We currently own a Hyundai Elantra and a Santa Fe. Obviously these are automatic (left rear quarter panel is non-functional- MINE not the car’s. Thank you so much for helping with info in this regard!!! As for the Delorean, it isn’t needed. Coming to Uy is time travel less the car. I am so looking forward to boarding the time machine.
Left by Clara on September 25th, 2006
Maybe you who are thinking about buying cars in Uruguay want to rethink this (Montevideans anyhow). I have found the buses very reliable, veeerrry cheap, drivers safe and courteous, helpful. As well, taxis are very affordable and you don’t need to drive to the next suburb to buy your groceries. There are fresh food markets in every neighbourhood once or twice a week and lots of local pasta shops, meat shops, corner stores and even the bigger groceries are easily walkable - unless you have trouble with that of course. The sidewalks can also be difficult to navigate. Holes and bumps everywhere.DVD renting places are everywhere as are internet places and both are extremely afforable.Plus there are enough diesel fumes in this city as it is. Why add to the thick air?I just don’t recommend biking around. Drivers are a bit nuts.
Left by Gloria on September 27th, 2006
I look forward to visiting uruguay!!!
Left by waynek on October 5th, 2006