There is at least one experience that almost every expat who has moved here shares–the agony of finding a place to live. Some how the slower pace at which things happen is not so much fun when you are living out of a suitcase in a hotel; or in my case, have family coming for Christmas in 17 days, and no place to live after the 31st of December.One of the best things about Uruguay is that they have not yet fallen into the “scalp the rich gringo” syndrome, though it is spreading in some circles, real estate being the chief among them (no doubt due to the nefarious machinations of you know who).
Several times now, they want to try to better the deal once they find an American is involved. The last one was the funniest. The owners want to move to Carrasco and I want to move to Pocitos. For me to get in, they have to get out. They found a house that they really like, but it is a bit above their budget. So, instead of bargaining with their prospective landlord, we got a call asking if “we would please be so kind as to pay a higer rent so they can afford the house they want”. No kidding!
Since the secret is now out of the bag, I decided to tell Santiago the truth. I dug into the bottom of my cigar box and showed him the printing plates for the $100 bill each American is given at birth, so that we can print our own money… you mean you didn’t get yours? Oops!
Anyway, we finally have a draft contract on the house, which is being checked by a friendly escribano. If it is OK, we will close the deal tomorrow and I will move in on the 15th, a full six days before my family arrives.
Happy Christmas!
I’m curious. You have now lived in Uruguay for a year and have even written a book about living there. Why do you want to continue to rent when it seems like buying a home or having one built would be the wiser thing to do. By the way, my wife and I both love your blog and are working on getting financial affairs in order so we can take a trip down your way. Wishing you and your visiting family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
Your friends in a very cold Idaho
>>The first reason is that I don’t violate my own rules, and it is still too early! I simply have not seen enough yet to determine where I want to buy.
The second reason is my peculiar circumstances–I am in a wheelchair, I am also running two businesses from my home and have people working for me come in every day. As such it is better to have the whole thing a business expense than a capital investment. My plan is to start looking for a “house” after the high season, some where on the coast. Perhaps something I can rent in the summer and retire to in my dotage.
The third reason is that I am personally gunshy. I lost everything when I was forced out of Montenegro at gunpoint–it was a country I really loved and had planned to stay in forever. While there is not a scintilla of evidence that such a thing could happen here, it now takes a longer time for me to tie up a chunk of capìtal anywhere–I would not buy a house in the US at this point in my life, nor in Switzerland, nor Heaven–just yet…
–The Southron
Left by Steve Fitzhugh on December 5th, 2006
It seems like you could hire a ‘local’ you trust to help you find a home up until the point of signing. So, you could keep a Uruguayan rate.
>>We try to do that as much as possible, but since nothing is agreed upon here until EVERYTHING is agreed upon, it doesn’t do you much good, espeically if the other side is greedy. They simply change the terms. That can, and sometimes does happen up until minutes before the contract is signed.
Left by invisiwill on December 5th, 2006
I have been enjoying your blog for a few weeks now. Great stuff! I was born in New York but my parents are from Uruguay and I travel there often . You mentioned you might be looking at the coast as a possible place to buy a place. My mom recently bought an apartment in Atlantida and is planning to retire there. Since then she has taken friends who have also bought an apartment a few blocks away. It turns out that they met 2 more American couples who lived in the building and they in turn knew a German couple who were retiring to Atlantida as well.
The proximity to Montevideo, the airport and hospitals swayed them over Piriapolis and Punta Del Este for “year- round” living in a sleepy beach town. Having spent many summers there I agree!
My wife and 2 children travel every year and have also bought a place (just behind the Hotel Rex) and absolutely love it. We’ll be back in February. After reading your blog I will also try to stop in at the Old Maz Deli on a Sunday in February to say hi! Thanks for getting the word out on a great place like Uruguay…
Left by maxalto on December 12th, 2006