I started by living in Carrasco, but after 10 months decided I want to be closer into the heart of the city. So, I moved to Buceo and spent two years there. Now I have decided to try los suburbios–the suburbs.
My new home is in El Pinar Sur in Departamento Canelones. (Have you ever noticed that a couple of the departamentos are named for food? Canelones, Durazno (peach), and in San Jose the capital is San Jose de Mayo (hmm, maybe that’s the month and not the condiment).
El Pinar Sur is 15km East of Carrasco and is at the eastern end of the local municipality “Ciudad de la Costa”–that part of Canelones along the shore that is outside of Montevideo and inside the first peaje (toll-both) on the Interbalnearia (intercoastal highway).
There are three main roads that get come here from Montevideo:Â 1) the Rambla, which becomes the Costanera when you enter Canelones–this is my favorite as it parallels the beaches all the way here; 2) Avenida Italia (sometimes called Montevideo Main Street because of all its business districts) which become Avenida Giannattasio in Canelones (everything you might want to buy is on Giannattasio including Geant (sort of like a Walmart); and the Interbalnearia connector to Carrasco International Airport (which is usually the fastest way back to Montevideo from the Eastern Beach towns).
Unlike some of the small beach towns farther East, Pinar is alive all year round. In US terms, you would call it a bedroom community. City buses come out here within a few blocks of my new house 24/7, every half hour during weekdays until late at night. As such, it is a great compromise between city and countryside.
Pinar has a small Centro Comercial (shopping district) with all the basics, and a goodly sized Disco supermarket on Giannattasio, 2.5km from my house and accessible by side streets. Later this week I will venture there on my electric scooter and report back.
And, Pinar’s beaches are, in my not so humble opinion, among the prettiest in the country–pure sugar white fine sand with nice sand dunes. The water may not be as nice as Punta del Este, but the beaches are better…
Best of all, rents are half or less than the going rates in Montevideo better districts.
I really am impressed with Pinar now–let’s see if I am still impressed in 6 months. I will certainly let you know.
For those with Google Earth Pinar’s Latitude and Longitude are 34° 48.25′ S / 55° 54.5′ W.
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One of my readers was kind enough to send me the following information in an email:
Hi, I just happened to find your blog and found it really interesting. Just to let you know, ‘Canelones’ isn’t named after the food but after a sort of tree that’s very common there: the Canelón. At least that’s what my teachers used to tell us during our geography classes :)
El Pinar is great! Though too far from the City for Montevidean standards.
Now, my cultural contribution : Canelones is not named after the delicius spinach rolls. The department is named after its capital city, wich in term is named after an arroyo, wich in term is named after a kind of tree that grow on its sides. “Canelón” is an indigenous tree, which name comes from “Canelo” (cinammon tree). The canelón is similar in appearence and bigger (that’s why the aumentative “ón”) than the canelo, though it’s another species and does not produce cinammon.
Left by Alberto on December 2nd, 2008
Dear Southron,
I have been reading your muses for sometime now. I have my copy of Southron’s Guide to Living In Uruguay always present. Last April I traveled with the intent of finding an area suitable for my “exit stage south” in the next few months. Unfortunately the fires the farmers started put my\e into the Aleman Hospital in BAs and speedy trip home. Well I am coming back to spend some time in UR and scout out some possible locations. Is it possible to actually meet you in person? Do you correspond with people independently?
Merry Christmas Eve
Regards,
Sharon
>>I try to respond to individual emails on the weekends, time permitting. Feel free to write me at southron@UruguayLiving.com.
David Finzer
–The Southron
Left by Sharon Preston on December 24th, 2008