The weather is also very mild. It is also important to remember that while you may not find expats talking about a dramatic decrease in their monthly expenses living in Uruguay, most do report a dramatic increase in the quality of their lives. There is crime in Uruguay but it is minimal and occurs mostly in the city and then only near the docks at night. Best regards. Uruguay may not be the most popular expat destination, but expats there are probably hoping that the truth about Uruguay's healthy lifestyle, family-oriented culture and beautiful beaches doesn't get out. They are hell surprised when you call to a promise given even yesterday. The fastest growing expat group in the country seems to be from Argentina, and it’s become an increasingly popular retirement destination for them due to the comparatively low cost of living and properties. In the summer, temperatures in January, the hottest month, average only 84 F (29 C), with nights of 64 F (18 C). Another expat in Punta del Diablo, Uruguay recommended, "if you don't speak a certain amount of Spanish, you're lost. Expats in Punta del Este live in a beautiful coastal setting that will leave you wondering why more people don't consider this new hot spot when they scan the globe for their next expat adventure. "In terms of vehicle size, we feel smaller is better as many roads and parking spaces are tight. Not simple or perfectly smooth but easier. As for the cost of living, although some things are more expensive, overall the expenses of day-to-day life are a little lower than in the U.S. For example, grocery prices average 29.18% lower in Uruguay than in the U.S. She talks about housing prices, what to bring and leave behind and more. A few months ago it was impossible to get dollars (by decree of the President) and no one outside of Argentina wants their pesos. The air here is clean, water potable throughout the country. The southernmost point in Montevideo is Punta Carretas, and the neighborhood named for it is one of the most attractive in the city, and not coincidentally, one of the more expensive. Prices are similar to the United States; however, there is much more freedom to be found here," said one expat. Mixed-race couples are everywhere, if you judge by skin tones; however, you find out eventually that BOTH are native Uruguayans. Expats offered their recommendations for places to retire in South America. "Lower cost of living, many benefits for seniors who get residency, friendly native people, quietness, stability of gov't, great public transportation, no need of a car, no need of expensive insurances, local "organic" meat and produce, slower pace of life, flourishing small businesses, hard-working honest family oriented native people, beautiful birds, great highways, wonderful beaches, simple life pleasures: people walk instead of jump in a car, women hang out clothes instead of using a dryer, families wear layers of clothes instead of turning up a thermostat, people buy small cars, use propane for cooking, have small homes so spend much of leisure time out of doors. There are adjustments to make, yes. Their experience and expertise allows them to guarantee their clients the best quality moving services. We've compiled a list of the 7 best places to live in Uruguay based upon expats' recommendations. that provide all necessary healthcare needs. High cost of living, high taxes, crime (while it’s still better than many South American countries it’s very bad compared to Uruguay 20 years ago), submerged salaries, public transportation in the capital (it’s available, but the quality is very bad). In addition to the friendly locals, the weather, beautiful beaches and stable economy make it a great place to live. Be open to the people of Uruguay. Bank, store, cleaners, barbershop, bus terminal etc. An expat who lives in Punta Del Este wrote that "The cost of all utilities is higher than in the United States. Expats in Uruguay agree that the best thing about living in Uruguay is the friendly people. Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000. One-bedroom condos there start at under $100,000, and larger units between $175,000 – $250,000. I chose to go the cheap route (canje) and was told upfront that it would be a long wait for the card," explained one expat living in Valdense, Uruguay who have previously lived in Argentina. An expat described their recent vehicle purchase in Uruguay: "We just bought a "zero kilometer" Subaru Forester, which we absolutely love. Understanding what is available is an important part of preparing to move there. I went there in June 2011 to check out the place for possible retirement. Typically, the co-pay for a doctor appointment is around $6, and things like blood tests may run $15. Meals in restaurants are slightly lower, but the big savings is in rentals, where Uruguay’s prices are almost half (49.18%) the cost of comparable properties in the U.S. "Less than $1200/mo. It has a large middle class population that believes in honest work, is family oriented and as a society, displays utmost respect to women and children. So despite its small size, there is plenty of elbowroom. Hi Betsy, lovely article and spot on. Particularly sought-after are the apartments along the Boulevard General Artigas across from the beautiful golf course. Real estate taxes are much less. Uruguay is a small country; only tiny Suriname in South America is smaller. One expat who moved to Uruguay offered the following description of the health care system in Uruguay: Quick summary: The healthcare system consists of three tiers. This is also a popular spot because it is central to much of the city, on several bus lines, and most parts of the barrio are just a short walk from the rambla. Jo, Was hoping to find the verbage on dual citizenship etc. PdE is a very unique location in Uruguay and does not represent the characteristics of the rest of the country. Understanding what is available is an important part of preparing to move there. If you speak enough Spanish to get by, it will be a good place to practice, and learn while experiencing another culture first hand. very informative and helpful article. 11 expats talk about what it's really like living in Uruguay. Many expats who consider living in Uruguay have lived in other South American countries, and then they are exposed to stories of all that it has to offer.... Expats in Punta del Este live in a beautiful coastal setting that will leave you wondering why more people don't consider this new hot spot when they scan the globe for their next expat adventure.... Expats in Uruguay have often lived in other Central and South American countries before landing in Uruguay. The temperature is largely uniform throughout the year, the growing seasons long, and winter is not severe. There are many reasons to consider Uruguay as a retirement destination. Understanding what is available is an important part of preparing to move there. There are several aspects of living in Uruguay that need to be taken into consideration: health care, cost of living, transportation and types of housing are just a few of the areas to investigate. The majority that are here are working with the diplomatic corps or are stationed in Uruguay by their North American companies. Expats living in Uruguay interested in expat health insurance should take a minute to get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA. With only about 5,600 full-time residents, this can seem like a sleepy little town in winter—but its two beaches become very crowded during the tourist season. It winds its way around the city and provides access to some of the more popular neighborhoods. At 68,000 square miles, Uruguay is about the size of the state of Missouri. Despite all of the challenges, the list of what expats like about life in Latin America far exceeds the challenges. We know that this is a short list and hope you'll add your favorites below in the comments section. She talks about housing prices, what to bring and leave behind and more.... quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA, 12 Things to Know Before Moving to The Dominican Republic, Expat Uruguay: 7 Best Places to Live in Uruguay, Moving to Uruguay: 7 Things to Know Before Moving to Uruguay, 5 Important Tips about Healthcare for Expats in Uruguay, Expats in Uruguay: Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay, Expats in Uruguay: 8 Tips For Living in Punta del Este, 11 Expats Talk About What It's Really Like Living in Uruguay, 5 Great Places to Retire in South America, An Expat Talks about Moving to Punta Del Este, Uruguay.