There Are Only 3,000 U.S. Expats in Uruguay -- Why Is That?

Maybe the country lacks a more proactive tourism department and policy, who knows!!! Also the prices a bit higher in Uruguay.

cccmedia, Uruguay was briefly discussed in a Ecuador thread a while back, my input from looking into Uruguay as a retirement location was -

It's exceedingly difficult for retirement aged expats to secure health insurance in Uruguay,
And the cost of living is relatively expensive compared to many other parts of south America.

For most retirees, health care and living expenses are the two biggest budgetary deciding factors when making a move to a foreign country.

gardener1 wrote:

For most retirees, health care and living expenses are the two biggest budgetary deciding factors when making a move to a foreign country.

I don't doubt that cost-of-living is a major reason the world isn't moving to Uruguay, Top Cat.

From my reading, though, I'm not convinced that it's so impossible for 65+ to obtain health care, that Uruguay should be ruled out as a result.

Since 'Cat and I are not in Uruguay, we welcome comment on this issue from those 'on the ground.'  Can a senior Expat get reasonable health coverage these days in Uruguay?

cccmedia in Quito

Uruguay has socialized health care that is supposed to be reasonable.

Expats I've known joined a mutualista, a hospital plan that covers everything. I know happy users In Montevideo of both the British Hosp. and American Hosp. These Mutualistas have corespondent hospitals and health centers in other regions. For serious problems most patients are transfered to the capitol and a specialist with their special equipment.

I've talked with others who just pay doctors out of pocket since they view that as a fair risk.

Insurance is rare, mutualistas are the norm. I recently priced the American Hosp. mutualista for a 63 year old male. The quote was U$S 3000.00 to start and less than 200.00 per month. In Punte del Este/Maldonado there is the Contigril hosp. that is their corespondent and there is also a local medical center.

On the other question, Some things are expensive in UY compared to most of the USA and some things are cheap. There is a high value added tax here that effects everything and chokes the economy. If cost is your issue somewhere like Ecuador may be a better fit.

I like the civilized approach to life offered in Punta and so far I'm willing to make some sacrifices to enjoy it. I find it much more comfortable than beach cities in Southern California, even if there are different sevices (no 3 AM runs for breakfast burritos in PdE -- but mid day you can get ice cream delivered here).

As an aside it is during summer (Dec, Jan, Feb) when Punta, as a resort town, gets very expensive. This year I plan to go to Ecuador for the summer months to study Spanish on the beach.

Many rent out their homes in Punta during summer and use the over-sized rents to travel. A good time to visit may be November.

gardener1 wrote:

It's exceedingly difficult for retirement aged expats to secure health insurance in Uruguay...

'Cat and I believe Cyberhug was sincerely trying to help .. but appears to have missed the point.

We're specifically interested in whether it is "exceedingly difficult" for those Expats who are 65+ to obtain health care/coverage/insurance in Uruguay.

cccmedia

cyberhug.me wrote:

it is during summer (Dec, Jan, Feb) when Punta, as a resort town, gets very expensive. This year I plan to go to Ecuador for the summer months to study Spanish on the beach.

Many rent out their homes in Punta during summer and use the over-sized rents to travel.

That Ecuador beach choice could be problematic, to say the least.

To understand what I mean by that, you may wish to visit our new Uruguay forum thread titled:
B-4-U Rent Out Your URU House & Move to Ecuador All Summer, Read This...

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 63#2853383

cccmedia in Ecuador

I was so keen on UY and i have researched long both in article and in visits. For me, I have a long list of needs. Weather is on the top of the list and it qualifies nicely. Next  is a clean and healthy food/soil/water source and UY has failed miserably with the rampant toxins of GMO's and soy that is killing nature and humans alike.   All countries with IMF are too controlling with their usury and overburdened bureaucracy.  Even the well known MJ ruling is not free. The only MJ allowed is a george Soros MJ with Monsanto GMO...

cccmedia wrote:

There are over six million Expats from the USA living in other countries, according to the U.S. State Department. ( reported at www.vivatropical.com )

Only 3,000 are in Uruguay.

...

To visit the interactive Migration Map and a link so you can track the migration to other countries of populations world-wide, google...
   vivatropical top places expats are living

Please post a link. I find nothing like a map on their site.

Plan_be wrote:

Please post a link. I find nothing like a map on their site.

----------

Another way to get there is to google:
    www.migrationpolicy.org map of immigrant populations

-- cccmedia in Ecuador

Another way to get there is to google:
    www.migrationpolicy.org map of immigrant populations

-- cccmedia in Ecuador

Again, absolutely not help. Let me explain this. If you have a web page you want to reference, that web page has a unique identifier, called the URL, or link, which appears in the browser address like this:

https://www.expat.com/forum/post.php?tid=520500....

Instead of Google searches that produce vague results that do not back up your statements, can you just provide the link?

Here's the full link.  I did not have time earlier to transcribe and type in the entire 100-character link....

www.migrationpolicy.org/programs/data-h … ound-world

  -- cccmedia

* sigh *

Why not so many expats choose Uruguay...
Before sharing my humble opinion on it, I would want to ask - WHY do people look for higher numbers of expats, why does it matter? Personally - I visited most of South American countries and also Venezuela, Mexico, Panama, Dominican Republic and Ecuador. I absolutely prefer Uruguay, and Montevideo in particular. I expect to have enough means to live OK in quite an expensive country like UY. I decided to drop my two PRIVATE medical insurances that I've earned with my two employers and when I am eligible for medicare, I will leave it behind. I hope to find a good private medical insurance in Montevideo despite the age (I am in a great shape.) If money is the most important issue, then, Ecuador is a better choice for you.
I cannot live in a poor country, on a daily basis seeing hard working people living in poverty despite all the riches of their beautiful country (i.e. Ecuador.) I am a European, I always lived in a big city and I need culture. Very low crime rate, no racial tensions/hatred and social aspects in economy are very important for me. I will be leaving South California, so climate wise, there is no gain. Nice beach of Piriapolis is accessible by bus. Out of 3 thousand expats, I hope I could meet people who would not mind becoming my friend. There are also very amicable locals! And stability of a small and remote country like Uy cannot be outdone by any other. Yes, I visited Montevideo and Uruguay three times before I made up my mind to relocate to Montevideo. It all is only IMHO.
Good luck to all!

metamorfoza wrote:

Why not so many expats choose Uruguay...
Before sharing my humble opinion on it, I would want to ask - WHY do people look for higher numbers of expats, why does it matter?.... I hope I could meet people who would not mind becoming my friend.

Dear Meta,

You did a good job explaining some of your reasons for choosing Uruguay.

I think you may have partially answered your own question....

Prospective Expats want to know how many Expats are living in, say, Uruguay, so they may have a general idea if they will be able to connect with people who speak their native tongue.

cccmedia

Dear CCC,
thank you for commenting. I guess that most people want to join the crowd, it's easier to go where everybody is going... and it does not take an EXPLORER to have a nerve to go to Uy... I guess that everybody decide for themselves, everybody has their own situation, likes, wants and needs :-))
Saludos :-)

metamorfoza wrote:

thank you for commenting. I guess that most people want to join the crowd, it's easier to go where everybody is going....
Saludos :-)

That's one way to spin it, Meta.

My take is that moving overseas is challenging enough, nobody contemplating a move wants to end up 'isolated' and away from people who speak their own language.

That doesn't mean they expect to hole up in an English-speaking enclave.  But if you're from the U.S., it's only natural to want to connect with English-speakers from time to time.

There are hardly any English speakers in my condo complex here in Ecuador.  But I'd surely miss it if I couldn't connect with my Expat friends and other Expats a few times a month.

cccmedia

wow, it's very hard without your native language... good luck.

From what I have learned in the Uruguay forum postings by expats there, I would say High Cost of living, limitation of standard of living (compared to US) , medical limitations, home construction and weather.

Greetings:
Yes, all is true, people do not move to Uruguay to save money. They move there for SECURITY, stability,  and sanity. Each of us is going through tough choices, and it all is up to you. Good luck in any case.
Saludos y suerte :-))

Having lived in Uruguay for four years so far:
1) In Punta del Este the cost of dining is high if you eat out a lot. Year round rental housing in PDE can be very high.
2) If your prefered standard of living is being a consumer, there are better places (So Cal or NY come to mind).
3) Medico is good but organized differently enough some won't/can't consider/imagine good alternatives to Blue Cross, their nation's health plan, &c.
4) Many homes and apartments are built for summer vacations when being dafty is a good thing. If you stay year 'round seal that puppy up.
5) It can rain a day or two almost every week. I find benefits in that. There are four non-extreme seasons. It does not freeze, although a few degrees above freezing (June, July) with wind and rain is close enough (a few times a year, maybe). January can have hot spells, February less so.

Maybe the greatest reason is that small Uruguay is a long way from most western countries. Nice places are closer; although I've not found any so far that are as comfortable for me.

I) I like being civilized and safe.
II) My over-consuming days are behind me.
IIV) I appriciate 10 months of tranquility (Mar-Dec) each year.

Why not so many expats choose Uruguay...
Before sharing my humble opinion on it, I would want to ask - WHY do people look for higher numbers of expats, why does it matter?

I guess is one of the ways people gauge a good or bad thing.  If there is a line in a restaurant or reservations are hard to obtain that indicates the food is very good and everyone desires it. Don't we always go to rating sites before buying a product and usually pick the one everyone wants because its probably the best and most reliable.

As far as your comment being European I can understand why you would want to be in UY instead of Ecuador but there are many European countries that meet your requirements and in some cases cheaper.
There are also many poor people in UY as well as all over the world which is a sad problem but unless you live in their neighborhood and frequent places where they go you do not need to be seeing them daily as you say. I stayed in a beautiful Ecuadorian beach and never had the experience of seeing poor people suffering on the contrary I met many happy poor people working with a smile.
By the way there is an international yacht club on this beach with many large yachts from all over the world.  It all depends where you decide to live.  If you need the city maybe Quito and Guayaquil would have given you what you need with their many luxury condos and many large city activities.
By the way most people there would be considered poor compared to American expats.

As far dropping your medical insurances just remember that UY is far from the US and if you suffer a major medical problem you will need to be sent to another country where they have the technology and equipment available to perform the required technique.  If this ok with you you may want to get an insurance that includes air ambulance because it will cost you a fortune to pay out of pocket.
Just remember as we grow older this becomes a problem.

You also mention you have the $ to live in PdE but most expats do not and can't afford a condo there.
You mention you have visited many countries but do not say the major reason that made you choose UY above all the others. The one's you do mention can be obtained in many other countries with better beaches ( crystal clear blue waters not mixed with a river and very calm) and lower cost of living.
I guess we all have our reasons but I believe as a previous poster said that most expats planning on retirement have as priorities low cost of living, good medical w/o age limits and good easy to acquire retirees visas with benefits.


.

Having lived in NY City for 20 years and right now living in Los Angeles for the last nine years, I dare to add - yes, there are a couple of great things about NYC and Southern California, but life in both of these best locations in the US is not getting any better.  Crime is rising, with this, quality of life is falling, both cities have a lot of homeless people, most of them mentally ill. Prices are rising. Medical services are getting more scarce and more expensive (co-pay, deductible, etc.)
I visited Uruguay four times now, in all seasons. I do see all pros and cons, and I am very seriously working on my move to Montevideo in three years from now, when I retire.
With warmest wishes,
Galina

They move there for SECURITY, stability,  and sanity.

You may want to go to a link posted recently that addressed the crime in UY.  It did not indicate security as well as many taxi drivers striking because of the crime against them. I guess sanity is something you acquire personally. and Stability as I said before many places are stable even remote from all civilization if you prefer.

I think you hit my main criteria.

I want to live in a place headed the right direction. Short term many asian countries qualify. Long term I appriciate the potential of Sudamerica. Uruguay is stable and peaceful, those are good things.

I'm at the beach in Ecuador now, beautiful, lovely people, but not home. Come March I intend to be at home in Uruguay. I may leave Uruguay sometime, but little happens fast in UY.

I like what you say, Cyberhug. We are not here to be right or wrong, we only share information. Europe is NOT a good continent in a foreseeable future. IMHO, Asia is best suited for Asians. UY is the most European country outside of Europe. I personally need to live in a CITY.  Montevideo is good for me. Of course there is no city with NO crime... who knows - maybe some day we meet at an Expats' reunion in Montevideo?

Having lived in NY City for 20 years and right now living in Los Angeles for the last nine years, I dare to add - yes, there are a couple of great things about NYC and Southern California, but life in both of these best locations in the US is not getting any better.

What a shame you have not been able to enjoy so many other safe, quiet , cheaper and with excellent quality of life cities in the US other than NY and LA. US is quite large. And if you must leave you do not have to go 13 hrs by air to get it. I assume you will still have some ties to the US either economically or personal and these flying hours plus cost(over $1200 can weight heavily.
good luck
JP

Thank you for your comment. Yes, I will continue traveling, both to the US and Europe. And of course South America. I travel in the USA, as well and for ME, no, there is no place for me for my retirement years, I don't see anything that suites me, thank you very much. Are you here to prove your point or are you trying to get info?..
Best,
Meta, so far in LA (and NOT liking it, if I may...)

Thank you for your comment. Yes, I will continue traveling, both to the US and Europe. And of course South America. I travel in the USA, as well and for ME, no, there is no place for me for my retirement years, I don't see anything that suites me, thank you very much. Are you here to prove your point or are you trying to get info?.

Only to get unbiased and real information based on FACTS not personal opinions. Even though I believe everyone has a right to their opinions  and decisions , which I respect, I also realize they do not help others unless based on facts and existing conditions because we are all different.

You say you have traveled and nothing suits you for a retirement place. In order for others to understand that statement and possibly learn from it you would need to describe what is your definition of a perfect place for your retirement and then explain why UY fills these requirements based on facts not here says.

Us newbies are here to learn enough about UY from expats and others so we can make an educated decision because once made its very costly both financially and emotionally to reverse. But we can't learn from opinions or vague answers.

Bottom line here is the question: What does UY offer that is not obtainable in any other country and would make people do w/o so many things and services just to be in UY??

The answer to this would be very beneficial to all of us newbies but be aware we may not agree with your answer based on REALITY and FACTS not to prove any point.  I have also traveled through SA extensively and lived for years in a few countries there as well as speak the language fluently so i know the reality of these countries. I have not visited UY and are aware is very European style that is why I'm here to learn and get the answer to my question.
Thanks
JP

think you hit my main criteria.
I want to live in a place headed the right direction. Short term many asian countries qualify. Long term I appriciate the potential of Sudamerica. Uruguay is stable and peaceful, those are good things.
I'm at the beach in Ecuador now, beautiful, lovely people, but not home. Come March I intend to be at home in Uruguay. I may leave Uruguay sometime, but little happens fast in UY.

I miss your point. Are you a Uruguayan citizen?  You say I intend to be home in March.
perhaps you can just answer my question just based on facts and the present realities of UY.

What is different in UY that can't be obtained in any other country that would make people  reduce their quality of life and do w/o so many items or services and pay the high cost of living just to be in UY.

A truthful answer to this question would certainly benefit us newbies learn about UY and be able to make an educated decision. No need to be defensive I'm not judging just trying to learn the facts good or bad.

I wish I had time to write a dissertation on why I think UY is good for me. But I don't have time and I doubt I should do that.  I am sorry. We do exchange brief info here and if you expect to know what Montevideo (and UY) are all about you will have to go there and spend at least a couple of weeks there.
I don't like the US, and there are plenty of reasons for that. Most of them I won't discuss here. INMHO, I already mentioned MY main reasons to consider Montevideo.
!Saludos!

What we believe influences our perceptions.

I've given information on UY health care which is "boots on the ground, paper in hand" factual.

Some may want the facts forced into their understanding of insurance in other nations. There is no direct fit exept at high expense. But that does not mean it is less; in many ways it is more at less cost.

Health care in Uruguay is different. The best, least expensive, and highest quality options are not with any insurance company. To say insurance is hard to get or expensive is true, but it begs the issue because it does not matter. The hospital's mutualista programs may be better for most expats. Check it out. Compare.

*) I've found the best way to open my mind is to help others seeking to open their own minds. If they are not truley seeking, their minds will likely remain closed. That is their choice.

For those who wish to know:

Come to UY.
See and feel for yourself.
Ask questions that show a true desire to understand.
You will find answers; some pleasing, others not.
Go where your heart leads you.
Always.

bye

Hi everybody,

Please note that i have removed some posts from this topic.

Let's avoid arguing with each other please.

Thanks

Priscilla 

possibly because it s not the cheapest place

RE: 'cyberhug.me, 14 September 2015 14:26:40'

Your response is really useful. Thanks for writing it!

I just figured out a few minutes ago as to why so few Americans and foreigners in general end up in Uruguay and why the Chinese have not bought up all the land. The 1.5% and 1.5% to 3.5%, personal and business wealth tax respectively, under the impuesto al patrimonio, IAP.  This is probably going to be what eliminates my entrance into Uruguay. This would be a staggering amount of money considering what I already pay in taxes in the USA and Overseas.

bbolvr wrote:

possibly because it s not the cheapest place

True, true, true.

Also, Uruguay is much farther away from North America than countries such as Ecuador and Colombia.

Consider that Mexico, the Latin American country closest to the USA, has attracted about a million Expat residents from the USA.  The original post in this thread put Ecuador's Expat population at 39,000.

cccmedia in Quito, Ecuador

With the legalization of recreational marijuana in more and more USA states, UY has lost that unique quality.

Ya know, its just all about money and location.
Mexico is dirt cheap and right next door to US.
It sure isn't safety, Mexico is terribly dangerous, the mafia runs everything and terrorizes the citizens into being 24/7 informants.
Mexico is super trashy too, lots of stray dogs, dung in the streets, fair amount of drug addicts (Not as many as US of course:(
But dang, i loved mexico, its big and somewhat untouched and they esteem the Gringo like nobody else.
Mexico is cheap, not as cheap as it could or should be but a guy can walk out of grocery store with alot of sweet fruit and veggies for $5.
Here in Panama, everything but cigarettes and beer is expensive, but unlike Mexico and US, Panameños dont drink or smoke.
Panameños despise the gringo (though they have been good to me, fair disclosure) i daily get many looks of hatred.
No feeling is worse than being an unwanted guest and being hated:(

Uruguay is near to Rio De Janero and Buenas Aires, most likely alot of rich people come from those two cities.