Disillusioned american looking to move

Hello, if I can figure out how to use this site…

Hi… if I can figure out this format I would like to communicate with you.  I am an American who has lived in La Pedrera, Rocha, Uruguay for a decade now.  Drop a quick note to *** and I can help out some.

Hello, if I can figure out how to use this site… - @Davejohnrote

A quick read of the posting guidelines would be a good move. They have all the usual bits and bobs, but there is a mention of not posting contact information.

New to Uruguay forum, and reviving the topic: semi-rural life.

Hi,

I am new to this forum. I wanted to bump a new thread about relocating to Uruguay and especially in a rural, semi- rural area. This thread in Uruguay forum looks more interesting to me

I  live in New England, USA. Land prices are insane. Especially since COVID and all the city people (NYC) moved to the countryside and ruined everything. Then, the first winter- they deserted it but left their high prices.

The same with Californians in Texas, except they don’t leave.

My best advice for traveling to South America- don’t be one of those people

Anyway, The new administration is coming in January 2025. If I lose my HUD/VAsh (Veteran’s) housing subsidy then the rent will be undo-able. I will be living in a tent again. The weather and the crime in the US make that very unsafe, especially at my age.

I have been wanting to move to South America for decades.

I was born and lived in Texas. We traveled to Mexico (away from any border) once a month for medication and stuff. We could cross over with a drivers license in 1994. We drove to San Jose del Cabo in 1995, and car camped along the way.The people were welcoming and gracious. They had high morals and standards- the expectation of crime went down significantly the further you got away from the border. I read that it is not so now.

My daughter’s in laws are from Uruguay. They left in the 1970’s and’i0’s when the government was not so stable.

Uruguay looks very stable now.

I am accustomed to living a slow life, a farm life, or a small city life.

I have skills. I will maintain some regular income if the US administration doesn’t cut it.

So I am developing some new skills and a small business.

¡Me siento bienvenido!¡

Thank you for the interesting write-up, Kristina!

Yes, times do change ...  We had initially opted for Mexico too, since it was so easy during Covid, but although we were in a pleasant and relatively safe place, relative just did not seem to be safe enough.

Uruguay was very good during the last presidency, I am not sure what to expect of the new one.  I am a little worried.

I live in Colonia (departamento), very good people, very calm, very pleasant.  It is recognized by the Uruguayos as one of the best areas in teh country.  It is a little more gighly priced because of the beaches and the Argentinians.  The interior is much cheaper and has some very nice areas, but it is more remote from Montevideo, which sadly is the place that you sometimes just have to go to. 

As far as crime is concerned, it seems that locations close to the Brazilan border are more crime ridden ...

Should you have further questions or would liek to know more details please let me know.

Armin

@boosmom42

agree totally

@armin31

I am thinking of retiring in Uruguay, but watching recent news, it seems like a more Socialist govt was elected. Your comment caught my eye. Can you expand on what you think will happen with the new Administration in Uruguay?

@jt47

You should live in the US if you like the Trump/Republican policies. They've been quite effective at changing the course of the United States' standing in the world.

@PKristinaCampoH

Did you ever get answers? I’ve been away from the forum too long to respond in time. I moved in March, to a more rural area. Happy to answer questions.

—Hubert

I follow the forum on the expat exchange but if I can help anyone with questions about Uruguay I am now here as well.  Retired Early to Uruguay and been here coming on 14 years…..

@Expat91364

Hello, what is your understanding of the 'franchise' system for personal imports? I availed myself last year, but this year, I was directed to a new page layout which asked if I was Uruguayo citizen or foreigner and foreigners were excluded from the scheme. Either the rules have changed, the web page designer doesn't understand the rules, or something has been lost in translation

Not familiar with it at all or how franchise may relate to import taxes. To the best of my knowledge they don’t have a franchise system here like in the US…

If you look at the Correo Uruguayo website there is a section for registering a person import. You can get something valued at up to USD50 tax free if sent by slow mail or up to USD200 if sent by express. There is,of course, an admin fee to pay. Anything over $200 and you will need a customs agent but very little chance of getting one.

You say they have franchise in the US?

@boosmom42

Hi! Your post sounds like I could have written it. What state are you from? My boo thang and I are musicians, progressive, I'm a  back-in-the-day punk rawker. I've had an unhealthy obsession with Uruguay for years and will be visiting next year. Trying to get a head start on getting some land somewhere cheap, to have a place for us to stay for smaller periods of time until possibly relocating in a couple years when my kid is college bound.  Perhaps we could connect and help each other?