Source
r/uruguay•
HardModHeathen

I am not from Uruguay, but am considering a possible relocation there. I would like some thoughts from Locals.

Edit: Thank you very much to all who took the time to respond. You have brought up some great points and I am now convinced that before I consider any relocation, I clearly have a few big problems that i need to work out on my own.

Hello. I am a US citizen who has become very jaded with the inter-workings of this country, and want very much to leave it. Over the past few years, i have been reading here and there on the country of Uruguay, along with much of the political and social changes happening there. I'm very interested. To me, it sounds like Uruguay is making progress toward a lifestyle that is better for the people, and not so state/government-oriented. This seems like an environment where I could thrive and work hard toward something useful, instead of just working a dead end job that just makes the rich even more rich while not helping me achieve anything.

Obviously, my first step would be to learn fluent Spanish. I am currently living in a household that speaks mostly Spanish, and am attempting to learn.

I am very comfortable living in a rural setting, growing food and medicinal herbs, raising small animals, and building most of my necessities out of recycled and found materials. This is something I had originally intended to do here in the US, but money and freedom are lacking. I have also lived in very densely populated cities and can get along there as well, but would prefer to live out further from town.

So my real questions for all of you are these:

  1. Does this seem realistic to you? Does it seem like something that can be achieved? Or am I just in the clouds?

  2. As a local, how do you feel about foreign people moving into your country, and what would you expect of them?

  3. What steps do you think I should take in order to make this happen?

  4. In your own opinion, are there any major reasons that I should not do this?

Thank you very much for taking the time to read this and taking time to reply. I apologize that I did not write this in Spanish. Hopefully I will be more confident in my speaking soon.

Thanks again. Have a great day.

Posted Dec 7, 2015, 6:15 PM UTC · edited

1423
whisperedzen•
  1. It is not impossible, but it will be hard. Things won't be easy at all down here.
  2. Here people don't really care about you not being a local. Expect some curiosity, maybe some people turning their heads to take a look, but you won't find hostility.
  3. Learn the language, save some money, have a well thought and realistic plan. Uruguay is an expensive country, research land and living prices and save enough to get by until you can support yourself with your work. If you can, try getting a job even before getting here. If not, try to have a clear plan about how you will get one.
  4. Remember that this is a third world country. Maybe a "nice" one, but third world still. You have a romanticized view of how life is here, and I won't say it isn't nice (I am happy to live here) but it will be alien to you. You will be poor here, even if you manage to get a nice uruguayan income, you will be poor by the standard that surrounds you now. If you want an approximation, think about living with about 10k a year, but with everything being twice or thrice as expensive.... seems hard? well, chances are you wont be making 10k a year.
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HardModHeathenOP•

Thank you for your reply. This is much of what i expected to hear.
While it may sound kind of ridiculous to some people, I actually WANT to live a poorer lifestyle. Here in the US, I am very poor compared to the "average" lifestyle. I've learned very well to be resourceful and enhance my quality of life by living cheaper than those around me. Typical American luxuries aren't things I desire, at all. If it helps for perspective, I was originally raised in a dense forest and had to hunt or grow much of our food. As much work as that is, I can accept it because it's toward a logical goal. Bushcraft & survival skills are very important to me. Plant-based Medicine is also very important to me. I focus on skills that will allow me to not spend money on goods & services. I have also disciplined much of my daily routine to be executed without use of electricity.

Language is most important, I agree. And I will certainly make sure I have money saved before moving anywhere. Looking for a job prior to moving is a great idea, and I will look into that as well. Getting Involved with others to community grown and process produce would be ideal. I would like to do something that is actually beneficial to my surroundings, not just myself.

I am very glad to hear a realistic income breakdown. And completely honestly, I am living in the US now on maybe 12-15k per year, if that. And that income is supporting 2 adults. Some years have been much less. Those were difficult times, but It could have been much worse. While the idea of moving to a nation with less money available might seem like a bad idea to most Americans, I really see it as an opportunity to exercise what I can accomplish apart from chasing currency at every waking moment. Safe to say, I'm not the typical American. But that is precisely why I do not want to be here anymore. This country is not conducive to living any way other than wastefully. For my own sanity, I need to form a solid plan on getting the hell out of here. I am just trying to look into some realistic options prior to making any real decisions.

Thank you very much for your response. It's quite helpful.

6
nachowalker•

You should think about moving to Uruguay, I live in Montevideo and it's fine to me. The insecurity is much less than Buenos Aires or San Pablo and if you're going to move to a rural lifestyle like Tacuarembo or Soriano you're going to be fine. The only thing i have to say about Uruguay it's expensive as hell. But here we don't have disasters like earthquakes or tsunamis. You should take holidays here in order to have a better idea by your own experience in Uruguay

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pizza4breakfast•

I moved to Uruguay, and spent a year living there. Then I moved back to the US.

Do it. It's an incredible country, with wonderful people and experiences to be had.

It's also hard, dirty, poor, and you're going to get robbed.

But... it's like, the beaches of Brazil meets the architecture of Italy, with culture that seems almost French. Except, actually it's all just Uruguay, and you're just experiencing this really unique culture, where you drink mate and walk on the rambla and speak a really pretty form of spanish... with hints of Italian and Portuguese.

Uruguayans generally all know some English and, like the French, they are often loath to speak it. If you move there, learn the damn language. And learn it like an Uruguayan, don't go in with a Central American accent. Learn the rioplatense style.

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HardModHeathenOP•

That sounds great. And I do have intent to learn the language fluently. I'm currently learning Mexican Spanish, and will have to modify it, I'm sure.

I expect a certain level of crime anywhere. It's of little concern to me, as it can't be avoided anywhere. I'm prepared to defend myself if I have to. Though it shouldn't take but a second look at me to know I'm not holding much of value.

Being totally honest here, I'm just looking for viable options on permanently getting the hell out of this country. While I love this land, I'm so damn tired of our government that I'm willing to completely overturn everything that I've ever known just to leave and not look back. Assuming no better options pan out, I'd consider a makeshift raft to nowhere a better time than going on as is. But to be able to go somewhere and actually work toward a food growing situation with other people would be ideal.

Thank you very much for your reply.

3
BoTuLoX•

I expect a certain level of crime anywhere.

Well, expect more. In the US the media speaks of your problems with police brutality. In here, police are at best allowed to arrest a criminal just so he's let go by the justice system. And don't expect no fancy 2nd ammendment to protect your right to self-defense. Even if the law allows you to have a gun in your own home for protection, if you shoot someone sneaking around in your property at 4 AM, your ass is most likely going to jail.

If you want to try a rural life, move to a stereotypical white rural town (southern state maybe?) and live as off the grid as the state will let you. You're more likely to find a place you will like by doing that.

I am 100% convinced you're going through a "grass is greener" moment. Uruguay is by far the most overhyped country in the world by the media and you don't want to realize this the hard way unless your pockets are very deep to soften the impact.

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HardModHeathenOP•

Thank you for the brutal honesty. I can totally understand how this all comes off as a "grass is greener" moment. And probably seems quite absurd/stupid to most people. To be honest, I'm really just dead set on getting out of this country. And I do realize that I will likely have to trade personal safety to do so. I'm just trying to find somewhere that I can hold up and be left to my own devices as much as possible.

Edit: I'm glad you mentioned info about police though. That's part of what i was curious about but didn't want to just outright ask about cops & give them impression I'm trying to move just to do something illegal or immoral. That is certainly not the case.

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tonterias•

Then I moved back to the US.

Why did you left?

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pizza4breakfast•

Because I was poor. I was teaching english and working at Bluzz, and making barely enough money. I wanted to move back to the US to make money again.

It's very easy to make money in the US. I did not appreciate that until I moved to Uruguay.

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rudderrudder•

I'm guessing you got robbed? Sorry?

But that wasn't my experience at all. I felt WAY safer in Uruguay than I did in Brazil (though that was some time ago.)

This was especially true in any of the more rural towns. My security concerns in Montevideo were moderate and I had no concerns at all in places like Tacuarembo or Sarandi Grande.

But I second all of the great things you said about the place.

OP - I'd only wish you luck on finding a perfect place in the world. Your best bet would be to come to peace with the madness, beauty, ignorance and grace of the human race - you can find all of that in surplus every place you'll go. But if moving to another country helps you find that peace, good for you.

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russiancivisbestciv•

"You're going to get robbed" wut? I'm seriously not biased here, but I think that, excepting Montevideo (the thing is that Montevideo is the closest thing to a big city in here, so tourists will often go there), Uruguay is pretty safe. I can literally go for a walk at 5 am and not experience anything strange

Unless you're talking about how damn expensive everything is, because if that's what you mean, then yeah, prepare to get robbed.

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johnblanco•

Why don't you visit us and see for yourself, don't believe anything you see on the news about how progressive we are, this is still the norm: http://fee.org/freeman/uruguay-welfare-state-gone-wild/

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HardModHeathenOP•

Thank you. Realism is what I wanted from this post. I will check out the link.

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pab3925•

Use this excellent website to get an idea of the cost of things here in Uruguay: http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/

Cost of living drops quite a bit if you move away from the capital, you mentioned that you wanted a more rural lifestyle, so that may be your case.

Is there any way you can receive an income from the states? A $2000/month income would allow you for a comfortable living here. If not, what can you do to support yourself and your family?

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HardModHeathenOP•

I am very much interested in a rural lifestyle. Once I get set up with the money I saved before moving, I would immediately begin growing Medicinal herbs and food in all possible spaces, in order to supplement myself or trade what I have. I am also quite versed in herbal medicines & extracts, If I would have a means to give that advice to anyone. I have professional Landscaping experience, organic gardening experience, Veterinary Technician/Assistant experience, Various Food Service Experience and have worked many labor jobs. I can also do a number of other various craft skills including leather working, some carpentry, dog training, disaster preparedness/survival skills, simple construction, simple home repairs, and also can play/build a variety of musical instruments. Otherwise, I'm willingly to learn/do nearly anything. I'm not a stranger to working very hard, but I loathe it if it doesn't serve any real purpose or end result. My Girlfriend does re-selling online, and has worked in many food service jobs as well. We have no children, and no intention of having any. We would only be supporting ourselves. We would not likely be able to have any income from the US, nor many ties here once we leave. I plan on not returning here, regardless of the outcome.

Thank you for the response. I'm looking at that website now.

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Fitness_Gremlin•

I don't currently live in Uruguay but I have a brother and parents who do. I think you are overestimating, by far, your ability to be employed. The rate of unemployment in Uruguay is 8.5%. That is extremely high. Many people in Uruguay are in the same dead end jobs that you complain about in the US. Not to mention that these jobs often barely provide enough money for a reasonable lifestyle. I can appreciate that you're willing to grow herbs and work hard but I think you'd be hard pressed to find a market large enough to make a living unless you were planning on exporting.

Speaking as someone living in the US, even living "poor" here can be heads and tails above living "poor" in the Uruguay. Before jumping in head first, why not take extended vacations there first? A month or two at a time would give you a better sense of whether you can really live there. The country won't be going anywhere, and testing the water with short trips is a good idea. No matter what anyone on here tells you, you won't get a true sense of what living there is like without seeing it in person. And if you hate it, you don't want to get trapped in a country because you can't afford to move back.

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HardModHeathenOP•

Fair enough. I'm coming to rethink a large amount of all of this. But it's clear that i need to get the hell out of the US, and soon. The goal is really to just get into the wilderness somewhere so I can be mostly left alone. I just don't think I can truly convey over the internet just how dissatisfied I am with the state of things, and how driven I am to go into a wooded area and not return. The unfortunate part of this, is that It's far too difficult to accomplish things like that within the United States these days. One literally has to leave the country to really leave society. Oh well. It was worth inquiring, I guess.

Thanks for your input.

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enthiusParece mentira las cosas que veo•

"not so state/government oriented" Erhm...I think you have the wrong impression, Uruguay is a lot more centralised and state-led than the US is.

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cris--•

Hey. Like in most countries there are places you can live in by volunteering in something to help that subcommunity. Check oit naturalezarte in rocha. Its a beautiful place that receives people from all around the globe. They could probably help you out. Pm me if you cant find further details. Cheers

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HardModHeathenOP•

I found their website, and am looking at it now. Thank you.

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cris--•

No problem. Hope you make it here. You can travel to a lot of places like that

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HardModHeathenOP•

If I do make it out, then something along these lines would likely be my best chance. Thank you.

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DrummerHead•

Interested to know where you get the impression that Uruguay's "not so state/government-oriented"

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HardModHeathenOP•

It would appear that much of the info that I had previously read is less than accurate. No worry. Thanks for the reply.

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