Uruguay water crisis: how did we get here?
Uruguay has some of the most abundant water sources in the world. But the capital was told we had water supplies for just 18 days.
As prices in general are pretty expensive in Uruguay, I often get asked this. Let me share with you numbers from the National Statistics Institute from July 2020.
The figures look at the average income of a 2 adult, 2 child household and per person per month. You will see that salaries are higher in the capital of Uruguay, Montevideo, compared to the rest of the country. Half of the nation’s population resides in the capital.
|
Montevideo |
Rest of Uruguay |
|
|
Average household income |
78,388 pesos |
53,501 pesos |
|
Average per capita income |
24,949 pesos |
17,139 pesos |
Over the last ten years a growing number of Europeans and North Americans have been moving to Uruguay. It’s partly down global factors and the progressive nature and long time stability of Uruguay’s laws and economy. The latter is an open secret in South America with Uruguay regarded as a safe haven for investors particularly those from Argentina for decades.
Now with Uruguay’s recent excellent response to the coronavirus epidemic, more and more people are considering Uruguay as a secure, desirable place to live.
But as you can see from the average salary in Uruguay, it’s not an easy place to make a living. One of the first questions that I ask my clients who contact me to help them figure out if Uruguay is a good fit for themselves and their families is how they are planning to support themselves.
The Numbeo website has figures that look in detail at the cost of living in Uruguay. I can testify that they look pretty accurate.
*We used xe.com to convert from Uruguayan pesos to US dollars.
Uruguay water crisis: how did we get here?
Uruguay has some of the most abundant water sources in the world. But the capital was told we had water supplies for just 18 days.
Is Uruguay a developed country? Harvard moves Latin America HQ to Uruguay
Harvard University Business School opens Latin American research centre, praising Uruguay living standard and freedom of expression.
Montevideo Carnival 2024 dates
Hot off the press! The world’s longest carnival is in Montevideo Uruguay and we’ve got the dates.
Salón No. 3 – La Barra gourmet cuisine, cafe & deli
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Casa Flor – live the Uruguay coast like a local (VIP)
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Uruguay offers new digital nomad residency
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Big Bang Nature Stays – Bohemian beach domes
Unique ocean-front location to reconnect with nature—with luxury touches—on one of Uruguay’s most deserted beaches in Maldonado.
8% of Uruguay is black—and maybe more
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Gaucho week in Montevideo – Easter
Traditional food, handmade goods, and South American cowboys riding wild horses. It’s the Semana Criolla – Montevideo’s Easter gaucho festival.
Travel to Uruguay: Medical insurance mandatory
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Harvard University Business School opens Latin American research centre, praising Uruguay living standard and freedom of expression.
A 2023 survey reveals that Uruguayan attitudes to immigrants are very different to other polarised parts of the world.
Some beaches are just so darn popular. Tips for when & how to get best rates on hotels and rentals in Uruguay.
We check out recent prices for the ferry between Buenos Aires, Argentina and the Uruguay capital, Montevideo.
Car hire, restaurant drinks and meals are tax free when you use your international credit card in Uruguay. Big savings.
Guru’Guay talks to a British-born economist about what attracted him as an expat in Uruguay to the gated communities of Canelones in 2019.
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24 Responses
Hello Karen,
I’m a US citizen looking to relocate and possibly setting up practice as a chiropractor. Can you tell me how the profession is recognized in the country and how would I need to contact for more information
Hi Todd, if you’d like to sign up for a one to one session with me, then this is the type of information that I will have located contacts for you before we meet. More info here: https://www.guruguay.com/private-consultations/ Good to be in touch! — Karen
Hello, i’m Geovanna and i’m planning to move to Uruguay soon (2023 for sure). I’m brazilian and i work in Brazil as lawyer (gratuated in 2017, i work as labor lawyer and also doing the work at notary here). I want to know the process to register my license in Uruguay and also if your office is interested to have a Brazilian Lawyer working there. I know there is a lot of brazilians living in Mvd and some other places in uruguay and some times they need some legal support not only in Uruguay but also in Brazil.
Hi Geovanna, I’d recommend that you contact a few law firms here and see what they say. Maybe try LinkedIn? You are right that there are more and more Brazilians moving to Uruguay. Best of luck! — Karen
I heard no reply towards the inquiry about the request regarding the ratio of income to relocation. Can you explain the minimum income requirements? My fiance and I wish to buy a home and be married there. Our income is more than most that live in (what was at one time considered middle class) North America. How difficult will it be for us to buy a single residence home with a garden and how long is the process? Thank you for your prompt response.
Sandy Hinderer
Washington DC
Hi Sandy, how are you doing? Sorry for the delay getting back to you. I was visiting family in the UK for the first time since the pandemic and I’ve only just seen your question. Have you read my articles about getting residency on the site? You can find them here and here.
Reach out for a private one-to-one consult if you’d like to find out more information directly applicable to your unique case. Greetings from Uruguay! — Karen PS. i removed your phone number from your post for your protection.
Hi Karen this side sourabh and I am planning to move to urguay and planning to open some restaurant kind of food business just wondering if it is worth doing there this kind of business . Appreciate your response 😊😊
Hi Sourabh, it’s not an easy business to be in as there is lots of competition and fixed costs are high. If you are serious in your interest, you might consider a consultation with me where you can find out how realistic your expectations are. Very best wishes, Karen
Hey Karen I just saw this link for the first time as I was looking for some information about Uruguay because I am planning to move there with my family.
But the main thing I saw your efforts to make people comfortable and knowledgeable which I appreciate and I must say thanks to you …………….
Sourabh, that is so kind of you to take time out to comment. I appreciate you. — Karen
Hi, i’m 35 years old working as an engineer at Civil aviation authority of Bangladesh in CNS department. I want to invest in real estate sector in Montevideo.
That’s mean I want to buy home or flat/apartment and rent it.Please suggest me how to be an immigrant so that I can buy home/flat/apartment in Montevideo. Thanks.
Hi Kazi, if you have the money you can buy an apartment without any problem. There are no restrictions to property ownership by nationality in Uruguay. Check out this article on buying property in Uruguay. All the best Karen
I currently live in the USA , IN NEW YORK, WESTCHESTER COUNTY. I’M CONSIDERING LEAVING NEW YORK AND THE USA BECAUSE OF THE CRIME, RACISM, AND THE CHAOS WITH COVID-19. I’D LIKE INFO ABOUT HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT IN URUGUAY.
I’m looking to relocate to Uruguay this fall, how would I go about finding long term rentals off the beaten path?
Hi Derrick, we’ll have something to offer you later in the year! But for now, when you say “off the beaten path” what are you looking for? Cheers, Karen
Am 61 year young retiree with steady permanent income (retired) of +1700$US per month and considering Uruguay as ex pat retirement due to the country’s radical and vibrant Democracy. Am considering 21 day steamer down from US (bucket list) next summer for a six to seven month stay to check out the ‘real’ situation in preparation. Should it work out will bring wife down who also has +1400$US per month income. I am white, she is black, we are both college educated. Have done some research on the racial question and seems as though there may be some history of racial tensions. Your impression of this? We are interested in rural living as we do here in Arkansas. Any thoughts on this would be helpful. Where is a good place to HQ out of while researching the country from the street level?
Hello , I m Rajinder kaur and I want to immigrant to Uruguay for pr with my son and husband. Please suggest me about job opportunities for commerce graduates in Uruguay. And also about stay for new immigrants in uruguay. Tell me that whether uruguay is a safe country for new immigrants and after which time period we would get pr there
HI ! EVERYBODY
I AM AN INDIAN CITIZEN , AGE -38 , MARRIED AND WITH TWO KIDS AND A WIFE .
WANT TO IMMIGRATE TO ‘URUGUAY’ FOR PERMANENT SETTLEMENT , IS THERE ANY INDIAN CITIZEN WHO CAN GUIDE ME ABOUT LIFESTYLE , SECURITY , CARRIER AND AVERAGE EXPENSES , INCOME PER HOUSEHOLD A PERSON CAN EASILY GET AFTER INVESTING IN SOME LUCRATIVE BUSINESS / BY DOING A SMALL JOB OF SALES ‘ ?
AS A NEW IMMIGRANT I WOULD LIKE TO INVESTIGATE LOT OF THINGS BEFORE PLANNING TO IMMIGRATE TO A NEW COUNTRY , I HOPE YOU MUST UNDERSTAND MY CONCERN BEFORE PLANNING ANYTHING .
REGARDS
MANDEEP SINGH BAWEJA.
M: 92–11–9810509982
Hi Mandeep, I would suggest that you contact the Indian Expats in Uruguay group on Facebook. Good luck! Karen
HI ! THANX KAREN FOR YOUR KIND REPLY ! IL SURELY LOG IN FACEBOOK A/C FOR INDIAN EXPATS IN URUGUAY FOR MY QUERY . BUT I WANT TO KNOW WHETHER INDIAN’S ARE THERE IN URUGUAY OR NOT ?
THANX & REGARDS
MANDEEP SINGH
Dear Guru’guay,
I am recently married to a Uruguayan. We took a trip to Montevideo last year to visit her family and had a great time while visiting. I would consider living in Uruguay, however, there is one thing I just do not understand. How do people make it financially? I am flabbergasted when I see how much an apartment or house costs in Uruguay compared to the average annual salary. Am I missing something? Do you have any insights into how people in Uruguay make it day to day?
Jim, here it is, my post on the best time to visit Uruguay, just for you! You’ll see that November is confirmed as an excellent month to visit for a host of reasons.
Regarding where to stay at the coast, you’ll see it will all be very quiet, even in Punta del Este. In fact Punta will be the one beach destination likely to have more stuff going on in the evening. The other beach destinations will really be for you to make your own entertainment, lovely and relaxing, but if you want some places to hang, then Punta will likely be your place. Hotels will likely have places but to get the one of your choice you may want to book ahead.
Thanks Guru’guay, I love your comments and they are very informative! I’m headed down there in mid November and we may try to stay at your place if the timing works out. Might I ask a question: We are 2 mid forties old friends coming to spend a week in Uruguay. Can you recommend a not-super-busy, interesting, local feeling, not super pricey, fun place with some night life to go on the coast? I think we’d avoid Punta, but Piriapolis, La Paloma, and La Pedrera all seem like they might be more to our liking and interests. Are things still pretty quiet in mid November? Need we book places to stay sooner than later? Thank you so much. -Jim
Hi Jim, so glad you are finding the posts useful! November is a GREAT time to visit Uruguay. We’d be delighted to receive you in the guesthouse if you manage it and we will do our best to make your time in Montevideo unique – I specialise in making recommendations of places to hang out, music, that are off the beaten track and virtually impossible to find if you don’t speak Spanish.
Your question is an excellent one and I have been planning a blog post on the best time to visit Uruguay and where to stay. Let me get back to you in a couple of days with a really decent answer, ok? Watch this space 🙂