Living in Uruguay | Retiring close to the ocean
Vložit
- čas přidán 20. 07. 2023
- Karen is a former gallery owner from Shelter Island in New York. She and her husband retired to the department of Maldonado on the Uruguay coast, inland from the international hotspot of Jose Ignacio, in 2021. They’ve found the “ideal home” that they described to me during an online relocation consultation with Guru’Guay in 2020. It’s a ‘chacra maritima’ -or seaside ranch-several kilometres in from the ocean.
As the third of a series on Living in Uruguay Karen A Higgs, CEO of @GuruGuay, talks to Karen about what it’s like living in Uruguay. We discuss renovating a new home, the Uruguay healthcare system, whether it’s been easy to make friends and how it is to negotiate day-to-day life when you’re still learning Spanish.
Sections:
00:30 Intro
01:08 Origins
01:44 Why move to Uruguay?
03:24 A SPECIAL GIFT FOR YOU!
04:25 A typical week and building a new home.
08:22 What’s different about living and visiting Uruguay?
12:37 What is not great about life in Uruguay?
17:13 How easy is to make friends in Uruguay?
22:18 How to manage with not perfectly fluent Spanish?
28:53 Health Care in Uruguay
37:02 Advice for the younger Karen
39:03 Rapid fire questions
In our rapid fire round, Karen shares her immediate thoughts on:
Life in Uruguay …
Healthcare …
The cost of living …
As a vegetarian…
Uruguay wine…
I wish I had known before I moved here …
The biggest difference between my life before and now …
HUGE THANKS to Ka Boltax
USEFUL LINKS
Watch the Living in Uruguay series • Living in Uruguay (as ...
José Ignacio, Uruguay: Tiny town turned world’s hot beach spot www.guruguay.com/jose-ignacio...
José Ignacio - a billionaire playground with valet parking signs in the sand
www.guruguay.com/jose-ignacio...
Healthcare in Uruguay: www.guruguay.com/living-in-ur...
Is Uruguay a great fit for you? Book a consultation with Guru’Guay www.guruguay.com/private-cons...
CREDITS
Idea and production: Guru’Guay www.guruguay.com
Interviewer: Karen A Higgs, Guru'Guay
Interviewee: Karen Boltax
Editing: Omni www.teamomni.co
Music: ‘Ta Rengo by Diego Janssen diegojanssen.com
![I left Argentina 🇦🇷 [Expat]](/img/n.gif)
Uruguay is my country and undestand what she say, Is a special place. Thanks!!!
😘🇺🇾❤️
Great interview Karen! Enjoying your series on Living in Uruguay!
Thanks so much!
Complete exhaustive interview of an undoubtedly beautiful person who has found a beautiful country, I would like to add her as a neighbor in my next return project. Thanks
what a lovely comment. thank you so much.
Karen B is a truly lovely person who anyone would be lucky to have as a neighbour.
Welcome Karen, hope you enjoy your stay here.
Enjoyed that convo. Since we moved here we've become excellent Indian cooks...recommend stocking up on Indian spices next time you're in NYC and tucking a Madhur Jaffrey cookbook under your arm - and you'll be all set. With the fresh veggies here in Uruguay, the raw ingredients can't be beat.
Hey Dianne, so glad you enjoyed the convo and so right about the great veggies here. However, perhaps this will be a good tip for you: I no longer buy spices when I travel after discovering the Butter Chicken Lady's recipes www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-gastronomy/the-butter-chicken-lady-who-made-indian-cooks-love-the-instant-pot. The secret is grinding the spices yourself. Nowadays you can get pretty much all the spices needed here in Montevideo. -- Karen
9:43-10:14 is absolute beauty and wisdom. Thank you, Karen.
Thank you for commenting ❤️
Iam creating slow travel this year with Uruguay in the mix.❤🌎
Sounds great!
Excelente video!! Me encantó! Esperando los próximos!
Gracias, Sebastian! Para mi es especialmente satisfactorio cuando a los uruguayos les gusta nuestro trabajo. Gracias!
We are moving to UY end of next year. Appreciated this interview; especially the chat on healthcare. We’re presently exploring our options. Gracias…
So glad to hear it was helpful, Luis.
Ty 4 sharing ur story. As a born Uruguayo but having grown up in the states I'm looking forward to returning in March to explore my homeland to split my year in. Happy ur eating fish as well and I hope you try the churasco soon ❤
Best of luck!
Thanks, Karen, I know some of the players in this story and very very similar to our experience here in Uruguay. We live in San Antonio in Rocha and most of our surrounding areas La Paloma Rocha Pedrera. Google Translate does work and everyone has it. Never a reason not to play or watch the game and you can always learn Spanish. We have very few language issues over here. Veterinarians, Car service, doctors, groceries hardware we all get bye, know what you want be mindful and polite and all things end and begin again with smiles. Immigration process and health checks and health insurance do get complicated so a Spanish Speaker. Funny I have cholesterol medication, I went into the local Pharmacia and the Rx was done with a smile over the counter no doctor visit was required. We are in Rocha so we went with Comero for insurance coverage. Rocha is the anchor for our Comero medical service, clinics in Pedrera and La Paloma. I am 66 years old my Comero is 2700 pesos 90 Canadian my appointment for a prescription was 190 pesos My wife is 58 her coverage is the same for price. Her Optical Test appointment for a glasses prescription visit and checks were less than 50 USD. Agree with her take on UY. Jumping in the water is wonderful. The food you mention, we make all our own, fresh spices are all available here Curry Japanese Thai we make it all.
Thanks so much for sharing, Robert!
hey robert thanks for your feedback and maybe we will have to come over to yours for some thai curry!! jajaja
@@karenboltax6697 an unexpected benefit of doing this video, Ka 🤣🤣🤣
Welcome to our country...! I'm glad you've integrated well and are already part of the community. I live in Punta del Este. Anything you need, 'a las ordenes,' (at the orders) as we say here. There's a place in the center of Maldonado called Durdales, I believe. It's located at 963 25 de Mayo Street. They have a lot...a lot of spices. I've never bought from there because I don't usually eat spicy food, being a great-granddaughter of Italians and Uruguayan, I'm not used to eating spicy. But they seem to be good and have a wide variety. Once again, welcome, and have a good life!@@karenboltax6697
Enjoying your content from Nigeria.
Wow! I’m delighted to hear that, Chris! Have a lovely weekend.
I enjoyed the video. Thank you.
Thank you too!
I love your interview Of this beautiful lady .Karen I just want to say For our English speaking people is that uruguay is a immigrant Country .so I will think that being Born in uruguay of decendent of Italians and Spaniards
We understand .great video and I’ll say it again you will find peace and tranquillity in its people good luck in uruguay we need people like you guys in uruguay that’s what make uruguay so great. welcome to your home
Cheers 🥂 From Florida USA 🇺🇸
Thank you so much for your kind words, Mario
Because of the nature near by in Rocha , I wish to explore there❤.
Love Uruguay 💙🇺🇾🌊🌊🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾💙🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾🌊🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾🌊🌊🍷
Thank you for commenting! Me too!
Really enjoyed the video. Thoughtful answers. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it! Karen is very thoughtful. -- The other Karen
A rare example of a product being promoted and information being shared. Your interview was helpful and entertaining. Kudos
Glad you enjoyed it!
Very informative and honest insight from a very tolerant expat. Thank you
Hi Alex, glad you found it helpful. Karen is great and so frank. Cheers, the other Karen
I am a spice girl too! So I will see about securing spice while in Uruguay ❤.
There's a great spice store in the Old City of Montevideo called Samud.
Very informative video
Glad you think so!
Part of the reason u, see 4 people as part of a process that it'd take 1 elsewhere is the need and/or implied obligation to create employment as part of any business process including, of course, the public administration. I've seen in several of the countries I've lived in. It's not efficient for a just in time supply chain mindset but it'll never become like that in URY.
HC insurance premiums are directly proportional to age and there is no cutoff age point to immigrate to URY. Great conversation and it's refreshing to see a clear eyed perspective on life in the countryside.
Nice interview. I read Uruguay has very good health and dental care also.
Thank you. Yes, that's true.
I'm curious to know about with the long distance from the US, how does she deal with being away from family, how often she gets visitors from the US and how often she visits the US. How about grandkids?
I'll ask Karen if she'll take time out (from receiving all her guests!) to answer
This is wonderful, so much information. May I ask about mosquitoes please. How do you deal with them? Are there more in the country, compared to the city? Thank you for you help.
You cannot really escape the mosquitoes here during the summer. Tho there are slightly less of them on cities. Easiest way to deal with them is instaling mosquiteros on windows and using bug repellents tablets or lotions.
I live in the city and during the summer if we get mosquitos in the house we'll use a little machine that plugs into the wall and sleep soundly.
Any malaria?
@@RoyBland22 Uruguay is not a tropical country. You'll find this article helpful: www.guruguay.com/zika-virus-uruguay/
Thank you for posting. My wife and I are considering moving there in 5 years. Would you mind if I asked you a few things?
Hello John, which Karen are you addressing? Me (Guru'Guay) or Karen B (who was kind enough to be interviewed)?
@@GuruGuay Both maybe if possible. I have 5 years. Thank both of you for posting. My wife may have more questions than I.
Hey John@@tubaljohn1 you can book a session with me whenever you are ready www.guruguay.com/private-consultations/. Have a look at the reviews to see the value that others have found. Cheers -- Karen (Guru'Guay)
Sorry but i must complain. First i thank you for all you do for Uruguay but i think you must put spanish subtitles. Estaría bueno ya que tu público es de ambas lenguas. Un abrazo grande y gracias.
Hello, thank you. Did you know that you can turn on automatic Spanish subtitles in CZcams?
@@GuruGuay yes you can do but i do not how
click the button in the controls which says 'cc' @@cocinando2493
@@GuruGuay yes this part is easy, activate or not, but do not appeara in spanish. Only eanglish option, this is something yo can do before you up loadnthe video. Thanks for everything and sorry for my little help
I am really sorry. Perhaps my mind dont work till the second coffe an mate. Now i foun how to change subtitles. Thanks for your patience.
No one is talking about how expensive it is
Hey Kevin, and anyone curious regarding Kevin's comment, in the description below you will find links to our original articles on Jose Ignacio, including one entitled "José Ignacio - a billionaire playground with valet parking signs in the sand". All the best, Karen
Compared to where?
Jose Ignacio is for millionaires
And after the Residency is approved, one has to return back to North America to retrieve and dispose of everything, and return to Uruguay. Correct?
Well, that's entirely up to you. There is no reason to leave Uruguay if you don't want to.
@@GuruGuay Right, but if you're coming the first time and don't know how long it if you'll get the residency visa, you're not going to move all your stuff yet until you actually get the residency, which could take up to a year......
Sure,
The way that we drive is true hahaha
A Czech friend of mine living in Uruguay said: What happens to the loveliest Uruguayan granny when she gets behind the wheel of her car?? Jajaja Thanks for commenting, Maria!
If a retired couple wishes to first arrive in Uruguay as tourists from the US or Canada self-insuring because of the high cost of policies when over 65, and start the residency application process, does one then join a mutualista to get set up with Uruguayan health coverage??
You can join a mutualista at any time. You do not need to be a resident.
@@GuruGuay But not after age 60. You're stuck with either self insuring or an expensive international insurance policy.
@@dovygoodguy1296 there are healthcare options for over 60s that are affordable. Karen talks about hers in the interview and she's over 60.
Heard to compare her experience with an average American that isn't coming from NY. NYC is so different from a more peaceful place in the US. I wonder what it would be like for someone coming from another more peaceful pace of life in the US and safer.
Hi there, just to clarify, she was living on Shelter Island an island town in New York state. It has a population of under 4,000.
Hello, I'm from California, I've lived in Uruguay for two years, I know a good part of the world despite being 27 years old. I know South Asia, Europe, and Mexico, Uruguay is the best place in the world, it is unique, few people, wild nature, good food, it is practically a beautiful meadow, on the negative side I will tell you that it is unsafe and very expensive. You can ask me anything.
Hi Catalina, thanks for sharing your comment. I agree that it is expensive (comparatively). In my experience as a foreigner living in Uruguay for the last 24 years, I have not found it unsafe. Hope you've had a great start to the year, Karen
sounds a bit on the high side. 250 a month for insurance... I guess coming from California it's a great deal all around, but if you are living on a limited income that won't work.
Hi Annie, Uruguay as you've observed is not a cheap country. Karen lives in one of the most exclusive areas-near Jose Ignacio. Thanks for commenting! -- Karen
Make your own Indian Food....YT videos are abundant on any cuisine.
Uruguay does not require a visa for US citizens, but its requirements for entry are still numerous, complicated, and costly. It does not welcome US visitors. For example, an American must have his entry documents translated to Spanish by a Uruguayan certified translator - for a fee, of course. English is not commonly spoken in Uruguay. If you don't speak Spanish, you cannot get along.
Here are the residency requirements: www.guruguay.com/living-in-uruguay/uruguay-residency/. Residency experts tend to agree that Uruguay is probably one of the easiest countries in the world to immigrate to and obtain residency. Basically you need a clean criminal record and a monthly income of around 1500 USD per person. As for speaking Spanish, well, yes, Spanish is the language of Uruguay, but as Karen mentions in her interview, she finds lots of people where she lives who speak English. It really depends on where you live. Cheers!
Funny as an Uruguayan living in the States, I miss our food and I hate Mexican and Indian food for being too spicy, with flavors so disgusting like corn tortilla... yuck! I can not stand it, not even the smell... On the other hand It is so hard to find restaurants that have similar food as in Uruguay... the only good restaurants for me are the Argentinean, Italian, French (to some extent) and Spaniards... the rest SUCK!!! I edit to say I like some Asian food that I learned to eat here, but I am scare of those restaurants because once I went to one of them, and I got such an allergy to I don't know what... that it almost cost my life... It is not easy to adopt to other people's culinary....
Awww, that's terrible about the allergy. I hope you are fine. Your message shows your Uruguayez shining through jeje. A big hug and thanks for commenting -- Karen
Welcome to Uruguay 🇺🇾
With all due respect, if you want tacos go to Mexico, if you want Chinese food go to China, etc. Our food is delicious. If you want a fast life stay in the United States, if you want a calm and different life go or stay in Uruguay 😁🇺🇾❤️
I'm wondering if you watched the video? Karen's opinion on restaurant options in Uruguay was presented very fairly. She loves traditional Uruguayan food. She also likes variety, as most of us do. The reality is that though cuisine is much more varied nowadays in Uruguay (especially when I compare it to when I moved here in 2000), there's still not a huge selection. Who wants to have to go to China to eat Chinese food? 😉
Completelly agree.
I wouldnt write it that nicely.
I go straight to the point lol.
Like stop deforming countries you immigrate in to look like sh!t you crawling from.
But people dont have the judgement, and I dont have the class to spoon feed them gently like you do.
for vacations is ok, but live there temporary were pretty boring for me
In my experience, it depends on your season of life-and your interests. I live in Montevideo and there's always so much going on. For example, right now there is the international film festival going on. 79th edition, if I recall correctly. Tens of films to see every night from tens of countries. -- Karen
@@GuruGuay , wich kind of visa do you live for?
@@GuruGuay , wich kind of visa do you live for?
Residency@@-free_time
@@GuruGuay , residency due what?
French learn Spanish, so do Germans, Italians and English . Not Americans. Try to read newspapers in Spanish and listen to news in Spanish.
I wouldn't suggest news. It's often provided without the context necessary for someone who is unfamiliar with a country. Instead I recommend watching movies or series from Argentina or Uruguay to get the accent and keep the subtitles on in English first, and then when you are more confident change subtitles to Spanish.
Again. You are not an expat, you are a migrant.Don't sugar coat it!
where are you? Such a clueless argument.
Who cares about art?
Everyone's different :)
Best italian food is made at home with "nonna's recipes" (* my wife is italian-brazilian). 😎🍷🍕🍕🍕🧀🦞👍👍👍
Thanks for sharing!