Life of Expats in Uruguay: Pros and Cons from a First-Person Perspective
When our family was moving to Uruguay, many people asked: "Why there? Why not Europe or the USA?" The answer was simple — we wanted safety, peace, and normal human treatment. And Uruguay turned out to be exactly the place where all of that was found.
Who lives here
Uruguay is an amazingly international country. There are many newcomers from the USA, Europe, Russia, India, and other countries. People of different nationalities coexist peacefully, and there is no tension like in some other countries where immigrants are often seen as "second-class." Here, you are just a person.
Pros of living in Uruguay
Life in Uruguay is not about luxury, but about comfort, safety, and stability. Here are the main advantages that make the country attractive to immigrants:
- Peace and safety in a global sense
Uruguay is far from all military and political conflicts. There are no military bases, no tense neighbors, and in case of a global crisis, the country is not on the list of primary targets. It is one of the most "invisible," and therefore — safest, places on the planet. - Stable internal security
The streets are calm. Alcohol is not popular, so there are practically no drunk or aggressive people. Crime is lower than in the USA and many European countries. The main thing is to avoid certain areas in Montevideo. - Natural protection
Uruguay doesn’t know what hurricanes, tornadoes, or tsunamis are. A plateau that extends 100 km into the Atlantic protects from tsunamis. There are no earthquakes, no floods, no strong winds. It’s a natural "comfort zone." - Mild year-round climate
Summer is warm but not exhausting — on average around +25–28°C. Winter has no frosts. At night it can drop to +5, but during the day it's usually +10–15. No snow, no heat. Just normal, comfortable weather. - Friendly and helpful people
Uruguayans are open, warm, and willing to help. Even if you just ask for directions — they might walk you there, explain, advise. There’s no aggression toward foreigners. No one looks at you oddly if they hear an accent. - Simple immigration and citizenship
Getting permanent residence is relatively easy. And a passport — after 3–5 years of legal residence. There are no super-strict requirements. It’s one of the most accessible paths to citizenship in South America. - Social guarantees — even for immigrants
Free schools, universities, and healthcare. Yes, all this is available even to those who have recently arrived. Schools give tablets to children, laptops to high schoolers — all free. If you get citizenship, then upon reaching retirement age you can count on a pension, even if you haven’t worked here for decades. - Natural food
Local meat, vegetables, and fruits are much higher in quality than in most European countries. No heavy processing, no chemical overload. Meat here is a culture, and fruits are like from a tree in a village, not from a supermarket. - Low taxes and humane attitude toward property
Tax burden is low. If for some reason you haven’t paid land or property tax — no one will take your home. After a few years, they may just offer to pay a small amount (sometimes 10% of the debt) — and write off the rest. - Psychological peace
No pressure, no rat race, no fuss. People live simpler, calmer, more measured lives. That doesn’t mean there’s no work or goals — just no one forces you to "do it all." In Uruguay, you live, not survive.
Rental Prices in Different Cities of Uruguay
A breakdown of rental prices across cities in Uruguay—including Montevideo, Punta del Este, Piriápolis, and more. Real numbers, pros and cons, and tips for renters.
Julia Expert
Cons of living in Uruguay
Uruguay is a calm and friendly country, but it still has its problems. These are the ones immigrants most often encounter:
- High prices for appliances, cars, and electronics
Due to high import duties, appliances, electronics, and especially cars are expensive. Even a used car can cost twice as much as in the USA or Europe. Buying a new iPhone is almost like buying a motorcycle. TVs, computers, washing machines — everything is more expensive than we’re used to. - Expensive and not the fastest internet
One of the frequent annoyances. Internet here costs about $40 a month — and that’s not for a high-speed gigabit plan. Speed and stability don’t always match the price, especially outside major cities. - Humidity and mold
Uruguay is a humid country. Even on clear days, humidity levels remain high. As a result — frequent mold problems in houses and apartments. Especially in older housing. You can prevent it, but you need to invest in a dehumidifier, ventilation, and regular maintenance. - No rail transport
Trains do not run here. At all. All travel is only by bus or car. This limits mobility, especially if you want to travel comfortably within the country. - Homeless people and dirty streets in the capital
There are many homeless people in Montevideo — it’s visible. Especially downtown. They often sleep on benches, near stores. It’s not always connected with aggression or crime, but it visually affects the city’s appearance. Also, streets are often dotted with dog poop. They’ve started tackling this — and it’s gotten a bit better in recent years. - Dangerous areas in Montevideo
There are several areas in the capital best avoided, especially at night. These are poor neighborhoods with higher crime rates. Meanwhile, the rest of the city is quite calm, and dangers are easily avoided just by knowing the map. - General sense of “slowness”
This isn’t exactly a con, but for those used to the pace of megacities, Uruguay may seem too slow. Everything is done “mañana” — tomorrow, later, slowly. Bureaucracy also operates at this pace. Getting a certificate, solving a paperwork issue or repair — you need patience.
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