Uruguay Insider

Buying an apartment in Montevideo, Banking in Uruguay, Traveling light, and more...

2017-10-03T05:33:00.003-07:00

You received this newsletter because you signed up for it on the Paradise Uruguay Blog.
If you’re no longer interested, please go the bottom to “unsubscribe”.
Otherwise, read on and enjoy!

Buying an apartment in Uruguay
Where do you find apartments for sale in Uruguay? How do you pick your real estate agent? What type of due diligence is recommended? Read this post to find out.

Banking in Uruguay
If you plan to retire, work, or buy a property in Uruguay, you'll probably want a local bank account. This post gives you the big picture of banking in Uruguay, along with common requirements and tips for opening an account.

Traveling long and traveling light
If you frequent the English-speaker gatherings in Montevideo or Punta del Este, you may know Evelin Strougle and Mel Appleton who've visited Uruguay for months at a time in recent years. What you may not know is that Mel and Evelin travel for about half of each year, and have been doing so for decades. And during that time they've mastered the art of traveling light.

EXTRA SECTION
Below are a few additional posts, which aren't specific to Uruguay, but you may find interesting:

Earn from anywhere with Amazon sales
How do you make a living from anywhere with an Internet connection as a seller on Amazon? Russell Freeman figured it out and shares how he did it.

How to set up a US company for global online trade from almost anyplace in the world
Stripe Atlas makes it possible to set up a US Deleware corporation and get a US bank account from almost anywhere in the world.

Twirling fire on a rope stretched across an intersection for tips
I saw this in Medellín, Colombia, and had to get a picture.

Notice: The Puerto Investment Summit planned for October 9th and 10th will be rescheduled once Puerto Rico recovers from the damage of Hurricane Maria.

Best regards,
David Hammond
PS: Do you have a comment or suggestion? I always appreciate hearing from you.

Where to live in Montevideo, Developing a winery in Uruguay, When to shop for property in Uruguay, and more...

2017-09-05T05:53:00.001-07:00

You received this newsletter because you signed up for it on the Paradise Uruguay Blog.

There’s been a long lapse since the last newsletter. My apologies for that!

If you’re no longer interested, please go the bottom to “unsubscribe”.

Otherwise, read on and enjoy!

(Also, your comments and social shares are greatly appreciated.)

Where to live in Montevideo
If you’re considering Montevideo as a place to live, and want to know more about the various neighborhoods within the city, this post is for you.

Developing a winery in Uruguay
This post tells the story of the Artesana winery, a US/Uruguayan partnership combining small scale wine crafting with modern winemaking technology.

The best time of year to shop for property in Uruguay
If you plan on shopping for property in Uruguay, be aware that some times of the year are better than others.

EXTRA SECTION

Announcement: As you may have noticed, I started a new blog, called "Hammond Report". On it, I'll continue posting about Uruguay, but will also write about living and earning opportunities in other Latin American countries. Following are a few examples.

Puerto Rico’s economic incentives
Talented people, cutting-edge businesses, and individual investors are relocating to Puerto Rico. Why? For some, it offers an opportunity to help repair Puerto Rico’s broken economy and at the same time receive favorable tax treatment.

(Side note: Let's hope for the best for the people of Puerto Rico, as well as others in the path of Hurricane Irma, over the next couple of days.)

US golf course expert finds work life balance in South America
Randall Thompson from the US really knows golf courses. After six months working in the South of France, he was offered a full-time job managing a course in Cannes. But he turned it down for the opportunity to live in South America. This short profile explains why.

How adapting to business life abroad improves your mental game
A study reports that the process of adapting to cultural differences can improve your creative abilities as well as your long-term chance of business success.

David Hammond
Do you have a comment or suggestion? I always appreciate hearing from you.

Learning Spanish in Uruguay, teaching English in Uruguay, real estate in Montevideo's Old City, job tips, and Uruguay business structures

2016-12-07T08:05:00.000-08:00

You received this newsletter because you signed up for it on the Paradise Uruguay Blog. If you’re no longer interested, please go the bottom of this email to “unsubscribe”.

Otherwise, Welcome!

One of the best options for learning Spanish in Uruguay

After 24 years focusing on the most effective ways to teach Spanish, Margo Kros has developed an optimized program in her Montevideo and Punta del Este classrooms.

Have you ever thought about teaching English in Uruguay?

If so, check out this interview with Gerardo Valazza. He's one of the director generals at the Anglo Institute, which runs a bilingual school in Montevideo and supports 48 English language schools across Uruguay.

New businesses coming in and more Airbnb rentals in Montevideo's Ciudad Vieja (Old City)

Bettina Stratta, a real estate agent with an office in Ciudad Vieja, tells what she sees going on. (And if you happen to be wondering how much a renovated apartment in the Old City cost these days, you can find that out, too.)

Are you trying to put the pieces together and get perspective of what it takes to get a job in Uruguay?

If so, check out these two tips by Uruguay relocation specialist, Ana Inés Pérez Bianchi,

Want to learn about opening a company in Uruguay?

If yes, check out this article based on an interview with Montevideo accountant, Magela Palleiro. It provides an overview of three popular business structures in Uruguay.

Meetup in Montevideo Friday December 16th at 6:00 pm

Bettina Stratta's new craft gallery and real estate office in the Old City has a social area in the back. She is making this space available, and inviting all of us (English speaking locals, travelers, expats, and friends) to a meetup a week from Friday on December 16th at 6:00 pm.

The purpose of the gathering is to meet and get to know each other. (And if you're working on learning Spanish or English, this gathering may also provide a friendly environment to get in a little practice.)

Bettina will provide cool drinks (water, juice, soda), and you are welcome to bring additional snacks and drinks if you like.

The place is Perez Castellano 1493 (near the corner of Cerrito.) It's on the pedestrian street, just a little over a block south of the Mercado del Puerto.
It's on Friday December 16 at 6:00 pm
If you have any questions, you can reach Bettina at: 093-979-800 or email her at: bstratta@gmail.com

Hope to see you there!

David Hammond

Do you have a comment or suggestion? I always appreciate hearing from you.

Dining and Entertainment in Montevideo -- Plus, Starting a Business in Uruguay

2016-05-03T07:29:00.003-07:00

You received this newsletter because you signed up for it on the Paradise Uruguay Blog. If you’re no longer interested, please go the bottom of this email to “unsubscribe”.

Otherwise, Welcome!

The 2016 Mercer study ranks Montevideo, Uruguay, as the city offering the highest quality of life in South America. And while Montevideo is smaller and more laid back than Buenos Aires or Santiago, you'll still find plenty to do in the evenings, here--if you know where to look.

Traveling in Uruguay
Eating Out in Montevideo
With more than 600 restaurants to choose from, how do you know where to go? In this post (updated just a few days ago) Karin Ledl--who knows Montevideo--shares some of her favorites.

A Night Out in Montevideo
But what about places to have a drink or dance? Karin has you covered there, too.

Living in Uruguay
Montevideo Theater, Music, and Movies - link to the best online entertainment guide
On any given weekend, Montevideo has a plethora of entertainment options to choose from. These include large and small live theater productions; live music in venues ranging from small clubs to large auditoriums; as well as screenings of first run movies and classic art-films. ---But how do you know what's happening and where? Read this post to find out.

SODRE – Uruguay’s Nationally Funded Arts, Culture, and Music Scene
SODRE is a government organization that funds the national ballet, national symphony, and other performing arts, art cinema showings, and public radio stations. This post explains what SODRE has to offer and provides links to performance schedules.

Investing in Uruguay
Starting a Business in Uruguay
This post sites some of the pluses of doing business in Uruguay, gives examples of the types of businesses newcomers are running, and also provides tips for starting a business in Uruguay

Uruguay Notes
Some of you wrote this month asking about the news reports of flooding in Uruguay and other areas of the Southern Cone. While its been the rainiest April in memory over much of Uruguay, most of the serious flooding occurred in the Departments of Soriano and Colonia, in the southwest part of the country. (Here is a link to a map of Uruguay's Departments, so you can see where they are located.) I think we are all hoping for a sunnier May.

Do you have a comment or suggestion? I always appreciate hearing from you.

Saludos,
David Hammond

Uruguayan Art, Residency Based on Job or Business Income, The Best Months to Shop for Real Estate, and more....

2016-04-05T08:14:00.000-07:00

You received this newsletter because you signed up for it on the Paradise Uruguay Blog. If you’re no longer interested, please go the bottom of this email to “unsubscribe”.

Otherwise, read on and enjoy!

Traveling in Uruguay
The life and legacy of Uruguayan artist, Joaquín Torres García
You can view this Uruguayan master's work anytime you're in Uruguay--either at the Torres García Museum, or the permanent display at Montevideo's Museum of Visual Arts.

Serena Hotel Punta del Este - the perfect place to relax
While the Southern Hemisphere summer has passed, if you're the type that plans ahead, consider penciling in this on-the-beach relax-and-recover zone as the ideal followup to any stressful endeavor.

Living in Uruguay
Is it possible to get Uruguayan residency if I need to find a job or start a business in Uruguay to satisfy the income requirement? Montevideo attorney, Mark Teuten, responds to this commonly asked question.

Uruguayan artist, Ricardo Pickenhayn - the making of a masterwork
Ricardo Pickenhayn advances the art form created by Torres García with a 20-meter (65.6-foot) long mural/sculpture for a Punta del Este resort hotel.

Investing in Uruguay
When not to shop for real estate in Uruguay
Find out why one month of the year just doesn't work for real estate shopping in Uruguay.

Powers of Attorney in Uruguay - A Way to Take Care of Business When You're Away
Montevideo escribana, Vanessa Balero, provides some facts about Powers of Attorney in Uruguay.

Uruguay Notes
More airport arrivals to Uruguay in 2015
In 2015, Uruguay's airports received a record number of travelers from Europe, the U.S., and Argentina.

Uruguay has the highest percentage of LTE data users in Latin America
LTE stands for Long Term Evolution. A 4G LTE network is the successor of 3G networks. Depending on signal strength and network load, 4G LTE can be up to 10 times faster than 3G.
Uruguay leads Latin America in the extent of development, percentage of users, and system quality of its high speed true 4G LTE network.
Penetration of market by percentage:
Uruguay 49% (#1 in Latin America)
Chile 18% (#2 in Latin America)
Peru 13% (#3 in Latin America)
The average for Latin America is 9%.

Your comments and suggestions are always appreciated!

Saludos,
David Hammond

A horse business in Rocha; a look at Punta de Este; legal residency update; and more......

2016-03-01T04:50:00.003-08:00

You received this newsletter because you signed up for it on the Paradise Uruguay Blog. If you’re no longer interested, please go the bottom of this email to “unsubscribe”.

Otherwise, read on and enjoy!

Life in Uruguay

Uruguay is a country with four seasons.

During most of the year, Uruguay's beach towns are quiet. However, the pace picks up during the Southern Hemisphere summer months of January and February, when more than a million foreign vacationers visit.

For some, the perfect Uruguayan beach vacation is camping along the rural Atlantic coast of Rocha. For others, its splurging on a full-service hotel in the resort town Punta del Este. During the first weeks of January—the pinnacle of high season—Punta del Este is famous for its many tournaments, upscale parties, and fashion shows.

But now that it's March, the summer crowds will taper off. And the full-timers who live in Uruguay's coastal towns will soon have things back to themselves.

But even when the summer beach scene slows, there's still plenty to do. Tomorrow, in Uruguay’s rural heartland, a five-day celebration of Uruguay’s Gaucho heritage begins in the city of Tacuarembó.

And during March, in Uruguay’s capital, Montevideo, you'll find six concert performances open to all, with no admission charge, at the modern SODRE Theater —before ballet season starts March 31st.

People in Uruguay
Operating a horse tourism business in Uruguay (with 1:32-minute video)
Lucie Cibulka, originally from Austria, moved to Uruguay about ten years ago. Today, she runs a horse ranch with her husband, Santiago, in the Sierras of Rocha.

Places in Uruguay

A traveler’s introduction to Punta del Este

This post provides an overview of the beach resort town of Punta del Este. It includes pictures and travel information like where to eat, where to stay, when to come, and how to get here.

Uruguay Relocation

Speedier residency approval anticipated for new applicants

Uruguay’s Immigration Office makes internal procedure changes aimed at shortening the time frame for residency approval. By Montevideo Attorneys Mark Teuten and María Victoria Angulo Braun.

Planning to rent an apartment in Montevideo?
If so, review this 8-point checklist to help protect your interests. (At the end of this post you'll find a link to a sample standard rental agreement with an English translation.)

Uruguay Notes

Radiotelescope capable of ‘mapping’ the cosmos to be constructed in Uruguay

The new radiotelescope will be part of an international project, called “Bingo”. It will be built in the Uruguayan town of Minas de Corrales (population around 4,000) in the Rivera Department. Construction is expected to get underway before the end of the year.

Uruguay in Pictures –

Uruguay in Pictures is a 20-page PDF ebook showing my eight favorite places to travel and live in Uruguay. I’m offering it as an incentive to new Uruguay Insider subscribers. Since you're already a subscriber, I'd like to make it available to you, too. To get your complimentary copy of this ebook, just reply to this email and write "Uruguay in Pictures".

Thank you to those who wrote encouraging messages last month! Your comments and suggestions are always appreciated!

Saludos,

David Hammond

Uruguay Carnival, Street Tango, Buying an Apartment, and more.....

2016-02-01T16:50:00.001-08:00

The Uruguay Insider Newsletter is back!

You received this newsletter because you signed up for it on the Paradise Uruguay Blog.

There’s been a long lapse since the last newsletter. My apologies for that!

However, the Uruguay Insider Newsletter is resuming. Going forward, you can expect to receive it the first Tuesday of each month.

If you’re no longer interested in receiving this newsletter, please go the bottom of this email to “unsubscribe”.

Otherwise, read on and enjoy!

Life in Uruguay
Uruguay Carnival 2016 (with parade videos)
On January 21st, the Inaugural Carnival Parade passed down Avenida 18 de Julio, Montevideo's main avenue--marking the beginning of Uruguay's 2016 Carnival celebration. It was followed the next night by the Samba School's parade. It's said that Uruguay's 40-day Carnival celebration is the longest in the world.

Street Tango in Montevideo (with video)
Uruguay's Tango tradition spills out of the milongas and onto the street in Montevideo's Plaza del Entrevero.

People in Uruguay
From part-time blogger to TV show co-host
Karin Ledl moved to Uruguay about five years ago. Today, she's the co-host of a new lifestyle TV show.

Places in Uruguay
My favorite national park in Uruguay
Parque Nacional Santa Teresa is a 1,050 hectare (2,595 acre) national park with long sand Atlantic-coast beaches, miles of hiking trails, gardens with plants from five continents, and a colonial fortress.

Uruguay Relocation
Buying an Apartment in Uruguay
This one is a long read, but provides valuable information if you ever plan to buy an apartment in Uruguay.

Uruguay Notes
New solar energy plant completed
The recent completion of La Jacinta, the first large-scale photovoltaic solar energy plant in Uruguay, is the latest addition to Uruguay's lineup of renewable energy projects.

Today, 94.5% of Uruguay’s electricity is produced with renewable energy, which comes from wind farms, hydroelectric dams, and now a solar power plant.

Do you have a comment or suggestion about the Uruguay Insider? It's always good to learn your thoughts.

Saludos,

David Hammond

Horse tours in Rocha, learning Spanish, getting the most out of expat life, and more....

2013-07-08T22:49:00.003-07:00

Welcome to this issue of the Uruguay Insider Newsletter!

Life in Uruguay
For the love of horses – living a dream in the Department of Rocha
Lucie grew up in Austria, traveled the world, and found her home in Uruguay's Department of Rocha. There, she raises horses and provides riding tours with her husband Santiago.

Learning Spanish – which home course is best for you?
A comparison of three popular Spanish-language home-study courses. The review includes where to get the best prices, as well as links to where you can try before you buy.

How to get the most from your expat experience
Some people develop improved creativity and a greater capacity for business success from the expat experience.... but not all. A study by the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology reveals the determining factor.

Getting a driver's license in Uruguay
What does it take to get a driver's license in Uruguay? It depends on where you live in Uruguay. Joe Ross, of Atlántida, got his license earlier this year. His story illustrates this point. This post includes links to the requirements to get a driver's license in the three areas of Uruguay most popular expats live.

Uruguay Real Estate
Properties for sale in Uruguay
Includes two holiday homes on one lot - located one block from the best beach in La Floresta recently put on the market.
Free F.S.B.O. real estate ads are for Uruguay Insider subscribers.

Uruguay Events and Meetings
Get involved. Meet people. Check out the Events and Meetings page.

Don't forget, the Montevideo Language Exchange meets every FRiday in Pocitos. For more information like the Montevideo Language Exchange Facebook Page to get a weekly invitation or contact Katherine Archer: kathalegarcia@gmail.com

Also, Katherine Hine, the organizer for the English speaker's Atlántida gathering, is now sending out a newsletter with various events and news from Atlántida. To get on the list contact Katherine at: katherinehine@yahoo.com

If you live in the Punta del Este area and are interested in meeting for a low-key game of pool or bowling once and a while contact David Hammond: david@paradiseuruguay.com

Follow Paradise Uruguay on Google+ – for additional articles, updates images, and videos about Uruguay.

Do you have a comment or suggestion about the Uruguay Insider? It's always good to learn your thoughts.

Was this newsletter forwarded to you by a friend? If so, sign up here to get your own FREE subscription to the Uruguay Insider Newsletter. (No cost, no gimmicks, no spam)

Saludos,
David Hammond

2013-04-18T10:45:00.002-07:00

This issue of the Uruguay Insider Newsletter is dedicated to Atlántida, Uruguay - a sweet little beach town 45 kilometers east of Montevideo.

Life in Uruguay
From Canada to Atlántida, Uruguay - Our Story by Syd Blackewell
Gundy and Syd Blackwell visited Uruguay in 2006. Within a week they decided a neighborhood near Atlántida was where they wanted to be.

A 16-room beach hotel and restaurant in Uruguay - part of this expat's perfect retirement
Jerry Bruner moved to Uruguay in 2010 for a second take on retirement. He knows from experience that he needs a challenge and meaningful interactions in his life - retired or not.

Images of Atlántida's architectural surprises by photo-blogger Doug DuBosque
Atlántida is known for having some quirky architecture, as shown in this post.

An Introduction to Atlántida, Uruguay
A short overview of Atlántida that also explores the real estate picture.

Uruguay Real Estate
Properties for sale in Uruguay

Note: All the properties that were advertised on the Paradise Uruguay Blog for Montevideo and the Department of Canelones have sold. If you have a property that you own for sale in Uruguay you can place an add up to 100 words for free. (Free real estate ads are for Uruguay Insider subscribers selling their own properties.)

Uruguay Events and Meetings
Tonight, April 18th, is the final show of Oliver Goldsmith's play, She Stoops to Conquer, adapted by Jonathan Lamb and performed by a visiting British theater company. Its playing at the Anglo Centro located at San Jose 1426. The show starts at 9:00 pm. Tickets at the Anglo ticket office 2902-3773 #134 are running out fast. There should be some available via RED or UTS.

There is an English Speakers book discussion group that meets once a month on a Wednesday's at 10.00 am in Carrasco. See the Events and Meetings page for more information about this, and other scheduled gatherings in Uruguay.

“Like” our Facebook page – for additional articles, updates images, and videos about Uruguay.

Do you have a comment or suggestion about the Uruguay Insider? It's always good to learn your thoughts.

Was this newsletter forwarded to you by a friend? If so, sign up here to get your own FREE subscription to the Uruguay Insider Newsletter. (No cost, no gimmicks, no spam)

Saludos,
David Hammond

100 years of roses, Making video games in Montevideo, Punta del Este fashion show, and more...

2013-02-28T06:41:00.000-08:00

One of the things I love most about living in Uruguay is the interesting people I get to meet. In this issue of the Uruguay Insider Newsletter, we peek into the lives of three people who have found opportunities to pursue their interests and develop their talents in Uruguay.

Life in Uruguay
From Paris with Love - 100 years of Roses in Montevideo, Uruguay
Interview with rose expert, Michael Berger. Take a peek inside Uruguay’s world of roses. Learn how Paris became the world’s rose capital and how the passion for roses spread to Montevideo.

Coding during the week, tango on the weekends - building a good life in Montevideo
Profile of Federico Medina, a 29-year-old software engineer who works in Uruguay’s globally competitive game making industry.
Note: On February 21st the New York Times ran a story about Uruguay’s game-making start-ups. link to article

Days of Fashion and glamor in Punta del Este
Karin Ledl, a fashionista with camera in hand, reports from the front row of a recent series of Punta del Este fashion shows.

Uruguay Real Estate
Properties for sale in Uruguay
See Uruguay properties for sale
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Punta del Este short-term apatment rental in premium location
Looking for a place to stay for one or more weeks?
Mention "Uruguay Insider" in your inquiry and receive a 15% discount.
This Punta del Este apartment is a sponsor with glowing guest reviews
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Uruguay Events and Meetings
Montevideo Language Exchange meets every other Friday. The next meeting is tomorrow, March 1st, 8 pm – Costa Azul Cafè, Tomàs Diago 843 at the corner of Scoserìa, Pocitose. Practice your English or Spanish, see old friends and meet new people.

Uruguay’s National Ballet will be performing La Silfide (La Sylphide) March 14th – 24th
La Sylphide is the oldest and most famous romantic ballet. It was first presented in Paris in 1832.
For more information

See the Events and Meetings page for other scheduled gatherings….

Uruguay Notes
American Citizens Abroad (ACA)
If you are one of the five to seven million people from the US living abroad, you will be interested to learn about American Citizens Abroad (ACA). ACA provides up-to-date information on US legislation that impacts expats and lobbies for expat interests, like residency based taxation instead of citizenship based taxation. ACA website

“Like” our Facebook page – for additional articles, updates, and links about Uruguay.

Do you have a comment or suggestion about the Uruguay Insider? It's always good to learn your thoughts.

Was this newsletter forwarded to you by a friend? If so, sign up here to get your own FREE subscription to the Uruguay Insider Newsletter. (No cost, no gimmicks, no spam)

If you are in the area, and come to the Montevideo Language Exchange tomorrow, I will see you there.
Saludos,
David Hammond