Living in Uruguay | Living in the gated communities of Canelones

"You can have a quality of life hard to afford in Europe or the USA".
In the first of a series on 'Living in Uruguay' Karen A Higgs, CEO of‪@GuruGuay‬, talks to a British-born economist about what attracted him to Uruguay to live in the gated communities of Canelones. Alexis discusses the pros and cons of living outside the capital, a typical week living in Uruguay, education for the children and the cost of living. He also touches on living next door to baby owls and the starry skies.
Article here: www.guruguay.com/expats-in-ur...
Is Uruguay a great fit for you (and your family)? Book a consultation with Karen A Higgs www.guruguay.com/private-cons...
THANK YOU
Huge thanks to Alexis Ferrand and family for so generously sharing their experience living in the Camino de los Horneros area of Canelones.
Also to Balsa & Asociados for their support of Guru'Guay series on Canelones for an international audience. This conversation was part of the research for that series.
MORE READING
• Real estate in demand - Camino de los Horneros, Canelones: www.guruguay.com/camino-de-lo...)
• More about the department of Canelones: www.guruguay.com/canelones
• Guru'Guay on building in these gated communities: www.guruguay.com/newbuild (I’m documenting the process through off-the-cuff videos here • Real estate in Uruguay... )
FIND OUT MORE
• About me: www.guruguay.com/the-guru/
• About Uruguay: www.guruguay.com/about-uruguay/
• Moving to Uruguay: www.guruguay.com/living-in-ur...
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[@danaiig]

As someone from The Netherlands who moved to Uruguay 6 months ago, I want to THANK YOU for this channel. Incredible content.

[@GuruGuay]

Thank you so much, Danai, for the kind words. People like you spur us on to create more! I'd love to hear what you're doing here. If you've signed up for the Guru'Guay newsletter (on our website) you'll have access to my direct email. All the best -- and welcome to Uruguay! -- Karen

[@GuruGuay]

Feel free to suggest other content you'd find useful!

[@ScalarOnline]

Hello! I was born in Canelones, I have lived in Croatia, Spain, and Chile, and I still miss my country. Uruguay is a beautiful country to live in connection with nature. Welcome to Uruguay! :)

[@GuruGuay]

How lovely. Thank you for writing.

[@My_Secret_ArtSketchbook]

Hey there id like an update plz do you live in Spain, heard there is a drought

[@RicardoMartinez-oh9sq]

I grew up in Argentina. Uruguay too has a mild climate, and this is very favorable for people who like me can't stand the weather of Florida or the Caribbean.

[@GuruGuay]

Hi Ricardo, thanks for commenting. We have four seasons and while we don't get the extremes (certainly not of cold), our winters are very damp and that can not be to some people's liking. I've written more about it here www.guruguay.com/winter-in-uruguay/

[@GuruGuay]

@NM-mc4rj I wouldn't say so. Uruguay has average of 7 hours sunlight a day in winter. It's more a problem of poorly constructed buildings.

[@cocinando2493]

Wow. He is really inlove. Canelones far all!!!

[@GuruGuay]

Yup, he's a fan for sure. Thanks for commenting! (hope you watched with subtitles jajaja ;) )

[@cocinando2493]

@@GuruGuay i make your day happy. Subtitles and me, not friends

[@GuruGuay]

Awww, lamento! siempre hay que cliquear el boton que dice 'cc' al pie del video@@cocinando2493

[@mariojcorrado6372]

I love your interview with this gentleman it’s awesome 👏 I hope you keep this up Iam Uruguayan American and your video just made me think about that time we’re my dad was driving in Maldonado in a Main Street and the car in front of us stoped because someone just stoped to ask for Directions and the car in front said oh ok that’s fine it blew my mine how patient people are there not sure if it’s the same now in 2022 the same but here we’re i live in Florida USA is not like That so I feel a lot of people especially when they come from first world countries we have to remember we can’t have the best of both worlds we need to adjust to the way people love me and my wife are thinking about retirement in uruguay one thing is for sure is that uruguay needs people like you there it’s not the country that make the people it’s the people that make the country 😊👏👍 keep up the great work

[@GuruGuay]

Thank you so much, Mario. Yes, it's pretty much the same now, certainly in the interior and on the coast. Same old general patience. Uruguay is a great place to retire. Feel free to sign up for my newsletter (on www.guruguay.com) and you'll receive more info twice a month. Best wishes, Karen

[@Lic51]

Me, an Uruguayan who now lives in the US, thinking about "migrating back" to Uruguay after a few years

[@GuruGuay]

Sounds like a good idea. I moved here from the USA myself. I've never regretted it. Have you checked out our website www.guruguay.com and our newsletter? You'll find lots of useful resources to help you regarding your decision. All the best, Karen

[@chaseofori-atta2225]

Wow--Uruguay is an awesome place to retire!

[@GuruGuay]

Agreed!

[@lauruguayitausa]

Nice interview!

[@GuruGuay]

Thank you! Alexis was a terrific interviewee. SUCH good information and so helpful for anyone considering making a move to Uruguay and this part of Canelones.

[@fayazkhan-oc1bj]

Excellent

[@GuruGuay]

Thanks, @Fayaz! Hope it was useful.

[@alewolf7]

Hello ! Where could I please find information about the mini bus service please ? I live in France 🇫🇷 and I’m moving with my daughter to Canelones 🇺🇾 in just few months, thanks in advance 😊

[@GuruGuay]

To the gated communities? Nice! You would want to check with your community administrator for the details specific to your neighbourhood. Hope that helps! -- Karen

[@aut9m11]

Uruguay!!!

[@GuruGuay]

Asi es 🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾

[@BrendanMetcalfe]

🔥🔥🔥

[@GuruGuay]

Cheers, @Brendan

[@mariabaesa5694]

Are you planning on having an episode on health insurance in Uruguay? How much would private insurance costs if you are 60 years old ? Would like to know the different plans private insurance companies offer and the costs.....Thank you for all your wonderful information!!!

[@GuruGuay]

Hi @Maria, yes we are! Thank you for the kind words. Not sure if you are part of the Guru'Guay community already. If you're not, you may want to subscribe to our newsletter so that you get all our latest info. There's a link at the footer of our website www.guruguay.com/

[@mariabaesa5694]

@@GuruGuay Thank you Karen!! yes I am part of your community!! Can't wait to see more episodes from you. Thank you for all the information you share.

[@GuruGuay]

@@mariabaesa5694 excellent! And thank you for taking the time to comment.

[@louholcomb2107]

Wow! Daycare where I love is $900USD per month per child! The club membership is an incredible deal.

[@GuruGuay]

Hi Lindsay, you're right. The club membership is a great deal.

[@louholcomb2107]

@@GuruGuay my job is asking me if I’d be interested in relocating to Uruguay. I’m so glad I found your video. Thanks so much

[@GuruGuay]

@@louholcomb2107 lucky you! I relocated to Uruguay 22 years ago and, though I have received offers to move elsewhere, have stayed. I love it! Come check us out at www.guruguay.com for tons more content.

[@mohammedbdiallo502]

Hi i am about to travel to Uruguay what i should expect?

[@GuruGuay]

That's great, @Mohammed. You'll find all sort of info about what to expect on the Guru'Guay website www.guruguay.com. Enjoy!

[@mariabaesa5694]

Great Interview!! Can you elaborate on the monthly fees you would need to pay in these private neighborhoods? Also, how far are you away from a hospital or medical assistance should you need one. Last but not least how much are the homes selling for?

[@GuruGuay]

Hi @Maria, I checked with Alexis and he told me the main cost is personnel for security and care of common areas (usually includes a club house) and to calculate between 12000 and 24000 pesos. He pays 17000. La Juana where I am buying will be 11,000 pesos plus 4,000 more if we want pool and garden maintenance.

[@GuruGuay]

The best hospitals are about 30 minutes away in Montevideo. There is a clinic in the central shopping centre (La Tahona Centro Comercial) Alexis mentions which is in the centre of the gated communities area. And there are others five minutes away by car.

[@GuruGuay]

House prices vary by neighbourhood as Alexis mentions. Here's a link to the development where my family is buying currently www.guruguay.com/newbuild/ which has a link to the prices which updates automatically. Hope this helps!

[@mariabaesa5694]

Thank you Karen for your response!!

[@wealthymac]

@@GuruGuay wow, that's like $400 per month? Is that correct? A lot more than many condo complexes in North America. Was it included? Insurance of property?

[@frigoli1]

Karen, I love the painting behind you, can you tell us what is the author/name? Thank you

[@GuruGuay]

Hey Felix, thanks! I bought from a street artist in South Africa in 2009. It's of Johannesburg. The artist is Boniface Matemba.

[@frigoli1]

beautiful!

[@RavenReforged]

I've been trying to understand how to Immigate to Uruguay for a few years now. What's the best way?

[@GuruGuay]

hi @Homesteading, check out our videos and also visit our website for more info www.guruguay.com/living-in-uruguay

[@dovygoodguy1296]

Is it a good idea to live near an airport? Is it like living in areas of Queens NY near JFK or La Guardia airports? Noisy etc??

[@GuruGuay]

That's a great question! You would think it would be a negative, right? But Uruguay's airport is … let's call it boutique? Heh heh. I am not sure how many flights there are a day currently, but it's around 30. it's not a bother. -- Karen

[@dovygoodguy1296]

@@GuruGuay So 30 flights a day above your head?!

[@GuruGuay]

@@dovygoodguy1296 I looked to find out what it's like in the US to have a comparison and found this: Most US airport runways are limited to 60 operations per hour (landings or take-offs).

[@tedangle8224]

I would love to speak to you directly: I am seriously considering expatriation from the USA.

[@GuruGuay]

Hey Ted, you've come to the right place. Write me at [e-mail]. Greetings from the Old City of Montevideo -- Karen

[@saturnprince.23]

I want to move from Florida, who can I contact

[@GuruGuay]

Me. [e-mail]. Send me a message with what you're looking for and we'll be happy to assist -- best, Karen

[@imnotsureaboutthis963]

Expat? These gringos really don't like calling themselves immigrants, it's hilarious

[@GuruGuay]

I agree. I personally call myself an immigrant to Uruguay 🇺🇾 However if I used that term in the video then noone would find the video, as most people (English speakers) search on the term 'expat'.

[@NoLefTurnUnStoned.]

Just made this very point before seeing your comment.

[@fvelaz]

Pity Mark Knopfler didn't sing a song for us...

[@GuruGuay]

ha! I wonder if anyone's ever made that comparison to Alexis 😆

[@richardseifried7574]

Why do you need to live in a gated community?

[@GuruGuay]

You don't. Just some people like that lifestyle-which is talked about in depth in the video. If you missed it, here's a link to the related article www.guruguay.com/expats-in-uruguay/ -- Karen

[@muhammad3283]

I am from Pakistan

[@GuruGuay]

Thanks.

[@juansantana8448]

I think YOU are the only one that has a "strong accent", not only that, you have a British accent, and on top of that you are rude by interrupting the speaker - which I have no problem at all understanding until you jumped in.

[@GuruGuay]

Hi @Juan, these videos are done for people who don't necessarily speak Spanish. Alexis is totally bilingual so he has no issue switching from English to Spanish. And naturally he pronounces the names of places in Uruguay with a Spanish accent which would be difficult for someone who does not speak Spanish to understand. So I was asking for clarification for that segment of the audience. Sorry you perceived it as rude. Best wishes, Karen

[@muhammad3283]

Very nice and knowledgeable video , kindly send me your official link , I like to contact you .

[@GuruGuay]

Thank you, @Muhammad. You can contact us at [e-mail]. Best wishes from Uruguay.