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Don't know much about your housing questions except I think often your "condo fees" cover heating costs in some buildings.Some have hot water radiators.

Medical coverage  - you generally chose a Mutualista such as Medica Uruguaya or Asociacion Espanola - both have websites with basic information.  You go in and ask to enroll, they give you a very simple exam and sign you up. Some have an age limit of 60 or 65 but not all.
The monthly fee is around $80 US at your age and this covers most things except there are small charges for meds or tests. It does not cover ambulance costs so some folk also sign up with an emergency service.

In general care is good but you will not have the options available in the US - to see a specialist, your doctor will need to refer you and you may wait several months for that appointment. You have to pick up test results yourself and then take them to your next appointment etc. If you need assistance for basic care in the hospital such as following surgery, you generally have to provide it - either a relative or you hire someone 24/7. Nurses only do medical care in most hospitals. Again some folk take out insurance for this service.

To JANWAY - thank you very much for your very useful input. I appreciate it. Cheers,
Galina

Hi Galina,

I am not a person who has purchased or lived in Montevideo but can answer some of your questions reliably.

4. Are there many building with real (wood) fire place? (I will never deal with this kind of heating system.)
I suppose you are referring to a type of fireplace with a sealed combustion chamber like a modern wood stove? No.

5. What heating is more common - i.e. ELECTRICAL or gas?
ELECTRICAL

6. What is the sound insulation like in most buildings? I hear that the walls are very thin... Is it easy to install your own additional sound and temperature insulation? Any of your did it?
Non-existent. Easy? To do so would require covering all perimeter walls with insulation then refacing with drywall, relocating the electrical connections etc. etc. which doesn't strike me as being easy but not too difficult (and well worth it). If you are going to do that, you may as well revisit whether you want a new or renovated apt. since you will end up renovating anyway.

7. Are there enough build-in closets in most buildings?
Doubt it. That would take away floor space so you don't see an abundance of closets.

Hope this helps

Hi Galina,

What I have seen property (condos) advertised in Montevideo, 180K is not going very far.
Montevideo realestate is comparable to Vienna, Austria. Utility bills (electricity) is also very high (its state owned). The other issue is that if you still need a job to support yourself, its impossible to find a good paying job for a foreigner. Payscale, compared to western nations, is very low in Uruguay. The above factors explain why Uruguay is not flooded with people from all over the world. But anyway good luck, and let us know how you do there!

Galina mentioned she was in her early sixties so I assume she does not plan to try to find work here.

Retirement age here is 60 for both men and women and even those in their 50's find it hard to find work - even locals. Many jobs give an age range and mostly the cut off is 45 years or so.The exception seems to be politics, being over 70 seems to be a plus!

Attn: focusproperties - thank you for some additional info. All is very much appreciated.

Greetings and thank you for the info. I am NOT palnning to work, by the time I plan to retire to Montevideo, I will have almost 50 years of working, I am done with that. I did work for almost 20 years in the Soviet Unionn (will not get any pesnion from there, because my newly formed /or rather - DEFORMED/ republic does not transfer pension abroad) and wii have almost 30 years working in the USA. My retirement from the USA will be around 34 K annually, in US dollars, gross. Please share ANY practical info with me - how much is health insurance, how much will go for food and other vital bills, transportation, entertainment, etc.  Thanks again - Galina

Hi metamorfoza,

I'm going to avoid directly answering your question but offer you this: how much you can live on depends on you. There are people who live on $500/mo and people who live on $50,000/mo. You should be able to live quite easily on 34K, but whether you are comfortable or not depends on your expectations. I'm sure there are people who live on $50,000/mo who feel they should have more to be comfortable. There are lots of discussions of cost of living on the expat exchange if you do some searching. Here is one person's (inexpensive) lifestyle, the rest I'll leave for you to find. All the best.

Water $13.53
Electricity $54.30
Phone, internet $42.60
Security $45.00
Heat (wood) $70.00
Medical $160.00
Car insurance $67.00
Property tax $70.88
School tax $6.06
Sewage $11.20

This comes to $540.57 US and we still have to buy food, gas,personal items, pet food, clothing etc. etc

Thank you very much !!

Being so kind, could you now specify what do you pay (average) for food and other basic after the $540 US a month for utilities?? Thank you again :-))

Numbeo.com  will give you a comparison between where you are now and MVD for basic prices. You can also look at issues like crime, healthcare, property prices etc.

to: Janway
thank you for the NUMBEO - what a great source !!!! 

Hi Metamorfoza,

I've got an opportunity for you in Punta Carretas. $122,500: 1 br, 1 bath, small apartment with a terrace facing the street. This is a low-rise of three stories that is currently under construction. Let me know if you wish more information.

To Janway:
thank you for the offer. I will be in MVD only in June, and I need to see the property. When do they plan to finish construction? what stage are they on now? what's the SIZE of the apartment? What floor is it on?
Have a great day,
Gelena :-)

Hi Gelena,

The apartment is on what we would consider the second floor (in Uruguay it's considered the first floor as the ground floor is below). It is a cozy 34 sq. m. with an additional small terrace over the street. The street is super tranquilo with sparse traffic, lots of mature trees and little neighbourhood shops. It's an absolutely beautiful location. Very green.

The work has started and is to complete in 24 months. This is an excellent opportunity for the price as the location is highly valued both by home buyers and renters.

It would be my honor to show you the property location and any others that we have that fit your requirements. Also, if you wish to see the architect's renderings, contact me at info@focusproperties.com.uy.

Enjoy your weekend,

Michael

Dear Michael:
thank you for answering to my Qs. This apartiment seems to be a nice deal, but it is TOO small for me and I won't consider ground floor. I only will consider the highest floor in the building (i.e. 4th in a 4-story builidng, 9th in a 9-story, etc.) Please keep me in mind and please remember that I am coming to Montevideo in June to look for a property.
Thank you,
Galina

Hi metamorfoza,

Will keep looking for something nice for you.

Please do ! :-))) thank you and have a great day

Hi Galina,

This caught my eye. This is a 1 bedroom on the 11th floor of a new 11 storey building which is expected be complete in July. This is total 76 sq. m. inclusive of a large balcony of 18.6 sq. m.

The building is called Legacy Tower and is located in one of the best areas of Pocitos, four blocks from la Rambla and two from the park Villa Biarritz and a short distance from Shopping Punta Carretas.

The project is by the architects Giordano & Lorente, a firm which is associated with high quality construction and modernity (you can see some of their projects here: ). This project actually incorporates a restored original house which is a practice I find appealing as so many original structures are usually just torn down. You can get an idea of what I am referring to here:

I'm hoping it will still be available for June but we'll have to see. Anyway, I think it's going to come in around $200,000 depending on how the timing goes as the price is usually adjusted when the building is complete. Don't know offhand what the monthly expenses are but can find out.

Anyway, another for you to consider. If you wish to see the floor plan, email me at info@focusproperties.com.uy.

Michael

Dear Michael:
thank you for the info. THIS ONE LOOKS excellent. I will be interested, for sure. I will try to go on your links and see if I can have my pick in June when I am in Montevideo. Please keep keeping me in mind :-))
Cheers,
Gelena

Hi Gelena,

The chances of it still being available in June are not great but we'll just have to cross our fingers. The best thing to do is get in contact closer to your departure date to see what is available then. What day do you arrive?

Cheers,

Michael

I will be in Montevideo June 12 through June 22. Main purpose for the visit - to see as many apartments as possible and hopefully decide on one of them... Also - to gather all info on all other logistics - practical and detailed info on everyday life there. Please stay in touch.
thank you.
Galina