“While Uruguay is a small country geographically, it offers a lot of diversity”. So starts an article posted by journalists Suzan Haskins and Dan Prescher in their Huffington Post blog, in which the authors recommend Uruguay as a good country to retire to.
Among many benefits, the article points out “colonial cities, sparkling beach towns and resorts” at an affordable cost. According to the article, foreigners living in retirement in Uruguay spend $2,000 to $4,000 a month, though most of those consulted were not paying rent.
It states that getting legal residency in Uruguay is easy, though the process is not particularly fast. There are different types of resident visas, but those taking out a retiree visa need proof of enough income to support themselves.
The Huffington Post report says people planning to live in Uruguay should consider bringing in all their household goods, as «furniture and especially electronics (are) expensive». Foreigners can buy property, and taxes are reasonable: «There are no restrictions on foreign ownership in Uruguay», it says, but there is income tax, and the omnipresent value-added tax (IVA); it even teaches how to pronounce it: «EE vah».
«Your pets are welcome too», says the article, adding there is no quarantine period on arrival.
The article says it may not be necessary to have a car if you live in Montevideo, because public transportation is «excellent and affordable». If you do buy a car, the authors warn, be prepared to spend almost twice what you’d spend in the U.S. for the same vehicle.
The article says the easiest bank to deal with, according to local expats, is the Uruguayan government bank, Banco de la República (BROU). «You can even open an account here as a non-resident, with just your passport. This bank offers a good web interface, doesn’t charge ATM fees, and you can conveniently arrange direct-debit of all your utility bills», the authors add.
As for communications, cell phones are reliable and ubiquitous, and internet service is inexpensive and reliable. The basic package of cable TV costs about US$ 40 per month and includes some English language movies and TV shows (like Law and Order or CSI).
But where Uruguay «really shines», according to the Huffington Post, is in health care quality and costs. «Everyone here is entitled to quality medical care via the national healthcare system… and this includes foreign residents».
«Private plans, of course, offer the extra services that the public system doesn’t. There are many higher-end private hospital associations that offer different levels of plans. Quality is top notch and costs are reasonable. But what’s included? Just about everything, say the expats who use these plans and hospitals. And we spoke with many who had various treatments and procedures, from a hip replacement to open-heart surgery to chemotherapy», the article says, although it points out that people over 60 will have fewer options for joining a private health plan, and physical examinations will be required.
Source: The Huffington Post
