As a Uruguayan Native living in the US, please don't sensor your opinion. We are a very proud people, as I'm sure you've noticed. Free speech is practiced 100%, people don't want it hear it from "foreigners" but the entire country and culture is based on mostly European decent. I just came across your videos today, keep them coming, it's amazing to see what our nation has become for those of us that can't go back. Thank you for your input and honest point of view!
Que triste. Como inmigrantes nos preguntamos a veces, como uruguayo, que haces en un país menos libre? Estados Unidos es una nube de ideales tapadas y abajo están todas las mentiras de las que hablan. Me vine para acá pero mi país es pequeño y pobre, tal vez más grande que Uruguay pero mil veces menos desarrollado. Pensé que esta era la buena opción y ahora estoy estancada acá. 3 idiomas, psicóloga, artes culinarias y trabajando en una fábrica. Mi marido es americano, y hasta el se la quiere dar de aquí. Uruguayo es una de nuestras opciones, muy lindo allá eh❤ suerte, que solo nosotros sabemos lo que luchamos y ansiamos ver nuestro hogar
I am ANOTHER Uruguayan living in the US, and as such I very much appreciate your point of view and opinions. It's never easy to start a new life away from all you already know, specially if the culture and language are different than your own. I speak from experience, of course. Time heals everything, and even when it's true you will never be 100% "Uruguayan" you don't want that to happen either, since you would have to lose what you were before, which is and forever will be a part of you. Thanks for the videos, and best of luck en el Paisito! 😉
I just watched your video and tears came to my eyes. First of all I want to apologize as a Uruguayan because I am embarrassed that there are people who leave negative comments to people who come to our country I suppose that these people think that they come and progress and leave and that is why they are like that that does not justify that they are like that and for that I truly apologize. Now I'm sad because it must not be easy to do what you did. and I hope you have a good life here in my country and I welcome you!!!🤗
Thanks! I really appreciate the honesty in this video. I am United States citizen living in Portland, Oregon that has devoted my life to figuring out where to live when I retire. I’m 58 so I have a few years to figure it out. Earlier this year I went to the coast of Ecuador and later Cuenca. I enjoyed it but, honestly, didn’t really fall in love. The current situation with crime and political assassinations has put a dark cloud over that dream. Anyway, I love the fact that this video is earnest and from the heart. I think it sounds as if you have gotten over the most difficult hurdles and then some with the pandemic providing even more hardship. Keep doing what you are doing, f*** the haters, and realize that you shine a light for those of us looking for guidance in possibly radically changing our lives.
thankyou for the kind comment! Yes i understand the sadness of crime dampening on the joy... and you are right, the first year, or in my case 2 years really, were the worst! now i'm able to enjoy my time here for what it is, i have more perspective, and i'm able to live here with more understanding of how life works, which makes me more tolerant to all of the little annoyances of the country haha
Thanks for this. I'm currently considering moving our family here because we aren't rich people but we need to get out of South Africa (only because of the crime - it's getting worse - even in our safe neighborhoods) I've never felt so scared and robbed of life before but I feel stuck because I am just an online teacher and don't earn the huge minimum incomes required by most other countries. I am hoping to do it on a digital nomad visa but still need to find out so much about it. I landed on your video for a reason and you're a remarkable storyteller. What resilient woman.
thankyou so much for the comment! my husband alejandro is half south african, so i understand the struggle! I teach english online from uruguay and you can make $20/hour teaching online, which is pretty good (amazing) compared to the local income. If you are a 2 income family you should be ok here, even if you have to live in a less nice neighbourhood to start with, trust me, compared to south africa, even the worst neighbourhoods here will feel safe. also, Alejandro has a good job here because he is bilingual, so if you can get a job as a translator, or even at an english speaking international company here, you can earn a lot more money than locals, its sad for them, but its true! the country values english speakers because its how they can grow their international economic position! If you have more questions please comment again, if you reply to this comment i'm less likley to see it because i won't be notified, but if you make a new comment on this, or any, video, i can see and reply to specific questions if you like
My mother is Uruguayan and moved to the US in '61. She always says it was the biggest mistake she ever made. Uruguay is a beautiful country safe and clean. I'm 55 now and hope to visit connect with family I never met and maybe, maybe retire there if the stars line up. Time will tell.
Love your honesty and vulnerability, I experienced something similar living in Argentina in my early 20’s. It has shaped the rest of my life so differently than what it would have been if I never left Australia. Congratulations!
I really appreciate your honesty. Hearing about these things doesn't make me less inclined to move there, it just reminds me to be realistic in my expectations. No place is 100% paradise.
I lived in Montevideo for 4 years and returned to my home country just before the pandemic (about the same time YOU arrived there), because of many of the frustrations you have experienced. I have never heard you say anything in your videos which could be considered disparaging or disrepectful toward Uruguay or the Uruguayan people. I thought your descriptions of some of the situations you found yourself in were quite measured. So I am quite surprised (astonished, really) anyone took exception to your videos. I will tell you a secret about Uruguay, though... it does grow on you. I am 74 years old and I am returning to Montevideo because, warts and all, in retrospect the good so much out weighs the bad in Uruguay! All the best to you and keep up the really good work on your channel. 👍👍👍👍👍
Maddie, I've seen several of your videos, and even watched your friend, Tristan's, video's. I don't how else to say this, but you absolutely have the character, frankness, and humanity to 'fit in' just perfectly in Uruguay. You're honest and observant, and don't delude yourself, or others, with fake impressions. Uruguay has always 'received people' and is 'in the middle of nowhere', far away from Europe or North America. Uruguayans, young and old, recognize and identify with your stories, as many of them have lived through similar experiences. You certainly have the ethos and spirit that makes Uruguay and its people unique and special, with little tolerance for B.S. and lots of 'soul'. DO NOT pay any heed to Mal humored commentators complaining about you, or your observations. Overentitled and/or bitter people 'de mala leche' can be found anywhere, UA-cam is no exception ... While it's much easier to obtain legal residency in Uruguay vs. the U.S., Canada, N. Zealand, any E.U. member state, or even your Australian homeland, the republic is anything but perfect and your experiences are neither unusual, nor exaggerated. Reality is, Uruguay is i) expensive; ii) overly regulated and protectionist (hopefully changing); iii) rather complicated to navigate; and iv) thinly populated, only 3.5 million, which hasn't grown in 35 years. Your personal narratives and frustrations are not unique, particularly your career related stories. It's also appropriate to compare Uruguay to the previously identified nations, as it's where most of your viewers are located, and where you have personal experience. You and your husband are clearly wonderful people and Uruguayans know they're happy to have you living among them - I know I certainly am!
We just moved to Uruguay from Melbourne ❤️ I completely get it and can totally relate to you. Such a beautiful little country. Feel free to chat anytime 🙂
My family from Sydney are on planning on moving to uruguay. I would like to get some advice and all the hows😅 I'm very nervous on going with kids but also looking forward to it. Thanks
@@marysmith5261 Why would u be nervous about the kids, youre welcome here, theyll probably gonna be pro footballers since they will learn from the masters =) Nothing to worry about here, just learn our slang and food names, be prepared to watch, talk and fight about football, and consider having a 3500+ dollars monthly income if u got kids.... just some tips
Hi, can anyone advise if we move to Uruguay so there is a work opportunity if we are related to the IT field or only business option can be a way to get into life..
Hi Maddie: thank you for the honesty! I am born in Uruguay but live in the US since 2001. I think all the info you are sharing is truthful so keep going !
Hi Maddie, I'm a Uruguayan living in Canada for the last 23 years, and my Canadian husband and I hope to move to Uruguay within the next 5 years. Thank you for this video and others. I'm sorry to hear that you received some negativity and I thank you for being courageous enough to continue to share. It is funny that despite being so aware of our small countries' imperfections, we do become quite protective of them at times. I'm glad that the overall experience has been a good one. Keep up the great work!
I, for one, am grateful for your information. These videos are for me, and they are exactly the kind of info I am looking for. Keep keeping it real. And thank you so much.
As someone who lived in few countries, and who says honest account (a d gets banished for it) I TRULLY APPRECIATE you saying how things really are. The good, the bad.. That is real value. Not the fake or polite bs ppl are mass selling.
Entiendo que es muy difícil mudarse a un país tan extraño, lejos de casa y de los afectos, pero me alegro que se estén adaptando y que poco a poco todo vaya saliendo bien. ¡Nos encantan tus videos! ¡Vamo arriba!
Maddie - My wife and I and our 6 cats arrived in Uruguay on August 5th, 2022, we landed in Punta Del Este airport and 1 hour later arrived at our new beach house in San Antonio, Rocha. Having visited many times in a decade previous. We sold our home and retired early. In BC we lived in a cedar forest in a large log home on acreage for 10 years, after 16 years in New Zealand. Buying a house on an empty beach was a childhood dream, no matter how successful I could imagine becoming by the 1990s in New Zealand or BC it was never going to happen. Forest fires tightened their grip on our Cherryville nirvana choking smoke and a summer sun that looked like a goldfish in a dirty aquarium, then covid arrived. Cherryville property prices went crazy, and we had no mortgage so we sold up everything and did what we had planned to do 10 years prior, jump. My wife and I have never nurtured regrets at any stage, challenges and change make for full days and dreamless sleep. Friends made over the years made the difficult adjustments and bureaucracy a day out. Empty beach and star-filled skies begin and end each day, yes it gets windy and rains but this is home now. Cats have no fear as coyotes and cougars are memories of their past lives in the snow-covered mountains. Cold day in Cherryville bringing in firewood to heat our house? -25c, now maybe 8c. Still bringing in firewood just a lot less, a lot less often. As Van Halen said - go ahead and jump. Today is an early winter's day here today, with waves gently lapping and sunny and 18c coffee in the sun no complaints, fewer worries than a person has a right to.
Your honest thoughts are definitely appreciated and more beneficial than glossing it over all pretty pretty like some videos might do. I'm researching places to retire and find Uruguay to be high on my list. Having the need to find a job would be a non issue for me since I'll be retired, that's a big factor for those that aren't retired. Keep moving forward as you seem to be finding your niche!
I enjoyed your videos. Born and raised there, living in the USA now. Please hang in there and follow your mind and soul. I'll encourage you to keep speaking out and sharing your journey. Wishing you all the best.
Your experience is not dissimilar to most people who have had to migrate to a different country. It can take years to start to understand & feel at home ..Hope things go from stregth to stregth for you both. Saludos from Melbourne 😘
Hi Maddie, I was born in Uruguay and live in Melbourne Australia and love it here, as for Montevideo I just want to say that you are 100% in what you've been saying about Uruguay and their customs. ;looks like you are now becoming an Uruguayan or Charrua as we say. well done in the courage to move so far away and making a new and creative start.
you're welcome! If you have more questions please ask. I'm also planning to make a live video next sunday, so if you're able to join you can ask any questions then. :)
Hey Maddie, you actually do a wonderful job! You helped me a lot in deciding weither to move to Uruguay. Your work certainly has helped tremendously to make the decision to check Uruguay out for a month next year. As we're pretty much around the same age, this helped a lot because -> same age -> similar challenges. Therefore ignore the hate and keep moving forward and doing these videos. Building wrong expectations doesn't help anyone (: Just wanted to leave this out there - greetings from Germany
thanks for the comment and good luck! if you have any specific questions please comment! sometimes a new comment is best or it doesn't send me a notification to reply xx
Maravilloso resumen de tu tiempo en Uruguay, con apreciaciones muy inteligentes y acertadas desde mi modesta opinión, pero lo que tal vez más me impactó fue la sensibilidad contenida en tu mensaje, y la sinceridad del mismo. Lamento mucho la intolerancia de algun compatriota, y quisiera agradecerte porque tu experiencia de vida me ha permitido valorar ciertos aspectos de la mía. Por último decirte que me alegra saber que tu historia esté teniendo un desarrollo felíz, deseándote lo mejor ya sea aquí donde está hoy tu hogar, Australia o el sitio que elijas para llevar tu vida. Abrazo fraterno desde Montevideo
Hi! Thank you for sharing your experience to others. I’m from Uruguay but actually I’m living in Dublin now. My boyfriend is Irish and we are thinking of moving to Uruguay now because the situation here is not the best. Keep sharing your experiences and tips!!
As a Uruguayan Australia I send you both much love. I have really enjoyed your points of view and watching your channel really helped me get through Lockdown in Melbourne. 🙏🏼
I've always appreciated your candor and your warts-and-all approach to making these videos and how you share your views. Keep up the good work! I have a question about learning the language. What are some good books, apps, websites, blogs, videos for learning Rioplatense Spanish. I'm not interested in learning a neutral Spanish and then adapting when I get there. I'd like to start with Rioplatense right from the get-go. What methods would you suggest? (Obviously an online tutor will play a role, but I'd like to get some other resources as well.)
SPANISHDICT! its great as a dictionary/translator and also has conjugations. BONUS is it has the option to toggle between including the Spain form VOSOTROS and also the Rioplatenese VOS* (used instead of TU in most situations) this is something super helpful because it will never show up on the google translator :P otherwise i highly recommend PREPLY language classes! search for spanish teachers and then specifically for a teacher from Uruguay or Argentina in order to learn the regional accent/phrases you will need :) if you click this link it gives you a discount on your first class i think, -> preply.com/en/?pref=NDA2NzEzMw==&id=1662988956.826487 I also teach English on this platform and i think its a great way to get more confident if youre already an advanced speaker, or even to start from scratch!
Additionally: if you're looking for TV shows or Books, I would just search for anything Argentinian! the accent in Buenos Aires is almost the same as in Montevideo, and its SO MUCH closer than any other Spanish accent. also very little media is actually made in Uruguay so unless you can find social media people you like, i would start with argentine specific movies/shows or podcasts! their population is just immensely larger so you'll have a much higher chance of finding someone/something you enjoy :)
Maddie thank you for your complete honesty and raw vulnerability. You and Ale will get through it and succeed in Uruguay. Once you are both on the other side of this rough patch in your lives you will laugh together about it.
thankyou :) and again, there are so many positives! but every country has its highs and lows and no matter where you live there will be challenges. if you have any questions please ask!
randomly came across this video and I have to say I am so proud of you for sticking it through. I am also going to look at your earlier videos to understand why you chose Uraguay specifically
Hi Maddie. A big heartfelt 'thank you' for your detailed response in a previous message. The information you gave was invaluable and reassuring. Thanks again, Dee. 🥰
I salute your honesty and truly admire your vulnerability you earned a subscriber I didn’t like your videos at first but now I do I’m moving to Uruguay my situation it’s different I speak Spanish as well but great video authenticity is the highest vibration and it will always earned my praise thank you
Very interesting video once again, thank you so much for these! I love the country and am thinking very heavily about moving once I finished my bachelor’s. I don’t know Spanish either, so I feel like your videos always give me a really good impression about what to expect. Not just this one, but every video so far. Thanks a lot & keep going! 🙌
I like the liberal country of Uruguay. I'm considering retiring there within a few months. I'm a US citizen. I would like to talk to you personally about becoming an expat in Uruguay. Can we talk privately?
This is actually a fairly common question so we setup a video chat consultation! If you are interested in talking 1:1 for 30 or 60 minutes we can arrange something, you can send through specific questions ahead of time if you like or just ask during the call and we can help to answer some questions that are hard to find online. Send an email to maddiemalann@gmail.com and we can set something up.
I am considering emigrating to Uruguay. I have some very dear friends who are Uruguayan and one by one are returning to the country of their birth. I am looking for a place to retire. Uruguay keeps hitting all the right marks with me.
Uruguay is very popular for retirement! definitley ask your friends as many questions as you can so you can feel fully prepared before you make the big decision
As a fellow Aussie, I admire your honesty and also admire your bravery to make a move to a particularly foreign place. I have heard many good things about Uraguay
I'm searching about uruguay and found you, its raw and honest thanks. We are planning moving to uruguay with my family. ❤ I am nervous but also excited
Me encanto el video y fue una gran explicación de todo lo que vivieron en Uruguay. Pero supieron salir adelante y estoy seguro que cualquier otras personas se hubieran rendido así que mis más sentidos respetos a las dos por esa garra charrua y determinación para hoy en día estar creciendo logrando sus objetivos así que a partir de hoy seré un admirador de ustedes y las seguiré a la distancia deciando ver su crecimiento en este pequeño y humilde país y ojalá sea su lugar en el mundo por siempre les mando un saludo desde el barrio peñarol Montevideo uruguay gracias 💙🇺🇾💛🇦🇺❤
It’s most important for others to hear your honest experience, as you said, there’s too much of that already. The truth earns trust as you go forward sharing your experiences both good and bad. Thank you for that
Congratulations on your grit and tenacity. I love people who are willing to tell the truth. I also love Australians and have always wanted to live there. Thank you for teaching me about Uruguay.
I would love to know your thoughts, if you agree, disagree, if you have questions. or If you've lived here, what is your favourite and least favourite thing about this country? I could have talked for so much longer but I tried to keep this video as short as possible... so what area do you want me to expand on? I'm currently working on another "house hunting" video - we moved 2 months ago but its a long video sorry, AND an updated "cost of living in Uruguay" video, so those should be out before the end of the month!
Hey Maddie, I am following your channel for the last 1 year you post really good contents, Don't worry stay positive. Im from India and I have completed almost an year in Uruguay now. I had similar experience like you but to be honest this country has treated me good so far. I would recommend you to go on trekking in and around Maldonado department. Waiting for more contents from you..
I am a Uruguayan that spent most of his life abroad, multiple states in the USA, and multiple countries in Europe; a life-long emigrant of sorts. Your assessment of Uruguay is both honest and spot on, like a laser; so do not let the haters bring you down. As they say in Uruguay: no te mueras nunca!
If we didn't have idiots we would be the first country to do so. I'm Uruguayan and I've lived in the US for 30 years and sometimes I was discriminated too. Good luck to you
My least favorite thing is that Uruguayan culture (including all the UY lawyers) is to always support the UY criminals who scam foreigners. All the UY lawyers are extremely corrupt when large sums of money are involved with foreigners. My favorite thing is the air quality is great.
@MaddieAle thanks for a genuinely wonderful video! I just came across this channel, and I'm considering Uruguay as a new home. I plan to visit next year. This video is so helpful because I've been seeing and reading some unapplealing things about the country. Your video brings balance. I hope things are better now.
I understand. Im an aussie that moved to nicaragua 18 months ago. Theres been some very tough days and it gets very lonely at times. But sadly Oz isnt the country it once was. It takes soooo much courage to do what you guys did. But well always be guests. Kudos.
This is amazing. As a Hawaiian from a father who is Uruguayan I perfectly understand the feelings that you mentioned. Keep going and greeting from o’hau 😊
I loved your video. I love your honesty. I've moved to 4 different countries and I'm just about to leave Brazil for Uruguay. I love your balanced and open honest video...travel and moving isnt easy but it's rewarding and character building. I'm excited about my time in Uruguay...it is a beautiful country
Hi Maddie. Your video says very important things and with which I feel identified. I am also an emigrant here in Uruguay, months before covid 19 arrived as well.
As this was so cute I loved everything you said. I think especially for young people from other countries employment can be so hard to find, especially when people assume you’re already Rich because you moved countries!
This is helpful. Thanks for the video. I like how you give an authentic view, which has the good and bad. Very thoughtful for tjose considering a move.
No is not. Uruguay should be one of the best countries in the world to live unfortunately it has a lot of crime. Germany is much safer and has more order. The most important thing about Uruguay is that is far away of a war, something that could happen in Germany
you're welcome! if you ever want to talk more you can always book a consultation here stan.store/MaddieinMontevideo you might have some unique struggles moving here, people can be pretty xenophobic. not in a rude or dangerous way, but they do like to stare at anyone who doesn't "fit in"
Happy to hear you've adjusted well. I'm looking forward to visiting my birth home in April 2024 for the 1st time in 40+ years. Ty for sharing your journey
@@MaddieinMVD omg yes please. We've actually moved up our dates to March 21-april 1st. We plan to rent a car from airport and want to explore as much as we can including Colonia and Punta del Este for sure. I have a cousin in Punta that I'm gonna meet up with too.
Great Journey and keep moving forward, it's funny how we say "This country does this, that seems crazy to me" There are 8 Billion people in the world, we all live different. Every time I see different things from countries I think interesting.
@@MaddieinMVD 1. Ale's job. What does he do and is he fluent in Spanish? I would like to work, but it sounds to me like he is being screwed. The wages sound bad. 2.The healthcare. You aren't really using it, but my wife would need it. Is it good? I mean Western standards? I really hope the best for you both. I follow a finance guy that moved there. You may like his videos. Doug Casey. 3. I like your dogs, & the dog that hangs out. Is the country pet friendly? My baby Molly (a Staffy) would be coming with.
@@tubaljohn1 a 40+yo uruguayan replying so u have a local point of view also: take spanish lessons however and wherever and learn our slang also, it would help very much to mingle with people and situations, and we appreciate the fact that the foreigner is trying and youll not be seen as a tourist, not that we are not nice to tourists, but we can tell when the person came for a week or if hes living here, about the wages or salaries, it depends on what u do and your field, but Uruguay is the most expensive country in the continent, specially Montevideo, it depends on if ur coming alone, with wife, wife and kids, consider around 1700 dollars if youre alone, and from that point, add 1k for each family member added, an apartment rent costs around 700-800 dollars for 1 person, depends also on the location.. for something bigger, like a house, 2 or 3 rooms, for a family with kids, consider about 1200-1300 dollars rent, for food, dont expect to go to the supermarket with less than 800-900 dollars for a monthly supply (for 1 person), that would include (food that u have to cook personally and lets say, order take outs on weekends), drinks, hygiene and cleaning stuff that is pretty expensive, and etc.,... About the healthcare, its pretty good when its private, the two biggest medical services here are La Española and Casmu, both cost around 65 dollars per month paying it privately, that means if youre not getting it via social security, but if you work and contribute to the S.S., you affiliate to those medical services through it and pay less, even for the meds and treatments, and finally, yes, we have a pet friendly culture, we love pets more than ppl for sure, there is top notch vet surgeons, specially a particular one that used to be the surgeon of the Zoo here, theres good veterinary supplies and stock, if you look on Google Maps you can search for pet zones and it will show you the places in Montevideo and parks that are exclusively open for them where they can have no strings attached (literally) and i even think i heard a while ago that there was restaurants and coffee places that were admitting dogs and cats, and if im not crazy, they even have menus for them...... hope it helps, i was kinda bored and tried to be the more specific as i could, any other time i wouldnt even type two lines =) , sorry if theres any typos, good luck my friend. EDIT: wanted to edit this because of the salaries part and the cost of living ive put as an example, the $$$ numbers i mentioned before, i meant the expenses..... about the earnings, gotta make ur own numbers depending on what you do, your profession, or what u gonna do for a living here, but have in count this: the minimum salary here by law, its around 500 dollars (no one works for the minimum salary anyway, because theres extra hours worked always, sometimes vacations non taken, many poeple have some other jobs also, or activities related to their hobbies that helps earning extra cash, lets say they also work on weekends from their houses, PC's, or maybe they give music lessons, languages, art, etc.). Also by law, theres two extra payments per year, thats called "aguinaldo" and happens every june and december, lets say an 18 years old youngster thats about to start and doesnt have a profession, works on a supermarket or a cloth store for 600 dollars while the family of a dentist doesnt have to work at all because his salary covers them all, a taxi driver that busts his balls 12 hours per day driving earns around 1300 dollars, a public employee (what u call a state employee right?) earns about 2000 for scratching their balls, i even know a few that goes to work 3 days a week from 10 am to 2 pm and the rest of the time and days they have co-workes that check their cards for them and vice-versa...... a cookie from a food place maybe earns 1000 and one from a top restaurant maybe 1600, an independent worker also have to put some effort if what he does, does not require a previous investment, its almost impossible, except if what u try to do, comes with a title... But its a must in all cases, that if youre not single and happen to have a wife or a partner, both of them gotta have an income, anyway i think thats worldwide, but specially here.
Maddie ive just started to watch your vids. I'm born and bred in Sydney but my background is from Uruguay. Last time i visited was early 90's and i stayed in Barrio Sur and La Teja as i had a sister who lived there. I will never forget eating chivitos and fainá almost everyday. I put on so much weight with all the delicious food over there. I also stayed in Rivera for a few days bordering Brazil. Was a great experience.
Not sure how you guys ended up here it's quite the other way when we go to Aussie or New Zealand we want to stay there. I've been 5 years in New Zealand, I tho I wouldn't come back but I did. If you're still struggling to find a stable job, there quite a few such as TCS that the employee's are from different parts of the world, anyways, I'm sure you'll find your place in Uruguay, everyone does. My best wishes to you guys. It takes a lot to leave everything from a country like Australia to come live in Uruguay, congrats for being that brave and not giving up!
I am sure everyone has problems on the way. Montevideo looks quite a nice city. I think I could get used to that as an Englishman. I also know a lot of Portuguese which is similar to Spanish so I think I would pick up the local dialect.
Hey there! I'm an uruguayan living in Europe for 5 years and now I'm heading back soon. Any expats who would like to meet up in my country, let me know! I'd be glad to help you out with anything you need and also it would be cool to have an english speaking group to hang out. Cheers!
I had the dream of immigrating to Uruguay but the immigration department notified me via email that my felony prevents me from applying for immigration status. I caught a felony 23 years ago while serving in the Army for assaulting a criminal gang member while protecting my child & his mother. That one incident ruins everything I try to do in life. But I wish I could immigrate to Uruguay and work on the ranches there running cattle since I have experience with cattle & horses.
Great story.Certainly you payed the initiation price in that 2years.Hopefully you are settling in for a well deserved nice life.We wish you well & healthy. Might see you there one day.Thank you. 🇨🇦🇭🇺🤗
its much better now... but it was very annoying at the time! we all just started buying water which was frustrating. I just wish there had been some warning, and we had been more informed. the situation was not handled well and was very different from the drought i grew up with in australia where we had strict guidelines and rules to follow to help the water last as long as possible!
@@MaddieinMVDSO glad things are better for you there now! I completely agree with you. We were planning on doing a retirement scouting trip there but cancelled just in time or we would have been arriving in the thick of things.
Appreciate your blatant honesty. And not hyping up the title or story to just get views. You will soon be rewarded highly for your authenticity! Thank you :)
In the US, sitting for hours in a park, allbeit not illegal, would be a mistake. In many cities you become a target. May I suggest if you do that, avail yourself a good kevlar vest for yourself and your children. You have to be safer in uruguay than any major US city .
I can only say bravo for your courage to leave Australia and adapt yourself to Uruguay ! Your videos give me more informations about my final decision to move from France to Uruguay. I need also to get additional infos to be sure to make the good choice but I remain mentally flexible and adaptable to change my plans whatever. Thanks a lot for your sharings and don't waste your time, energy with negative feedbacks, don't allow them to hurt you, choose to see only the positive side of all your choices you made and yes, you can't satisfy all the needs of your audience so they're will be always distorsions between their point of view and yours so...Live and let die !...Be happy with your husband, enjoy and chill each moment in this beautiful country.
Soy uruguaya sigue adelante y no importa los comentarios negativos en todos lados hay personas negativas. Pero cuando la gente te vea hablar en español te abrirá mucho más. Los uruguayos somos amables.
You will always take flack from the internet trolls when you state an honest opinion that doesn't agree with their ideas. Living in a new country, especially a small one, and making negative comments about it literally invites attacks. I thank you for your honesty and fully realize that what you have stated are your opinions. We are all entitled to them. I'm glad to see you have stuck with the process of adjustment to a completely new culture, language, and way of life. It's almost never an easy process. I wish you well.
Hey i am new to your videos, i really like that you show real feelings and vulnerability, i can understand what you have gone through, i am also from abroad, and living here for a while. Dont pay attention to the critics, they seem too sensitive, i wanted to ask you what has changed since last time? If you had the opportunity would you leave or you are planning to stay for good?
to live, yes. I had travelled previously, but it is a very different experience visiting a country when you know it is just for a few weeks, compared to for potentially YEARS.
Maddie, question about the water shortage, are there drinking water retail sales distributors in Montevideo? I am sure there are. Also how the charge a 1:1 meeting? Moving in 1/2025. Catherine
Hi Catherine! I will send you a link now, we just set up consultations, stan.store/MaddieinMontevideo then we can chat more specifically about anything you like! :) In terms of drinking water: Yes you can buy bottles water always, but the thing is that the tap water USED to be good quality, then one day it just wasn't. Things are back to normal again now, but it is very upsetting to know that no one was prepared or expected the water to suddenly be salty, and from my perspective as someone who grew up in a really bad drought in Australia, Uruguay just simply did not put enough (or any) restrictions in place to help conserve the water and help to minimise the effects of the drought.
Want to know more? Book a Personal Consult with us to ask all your tailored questions about life in Uruguay NOW! stan.store/MaddieinMontevideo
@maddieale hi. I’m trying to reach out to talk about safety and crime - the good, the bad, the ugly. The link isn’t working.
As a Uruguayan Native living in the US, please don't sensor your opinion. We are a very proud people, as I'm sure you've noticed. Free speech is practiced 100%, people don't want it hear it from "foreigners" but the entire country and culture is based on mostly European decent. I just came across your videos today, keep them coming, it's amazing to see what our nation has become for those of us that can't go back. Thank you for your input and honest point of view!
Que triste. Como inmigrantes nos preguntamos a veces, como uruguayo, que haces en un país menos libre? Estados Unidos es una nube de ideales tapadas y abajo están todas las mentiras de las que hablan. Me vine para acá pero mi país es pequeño y pobre, tal vez más grande que Uruguay pero mil veces menos desarrollado. Pensé que esta era la buena opción y ahora estoy estancada acá. 3 idiomas, psicóloga, artes culinarias y trabajando en una fábrica. Mi marido es americano, y hasta el se la quiere dar de aquí. Uruguayo es una de nuestras opciones, muy lindo allá eh❤ suerte, que solo nosotros sabemos lo que luchamos y ansiamos ver nuestro hogar
I 💕 her - she is a real person.
I absolutely love Uruguay and you should be a very proud people, it's so amazing and culture rich
Why can't you go back?
@humanyoda not everyone is free to travel the world. Some of us can't come and go as we please unfortunately.
I am ANOTHER Uruguayan living in the US, and as such I very much appreciate your point of view and opinions. It's never easy to start a new life away from all you already know, specially if the culture and language are different than your own. I speak from experience, of course. Time heals everything, and even when it's true you will never be 100% "Uruguayan" you don't want that to happen either, since you would have to lose what you were before, which is and forever will be a part of you.
Thanks for the videos, and best of luck en el Paisito! 😉
I just watched your video and tears came to my eyes.
First of all I want to apologize as a Uruguayan because I am embarrassed that there are people who leave negative comments to people who come to our country I suppose that these people think that they come and progress and leave and that is why they are like that
that does not justify that they are like that and for that I truly apologize.
Now I'm sad because it must not be easy to do what you did. and I hope you have a good life here in my country and I welcome you!!!🤗
Thanks! I really appreciate the honesty in this video. I am United States citizen living in Portland, Oregon that has devoted my life to figuring out where to live when I retire. I’m 58 so I have a few years to figure it out.
Earlier this year I went to the coast of Ecuador and later Cuenca. I enjoyed it but, honestly, didn’t really fall in love. The current situation with crime and political assassinations has put a dark cloud over that dream.
Anyway, I love the fact that this video is earnest and from the heart. I think it sounds as if you have gotten over the most difficult hurdles and then some with the pandemic providing even more hardship.
Keep doing what you are doing, f*** the haters, and realize that you shine a light for those of us looking for guidance in possibly radically changing our lives.
thankyou for the kind comment! Yes i understand the sadness of crime dampening on the joy... and you are right, the first year, or in my case 2 years really, were the worst! now i'm able to enjoy my time here for what it is, i have more perspective, and i'm able to live here with more understanding of how life works, which makes me more tolerant to all of the little annoyances of the country haha
Thanks for this. I'm currently considering moving our family here because we aren't rich people but we need to get out of South Africa (only because of the crime - it's getting worse - even in our safe neighborhoods) I've never felt so scared and robbed of life before but I feel stuck because I am just an online teacher and don't earn the huge minimum incomes required by most other countries. I am hoping to do it on a digital nomad visa but still need to find out so much about it. I landed on your video for a reason and you're a remarkable storyteller. What resilient woman.
thankyou so much for the comment! my husband alejandro is half south african, so i understand the struggle!
I teach english online from uruguay and you can make $20/hour teaching online, which is pretty good (amazing) compared to the local income.
If you are a 2 income family you should be ok here, even if you have to live in a less nice neighbourhood to start with, trust me, compared to south africa, even the worst neighbourhoods here will feel safe.
also, Alejandro has a good job here because he is bilingual, so if you can get a job as a translator, or even at an english speaking international company here, you can earn a lot more money than locals, its sad for them, but its true! the country values english speakers because its how they can grow their international economic position!
If you have more questions please comment again, if you reply to this comment i'm less likley to see it because i won't be notified, but if you make a new comment on this, or any, video, i can see and reply to specific questions if you like
My mother is Uruguayan and moved to the US in '61. She always says it was the biggest mistake she ever made. Uruguay is a beautiful country safe and clean. I'm 55 now and hope to visit connect with family I never met and maybe, maybe retire there if the stars line up. Time will tell.
Why'd she move to the U.S? Was it because of the American dream??
She didnt make a mistake. Uruguayans move to Brazil in order to find jobs
Why didn't she move back?
Love your honesty and vulnerability, I experienced something similar living in Argentina in my early 20’s. It has shaped the rest of my life so differently than what it would have been if I never left Australia. Congratulations!
I really appreciate your honesty. Hearing about these things doesn't make me less inclined to move there, it just reminds me to be realistic in my expectations. No place is 100% paradise.
Hang in there Maddie. It always took me at least 3 years to feel super comfortable and at home. Your honesty and drive to thrive are applaudable.
I lived in Montevideo for 4 years and returned to my home country just before the pandemic (about the same time YOU arrived there), because of many of the frustrations you have experienced. I have never heard you say anything in your videos which could be considered disparaging or disrepectful toward Uruguay or the Uruguayan people. I thought your descriptions of some of the situations you found yourself in were quite measured. So I am quite surprised (astonished, really) anyone took exception to your videos. I will tell you a secret about Uruguay, though... it does grow on you. I am 74 years old and I am returning to Montevideo because, warts and all, in retrospect the good so much out weighs the bad in Uruguay! All the best to you and keep up the really good work on your channel. 👍👍👍👍👍
HDP ME HICISTE LLORAR!!! Mucha suerte.
Most honest youtube video I have seen about the challenges of moving to a new country.
thanks for the message, thats my goal to show all sides!
Maddie, I've seen several of your videos, and even watched your friend, Tristan's, video's. I don't how else to say this, but you absolutely have the character, frankness, and humanity to 'fit in' just perfectly in Uruguay. You're honest and observant, and don't delude yourself, or others, with fake impressions.
Uruguay has always 'received people' and is 'in the middle of nowhere', far away from Europe or North America. Uruguayans, young and old, recognize and identify with your stories, as many of them have lived through similar experiences. You certainly have the ethos and spirit that makes Uruguay and its people unique and special, with little tolerance for B.S. and lots of 'soul'. DO NOT pay any heed to Mal humored commentators complaining about you, or your observations. Overentitled and/or bitter people 'de mala leche' can be found anywhere, UA-cam is no exception ...
While it's much easier to obtain legal residency in Uruguay vs. the U.S., Canada, N. Zealand, any E.U. member state, or even your Australian homeland, the republic is anything but perfect and your experiences are neither unusual, nor exaggerated. Reality is, Uruguay is i) expensive; ii) overly regulated and protectionist (hopefully changing); iii) rather complicated to navigate; and iv) thinly populated, only 3.5 million, which hasn't grown in 35 years. Your personal narratives and frustrations are not unique, particularly your career related stories. It's also appropriate to compare Uruguay to the previously identified nations, as it's where most of your viewers are located, and where you have personal experience.
You and your husband are clearly wonderful people and Uruguayans know they're happy to have you living among them - I know I certainly am!
She is soo wonderful with her videos.
We just moved to Uruguay from Melbourne ❤️ I completely get it and can totally relate to you. Such a beautiful little country. Feel free to chat anytime 🙂
I will love to know more about Uruguay
My family from Sydney are on planning on moving to uruguay. I would like to get some advice and all the hows😅 I'm very nervous on going with kids but also looking forward to it. Thanks
@@marysmith5261 Why would u be nervous about the kids, youre welcome here, theyll probably gonna be pro footballers since they will learn from the masters =) Nothing to worry about here, just learn our slang and food names, be prepared to watch, talk and fight about football, and consider having a 3500+ dollars monthly income if u got kids.... just some tips
Hi, can anyone advise if we move to Uruguay so there is a work opportunity if we are related to the IT field or only business option can be a way to get into life..
I am American and I recently moved to Uruguay. It is the best country in the world.
My sister (usa) married a man from Uruguay. They have 1 toddler together & are moving there in 6 days.
Hi Maddie: thank you for the honesty! I am born in Uruguay but live in the US since 2001. I think all the info you are sharing is truthful so keep going !
Hi Maddie,
I'm a Uruguayan living in Canada for the last 23 years, and my Canadian husband and I hope to move to Uruguay within the next 5 years. Thank you for this video and others. I'm sorry to hear that you received some negativity and I thank you for being courageous enough to continue to share. It is funny that despite being so aware of our small countries' imperfections, we do become quite protective of them at times. I'm glad that the overall experience has been a good one. Keep up the great work!
I was there 20 years ago and felt like I found my family. Everyone treated me so well. I'm planning to go back now to look for a home to semi retire.
I, for one, am grateful for your information. These videos are for me, and they are exactly the kind of info I am looking for. Keep keeping it real. And thank you so much.
As someone who lived in few countries, and who says honest account (a d gets banished for it) I TRULLY APPRECIATE you saying how things really are. The good, the bad..
That is real value. Not the fake or polite bs ppl are mass selling.
thankyou! i'm glad many people are apreciating it, it is what i wanted to see online so i decided to make it myself.
Entiendo que es muy difícil mudarse a un país tan extraño, lejos de casa y de los afectos, pero me alegro que se estén adaptando y que poco a poco todo vaya saliendo bien. ¡Nos encantan tus videos! ¡Vamo arriba!
Maddie - My wife and I and our 6 cats arrived in Uruguay on August 5th, 2022, we landed in Punta Del Este airport and 1 hour later arrived at our new beach house in San Antonio, Rocha. Having visited many times in a decade previous. We sold our home and retired early. In BC we lived in a cedar forest in a large log home on acreage for 10 years, after 16 years in New Zealand. Buying a house on an empty beach was a childhood dream, no matter how successful I could imagine becoming by the 1990s in New Zealand or BC it was never going to happen. Forest fires tightened their grip on our Cherryville nirvana choking smoke and a summer sun that looked like a goldfish in a dirty aquarium, then covid arrived. Cherryville property prices went crazy, and we had no mortgage so we sold up everything and did what we had planned to do 10 years prior, jump. My wife and I have never nurtured regrets at any stage, challenges and change make for full days and dreamless sleep. Friends made over the years made the difficult adjustments and bureaucracy a day out. Empty beach and star-filled skies begin and end each day, yes it gets windy and rains but this is home now. Cats have no fear as coyotes and cougars are memories of their past lives in the snow-covered mountains. Cold day in Cherryville bringing in firewood to heat our house? -25c, now maybe 8c. Still bringing in firewood just a lot less, a lot less often. As Van Halen said - go ahead and jump. Today is an early winter's day here today, with waves gently lapping and sunny and 18c coffee in the sun no complaints, fewer worries than a person has a right to.
It wasn't easy... but we made it.
:P
Your honest thoughts are definitely appreciated and more beneficial than glossing it over all pretty pretty like some videos might do. I'm researching places to retire and find Uruguay to be high on my list. Having the need to find a job would be a non issue for me since I'll be retired, that's a big factor for those that aren't retired. Keep moving forward as you seem to be finding your niche!
I enjoyed your videos. Born and raised there, living in the USA now. Please hang in there and follow your mind and soul. I'll encourage you to keep speaking out and sharing your journey. Wishing you all the best.
Your experience is not dissimilar to most people who have had to migrate to a different country. It can take years to start to understand & feel at home ..Hope things go from stregth to stregth for you both. Saludos from Melbourne 😘
Hi Maddie, I was born in Uruguay and live in Melbourne Australia and love it here, as for Montevideo I just want to say that you are 100% in what you've been saying about Uruguay and their customs.
;looks like you are now becoming an Uruguayan or Charrua as we say.
well done in the courage to move so far away and making a new and creative start.
Thanks for giving your true experience ❤ I appreciate it so much, it helps to know what I can expect and enjoy my time better in Uruguay
you're welcome! If you have more questions please ask. I'm also planning to make a live video next sunday, so if you're able to join you can ask any questions then. :)
Hey Maddie, you actually do a wonderful job! You helped me a lot in deciding weither to move to Uruguay.
Your work certainly has helped tremendously to make the decision to check Uruguay out for a month next year. As we're pretty much around the same age, this helped a lot because -> same age -> similar challenges.
Therefore ignore the hate and keep moving forward and doing these videos. Building wrong expectations doesn't help anyone (:
Just wanted to leave this out there - greetings from Germany
thanks for the comment and good luck! if you have any specific questions please comment! sometimes a new comment is best or it doesn't send me a notification to reply xx
So nice to see people being realistic on a video (regardless of what one think, we suffer comparatively to our experiences, not others')
thanks so much for the comment :)
Maravilloso resumen de tu tiempo en Uruguay, con apreciaciones muy inteligentes y acertadas desde mi modesta opinión, pero lo que tal vez más me impactó fue la sensibilidad contenida en tu mensaje, y la sinceridad del mismo.
Lamento mucho la intolerancia de algun compatriota, y quisiera agradecerte porque tu experiencia de vida me ha permitido valorar ciertos aspectos de la mía.
Por último decirte que me alegra saber que tu historia esté teniendo un desarrollo felíz, deseándote lo mejor ya sea aquí donde está hoy tu hogar, Australia o el sitio que elijas para llevar tu vida.
Abrazo fraterno desde Montevideo
Hi! Thank you for sharing your experience to others. I’m from Uruguay but actually I’m living in Dublin now. My boyfriend is Irish and we are thinking of moving to Uruguay now because the situation here is not the best. Keep sharing your experiences and tips!!
As a Uruguayan Australia I send you both much love.
I have really enjoyed your points of view and watching your channel really helped me get through Lockdown in Melbourne. 🙏🏼
I've always appreciated your candor and your warts-and-all approach to making these videos and how you share your views. Keep up the good work!
I have a question about learning the language. What are some good books, apps, websites, blogs, videos for learning Rioplatense Spanish. I'm not interested in learning a neutral Spanish and then adapting when I get there. I'd like to start with Rioplatense right from the get-go. What methods would you suggest? (Obviously an online tutor will play a role, but I'd like to get some other resources as well.)
SPANISHDICT! its great as a dictionary/translator and also has conjugations. BONUS is it has the option to toggle between including the Spain form VOSOTROS and also the Rioplatenese VOS* (used instead of TU in most situations)
this is something super helpful because it will never show up on the google translator :P
otherwise i highly recommend PREPLY language classes! search for spanish teachers and then specifically for a teacher from Uruguay or Argentina in order to learn the regional accent/phrases you will need :)
if you click this link it gives you a discount on your first class i think, -> preply.com/en/?pref=NDA2NzEzMw==&id=1662988956.826487
I also teach English on this platform and i think its a great way to get more confident if youre already an advanced speaker, or even to start from scratch!
Additionally: if you're looking for TV shows or Books, I would just search for anything Argentinian! the accent in Buenos Aires is almost the same as in Montevideo, and its SO MUCH closer than any other Spanish accent. also very little media is actually made in Uruguay so unless you can find social media people you like, i would start with argentine specific movies/shows or podcasts! their population is just immensely larger so you'll have a much higher chance of finding someone/something you enjoy :)
@@MaddieinMVD Thank you very much! I appreciate this!
Comedy option: just learn neutral spanish and add "bo" at the end of every other sentence bo.
Maddie thank you for your complete honesty and raw vulnerability. You and Ale will get through it and succeed in Uruguay. Once you are both on the other side of this rough patch in your lives you will laugh together about it.
Great video Maddie. Honest and real. Migración is no joke. Wishing you the best in your Uruguayan journey.
thanks a lot!
I really appreciate your honesty... Many people only show the positive sides
thankyou :) and again, there are so many positives! but every country has its highs and lows and no matter where you live there will be challenges. if you have any questions please ask!
randomly came across this video and I have to say I am so proud of you for sticking it through. I am also going to look at your earlier videos to understand why you chose Uraguay specifically
Hi Maddie. A big heartfelt 'thank you' for your detailed response in a previous message. The information you gave was invaluable and reassuring. Thanks again, Dee. 🥰
You are so welcome!
I salute your honesty and truly admire your vulnerability you earned a subscriber I didn’t like your videos at first but now I do I’m moving to Uruguay my situation it’s different I speak Spanish as well but great video authenticity is the highest vibration and it will always earned my praise thank you
Very interesting video once again, thank you so much for these!
I love the country and am thinking very heavily about moving once I finished my bachelor’s.
I don’t know Spanish either, so I feel like your videos always give me a really good impression about what to expect.
Not just this one, but every video so far. Thanks a lot & keep going! 🙌
I like the liberal country of Uruguay. I'm considering retiring there within a few months. I'm a US citizen. I would like to talk to you personally about becoming an expat in Uruguay. Can we talk privately?
This is actually a fairly common question so we setup a video chat consultation!
If you are interested in talking 1:1 for 30 or 60 minutes we can arrange something, you can send through specific questions ahead of time if you like or just ask during the call and we can help to answer some questions that are hard to find online. Send an email to maddiemalann@gmail.com and we can set something up.
Loved the honesty it was refreshing and I’ve been thinking of moving my family of 4 here for a while this helps!
glad to help!
Thank you for such honesty. I love this video and proud of you guys for taking the leap. ❤
You are so brave. I love watching you live your life. Have fun.
I am considering emigrating to Uruguay. I have some very dear friends who are Uruguayan and one by one are returning to the country of their birth. I am looking for a place to retire. Uruguay keeps hitting all the right marks with me.
Uruguay is very popular for retirement! definitley ask your friends as many questions as you can so you can feel fully prepared before you make the big decision
Hi Maddie, I’ve been pulled towards UY from the USA in Montana. Any recommendations on home purchasing?
Sientete libre de decir lo que quieras, me alegra que te estés adaptando y que te sientas en casa.
As a fellow Aussie, I admire your honesty and also admire your bravery to make a move to a particularly foreign place. I have heard many good things about Uraguay
Uruguay 👍
I'm searching about uruguay and found you, its raw and honest thanks. We are planning moving to uruguay with my family. ❤ I am nervous but also excited
Hey thank you for sharing your experience. It’s super helpful for us to watch your videos right now. Your honesty is so valuable and appreciated.
I like your content. Honest and not condescended.
thankyou! this is a really meaningful comment.
Me encanto el video y fue una gran explicación de todo lo que vivieron en Uruguay. Pero supieron salir adelante y estoy seguro que cualquier otras personas se hubieran rendido así que mis más sentidos respetos a las dos por esa garra charrua y determinación para hoy en día estar creciendo logrando sus objetivos así que a partir de hoy seré un admirador de ustedes y las seguiré a la distancia deciando ver su crecimiento en este pequeño y humilde país y ojalá sea su lugar en el mundo por siempre les mando un saludo desde el barrio peñarol Montevideo uruguay gracias 💙🇺🇾💛🇦🇺❤
It’s most important for others to hear your honest experience, as you said, there’s too much of that already. The truth earns trust as you go forward sharing your experiences both good and bad. Thank you for that
Congratulations on your grit and tenacity. I love people who are willing to tell the truth. I also love Australians and have always wanted to live there. Thank you for teaching me about Uruguay.
you're welcome
I would love to know your thoughts, if you agree, disagree, if you have questions. or If you've lived here, what is your favourite and least favourite thing about this country? I could have talked for so much longer but I tried to keep this video as short as possible... so what area do you want me to expand on?
I'm currently working on another "house hunting" video - we moved 2 months ago but its a long video sorry,
AND an updated "cost of living in Uruguay" video, so those should be out before the end of the month!
Hey Maddie, I am following your channel for the last 1 year you post really good contents, Don't worry stay positive. Im from India and I have completed almost an year in Uruguay now. I had similar experience like you but to be honest this country has treated me good so far. I would recommend you to go on trekking in and around Maldonado department. Waiting for more contents from you..
I moved to Colombia 7 months ago from the UK, and I can really relate to the challenges you've had... its a real struggle.
I am a Uruguayan that spent most of his life abroad, multiple states in the USA, and multiple countries in Europe; a life-long emigrant of sorts. Your assessment of Uruguay is both honest and spot on, like a laser; so do not let the haters bring you down. As they say in Uruguay: no te mueras nunca!
If we didn't have idiots we would be the first country to do so. I'm Uruguayan and I've lived in the US for 30 years and sometimes I was discriminated too. Good luck to you
My least favorite thing is that Uruguayan culture (including all the UY lawyers) is to always support the UY criminals who scam foreigners. All the UY lawyers are extremely corrupt when large sums of money are involved with foreigners. My favorite thing is the air quality is great.
Thank you for being yourself and honesty.
you're welcome
@MaddieAle thanks for a genuinely wonderful video! I just came across this channel, and I'm considering Uruguay as a new home. I plan to visit next year. This video is so helpful because I've been seeing and reading some unapplealing things about the country. Your video brings balance. I hope things are better now.
i'm happy to hear! please ask if you have specific questions
I live in Santa Fe, NM and that's about as far from the United States as I can handle. I'm glad you've found your footing in your new home.
I understand. Im an aussie that moved to nicaragua 18 months ago. Theres been some very tough days and it gets very lonely at times. But sadly Oz isnt the country it once was. It takes soooo much courage to do what you guys did. But well always be guests. Kudos.
what made you choose nicaragua? and how are you finding it?
This is amazing. As a Hawaiian from a father who is Uruguayan I perfectly understand the feelings that you mentioned.
Keep going and greeting from o’hau 😊
I loved your video. I love your honesty. I've moved to 4 different countries and I'm just about to leave Brazil for Uruguay. I love your balanced and open honest video...travel and moving isnt easy but it's rewarding and character building. I'm excited about my time in Uruguay...it is a beautiful country
Hi Maddie. Your video says very important things and with which I feel identified. I am also an emigrant here in Uruguay, months before covid 19 arrived as well.
I am Cuban and I also opened my UA-cam channel to help people get to know Uruguay. Your videos on your channel are very interesting. Greetings 💙☺️
Great video - objective and honest. Having lived the expat life, we learned that no place is perfect.
thanks for the feedback!
As this was so cute I loved everything you said. I think especially for young people from other countries employment can be so hard to find, especially when people assume you’re already Rich because you moved countries!
yea i am so very much NOT a rich white person thriving here 😭
but you know, its all getting better now!
This is helpful. Thanks for the video. I like how you give an authentic view, which has the good and bad. Very thoughtful for tjose considering a move.
How is the weather in Uraguay these days in JAN ? Please
watch our newest video and see! Its mostly HOT but it did rain a few days in january, but not in a row. on average 25-27 degrees each day
compared to germany what do you think ? is it better than germany especially in safty etc ...
No is not. Uruguay should be one of the best countries in the world to live unfortunately it has a lot of crime. Germany is much safer and has more order. The most important thing about Uruguay is that is far away of a war, something that could happen in Germany
I’m reading there is a water shortage problem there, are you finding this to be true?
yes there has been a shortage of water, it is getting better now but it is still a big problem.
Thanks for sharing I’m also just considering moving to Uruguay but I’m Indonesian and Chinese too, so idk what to expect really
you're welcome! if you ever want to talk more you can always book a consultation here stan.store/MaddieinMontevideo
you might have some unique struggles moving here, people can be pretty xenophobic. not in a rude or dangerous way, but they do like to stare at anyone who doesn't "fit in"
Happy to hear you've adjusted well. I'm looking forward to visiting my birth home in April 2024 for the 1st time in 40+ years. Ty for sharing your journey
how exciting! Do you have it all planned or do you need some suggestions since it's been so long?
@@MaddieinMVD omg yes please. We've actually moved up our dates to March 21-april 1st. We plan to rent a car from airport and want to explore as much as we can including Colonia and Punta del Este for sure. I have a cousin in Punta that I'm gonna meet up with too.
I love your video. Your raw honesty is inspiring.
Love your realness! Best Video I have every seen on youtube - because it's real! To many youtuber only share the fantasy rather than the reality.
Great Journey and keep moving forward, it's funny how we say "This country does this, that seems crazy to me" There are 8 Billion people in the world, we all live different. Every time I see different things from countries I think interesting.
Thank you. My wife and I have considered moving there from the US. This was very helpful. May I ask a few questions?
Sure go ahead and ask. We are also planning to open up some type of personalized call option if you're interested in a 1:1 live chat
@@MaddieinMVD 1. Ale's job. What does he do and is he fluent in Spanish? I would like to work, but it sounds to me like he is being screwed. The wages sound bad.
2.The healthcare. You aren't really using it, but my wife would need it. Is it good? I mean Western standards?
I really hope the best for you both. I follow a finance guy that moved there. You may like his videos. Doug Casey.
3. I like your dogs, & the dog that hangs out. Is the country pet friendly? My baby Molly (a Staffy) would be coming with.
@@tubaljohn1 a 40+yo uruguayan replying so u have a local point of view also: take spanish lessons however and wherever and learn our slang also, it would help very much to mingle with people and situations, and we appreciate the fact that the foreigner is trying and youll not be seen as a tourist, not that we are not nice to tourists, but we can tell when the person came for a week or if hes living here, about the wages or salaries, it depends on what u do and your field, but Uruguay is the most expensive country in the continent, specially Montevideo, it depends on if ur coming alone, with wife, wife and kids, consider around 1700 dollars if youre alone, and from that point, add 1k for each family member added, an apartment rent costs around 700-800 dollars for 1 person, depends also on the location.. for something bigger, like a house, 2 or 3 rooms, for a family with kids, consider about 1200-1300 dollars rent, for food, dont expect to go to the supermarket with less than 800-900 dollars for a monthly supply (for 1 person), that would include (food that u have to cook personally and lets say, order take outs on weekends), drinks, hygiene and cleaning stuff that is pretty expensive, and etc.,... About the healthcare, its pretty good when its private, the two biggest medical services here are La Española and Casmu, both cost around 65 dollars per month paying it privately, that means if youre not getting it via social security, but if you work and contribute to the S.S., you affiliate to those medical services through it and pay less, even for the meds and treatments, and finally, yes, we have a pet friendly culture, we love pets more than ppl for sure, there is top notch vet surgeons, specially a particular one that used to be the surgeon of the Zoo here, theres good veterinary supplies and stock, if you look on Google Maps you can search for pet zones and it will show you the places in Montevideo and parks that are exclusively open for them where they can have no strings attached (literally) and i even think i heard a while ago that there was restaurants and coffee places that were admitting dogs and cats, and if im not crazy, they even have menus for them...... hope it helps, i was kinda bored and tried to be the more specific as i could, any other time i wouldnt even type two lines =) , sorry if theres any typos, good luck my friend.
EDIT: wanted to edit this because of the salaries part and the cost of living ive put as an example, the $$$ numbers i mentioned before, i meant the expenses..... about the earnings, gotta make ur own numbers depending on what you do, your profession, or what u gonna do for a living here, but have in count this: the minimum salary here by law, its around 500 dollars (no one works for the minimum salary anyway, because theres extra hours worked always, sometimes vacations non taken, many poeple have some other jobs also, or activities related to their hobbies that helps earning extra cash, lets say they also work on weekends from their houses, PC's, or maybe they give music lessons, languages, art, etc.). Also by law, theres two extra payments per year, thats called "aguinaldo" and happens every june and december, lets say an 18 years old youngster thats about to start and doesnt have a profession, works on a supermarket or a cloth store for 600 dollars while the family of a dentist doesnt have to work at all because his salary covers them all, a taxi driver that busts his balls 12 hours per day driving earns around 1300 dollars, a public employee (what u call a state employee right?) earns about 2000 for scratching their balls, i even know a few that goes to work 3 days a week from 10 am to 2 pm and the rest of the time and days they have co-workes that check their cards for them and vice-versa...... a cookie from a food place maybe earns 1000 and one from a top restaurant maybe 1600, an independent worker also have to put some effort if what he does, does not require a previous investment, its almost impossible, except if what u try to do, comes with a title... But its a must in all cases, that if youre not single and happen to have a wife or a partner, both of them gotta have an income, anyway i think thats worldwide, but specially here.
@@youtubebrowser1635 Thank you very much for your time and information. Very helpful.
@@tubaljohn1 No Problem, good luck.
🌝Awesome!!!! Thanks for posting and Shine on you Crazy Diamonds Maddie & Ale!!!✨✨
Maddie ive just started to watch your vids. I'm born and bred in Sydney but my background is from Uruguay. Last time i visited was early 90's and i stayed in Barrio Sur and La Teja as i had a sister who lived there. I will never forget eating chivitos and fainá almost everyday. I put on so much weight with all the delicious food over there. I also stayed in Rivera for a few days bordering Brazil. Was a great experience.
Not sure how you guys ended up here it's quite the other way when we go to Aussie or New Zealand we want to stay there. I've been 5 years in New Zealand, I tho I wouldn't come back but I did.
If you're still struggling to find a stable job, there quite a few such as TCS that the employee's are from different parts of the world, anyways, I'm sure you'll find your place in Uruguay, everyone does.
My best wishes to you guys. It takes a lot to leave everything from a country like Australia to come live in Uruguay, congrats for being that brave and not giving up!
I am sure everyone has problems on the way. Montevideo looks quite a nice city. I think I could get used to that as an Englishman. I also know a lot of Portuguese which is similar to Spanish so I think I would pick up the local dialect.
Very good video and very good energy! Thank you!
Welcome everybody, good luck in Uruguay!
thanks
Hey there! I'm an uruguayan living in Europe for 5 years and now I'm heading back soon. Any expats who would like to meet up in my country, let me know! I'd be glad to help you out with anything you need and also it would be cool to have an english speaking group to hang out. Cheers!
I had the dream of immigrating to Uruguay but the immigration department notified me via email that my felony prevents me from applying for immigration status.
I caught a felony 23 years ago while serving in the Army for assaulting a criminal gang member while protecting my child & his mother.
That one incident ruins everything I try to do in life.
But I wish I could immigrate to Uruguay and work on the ranches there running cattle since I have experience with cattle & horses.
Great story.Certainly you payed the initiation price in that 2years.Hopefully you are settling in for a well deserved nice life.We wish you well & healthy. Might see you there one day.Thank you. 🇨🇦🇭🇺🤗
thanks for the comment! and who knows, maybe one day
Just want to know what made you leave your so better and advanced homeland where every other person atleast from asia wishes to settle.
much respect for the honest review
you're welcome
What a great video. I'm glad you talk about the good and the bad of the country.
How are you coping with the drinking water crisis?
its much better now... but it was very annoying at the time! we all just started buying water which was frustrating. I just wish there had been some warning, and we had been more informed. the situation was not handled well and was very different from the drought i grew up with in australia where we had strict guidelines and rules to follow to help the water last as long as possible!
@@MaddieinMVDSO glad things are better for you there now! I completely agree with you. We were planning on doing a retirement scouting trip there but cancelled just in time or we would have been arriving in the thick of things.
Hi, @MaddieAle can you make videos about home prices for modern homes and a video about the year-round weather?
Thank you 🙏... I have been working to move there.
Nice video. Thanks for sharing.
Appreciate your blatant honesty. And not hyping up the title or story to just get views. You will soon be rewarded highly for your authenticity! Thank you :)
In the US, sitting for hours in a park, allbeit not illegal, would be a mistake. In many cities you become a target. May I suggest if you do that, avail yourself a good kevlar vest for yourself and your children.
You have to be safer in uruguay than any major US city .
I can only say bravo for your courage to leave Australia and adapt yourself to Uruguay ! Your videos give me more informations about my final decision to move from France to Uruguay. I need also to get additional infos to be sure to make the good choice but I remain mentally flexible and adaptable to change my plans whatever. Thanks a lot for your sharings and don't waste your time, energy with negative feedbacks, don't allow them to hurt you, choose to see only the positive side of all your choices you made and yes, you can't satisfy all the needs of your audience so they're will be always distorsions between their point of view and yours so...Live and let die !...Be happy with your husband, enjoy and chill each moment in this beautiful country.
Soy uruguaya sigue adelante y no importa los comentarios negativos en todos lados hay personas negativas. Pero cuando la gente te vea hablar en español te abrirá mucho más. Los uruguayos somos amables.
Thank you for your honesty..well done you!!!
You will always take flack from the internet trolls when you state an honest opinion that doesn't agree with their ideas. Living in a new country, especially a small one, and making negative comments about it literally invites attacks. I thank you for your honesty and fully realize that what you have stated are your opinions. We are all entitled to them. I'm glad to see you have stuck with the process of adjustment to a completely new culture, language, and way of life. It's almost never an easy process. I wish you well.
Hey i am new to your videos, i really like that you show real feelings and vulnerability, i can understand what you have gone through, i am also from abroad, and living here for a while. Dont pay attention to the critics, they seem too sensitive, i wanted to ask you what has changed since last time? If you had the opportunity would you leave or you are planning to stay for good?
Wow was this your first time going abroad?
to live, yes. I had travelled previously, but it is a very different experience visiting a country when you know it is just for a few weeks, compared to for potentially YEARS.
what were the countries approach to C19?
Maddie, question about the water shortage, are there drinking water retail sales distributors in Montevideo? I am sure there are. Also how the charge a 1:1 meeting? Moving in 1/2025.
Catherine
Hi Catherine! I will send you a link now, we just set up consultations, stan.store/MaddieinMontevideo
then we can chat more specifically about anything you like! :)
In terms of drinking water: Yes you can buy bottles water always, but the thing is that the tap water USED to be good quality, then one day it just wasn't. Things are back to normal again now, but it is very upsetting to know that no one was prepared or expected the water to suddenly be salty, and from my perspective as someone who grew up in a really bad drought in Australia, Uruguay just simply did not put enough (or any) restrictions in place to help conserve the water and help to minimise the effects of the drought.