Uruguay is calm and stable. And from here, Argentina looks really wild and crazy. Uruguay is a lot safer both financially and physically. 

The legal process here in Uruguay follows the laws that are in force. In Argentina, laws are a bit irrelevant. It is the opinion of those currently in power that guide which laws will be enforced in Argentina. In Uruguay, if it is written in the law, it will be eventually enforced. i.e. no one can confiscate your land in Uruguay if you made sure you followed all the rules, got all the paperwork done properly, etc. when you bought it ... nor your car, nor your business. Not so in Argentina.

In Uruguay there is a high degree of security. No one gets stabbed, shot, or beaten here, that all happens across the river in Argentina. 

Here is something to consider, if you are traveling for the first time to this part of the world and have narrowed your search down by studying statistics and using the same criteria you would to pick a place to re-locate in the US, you will be surprised to discover that in the rest of the world, dropping in without some connection to a neighborhood is weird. No family here? No employer sent you? Why are you here then?

You may think you want to move right in to a cute little neighborhood and start mingling with the locals, but you will be a target of burglaries and the neighbors won't look out for you like they do each other because it is so suspicious for someone to be unconnected to people where they live ... to be without a history.

My advice would be to find connections. Find a locale that is full of foreigners.

Mendoza in Argentina is a touristy area and has people from around the world living there.

In Uruguay there is Carrasco, Pocitos, and Punta Carretas. I would also recommend Punta Del Este for off season living. There is quite an interesting mix of expats living there happily.

(This was written by someone totally unrelated to this website)

When you live in Uruguay you will be able to enjoy its colorful markets of fresh food everyday of the week

Living in Uruguay allows you to enjoy a higher quality of life with a sharply reduced price tag. From its old-world theaters and opera houses to its jazz festivals and exquisite restaurants, Uruguay looks and feels like Europe, but the cost of living is more like the Third World. But while the prices are low, the infrastructure is first rate. You can drink the water from any tap in the country. Telephone lines are available in less than 48 hours, and your high-speed Internet connection is just a phone call away in most cities. The truth is that Uruguay is one of the most diverse, affordable, and sophisticated countries in the region.

Uruguay is largely unknown among potential North American expats, and you won't find many of them living here. The majority that are here are working with the diplomatic corps or are stationed in Uruguay by their North American companies.

 

 

The fastest growing expat group in the country seems to be from Argentina, and we're told it's become an increasingly popular retirement destination for them due to the comparatively low cost of living and properties.

Uruguay truly has a lifestyle and a region for everyone, depending on what you're looking for in the way of a new life abroad. Whether you want to live downtown in a world capital, in the heart of an old colonial city, in one of the world's famous beach resorts, or on a sprawling ranch in the heartland, you can be sure that Uruguay has a place for you.