Uruguay Bound...

In February 2013, Brian (Bruce's youngest son) visited with Dad & Deb in Bradenton Beach, Florida, as Brian has been doing since we bought in 2005. Brian lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He has traveled the world and visited every continent except Antarctica. This year (2013), Brian brought his live-in girlfriend Karina to meet us. Brian and Karina are now engaged and they will marry in British Columbia in August 2014. Bruce is hopeful that the Hague name will carry into the next generation!

Brian & Karina arrived on a Friday...then Sunday nite, while Brian & Karina were walking the beach, or some such romantic activity...and Bruce & Debra were sitting on the couch...Bruce turns to Debra and says "what do you think about living in Uruguay?" Debra's immediate response was "are you out of your ---- mind?" Debra started wondering where she had been all weekend as obviously there was conversation that she did not remember...or at least recognize for what it was, as she knew that Brian owns property in Uruguay and where's this coming from... When she realized that Bruce was serious, her next words were, "well you better show me where it is on the map"!! The conversations continued over the next week with Brian and Karina....and further research was made before Bruce & Debra decided they would relocate to Uruguay....about a week or two later!!

Since that time, we have done extensive research, studied "The Uruguay Owner's Manual", both 2008 and 2012 editions; taken a 10-week "Spanish-Beginner's Conversational" course in Ontario (Canada); packed up, cleared out, cleaned up and moved out of the Canadian home; and packed up, cleared out, cleaned up and about to move out of the Florida home. In addition, Debra continues to count her 100 swimming laps in Spanish each week!

So, where are we going?

SOUTH AMERICA - URUGUAY (look to the arrow on the right hand side...)

A CLOSER LOOK...

WHERE EXACTLY WILL WE BE STAYING?
At Brian and Karina's brand new home in La Pedrera (see the map below...far right hand side; last orange spot on the ocean) until the end of tourist season in April, 2014.
THEN WHAT?
While at Brian & Karina's place, we'll be able to explore those locations that have appealed to us from our research; including MONTEVIDEO, outskirts maybe, we definitely don't want to live in the city; ATLANTIDA, which has always been Debra's fancy...probably the whole Nova Scotia...get back to the Atlantic Ocean, small town living idea; PIRIAPOLIS...possibly, a little larger than Atlantida...but same idea; and finally PUNTE DEL ESTE, outskirts maybe again, we don't want to live in a busy spot...it is closest to La Pedrera and Brian thinks we will like it there...so it's on the list...as is everywhere else along the coast line between MONTEVIDEO and PUNTA DEL ESTE...now look closely at the map below and you will see each of these locations. It'll be interesting to see where we do settle. It is our intention to rent a furnished place for a year before finalizing our decision to stay...or go to Plan B!

SO WHAT'S BRIAN DOING WITH A PLACE IN URUGUAY?

Brian bought two pieces of property in La Pedrera, Uruguay a couple of years ago as his "next" investment opportunity and his retirement plan. The two pieces of land allow four homes. The first home has just been completed...VERY hot off the press...the first rental property (they took possession on Monday, December 2!). It is GORGEOUS and we are very grateful to be staying there. Unfortunately this season's rental income is limited as it's based on the "family plan". Brian has been told that during season, December through April, his property can generate $200USD per nite...and as the smart folks have already figured out, that is $6000USD per month, times 4-5 months, about $25,000 - $30,000 per season! Brian & Karina's plan is to deposit the rental income into an account and when there's enough for the next rental property, start building the second, then the third, and finally their Retirement Home. We too are very impressed with this plan!

AND WHY URUGUAY?

As previously mentioned, Brian has traveled a lot. He has lived in different countries at different times and spent weeks and months in different places. He picked Uruguay for his retirement plan based on investment opportunity as well as where he liked best. In the end, for Bruce & Debra, "if it's good enough for Brian, it's good enough for us". Our further research confirmed that this country sounds like a place we would like to live.

Uruguay is a small country nestled between Brasil and Argentina, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean. The population is about 3.5 million people, with 1.5 million living in the capital of Montevideo. Our research says that Uruguay is one of the safest countries in the world. It is a solid democracy since 1984. 

Uruguay has clean air, sparkling waters and plenty of green spaces. The people are kind, open and educated, for the most part of European descent; including Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. It is a fair weather country, safe from extreme climate events. There are neither snow nor sand storms, nor heat waves. There are no geographical features that produce earthquakes, hurricanes or any other dangerous phenomena. 

Uruguayans are peaceful people who live in harmony with their neighbours. Education is constantly expanding. The country's inhabitants have a high cultural level, ranking among the first places in Latin America. Uruguay has a vast cultural offering, including theatre, music and fine dining. It offers deserted beaches, unending fields and glamorous beach resorts. The standard of living is high and the cost of living much lower than North America. 

Uruguay has four seasons. It normally doesn't get too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter. The temperature averages about 75F in the summer (January-March) and 55-60F in the winter (July-September). We do not yet know what the humidity implications are????

Uruguay has an excellent  telecommunications network and a fully digitized telephone system. It has third generation telephony, and wireless Internet services. Companies such as Microsoft and  IBM are working from Uruguay, offering their services to the world.

Uruguay is very socially conscious. Uruguayan children are offered free education through university/college degrees. In many cases, post bachelor degrees are also government funded. All Uruguayan residents receive the national health care program, which the research claims is sufficient. You can top it up with paid health care...unless you're Bruce's age, it might be too expensive...! It is not difficult to become a Uruguayan resident...unless you were born in Malaysia... It is our intention to become Uruguayan residents. We will remain Canadian citizens. We were impressed that Uruguay allows same sex marriage and less impressed that marijuana is legal.

It all sounds great....and we will let you know in future blogs if that is our reality!

BON VOYAGE!

We fly direct from Miami (9 hour flight) on Saturday, December 7; departing at 11:15PM and arriving in Montevideo about 11:30AM. Uruguay time is 3 hours ahead of Ontario and Florida; 2 hours ahead of Nova Scotia; and 6 hours ahead of British Columbia....guide yourselves accordingly Family and Friends!