Uruguay and conflicting reports

[billyboy2674]

Hello everyone-
I am interested in living In Uruguay.From what I've read so far,it looms as the "safest' country in South America but who knows?Has anyone lived there or visited frequently?I'm confused by what appear to be deflated or inflated stats on crime rates in Uruguay.My original interest was Argentina but through comparing stats,figured it was very unsafe theft wise so that's my main concern with Uruguay as well.
I've heard horror stories about the whole of South America and just want to know,how 'livable"is it for someone who has always lived in the U.S?
Any info deeply appreciated and thanks in advance.

[-mia-]

Originally Posted by billyboy2674

Hello everyone-
I am interested in living In Uruguay.From what I've read so far,it looms as the "safest' country in South America but who knows?Has anyone lived there or visited frequently?I'm confused by what appear to be deflated or inflated stats on crime rates in Uruguay.My original interest was Argentina but through comparing stats,figured it was very unsafe theft wise so that's my main concern with Uruguay as well.
I've heard horror stories about the whole of South America and just want to know,how 'livable"is it for someone who has always lived in the U.S?
Any info deeply appreciated and thanks in advance.

Why do you want to move to Uruguay? What do you want to do there? Uruguay is exceedingly boring. But again, if that's what you want....

Crime is up both in Uruguay and Argentina but I think what you are hearing is exaggerated. What does "livable" mean to you? Your only option is to visit and decide if you find it livable.

[Flyfisher]

My wife and I would move there in a minute if the plane flights weren't 16+ hours from the U.S. I would want to go home about once a year to see grand kids but I don't know if I want to spend that much time flying.

[-mia-]

Originally Posted by Flyfisher

My wife and I would move there in a minute if the plane flights weren't 16+ hours from the U.S. I would want to go home about once a year to see grand kids but I don't know if I want to spend that much time flying.

Yes. It's very far. I feel quite isolated in a weird way. And flights it hurts when the flights get more expensive, like now. Rates are on the high side.

Of course it depends on where you want/need to get to and if you need connections. From Buenos Aires it's 8.5 to Miami, 11 to NYC, 16 to LA. Flying to Montevideo would most like entail changing planes at least once.

[Edie]

Argentina is enormous. Buenos Aires being a huge,dense capital there are areas one needs avoid. And then, there are crimes directed at natives and crimes directed at foreigners. Kidnappings with murder are directed at locals with money and status. Thefts and muggings occur near ATM's where tourists go. Particularly in touristy spots. I rented a condo apt which had security (guards and cameras) and never felt safer. Took taxis alone late at night too. But then I knew the place well.
Other cities in Argentina, Mar del Plata, Mendonza, Bariloche, are smaller and have relatively no crime.

I've been to Montevideo many times. As someone suggested it can be boring. Lost in time, gray, conservative, and more costly and less fun than B.Aires. People aren't very warm either. Punta del Este is not crime ridden but it's middle class and full of tourists from Arg.

If you wish to know something more in detail, just ask!

Other south american countries/cities with infinitely more crime are Caracas, Honduras, Guatemala,. Cuenca in Ecuador is boring but little crime. Southern Chile also. So, please do not generalize, as South America is not homogenous or monolothic.

[berniebrust]

Originally Posted by Edie

Argentina is enormous. Buenos Aires being a huge,dense capital there are areas one needs avoid. And then, there are crimes directed at natives and crimes directed at foreigners. Kidnappings with murder are directed at locals with money and status. Thefts and muggings occur near ATM's where tourists go. Particularly in touristy spots. I rented a condo apt which had security (guards and cameras) and never felt safer. Took taxis alone late at night too. But then I knew the place well.
Other cities in Argentina, Mar del Plata, Mendonza, Bariloche, are smaller and have relatively no crime.

I've been to Montevideo many times. As someone suggested it can be boring. Lost in time, gray, conservative, and more costly and less fun than B.Aires. People aren't very warm either. Punta del Este is not crime ridden but it's middle class and full of tourists from Arg.

If you wish to know something more in detail, just ask!

Other south american countries/cities with infinitely more crime are Caracas, Honduras, Guatemala,. Cuenca in Ecuador is boring but little crime. Southern Chile also. So, please do not generalize, as South America is not homogenous or monolothic.

my wife and I newbies at the forum planing our first visit to Ecuador prior to relocating. we plan to be in Quito 15Nov2011 for 2 weeks, rent a car, look around for a place to settle. Any suggestions as to location? not particularly interested in big city life

[berniebrust]

I hope that my message got out there to you. user name berniebrust

[hotsauce]

Originally Posted by berniebrust

my wife and I newbies at the forum planing our first visit to Ecuador prior to relocating. we plan to be in Quito 15Nov2011 for 2 weeks, rent a car, look around for a place to settle. Any suggestions as to location? not particularly interested in big city life

Hi there, we are also very interested in EC and will do a trip there hopefully in nov or dec '11 for a couple of weeks as well--it seems to be far cheaper than argentina or Uruguay.
best of luck let us know what you think of it!

[berniebrust]

Originally Posted by hotsauce

Hi there, we are also very interested in EC and will do a trip there hopefully in nov or dec '11 for a couple of weeks as well--it seems to be far cheaper than argentina or Uruguay.
best of luck let us know what you think of it!

hi hotsauce, really good to hear from you. you are my first venture into the expat forum so I am not sure how this works but here we go.
my wife and i are flying into quito on nov 17 and will travel around till dec 3, 2011.
fortunately a business associate of my wife lives in quito and she and her husband have graciously offered to show us around there and neighboring cities. i am thinking of visiting cumbaya, cotacachi, guayaquil, and cuenca, but we will see what our friend suggests. i will be happy to share what i learn with you. perhaps it would be better if we found a way to talk on the ecuador site, i will try to do that and reach you at hotsauce;634662

[johninargentina]

Originally Posted by billyboy2674

Hello everyone-
I am interested in living In Uruguay.From what I've read so far,it looms as the "safest' country in South America but who knows?Has anyone lived there or visited frequently?I'm confused by what appear to be deflated or inflated stats on crime rates in Uruguay.My original interest was Argentina but through comparing stats,figured it was very unsafe theft wise so that's my main concern with Uruguay as well.
I've heard horror stories about the whole of South America and just want to know,how 'livable"is it for someone who has always lived in the U.S?
Any info deeply appreciated and thanks in advance.

As to safety... Uruguay is safer than Argentina, but I think you have to take into account several other factors to take a decision on living in one or other country.