My experience immigrating to Uruguay | 2 year Update | Expat Diaries 

Want to know more? Book a Personal Consult with us to ask all your tailored questions about life in Uruguay NOW! stan.store/MaddieinMontevideo

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!

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!!!🤗

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!

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.

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.

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.

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. 👍👍👍👍👍

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.

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.

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.

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! 🙌

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!

Most honest youtube video I have seen about the challenges of moving to a new country.

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.

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 🙂

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.

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

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, RU-vid 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!

It wasn't easy... but we made it.

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.

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!

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

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.

Thank you for such honesty. I love this video and proud of you guys for taking the leap. ❤

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!

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. A big heartfelt 'thank you' for your detailed response in a previous message. The information you gave was invaluable and reassuring. Thanks again, Dee. 🥰

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.

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.

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!

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. 🙏🏼

@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 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

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.

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! 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!!

Great video Maddie. Honest and real. Migración is no joke. Wishing you the best in your Uruguayan journey.

Loved this video!!! 😍🥰

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

🌝Awesome!!!! Thanks for posting and Shine on you Crazy Diamonds Maddie & Ale!!!✨✨

Loved the honesty it was refreshing and I’ve been thinking of moving my family of 4 here for a while this helps!

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.

So nice to see people being realistic on a video (regardless of what one think, we suffer comparatively to our experiences, not others')

I really appreciate your honesty... Many people only show the positive sides

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.

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 😊

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

Sientete libre de decir lo que quieras, me alegra que te estés adaptando y que te sientas en casa.

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.)

I love your video. Your raw honesty is inspiring.

compared to germany what do you think ? is it better than germany especially in safty etc ...

You are so brave. I love watching you live your life. Have fun.

Hi Maddie, I’ve been pulled towards UY from the USA in Montana. Any recommendations on home purchasing?

What a great video. I'm glad you talk about the good and the bad of the country.

Very good video and very good energy! Thank you!

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?

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

aww :,) this was a really great story, Thank you for sharing.

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.

Wishing you the best of luck and keep following your dream.

You are so brave! You got this girl ❤️

Great Vid! thanks for the honesty. also considering Uruguay to move too from aus.

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!

Thank you for being yourself and honesty.

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.

so good Maddie!!! Is that wooded background your house? it is very pretty!!! you will do very well in Uruguay!! best

Thank you for your honesty..well done you!!!

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.

Great video - objective and honest. Having lived the expat life, we learned that no place is perfect.

what are the prices of rent here compared to other countries??

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. 🇨🇦🇭🇺🤗

Nice video. No need to apologize for anything. Your comments are refreshing. Best to you & your family.

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.

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.

Just want to know what made you leave your so better and advanced homeland where every other person atleast from asia wishes to settle.

Muy bien maddie , estamos contentos de tenerste en nuestro país . Una persona trabajadora , emprendedora y bvuena onda ,. Siga así .

Thank you, this is great info.

Hey don't feel sad, I'm uruguayan and as long I can see you did it well, I mean it's not easy to live in another country adapting to our culture and language. I will show this video to my students so they'll can see how is the immigration in Uruguay. Wishing you and your fiancee all the best! Bye!

Is it cold there? I'm in shock?

much respect for the honest review

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.

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?

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

Thank you 🙏... I have been working to move there.

I’m reading there is a water shortage problem there, are you finding this to be true?

i love this great job !!! im moving out of the country in a year

How much does an apartment cost?

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!

Maddie thanks for the update I am an Uruguayan living in the United States and I was never offended by your prior videos. My american husband wants to retire in Uruguay in the future so it was interesting to watch your videos specially because i left Uruguay at 12 years old and a lot has changed. don't let anybody get you down, some people may not understand your prospective because they have always lived there and don't have anything to compare it to...but must Uruguayans mean well I would say.

How is the weather in Uraguay these days in JAN ? Please

Sorry for the people being rude, I think you are being fair with what you described about Uruguay. Hope you find happiness here in the years to come if you decide to stay.

I think the comments you got might have been connected to the fact that you got shared by a certain person who is known for only pointing out things she hates about Uruguay, and vehemently so, all over expat groups... according to her own words. she has even claimed to have made your video viral. and probably, many people read you through her perspective, which is unfair.

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.

Great video, thx for being honest

es cierto todo lo que dice yo he vivido desde 2006 y por fin entiendo a maddie , es practicamente la voz del extranjero yo pase por eso y mas .

u leaving uruguay or applying for citizenship ?