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

If you're new here, I'm maddie, and 2.5 years ago I moved from Australia to Montevideo Uruguay with my Fiance. We moved here because Alejandro has family here, but we never expected things to be quite so difficult. So living here, as foreigners, with very little support during one of the most dramatic changes in the world (2020) this was my experience!
Of course I could talk about so much more, so if you have any questions please comment and I will reply.

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[_gaming]

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!

[urupanther]

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! 😉

[silpao-uy]

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!!!🤗

[anotherfootballpodcast]

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!

[cringe]

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.

[imdee]

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.

[deniseri]

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.

[davidthomas]

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.

[Phil-revl]

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. 👍👍👍👍👍

[esria]

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.

[leosanchez]

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.

[jassin]

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! 🙌

[rnywbcb]

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.

[casitadelarbol]

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.

[gussuarez]

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

[AlTarif]

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

[turtleburner]

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

[sebastianramos]

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!

[MariaMendoza-qint]

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 !

[cyberneticqualanaut]

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.