Going where?

South America? Uruguay?

Where is Uruguay?

Why?

As we watch housing costs continue to rise across the country and especially in Austin, we worry about our ability to maintain a satisfying life when our rental agreement ends at the end of this summer. Without an increase in pay to cover increasing inflation and housing costs, we’re faced with being forced to move somewhere rent is less expensive — whether or not it’s a location with the particular amenities we find valuable. So, rather than select some random U.S. town in which all other costs remain the same or increase except our rent, why not an interesting foreign city — and one that comes with possible financial benefits, to boot?

Consumer Price Comparison: Austin vs. MontevideoConsumer Prices in Montevideo are 17.84% lower than in Austin, TX (without rent)Consumer Prices Including Rent in Montevideo are 40.70% lower than in Austin, TXRent Prices in Montevideo are 70.19% lower than in Austin, TXRestaurant Prices in Montevideo are 28.59% lower than in Austin, TXGroceries Prices in Montevideo are 35.11% lower than in Austin, TXSource: numbeo

Our trip to Colombia sparked these thoughts. Colombia’s even less expensive, but acquiring a visa to stay longer than six months seems to be a bit difficult. Uruguay, however, has a much clearer visa process and, while not dirt cheap like Colombia, is still considerably less expensive than U.S. towns, especially those of comparable size.

Basic Uruguay FactsMontevideo, the capital and largest city, has 1.6 million inhabitants. 3.4 million people in all of Uruguay.Around 40% of the country’s population lives in Montevideo.In 2022, it has a projected GDP of $53.9 billion, with a per capita of $30,148.Uruguay is the most secular country in Latin America.Montevideo is ranked as having the highest quality of life in South America.

Montevideo, Uruguay is poised for the #futureofwork! See the criteria it met to earn the top spot for South America in @Mercer's Quality of Living ranking: https://t.co/dJnmtNVvct pic.twitter.com/0ztmIV7y47

— Mercer (@mercer) August 19, 2018

More to come . . .