Expat Interview - Real Estate Investor makes Uruguay Home

 Name? David Hammond

Where are you from? USA

Approximate age? 50

 Household makeup? Single with daughter

How long have you lived or spent time in Uruguay? Since May 2006

 What made you choose Uruguay? I was first attracted to Uruguay for its real estate opportunities and then the beauty of the country and people got under my skin.

What city or community in Uruguay do you stay in? Punta del Este

Who do you socialize with in Uruguay? I socialize with other English speaking expats and Uruguayans.

 What do you like most about Uruguay? I really like the people I have met here. Many of the expats are interesting and resourceful people. Also, my Uruguayan friends offer a fresh point of view on so many aspects of life. Between my expat and Uruguayan friends I am always learning and benefiting from new perspectives.

 Do you have any funny, interesting, or memorable experiences about Uruguay that you would like to share? I was in a restaurant and ordered a salad with Caballos (horses) instead of a salad with Cebollas (onions). It was a barbecue restaurant and the waiter indignantly asserted that they did not serve horse in their restaurant. After a few tense moments – we figured out my error and then it was quite funny.

 What differences between your former home and Uruguay do you find most noticeable? In the US things are more organized, codified, and regulated. In Uruguay there is more room for individual interpretation.

What do you miss about your former home? Mexican food and Thai food

 What do you find most frustrating or difficult about Uruguay? In Uruguay relationships are more important than schedules. It is a beautiful thing, but it can be a double edge sword if you are relying on others for something to happen on a given day at a given time. 

Did you already speak Spanish when you came to Uruguay? No. I do not speak Spanish well. Something I hope to remedy.

 If you are learning Spanish, what courses or materials have you found helpful? I took Spanish classes for a couple of months in Montevideo.

 Are you a Uruguayan resident? Yes.

 If you are a resident, do you have any tips for other English speakers seeking residency? Use the services of a reliable residency attorney. I used Mark Teuten in Montevideo.

 Do you have any advice about making money in Uruguay? Uruguay is not anyone’s top pick as a place to make money as an employee or small business owner. However, Uruguay can be a good place to headquarter an international business and has several tax free trade zones within the country. For the individual with a nest egg, the best money making opportunities are probably in real estate investment.

 Do you have any advice for other English speakers considering a move to Uruguay? Be open to living a different life than you lived in your previous country. If a life more focused on rich personal interactions and less focused on material possessions sounds attractive, than Uruguay might be your cup of tea.