Posted by Lisa La Nasa
January 26th, 2010 
4 Comments
Expat Turnover
We have learned that not one, not two, but 7 families that we know in Montevideo will be leaving within the next 5 months. Nearly all are leaving for work or educational opportunities, but some for a new adventure or economic reasons.
Truth is, with inflation and the falling exchange rate of the dollar, it has become more expensive to live in Uruguay than it was when we arrived here 10 months ago and certainly when others arrived a few years previously. Oh, why does the UY economy have to be so stable ?? (Unlike the Argentinian economy, which remains less stable and as a result- a more favorable exchange rate from the US dollar). Great for Uruguay, not so favorable for expats!
We had been warned about the very common Expat Turnover and how it can go in waves. We were just not prepared for quite the rush of people we know leaving Montevideo within such a short time.
We are very excited for the new friends arriving here on a regular basis, and more are sure to follow. While it’s hard to build relationships and then have people scatter to all ends of the world, (or rather Toronto which is strangely where many are going, but also to Thailand and the USA) we look forward to welcoming the new people coming to Uruguay, and staying in touch with those friends leaving.
To those of you leaving: We love you all and will miss you terribly. We’ll keep up on facebook! Thank you for all the fun times, the support when we needed it and for helping us feel at home here in Uruguay.
With our Expat friends in UY, we have experienced: Piriapolis, numerous asados and pizza parties, birthdays, Friday lunches, Expo Prado, yoga, the beach and pool parties, zoos, movies, fubol matches, the parks, many exchanged notes, stories and recipes and so many other wonderful memories. Thank you!
(Please note: While one rarely hears the word “Adios” here in Uruguay, it is universally understood, and well, I didn’t have a photo of “Chau” written in the sand!)
Hey!
We’re still here for the long haul. Don’t cut my time short, I’m trying to cherish every moment!!:)
We’re absolutely not trying to cut anyones time short! Just getting a bit sentimental as people are selling off all their stuff for the impending moves. Let’s get together after your vacation!
When I first read the title of your post I thought that you were the ones that were leaving us. I’m glad that you’re not xD But on the other hand, I’m feeling kinda sad that so many families are having to leave our country. I hope that they can find a nice place similar to Uruguay (cause Uruguay is unique jejeje xD)
We’re not going anywhere! We are constantly getting email through the blog with new people coming to UY, so it’s not like everyone is leaving. There is a great language exchange every other Friday at Atlantico on la Rambla in Pocitos (I’ll write about it soon). Brad and I just met several new Expats there last week. New blood!!