What To Bring When Moving To Uruguay

Original Famous Expat Meetings: EXPAT LUNCH: Sunday, May 20, 2012 Not a week missed in 6-1/2 years! Now in Asuncion, Paraguay too! EXPAT DINNER: Thursday, May 24, 2012

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Moving house is said to be really high up on the list of most stressful things you have to deal with in life...so you can imagine that moving country only amplifies that! Not only do you have to deconstruct your life and carefully pack it in to boxes, re-adapt to totally new surroundings and a new language, but you ALSO have to try and think what special things you need to bring with you. Do they have this? Will they sell that? What about those? Have you been wondering what things are essentials on the packing list when moving to Uruguay? Well look no further...we're here to help!

I think the best advice I was given was to bring whatever you already use (and love!) the most. I know this sounds like such an OBVIOUS thing to say but when you're in the rush of unpacking closets, packing boxes, sorting what to keep or throw away, saying goodbyes (and trying to maintain some semblance of a life at the same time!) sometimes our brains just go on strike! So give yourself 5 minutes, sit down with a piece of paper and think - what is my FAVORITE thing to do, what cheers me up, what would I go crazy without?

If you love to read bring books (we assume these will always be available but remember everything is in Spanish here...there are a few small bookshops with english sections but not really much choice, and to have anything shipped down can be time consuming and expensive, although not impossible). If you love to knit or sew bring those supplies (for knitting enthusiasts I have been told good knitting needles and circular needles are very hard to find here but yarn is in plentiful supply). If you love to cook bring good kitchen utensils and appliances (and rare ingredients - see list below for examples), if you love beauty stuff bring jumbo supplies of your favorite cosmetics, if you love to paint or draw bring the best art supplies, if you love gardening bring the best gardening tools, if you love computer games pack them up...I think you get the picture.

Just take a few minutes out of your day to sit down and really think of the few things you really love and use most in your daily life. You'll be very happy you did when you get here and find out that it is otherwise not available or it is of much lower quality here. For parents of young children you may want to think of what your child loves the most and uses most often - crayons? books? toys? dvds? We can forget that all children's books and dvds are in Spanish here, and although it is good to introduce the language early you may want a variety.

If relocating you have a one time chance to send your container with all your household belongings, and the difference in cost between a normal size and a larger size isn't that big considered what it would cost to have those things shipped or mailed later (and they would also be subject to heavy customs taxes that way!). So make use of your one-time opportunity and take it all! I know people say moving house is a great time for a clear-out, and that is true, but when moving country those home comforts can make a BIG difference in the first few months.

If, after you've settled in, you decide you don't want some of the things you brought, keep in mind that many used items sell for a much higher price here in Uruguay than at home. Selling furniture, toys and household items at remates (auction houses) or on mercadolibre (Uruguay's ebay) may yield you a nice little profit for what you otherwise may have dumped.

One the other hand - it has been wisely said by many people that if you are looking for a cookie-cutter replica of your life at home then I'm afraid you will no doubt be disappointed. Life here is different. Things are done differently. The products are different, the food is different, the culture is different...and if you have been planning to just put your life in a box and take it out the exact same way at the other end then maybe a move to Uruguay isn't for you after all. You can bring all the material goods with you, but its still doesn't make living here the "same".

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THE LIST OF WHAT TO BRING

So....down to "The List"! Of course this list varies from person to person. Some people could wear a potato sack and live in a cardboard box and be happy; others consider a fresh daily supply of rare cheeses a "necessity"! This list has been composed after much discussion with many expats from all over the world who now live in Uruguay. These are the things they miss, want more of, or simply cannot find here (if you have anything to add please let me know!)

Good pots and pans...general quality is lacking here (and yet prices are sky high!). If you like to cook then this is the time to invest in a nice set and bring them with you.

- Kitchen tools- this goes for both utensils and convenience appliances. If you like making smoothies bring a really good blender (because the ones here tend to fall apart). If you like baking bring a reliable electric mixer and some good non-stick baking trays. If there's a specific kitchen utensil that you can't live without (especially if it is in anyway unusual) bring it, maybe even 2! For example I've never seen a pizza cutter down here, and can openers are terrible quality and very overpriced.

I strongly recommend bringing a set of good quality chopping knives because the quality is poor, the prices are very high and the range is minimal. Oh and if you're from a country that use "butter knives" bring your own set of cutlery because here they use steak knives for almost everything - it is a meat country after all!

- Homewares in general: Think of things that get the most wear and tear in your house - what is used most on a daily basis - these are the things are you going to want to buy the best of and bring with you.

• Large stainless steel garbage cans cost a small fortune in Uruguay for example.
  
  
• Home decor stuff - one woman suggested bringing yards of material for draperies, bedspreads and decorative pillows because the quality of the fabrics here is quite poor, and for better quality it is very expensive. Although there are a number of fabric stores in centro district, I have found the quality is lacking, but you can also hop across the river to Buenos Aires where there is greater selection.
  
• I would definitely suggest you buy really good quality bedsheets - high thread count egyptian cotton just hasn't made it to this part of the world, the same for really good down feather comforters - and think about it, you use these EVERY day, if anything is worth spending good money on it is your bed!
  
  
• Furniture - although there are some bargains to be had when it comes to old furniture and antiques, I would argue that in general beds, sofas, tables etc are of lower quality, there is less choice in terms of style and design AND the prices are higher. Again, anything you don't use will no doubt find a home here in Uruguay for a good price.
  
  
• I would recommend bringing a really good corkscrew and can opener - they are awful here (break easily or don't work) and they are insanely overpriced (the most basic one is about $15!).
  
  
• If you're the type that use them - and you know who you are - good quality storage containers & tupperware, ones with strong lids as here they are pretty flimsy and warp easily.
  
  
• I know this is very random, but ziploc bags in all sizes, for anyone who thinks that this is strange then don't worry about bringing them...however if you are a ziploc bag fan like myself you will know how irritating it is to go without. They are available here, but only in small packs (of 8 bags!) and for big prices. This is the kind of thing that is great for filling those empty spaces when packing your boxes.
  
  
• A decent plunger - of course plungers are available here but they are feeble little things. The pipes here in Uruguay are A LOT smaller than we are used to, and although I've had only a few minor problems, trying to resolve them without the right supplies is a real pain.
  

Also if you plan to build your own house (or even furnish a totally unfurnished house or apartment) bring light fixtures, nice door handles, drawer pulls, towel racks and bathroom fixtures etc...quality and range is poor, not to mention things tend to break very quickly here - products from USA and Europe are much more durable than anything you will get here, American or European made is a very positive selling point here (and a reason to raise the price!) as the majority of things are imported from China.

Tools - whether they are garden tools, power tools, woodwork tools or even just a good basic set for the house - bring it! Again, poorly made and overpriced here.

Technology - bring your computers, cables, memory cards, hard drives, printers, and any other techy things you may need. The import tax is somewhere in the range of 50-60% on these things...so you will PAY for what you don't bring! If you plan to work from home or set up an office here bring everything you will need - it will save you a lot of hassle! For example, in the place I worked we went through a couple of printers a month...things just break here without reason! (However remember to use converters before plugging things in as the voltage is different!)


If you intend on setting up a business here in Uruguay I would recommend bringing most of the equipment you will need - it is a safeguard against disaster and will make your life here SO much easier. Everything can be sold on, but to acquire the things you forget will either be difficult, expensive or impossible. If you are building anything bring power tools, even certain building supplies. If you are setting up an office bring all the necessary technology and furniture. If setting up any sort of restaurant or catering service bring the best kitchen supplies...otherwise you will find money slipping away as you replace chinese-made products every few months.

FOOD - This is probably what expats all over the world miss the most, and although it is in no way advisable to bring every product from your local supermarket, there are some things you will be happy to have - and will no doubt make you very popular if you share ;)

• Condiments and sauces: these are almost non-existent here! (which in some ways is good because most of them are filled with unhealthy fattening ingredients) but in other ways certain sauces are essential for ethnic cuisine (which is not popular or common in Uruguay). There is a small "foreign foods" section in Tienda Inglesa and Disco supermarkets, but the range is terrible, there's nothing really spicy and the prices are insanely inflated.
  
  
• There IS: soy sauce, teryaki sauce, worcestershire sauce, good olive oils, herbs (in Singer), horseradish sauce
  
  
• There is NOT: thai ingredients (chilli, sweet chilli sauce, thai green curry, good curry  pastes), bottled salad dressings (no loss in my opinion, but if you love them bring them), good relish and chutney, marmite or vegemite, peanut butter (as you know it - though they do sell some great natural organic ones)
  

Christmas decorations - If you're a Christmas fan then I must first remind you that Christmas happens during high summer here, so the vibe is very different. Last year I decided to ignore the fact that it was Christmas simply because it was easier than trying to create an atmosphere of the holiday I missed so much in a very secular country, with no Christmas trees or lights and 30 degree heat (90 fahrenheit)!

However if you're coming here with a young family it may be very important to you to re-create the holidays despite the hot hot heat and lack of general Christmas atmosphere. If that is the case you will need to bring your own supplies.


Baby stuff - If you're pregnant (or think you may be while here) I would highly advise you bring baby stuff with you. Maternity clothes are quite expensive here and there really isn't any fashionable or nice things available at reasonable prices. It is either super basic, or super expensive. Also high quality, well made toys and general baby supplies are either non-existent or super expensive. You'll find a great list of stuff to bring for your baby on this blog from a young couple in Uruguay. They give great researched recommendations and their list includes:

- good quality disposable diapers (or bringing a good detergent and cloth diapers)
- high chair
- car seat
- plenty of sippy cups!
- stroller
- gentle baby products
- inflatable bath tub
- travel crib

Good detergent & stain treatment products- This will also depend on whether you're renting or buying a place to live as most furnished rental apartments don't have washing machines so you'll have to bring your laundry to the local lavadero (laundromat). However if you have delicate clothes I would suggest investing in a few bottles of a really good spot stain remover or a handwash that you like. The products here tend to be pretty harsh and just don't get stains out like the stuff we have at home...I wouldn't entrust my favorites to the laundry places here either, they tend to come back smaller as EVERYTHING goes in the tumble dryer.

Cosmetics- If you are used to using high quality make-up such as MAC or Yves Saint Laurent or anything like that it is best to stock up before coming. Most brands are not available here, and those that are (Maybelline, Loreal) are much more expensive than at home. Bring your favorite fashwash or cleanser etc because you will not find high quality make-up remover here (or once again, if you do be prepared to pay for it!). Women should also note that they do not sell tampons with applicators here, if this bothers you then you'll have to bring your own supply - you may even make a business out of selling them on to other expats and tourists!

CLOTHING: In general the clothing is of lower quality here (poorly made, not well finished, and often using synthetic fabrics). It is also more expensive. You can get good quality clothes but you will have to pay much higher prices for them and you won't have the range you're used to. What I find hardest to get here is really good basics - good quality cotton tank tops and t-shirts that don't fall apart or look really awful after just one wash!

If you are on the tall side I would recommend stocking up on "tall" clothing..you know the things you like, the styles you like...even if they do happen to have what you want here in Uruguay they definitely won't have it in a long or tall version!

The same goes for people with a larger shoe size. Shoe quality varies here, you can get very good leather shoes but it depends on your style - to me (a 20-something woman) they are all very frumpy, and anything for younger age ranges (ie below 50) the styles are very limited and the prices are very high for anything that is of decent enough quality not to cut your feet and leave you with blisters!

Underwear! Unfortunately I can't speak for the men on this one (although I think it is safe to assume it is the same) - the quality, shape and size range SUCKS in Uruguay! The underwear for women is mostly made of synthetic fabrics, they are cut in strange shapes and anything worth buying is super expensive. The same goes for bikinis - weird shapes for the bottoms, trust me - bring one you like, the beaches here are beautiful!

If you wear a larger size bra then stock up - due to the small market here there is a very limited range as they only keep "average" sizes in stock.

Basically my message is BRING YOUR CLOTHES WITH YOU...in fact buy new versions of your favorites! We have this fear of over packing...yes- get rid of the worn out, faded clothes, but replace them, and bring what you're used to, because quality here is much much lower.

And finally (but ironically most importantly, I don't know why I left it until last) bring your memories. In the end (with enough determination and cash) ayd material item can be replaced, but photos and things that mean a lot to you are the most important things to bring as they cannot be bought. These are the things that make a house or apartment a home.

I hope this list helps you out in your packing, and if there's something we forgot please let us know so we can add it! You'll find a discussion thread on what to pack here, so feel free to take part, ask questions, and of course let us know if our list is missing something! Or if you're tinkering with the idea of bringing little to nothing then maybe you'll be interested in this great blogpost: The Cost Of Owning Things

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