Living in Uruguay as a single dad on the ocean

This is Episode 9 of our Living in Uruguay (as a foreigner) series. In it, Alan — a single dad from the US — shares what it’s like to swap the stress of Florida life for the sea breezes and slower pace of La Barra, Uruguay.

He’s chatting with Karen A. Higgs, CEO of Guru’Guay, about why he made the move and how it’s working out for him and his 10-year-old son.

Alan’s story is full of the little details that make living in Uruguay so agreeable: starting the day with ocean drives, feeling safe enough to let his son walk to the shop alone, spending less money overall (cars cost more), and leaving behind the “aggravation” of the USA he didn’t even realise he was carrying. There’s no Amazon here — and he doesn’t miss it.

He opens up about the realities for expats in Uruguay: finding the right school, starting residency, buying a car, picking up Spanish and making friends. He’s also honest about the challenges — like navigating local admin and waiting months for car repairs — and that he is on a learning curve of how living in Uruguay works.

What sticks with him most is the Uruguayan attitude. As one local told him, “We don’t have aggravation in our hearts.” It’s a big part of why life here feels so different from the US.

If you’re curious about living in Uruguay or thinking about making the move yourself, this episode gives you a real look at what life by the ocean is like for expats in Uruguay.

Just so you know, here at Guru’Guay we do not use the term ‘expat’. We prefer the term foreigner or immigrant. But we’re using it here so that Google and other search engines will find this article for people searching on the term “expats in Uruguay”.

HUGE THANKS to Alan. Your frankness is so appreciated and helpful to viewers.
👇 Drop your questions in the comments, and don’t forget to like & subscribe for more real expat stories from Uruguay!
Useful links
Watch the Living in Uruguay series    • Living in Uruguay (as a foreigner)  


All you need to know about moving to and living in Uruguay
https://www.guruguay.com/live

Is Uruguay a great fit for you? Book a consultation with Guru’Guay https://www.guruguay.com/private-cons...

CREDITS

Guru’Guay thanks relocation specialists Sierra Atlantica for their support in making this video possible. And they can support YOU in your move to Uruguay.
Visit https://sa.uy

And to Casa Flor for the charming location in La Barra https://www.guruguay.com/casa-flor-la...

Idea and production: Guru’Guay https://www.guruguay.com
Interviewer: Karen A Higgs, Guru'Guay
Interviewee: Alan C
Editing: Guru’Guay
Music: ‘Ta Rengo by Diego Janssen    / @diegojanssen  


Chapters:

00:00 – 00:30 Introduction: Alan's move from Florida to Uruguay
00:30 – 02:00 Why Uruguay? Slower pace, ocean life, less stress
02:00 – 04:00 Everyday life perks: safety, cost, family independence
04:00 – 06:00 Realities: school, residency, buying a car, language, friendships
06:00 – 08:00 Challenges: paperwork, repair delays, adapting locally
08:00 – 09:30 Cultural insight: “We don’t have aggravation in our hearts”
09:30 – End Wrap-up: reflections, comments invitation, subscribe