The little things nobody tells you about moving to Uruguay

Hi, I'm Sam.

My family has been living in Uruguay since mid-2025, and while most days we're still figuring things out, we've learned so much already.

Even though I was born in the U.S., I never really felt at home there. I even tried living in five different states before realizing I wasn't looking for a different city—I was looking for a different way of living.

In 2025, we left the U.S. for a lot of reasons. Some were practical, some deeply personal. I'll tell you more about that over time. For now, what's important is that we found ourselves in Uruguay, a place that matches our values more closely, and we're building a new life one slightly awkward Spanish-language interaction at a time.

Our little crew is me, my husband Brendan, my mom Caroline, and our two dogs, Mili and Meisi. (I'm always campaigning to add another furry family member, so stay tuned.)

Why I started Todo Bien en Uruguay

I started writing about this move because I kept wishing someone had told me about the little things. As much as moving between five states can teach you, the answers to questions like these are much different in a new country.

Who do you call when two trees fall on your car and your Spanish is still a work in progress? (Spoiler: it's going to take more than four phone calls.)

Why does everyone seem to organize life through WhatsApp? (I'm not mad about it, and if you adopt this, it could help you get more done with less functional Spanish.)

What's the difference between knowing a language and actually living in it? (Humility and humor are required.)

What you'll find here

Those were just some of the questions I didn't even think to ask before we moved, and this is where I'm writing down what we've learned so far. I'm talking laundry, mail, roofing, spiders… and of course utilities and residency.

Some posts are practical. Some are funny. Some are expensive lessons that I hope you never have to learn the hard way. Most are just stories about what it's like to build a life somewhere new.

How I can help

As we've started to figure things out here, friends—and now readers—have started asking many of the same questions:

Where do you even begin?

What caught you off guard?

What do you wish you'd known before you moved?

I'm only a few steps ahead of you, which means I still remember exactly what it feels like to ask those questions. If you're considering a move to Uruguay, I'm happy to share what's worked for us, what hasn't, and the resources, people, and everyday lessons that made our transition a little easier.

I'm not an immigration attorney, accountant, or licensed relocation consultant, and I don't give legal, immigration, or tax advice. What I can offer is firsthand experience, practical research, honest conversations, and the perspective of someone who's navigating this journey one step at a time.

Thanks for stopping by

Whether you're actively planning a move or you're simply curious about life in Uruguay, I'm glad you're here.

I hope you find something that makes your own journey a little easier. 🇺🇾💖💕