We met through a mutual friend in January of 2016 and began dating later that year. At the time, our lives were going very different speeds—Austin jetting off to foreign countries while also on track to FIRE, and Jack still getting used to living in the city post graduation. While dating didn't work, we stayed close friends (with benefits) until September 2020, when during a week together in Fire Island, Jack was laid off on Tuesday and Austin on Thursday. With no jobs to necessitate a return to the city, we found a dog sitter for Hudson and stayed on the Island for three extra weeks where we realized we were more than just friends. 

 

We started renovating Austin’s uptown apartment in preparation for sharing the 400 square foot one bedroom starting in February of 2021. We survived the renovation (even two weeks without a toilet!) and fell in love with the idea of a bigger renovation—a la Escape to the Chateau. While a castle in France sounded like a fairytale, the idea of living somewhere rural wasn’t appealing. In 2022, we happened to look at real estate options in Montevideo and realized the old city was filled with chateau-like mansions from the city’s heyday in the early 20th century.

 

Even though Jack had never been before and Austin hadn’t been for a decade, we decided to give Uruguay a try and in January of 2023, flew down with four suitcases, two backpacks, and one CBD-sedated Hudson. Now, about two years in, we’re still learning how to make this city our home—and if our dreams of a crumbling mansion are within reach.

​

In the meantime, Jack runs a digital marketing agency with clients in the US and Austin teaches at a local institute. We have applied for, and received permanent residency and are on track to apply for citizenship if we want to in a few years. Uruguay is welcoming to immigrants from across South America and the world and we’d love to be part of others’ journey toward making Uruguay their home. 

 

A friend put it best saying that Uruguay is “exclusive, not luxurious.” And in many ways that is true due its location, size, and population. While many people are drawn to the cosmopolitan bustle of nearby Buenos Aires, there is a unique charm that starts in Montevideo and spreads along the sweeping coastline. 

 

Join us in learning more about this very special place and some of the beautiful things that we have found living here. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.