House Hunters UY

 I love House Hunters International. I don't get to indulge as much as I would like to, mostly in hotel rooms when HGTV seems to be the best choice available. I ALWAYS know the house those people should get. It is SO obvious- just choose the one with the pool/view/gardener. 

I am now humbly saying to all of those people "I feel your pain." This week has felt like our own painful. enticing and somewhat frustrating HHI Uruguay episode. Now I know why they fuss and fume so much as they decide.

Fantasy

Fantasy
Fantasy

Reality

We saw 4 apartments on the first Saturday we arrived, and 3 of them had views of the Rambla and the water. One of 10 floors up (not good for M and I's fear of heights), one had furnishings akin to a 1979 Holiday Inn and one was just a bit worn out. One was brand new, Scandinavian and beautiful, and in a boring section of town with a view of the Audi building. We went home a little down about the choices. 

But, the realtors, Rob and our colleague Alyson kept looking. Our main criteria was to find a place that Marieka would be happy in (see Fantasy pic number 3 above). Our second criteria was to find a place where her friends might be. Our third criteria was a place we could afford (see Reality pic above).  We kept searching, chatting and discussing. We took a drive through the city (which, amazingly via the Rambla took a total of about 20 minutes) to get a sense of the neighborhoods we were considering, and the actual travel time between them. (Side note- we rented a car and Rob is driving like a champ. People here complain about the drivers, but we say "after China, everything seems easy!")
6 speed hamster wheel Chevy

We then saw one more- a cool older house that needed some love and care, and furniture.

We kept asking to see a house with a pool near where we are staying, but the owner was out of the country and was unable to show it to us and another one we wanted to see that the realtor wouldn't show to other realtors. Another was for sale, not rent, despite what the ad said. There were many dead ends, and we really began to focus our attention on a certain neighborhood that would be close to school, gymnastics and a grocery store. 

Then, we were shown this house:
Funky entrance, set back from the road


Big backyard with avocado tree

With really cool floors

We took it! It was in our price range, huge (too big, really...) and has been well cared for and updated throughout. Yes, bars on the windows (pretty typical here), no appliances (got to buy them all today) and, of course, a parillero in the back yard.  The good news for all of you- LOTS OF ROOM FOR VISITORS!

Next steps- rent furniture, get dishes and such, hook up internet. House Hunters International doesn't show you this stuff!

In other news, we have visited the school, had a brief orientation and been given a schedule. My brain needs to turn on soon. And now, a random smattering of sights from the past few days.

As we were leaving the mall tonight, we were rewarded with this sunset.

And this sunrise this morning.

Avocado

2 pastries and a coffee for 98 pesos. Not too bad!


We will not be eating at The French Fry Club again. While the name is enticing, the food was terrible and didn't include any ketchup! I do like their motto though.

The carb stuff is a problem...

3 sweet doors in the Malvin neighborhood

We hope to sleep in our new house on Saturday! A lot goes into bringing us here and getting us set up. Sending thanks to everyone helping us navigate this new world!






































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