American expat wannabes might be feeling like they've missed the party as real estate prices in Costa Rica and Panama surge past the bargain basement levels of a decade ago, but all is not lost for the gringo. There's another Latin American country moving onto the radar. Uruguay. Wedged in between Brazil and Argentina, Uruguay is about the size of Missouri but boasts the lowest poverty level in the area, as well as the highest life expectancy.

The population is a mostly European mix of Spanish and Italian, with dashes of French, Brazilian, Argentinian, Armenian, Croatian, Polish, Serbian, Romanian, Lebanese, and German thrown in to make things interesting. As you might expect, this

is a diverse, tolerant blend.

Americans are beginning to figure out that a couple can live well on $2,000 a month in Uruguay, rent included, and warm summers and moderate winters are the norm in this Tropic of Capricorn location. The capital city of Montevideo is a model of old world European charm, while the rest of the country is dotted with smaller, colonial style towns. Visitors will find gauchos tending herd on the miles of rolling pampas. The beach resort town of Punta del Este has been hosting the richer side of the European JetSetters for years.

Speaking of beaches, expect to find mile after mile of white sand treasures with nary a soul spoiling the silence. If the price explosion of traditional expat destinations like Costa Rica have you thinking twice about moving overseas, maybe it's time to take a look at Uruguay.

The JetSetter Team

Flickr / Marco Gomes