Ola Uruguay Real Estate and Investments

The urban area of Atlantida is a contiguous stretch of four communities—Villa Argentina, Atlantida, Las Toscas, and Parque del Plata. Most of the houses here fall into the two-kilometer deep strip between the Interbalnearia highway and the water. The sand of the beaches that extend along all four communities and back toward Montevideo may be the finest in Uruguay. The water, at this point, is still very much a part of the gigantic estuary of the great Rio Plata. It varies in color from brown to blue depending on the changing forces of river silt discharge, currents, tides, and wind.

Atlantida

This is the largest of the communities and the location of all the important businesses. Strategically located along the highway is the Tienda Inglesa supermarket, reputed to be the largest one of this chain in the country. Other businesses cluster around it. Just beyond the stores, the highway exit to Atlantida leads to Artigas, the main thoroughfare, with commerce all along it. The town center of Atlantida is to the right near the beach end of Artigas and features a short peatonal (walking street) and many restaurants, shops, bars, and a casino. The town hub is very active from late afternoon to the early hours of the morning throughout the tourist season.

In the past, most of the restaurants and shops closed for two thirds of the year. While some still remain seasonal, including Macdonalds and La Cigale (the ice cream franchise), far more (including other ice cream outlets) now choose to operate throughout the year.

There are eight very active inmobiliarias (realtors) in Atlantida, and numerous other properties are for sale or rent directly from owners. The houses of Atlantida, all around the commercial zones, are most impressive. There are very few small or run-down homes in Atlantida south of the highway. The best way to appreciate the interesting variety of properties is by walking or biking. Real estate viewing along the beach is an obvious start, but many beautiful residences are located away from the nearly constant coastal winds. In general owners take pride in keeping yards and gardens looking good here. Most seasonal properties employ gardeners in the off-season too so they don’t look overgrown and abandoned.

The majority of rental properties are in Atlantida. They include apartments, apartment hotels, bungalows, and single-family homes. Many properties are managed by the inmobiliarias.

At the top end of Artigas, there is an overpass to cross the busy Interbalnearia. Once over, you are on Ruta 11, a highway leading inland. You are also in Atlantida north, a much smaller and poorer residential area that reflects the considerably lower economic status of the residents. There are, however, recent improvements. Along Ruta 11, the location of numerous businesses, new speed bumps and a parallel walking/biking path make it safer and less hectic. The architecturally fantastic and unique Cristo Obrero church is found at the northern extremity of Atlantida.

Las Toscas

It is very difficult to determine when you are leaving Atlantida and entering Las Toscas. The houses continue to be very attractive, however, the number of apartments and bungalows diminishes greatly. Las Toscas is much more residential.

Out on the highway end of Las Toscas, there are a variety of businesses and a hotel. Scattered businesses and services can be found along a few of the streets leading to the beach, but generally people of this community look to Atlantida for their needs. There is no commercial core and thus no sense of community to Las Toscas. It is only busy along the Interbal or along the coastal Rambla. Most of the rental properties are also on or close to the Rambla. The rest of Las Toscas is a quiet place to live, both permanently and seasonally.

Las Toscas north is a very limited area and the homes are quite poor. It is not generally thought of as a safe place to live.

Parque del Plata

Bounded north and south by the Interbal and Rambla and by the Chico Solis river to the east is Parque del Plata. Prior to the Argentinean economic collapse early in this century, Parque del Plata seemed to be doing quite well. Many of its businesses didn’t survive the economic downturn, however, and there are still quite a number that are for sale or operated seasonally in a marginal manner. For these reasons, Parque del Plata has gained a reputation of being rundown and not that attractive or safe for residence.

Things are beginning to improve, however. The community has wonderful views all along the riverfront, and the homes located here are very nice. A thriving and surprisingly well-stocked supermarket just a block in from this road is the focal point for renewed growth. In the summer months the river area is alive with pedestrians, cyclists, fishermen, and water sports enthusiasts who appreciate the calmer, fresh water of the river. The mouth of the river is very scenic and the adjoining ocean beach does not become too crowded. Virtually all the rental properties are in this part of Parque del Plata.

Away from highway, and river and seaside roads the properties are entirely residential. There are no apartments or other housing complexes. There are less rentals and less seasonal homes than neighboring Las Toscas. Well-maintained, attractive homes are mixed in with others in need of more care. Still, there is a growing sense of community and friendly neighborly support in Parque del Plata that will diminish the negative reputation. This, it seems, is a community with an improving future.

Like Las Toscas, the area of Parque del Plata north of the highway is small and considered to be poor and unsafe to live in.

Villa Argentina

The smallest of the communities is Villa Argentina. This community has more houses on the north side of the highway than the south side. Unlike the other communities here, the north side is not considered to be a poorer area than the south side.

Mostly, Villa Argentina is a place of homes. At least half the homes are occupied all year round. Others are weekend/summer homes primarily for residents of Montevideo. There are far fewer rental houses than in the other areas. Even the limited beachfront does not feature rental properties. Lacking a tourist attraction, Villa Argentina norte is quite serene, even in the busy summer months. Many seasonal residents here are content to live quietly and walk to the beach, only ten to fifteen minutes away.

This is not a very commercial area; along the highway there are only a few businesses. There are two impressive new housing complexes nearing completion on the south side of the Interbal. The famous “Atlantida” tourist attraction, El Aguila, (the eagle) is located in Villa Argentina south, overlooking the beach.

Next issue, we’ll provide a sampling of property prices in these communities and talk about several recent property purchases.