From Canada's Financial Ruin to Mexico's New Beginning
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- čas přidán 3. 06. 2024
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Shaun is a Canadian Financial Planner who was surprised by his wife asking for a divorce at age 62. He lost half his assets just as he was planning his retirement. But things are looking pretty nice for Shaun as he's now living in La Paz, Mexico in a gorgeous condo, and with a new partner. Shaun is not quite retired in Mexico - he still returns to Canada to work once in a while.
Shaun and his partner are building a new house in Chametla, just outside La Paz, near El Centenario. You can tell Shaun loves living in Mexico!
Shaun and I know each other through pickleball.
00:00 Introduction
01:18 Meet Shaun, the divorced Canadian Financial Planner
01:46 Choosing La Paz Mexico
03:13 The original retirement plan
06:58 Why Mexico?
07:38 Cost of Living in Mexico
10:39 Canadian Retirement System
11:52 An update on Brighton's Life
14:33 Renting vs Owning in Mexico
18:05 Apartment tour
19:33 Dating in Mexico
21:33 Speaking Spanish
23:47 The Unexpected Hospital Visit
29:22 Entertainment in La Paz
30:33 Shaun's big update
The Mexico Relocation Guide is the perfect resource for moving to Mexico. We've partnered with them and you can get the guide here: mexicorelocationguide.com/?re...
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@@eugeniebreida1583 Online therapy.
Me alegra les guste vivir en México, creo se puede vivir una vida muy relax, Yo soy mexicana y vivo en Ensanada Baja, welcome to my beautiful country
Gracias por promocionar la gentrificacion.
Gracias tu país es lo máximo
Los canadienses no quieren mexicanos en Canadá
Pero hindús les encantan o chinos
No sabes a quien le das bienvenidas!!!
$3200 a month? Damn, I can live quite comfortably and do a lot of things in Canada for that amount (outside a major metropolitan area that is, which would be the same in Mexico). A realistic comparable amount would be how one can live for $1500 cdn in Mexico. That would be affordable for most seniors who may have to live off a pension or similar retirement savings. I know very few people who get over $2000 for pension and OAS in Canada.
If you are willing to live very simply a single person should still be able to live pretty darn comfortably in a variety of places in Mexico. You can’t even get a decent studio in the states for under 700 unless you live somewhere exceptionally inexpensive and also are having unusual or extremely humble living situation (nothing wrong with that at all either) it’s the quality of lifestyle you can get that should matter so wherever one is content if one is willing to have realistic expectations
I’m so happy for Shaun! Wishing them a wonderful future together. Going to visit Mexico this year to find our haven.
Enjoy your journey to your perfect place in Mexico
Playa in August 🛫🇲🇽🏖️
We are planning a research trip in April to SJD but have also been interested in La Paz. One concern of my wife's and this may sound silly but important to her during retirement is that she can't find a pottery studio in La Paz but there is one in San Jose. We have found people selling pottery but not a studio where she could fire the items she makes on her wheel. If anyone knows of one, I'd be grateful.
I haven't heard of one in La Paz. But I found this mentioned in a FB group. It seems like maybe they have pottery classes sometimes, which I would assume means they have a kiln. facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071007497680
Congrats on your move ! Happy New year !
Great video! Thank you!
Sean looks gr8 for 62. And seems a nice fella. ty 4 vid
So much useful information in this video.
Glad to hear that!
Great video.
I like Shawn's out look, happy retirement.
My husband and I are beginning the planning stages to move to Mexico. Your videos are insightful, fun and informative. Thank you for this great interview with Shaun. He has a great spirit, not surprised he is doing well.!!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm glad you found the interview with Shaun insightful and informative. Good luck with your planning stages for moving to Mexico!
Please divorce first, that makes things so much easier
Amazing! You had me at the awesome pet care. Congratulations Shaun
Pet care is awesome down here. But pet food is expensive. Check out this video: czcams.com/video/XqBKDU-TYoQ/video.html
Thank you, Brighton, your videos are always informative and an inspiration. We are getting our ducks in a row and in 2024 starting to spend a little more time in Mexico and explore where we would like to stay longer term. Hope to run into you someday!
Thanks Lara! I wish you well on your travels and hope our paths cross too!
That's crazy, my wife and I will be staying in Shaun's building for 3 nights starting tomorrow. Great story, glad Shaun is doing well. I'll say hello if I see you. Happy New Year!
That's such a wonderful building. Lots of great people living there. Enjoy your stay in La Paz! If you're still in La Paz on Sunday I'll be hosting a happy hour downtown.
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico We are very happy staying here and enjoying getting to know La Paz. Won't be here for the happy hour but hope you all have a wonderful time.
Where is Shawn's building?
@@robertstubb Esterito neighborhood. On Salvatierra 3 blocks from the Malecón
Thank you Cat!
Hey there Brighton! I really loved hearing this story, all parts of it, things sometimes happen that we think are not the best, but then look how they can turn around and be great anyways!!! I always find encouragement watching your videos! Thank you so much!!!
It's amazing how life's curveballs can sometimes lead to the best outcomes, right? Thanks for tuning in and finding inspiration in the stories!
So well said❤
😮 good luck to all!
Thanks for the good vibes! Sending you lots of luck and positive energy too!
Gorgeous spot!
What a great story. Congrats Shaun! Never too late to live your best life.
That's great! Thank you for showing us what is life look like in Mexico. 🙏
Happy to share!
Thank you for this. I was down in La Paz for a month last November, part business and mostly pleasure. I am 59 and am looking to retire in Mexico. I rented an apartment on Aquile Serdan, about 7 blocks form the Malecon, had a pool, secure, the host was absolutely amazing. I also took a trip to Todos Santos, El Pescadero, Playa Cerritos for one week. There I enjoyed the beach, learned how to surf, and had the most amazing, fresh, affordable seafood I ever had. Total cost for a one month trip with airfare, rental car and living it up was $3k. I did not want to return, and plan to retire somewhere in the area. I cannot recommend La Paz enough to folks who seek sun, laid back fun, beaches, hiking, night life, food, golf, pickle ball, you name it. Viva Mexico!!
Good for Shaun, and I'm happy for him and his new lady! He was able to make lemonade out of the lemons he was given. I sure hope that Nugget is healing well and will be able to join you (and meet the new puppies!) soon! Thank you, Kat, for sending Brighton to La Paz while you stay home and play nurse to Nugget.
great video Brighton...we are finally back in Pescadero until April so its really great to be in the sunshine. My husband and I have generally avoided La Paz because its the only place we have openly been asked to give a bribe to the police...twice pulled over for things we didn't do. Of course we have plenty of time on our hands so we just played the game and got out paying nothing except or 2 cold coca cola's last time....however or landlord (in Pescadero) said that it's common practice for Americans/Canadians who are Expats, to travel with low denomination bills in their pockets and just pay the bribes to get back on the road. Our landlord lives here full time and says he gets pulled over once a month. This might make an interesitng video at some point, i'll tell you we warn every about this and we really hate driving through La Paz due to this reason..We go south to Cabo instead of north to La Paz when we need larger big box items etc. I know i'm going way off topic, i hope Nugget is getting better soon. good luck.
So. His Western Wife divorced him and took nearly everything. House. Bank accounts.
Reducing his retirement to the small Canadian pension of ~1700 a month from 4000 or more.
Avoid marriage to avoid this risk.
He cannot tolerate being alone and immediately hooked up with another Western Woman.
Enjoyed your comment. 👍
Hi. Thanks for getting back to me. It does seem to be very expensive in Mexico to golf. We did find a place near Colima that was reasonable and nice, but neither of us wanted to live in the humidity. I guess we will just keep looking and hoping. We split our time between Canada and the U.S. and we are not unhappy, but the Latin appeal does have us looking. Thanks again for getting back to us.
Well wishes to your doggie. Love this interview. I appreciate all the facts and details he have.
Can you share the area or apartments he lives in?
Shoot - I forgot to include a map. But I've done another video that includes a map and tour of one of Shaun's neighbor's places. czcams.com/video/Gq9qsSF98lg/video.htmlsi=emVK0vxbBue-O3kE&t=2865
Great video…thanks for the information. He had mentioned health insurance for Canadians living in Mexico. Can you provide any details of what that is or costs? Thank you.
I just spent 2 months in Mexico. I loved the city I was in. I did not visit any other place. I just stayed and created a routine for myself around surfing and swimming. Back in Canada now. I would leave Canada for ever if I did not have my kids and wife here.
Bring your kids and wife to Mexico with you! There are lots of expats with families down here. If your kids are older, convince them to move to Mexico. I have friends that convinced their kids to move with the grandkids to San Jose del Cabo - about 2 hours away from their home .
Mucha suerte para la pareja nueva 👏👏🤞🤞
Shawn good wishes with your possibly girlfriend in la Paz.
I recently retired, figuring out the best place to settle down in Mexico. This was very helpful.
Best of luck to you with finding the perfect place to settle down in Mexico!
Saludos 😊
Hi Brighton, another great video! Thank you so much! Just got back from Mérida in the Yucatán (loved it there a lot) but was shocked to see how destructive the elements can be there to buildings. I learned from locals that they need to do building maintenance (that's condos and homes every 2-3 years or so). They are dealing with the combination of humidity, rain and water vapors coming up from the underground cenotes. Would love to see a video from you on home & condo maintenance (beachfront versus inland if that makes a difference) in La Paz. Is it only the beach front properties that get affected by rust or other damage creating ongoing maintenance issues or is it everything in the whole city due to the ocean? And what about the intense sun? Is there damage from the sun? Thank you so much!
This is a great video idea. I was just talking with a contractor about repainting our metal beach fence (which needs to be done every year.) Let me see if I can find someone knowledgeable who can share the details!
Awesome, thank you so much!
Compare with the harsh winter....
Well there are many cities in Mexico where you can find houses for rent for 100 dollars a month, you pay your water 15 dollars a month, you pay your electric bill 20 dollars a month, internet 25 dollars a month, that's in total 160 give or take (such as Torreón, Lerdo, Gómez z, etc.), not so touristic but cheap. And the food ridiculously cheap at some markets
Not to mention the amazing delicious sea food from some Mexican restaurants near the Malecón 👌🏻
So good!
True....AMAZING til Summer. Hope you have plans to return to Canda or elsewhere in Summer or at least September, October. We live in Todos Santos and those two months are almost unbearable here; say nothing about LaPaz. Beautiful city for sure. And if/when you get sued by your employees (as the courts here favor the worker 70% of the time. Many know this and utilize that for some of their income and your loss). Plan to be gone those 2 months at least is my best suggestion.
It's defnitely hot in the summer in La Paz. Especially last summer. But some folks are into that. I personally go north for the summer. And when I travel south in the summer, I stay in my AC office or near my pool. And start the day very early. Enjoy Todos Santos!
So happy for Shawn! How much does he pay in rent?
is it possible to live comfortably in La Paz Centro on 6K per month, if you purchase a house outright?
@almostretired, I’m planning a solo motorcycle ride down to Baja sur from LA, anyway we can get in a meet and greet? Love your videos buddy.
Every Sunday when I'm in town, I host a happy hour. Hopefully we can meet there. One of the regular attendees is a motorcyclist: www.youtube.com/@scott_brudahl
Excellent content as always!! Shaun mentioned golfing in retirement, outside of El Cortes (too pricey), are there options for golfing near La Paz? Thank you again!!
There is also Paraiso del Mar out on Magote (you can take a ferry there from downtown La Paz.) I"ve heard both courses are nice (but I'm not a golfer and I don't know how expensive it is. I remember hearing the price for Cortes and thinking golfers were crazy people!)
Personally I think golf would be more popular if it was played as a contact sport. Just say n P n D @@AlmostRetiredinMexico
My wife and I, both currently living in Switzerland, just spent a few months in La Paz. Our goal was “testing the waters”, and assess whether LP is a match for us; we loved the weather, the beaches, the people’s friendliness and above all the glorious sunsets. We stayed around the palmyra area, which we found to be a great location due to the proximity to town to restaurants, shopping, etc. In terms of associated living costs, we found that, if your aim is to replicate a western country’s lifestyle, you’re in for a little shock; renting in a secure, well maintained and overall good location is quite expensive, think a minimum of US$ 2, 5 K a month, grocery shopping was also not that cheap, we spent about US$ 120 a week for two non alcohol or cigarette consumers, which is comparable to what we pay in Germany (we live close to the border, and prices are significantly lower than in Switzerland), add $60 weekly for gas and other incidentals, think bottled water; essential as drinking the tap water is a total no, and health, car insurance, another $600 a month and finally entertainment, being conservative here, $500 a month adds up to approximately $ 4,400. Also to consider is the absolute need to get a 4X4 truck, a jeep in good condition or something similar as some roads are impossible to drive without such vehicle, think $30 to $60K. Thus if you ask me if you can live on a $1K a month, I’d say definitely, no way; I wouldn’t know how.
Glad you enjoyed La Paz. It's definitely not the cheapest place in Mexico. Thanks for sharing your budget!
As to living on $1000, I'm gonna try to map it out (This is definitely not how I'd want to live, but I was curious if I could come up with a plan that works.)
$500 rent is possible in an apartment in a very Mexican part of town. Very basic. Could be less than $500.
The bus is 50 cents a ride. If you live close to downtown, you can walk everywhere. Maybe $50 a month for rides to the grocery store, etc.
Cell Phone: $25 a month for a basic plan
Electricity and Gas and Water: $25 a month
Bottled water (6 garrafones at 13 pesos each) $5 a month
Basic Internet: $25 a month
Healthcare (most people planning to live on $1k per month will forego health insurance and cross their fingers.) Maybe $50 a month for various health needs.
Groceries: lots of beans and rice, maybe $200 a month
Entertainment: $120 First run movies are $4. Beers are about $1.50. Beaches are free (except for transport to get there.)
So pretty much you need to skip the car (gas is expensive, and so is car maintenance.) You need to live like a local in a local apartment, not a house. No pool. Open cupboards in the kitchen. Lots of concrete walls.
Why would you not use the Mexican public medical system if you are a citizen or permanent resident? And why would you live long-term in MX without acquiring at least perm residence?
@@nomadnationalist2776 The public system costs around $1000 USD annually to join and preexisting conditions can prevent you from joining. And care in this system involves a lot of waiting. Most foreigners prefer the private healthcare system.
Some people cannot qualify for residency because of the financial requirements.
Brighton, I truly thank you for your comprehensive response to my comments. We’re going to try again this year, this time in spring after Easter and spring break, and hope to find a good, reasonably priced accommodation and explore more options in terms of costs. Again thanks a million!!!
¿España le pone taxes al Seguro Social de EUA?
Loved this video. I will be there in 4 weeks and would love the contact info for that rental complex....couldnt understand the name. My husband and I are from CT and are looking for a place for winters. Our son will be with us and he speaks fluent Spanish
I hope to meet you when you're here!
That is Residencies Salvatierra. It's condos. Maybe 50% of owners rent them out, but no central contact.
I recommend starting with a month in an airbnb. Not a lot of landlords want to rent for short term. But you can try going into the Facebook Group Loco La Paz Expats and seeing what's available.
Thank you! We have a week long airbnb booked, just thinking of future winters. What is best way to contact you when we get there? Would love to meet you too
@@lauriefunke9895 I have weekly happy hours on Sunday nights when I’m in La Paz. You can also email brighton@gen-mex.com
I want to live near water. The advantage to renting is if a storm damaged or wiped out the place I was renting, I could walk away. I think. Brighton, should the rental lease include a clause that the lease is terminated if the rental property becomes inhabitable and the deposit would be returned?
That's an interesting question. But I don't know the answer to it. You might try asking in a Gringos in Mexico Facebook Group.
I find it fascinating. As a Newfoundlander who has lived throughout Canada in in 5 countries. You can stay in Canada.
Interesting as I thought it was common for tenants to be responsible for property maintenance and even pay HOA dues in some cases. Am I wrong about this? did Shaun have health insurance to help cover the cost of his illness? If so, which insurance if I may ask? Thank you!
How do you deal with >110F weather 6 months out of the year??
Typical summer temps in La Paz are in the high 90s. But there have been a number of hot spells this past few years where temps have gone into the 100s. The record high is 109 degrees back in 1980.
Thank you. Did he say what his rent was ? I missed it thnx
Around $1300 USD
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico ok thnx
It's a brave man who goes to Celaya, one of Mexico's most dangerous cities, to meet someone he meets online!
Very nice move Mrs W. Letting Brighton out of Oregon. And yes wink wink nudge nudge I'm certain he's keeping out of the ice cream and working hard on the La Paz Casa. P n D
FYI - I just heard an ice cream store is opening in El Centenario about a block from my house. Now we have everything (except a bank-owned ATM machine...)
Hi sean. Went to Tijuana with my wife for cancer treatment. Successful. We've fallen in love with the Tijuana area in south and north of rosarito. Also the people are like visiting dear friends more than family. Looking at selling our business and selling our two homes including beach home in Florida . Would like to talk to you sometime. Definitely would like to escape the stress here in this country.
Mexico is a much less stressful place (as long as you adapt to Mexican culture. If you try to maintain a US mindset and live in Mexico, you'll be totally stressed out!) Here's Shaun's email: mailto:smuldoon@telus.net
We spent 4 weeks in BCS last year at this time. Presently, we are spending 5 weeks in the Yucatan. There are certain things we miss about the Baja for sure. People are friendly here, but I think the people in BCS are just a step above that still. Population density is not as severe in BCS either I believe. Good video BW
I haven't been to the Yucatan in 20+ years. I'm guessing it's changed a bit. Great to get your take on the difference. We also don't have sargassum here.
So, based on his numbers, no one really should consider moving to Mexico with only $1000 a month?
Forget his numbers. It's easy to live much more cheaply. Depends on you, what works for you. Visit Mexico and figure it out.
Those are his numbers he probably spends $500 alone on his dog !!
You can live in Mexico with $1000 per month. Just not the lifestyle that most people are looking for (nice place, dining out, etc.) However, the big problem will be getting legal residency as the government minimums have increased a lot in 5 years. I'm working on a video about that.
It all depends on one's comfort levels and expectations. Americans seem to assume that everyone in the USA lives an upper middle class lifestyle with all the attendant amenities but that is not the case. Millions of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, no savings, no pensions, basic housing, etc., etc. Again it all depends.
How safe is mexico?
Wonderful video, sending best wishes to Nugget
Thank you!
Think about Cozumel living full time
I haven't been to Cozumel in 25 years - I'm guessing it's changed a bit. BTW - check out this FB group for Mexico CZcamsrs: facebook.com/groups/mexcreators/
I have a question for Shaun about financial planning. Is it possible to contact him directly?
Sure: Shaun.muldoon@ig.ca
Shaun, moving fast! Are you sure?
He's pretty smitten! Crossing my fingers ;-)
Curious what the rent is for that beautiful apt. Also, if Shaun has experienced any negatives living in La Paz re water etc.
I think his rent is $1300 (furnished with a 12 month lease.) Shaun didn't mention any negatives. Water can be a bit of a worry in a shared building. You might conserve, but your neighbor not so much. The buildings are designed to last for a few days without municipal water, but sometimes there are problems that last longer. This building probably trucks in water when needed.
Thanks for the info. Happy New Year!
C’est vrai- l’español es muy fácil quand on parle le francais deja. 💗
Je suis d'accord
The government allows you to give the place to your heirs when you register the title. I did it with my wife in Cozumel
La paz is beautiful!
what are the financial requirements
To get residency in Mexico, you should have $50k in the bank / IRAs / investments. Or about $2500USD a month in income. You can come as a tourist for up to 6 months (but that's not guaranteed like if you had your residency status.)
How is the singles action for people our age down there?
There are opportunities . Probably better in some places than others. Also depends on if you're looking to date expats or locals. I have a video with someone who is around 45 or 50 years old in La Paz: czcams.com/video/bMbhPmbTTVY/video.html
This looks like a nice life for expats. However, as a health professional I think it’s important to qualify the statements made about available medical care. If you live in Baja, you probably won’t have access to advanced medical care like a hospital with a cardiac catheterization lab or neuro IR. If you have a heart attack or a stroke in a large US or Canadian city, and ambulance can take you to this specialized care quickly and you may recover with no complications from an event that would kill you in Baja. The likelihood of an emergency medical event increases with age, so it’s something you should consider carefully before moving somewhere less developed. You should definitely buy air evacuation medical insurance as well.
I'm not a medical person, but La Paz, Baja California Sur Mexico has a cath lab at Salvatierra hospital. And Cabo has at least one private hospital with a cath lab. You might be right about rural/small town Mexico, but I'm guessing the same is true for rural US.
I wonder why he hasnt told us what his apt cost per month ?
Hey there! Not sure if this is the best place to ask: looking for a dog rescue to volunteer at. Hands on, like walking. Also wondering if there are any horse rescues in the area. I’ll be there in February. Excellent video: he definitely changed my mind about buying a place. And what was the dating app?
Mexicupid is the dating site.
I'm not sure about horse rescue, but there is a nonprofit that puts disabled kids on horses. I don't know the name though.
Hope 4 La Pawz is a great dog volunteer organization. I think they have weekly dog walks and lots of foster opportunities. They also have a pet store run by volunteers.
Baja Dogs Sterilizations has sterilization events a couple times per month if you want to get involved in that side of things. No experience necessary.
This is from Baja Dogs Sterilizations: czcams.com/video/vjOSB5z390g/video.html
You can drive to Mexico and get 180 days on a tourist card which will see you through a winter. Then go back to the states for the summer and see your friends. We live full time in an RV and live that way. Best retirement, nothing owned in Mexico and every winter we explore as much as we want without commitment. We like being nomads.
That sounds ideal! Congrats
Just retired, looking to move south in the winter in Mexico, been there a dozen times always enjoy the people but… I have to say I am concerned about the violence escalation even over in the playa area that was never there a decade ago.
Thoughts on that situation?
Never in the history of Mexico has the federal government had the will to lower the rates of violence in Mexico like today....the creation of a new police called the national guard, 120 thousand elements distributed throughout the country... with trained personnel , professional... legally supported by the Mexican army, this support was agreed for 8 years in Congress.... before the armed forces could not actively participate. Before, the government only had a federal police force with only 28 thousand elements...many without training, the vast majority corrupt and it is only a matter of one or two more years for Mexico to be considered one of the safest countries in the world. ..
more than 30 years with corrupt governments colluding with criminals....they cannot be erased overnight and even less when taking care not to violate the human rights of citizens.....remember the war between the United States and Mafias like Alcapone...and that is what we are suffering today...two years after forming the National Guard, a lot has been advanced...the media in Mexico are the ones that maliciously increase the perception of insecurity In our country....
IMO, the violence is limited to certain areas where it is common. But in most of the country it is uncommon. A few things have happened in Cancun recently. But it makes international news. Meanwhile in the US, the media doesn't even report shootings unless 3+ people are killed now.
There are some very unsafe areas (and I'm not sure how well the government is bring that under control, but they are trying a little more than past goverments - and they have an agreement with Biden to try to stop the flow of guns into Mexico in exchange for trying to stop the flow of migrants into the US.)
Here's my views: czcams.com/video/_dsXykgSk7c/video.html
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico I definitely appreciate you taking the time and elaborating on it. I know it happens everywhere but it seems to be more prevalent then before.
Love your videos. Of course I have subbed a while ago.
The average social security check for most Americans is between $1,200 -$1,500 that will not go far in La Paz,but it could work for different parts of Mexico.
Correct - there are much less expensive parts of Mexico. The problem will be getting legal residency. I'll be doing a video on that soon.
Yet another reason why it’s generally best to get married and stay married if at all possible. Two social security checks and one housing cost, is the traditional way and also the more affordable way.
On a somewhat related noted, it’s pathetic to see all these white people, whether deviants or childless for some other reason, talking about their precious pets instead of children and grandchildren.
Stop pulling numbers out of your a--. The average SocSec check in 2024 is over $1,.900 per person.
The maximum SocSec check, for people who wait until “full retirement age” as we’re trying to do, is over $3,800 per month per person.
If health permits you to postpone claiming SocSec till the maximum-benefit age, why not wait, rather than claim even more paltry benefits “early” and then worry or complain?
@@nomadnationalist2776 Why not wait? Waiting means more years working and getting closer to death. I've known many people who work to 65, then die the next year. In hindsight, I'm sure they would have chosen to retire early with paltry benefits. So it's a calculated risk. The flip side being if you live til you're 100, you wish you had worked another year or two...
@@nomadnationalist2776 No need to be rude .You are correct payments are much higher than I stated ,I had not looked at the numbers in a while.
Hahahaha.... None of those things. SSI coming in a year or so (I hope) but we live hand to mouth running a business from the road in central Mexico....
Were you able to get residency? Or doing border runs? Central Mexico is definitely less expensive than the coasts!
It’s SS not SSI
SS can be collected while living in Mexico. SSI requires living in the US.
So what would one say if you or someone else actually really literally parachuted in?
Hey Brighton, I've been following your channel for a few months now. I just signed up for BetterHelp:) Let's see if it helps me sort out my anxieties about moving to Baja from Cali:) I am 70 with a dog who is BFF and she is older and not really dog friendly any longer and I like to walk her everywhere. Am afraid that Mexican street dogs will want to interact and she will "start something" she can't finish:( I know it sounds crazy but she is very special to me. So I'll keep you posted. Any comments about the dog issue would be appreciated for sure.
Glad you are trying BetterHelp! I hope it goes well for you. I was just discussing anxiety with another expat here. It doesn't go away, but slowing down can help. And Mexico is good at slow.
As to your pup. I know exactly what you are talking about. You'd probably be safe living in a place like Shaun and only walking with your pup within a couple blocks of the Malecon. The dogs are all well behaved there - mostly because they know that good behavior leads to more meals. But many are loose, so they will approach your dog to sniff.
The great news is that almost all restaurants have outdoor seating and dogs are welcome.
You could also look into renting in a more resort like environment like in this video from Puerto Vallarta: czcams.com/video/NOqMJyTL9MU/video.html
I hope you can work it out!
Brighton
What rules or regulations do you need (or not need) to drive your pets across US to Mexico border?
2 pets max per person with rabies certificates. That’s it.
For the driver OR the pet ? 😇@@AlmostRetiredinMexico
Rabies vaccination certs. They used to require proof of good health certificates from a vet within 7 days but I hear that's not checked consistently if at all.
I don’t know what to think about this. I have mixed feeling about this. I just learned that many Canadians are moving to Mexico. Mexico is very welcoming and friendly to foreigners but not many countries are welcoming and friendly towards Mexicans. It almost feels like foreigners are taking advantage of this. Many Mexican are not very wealthy but very hard working . Foreigners who move to Mexico to retire are making it harder for locals. It’s like gentrification. It’s not fair that a foreigner can have a better life in another country but the local people can’t. I know it’s not any foreigners fault but just food for thought. If anyone really considers moving to a new country try and understand the culture and history of the people in that country. Don’t just go to live your life there because its easier. Try to consider the effects it could have on the locals. How will your presence impact the environment and economy. Just because it’s cheap now doesn’t mean it won’t get more expensive as more rich foreigners start to move in.
Gentrification and displacement are definitely issues I'd like to cover. I just haven't gotten a good handle on this - it's a very emotional issue. I'm trying to collect the facts.
The only advice I can give is to adopt local customs - don't try to change Mexico.
Hi Shaun thanks for all the info and being Canadian myself, my wife and myself are looking at selling and moving to Mexico or Costa Rica,but I’m leaning towards Mexico. How are the banks there and is it safe to put a good sum into the banks there ? I’m also looking at denouncing my Canadian citizenship as I believe taxes will skyrocket with what has happened here and do not want any part of this country. Thanks again.
Good points!
Safer then Canadian banks...
Many banks in Mexico are Canadian affiliated or owned
Hopefully we'll hear direct from Shaun, but I just recorded a video on banking in Mexico yesterday. Banking in Mexico is safe. I think the government insures up to $200,000USD per account. Canada doesn't tax you when you live outside the country, so if you move to Mexico, you wouldn't need to denounce your citizenship. The US will collect taxes on it's citizens no matter where they live!
Amen
Hi. You ask what's holding you back......For me, that's easy to answer: golf. I would need a golf course that's nice in a community in Baja, that isn't too expensive. I haven't been able to find one. There are exclusive golf communities, but not middle income golf communities. Maybe you know of one?
I did a bit of research and it seems like golf is expensive in Mexico. I don't think there are public courses (which is probably good because the population is mostly poor and would never golf.) Golf is for the well off and foreigners in Mexico, so it's gonna be expensive.
You may need to look further south to Costa Rica / Panama or over to the UK (but then you need to look at overall cost of living.) Maybe you can find a spot close to the border so that you can golf in the US and live in Mexico?
Not being close to your children or grandchildren, but GOLF? Yeah, white people aren’t a dying-out bunch of selfish, childish misfits at all.
I didn't hear what the rent He was paying. He showed us in the video.
Sorry - I think it’s about $1300USD
Shaun where exactly is your apartment?
It's on Salvatierra about 3 blocks from the Malecón
I would like to send a picture of me to this single man as I am moving there from Canada would be be interested as I love La paz Lynne cheers!
Sorry - this single man is no longer single. But there are other single men here.
Shaun, can you breakdown your $3,200.
Rent, food, entertainment etc?
Kind rgds
from
Toronto
This guy is having the life style of rich mexican. Not even surgeons is living with that kind of budget.
@@nathalieforest8497 He's living on $usd 2400.
Mexican surgeons make between us$48,000 to $96,000 a year.
The mark on your face could be vape resin
I would never buy a house there. When I was traveling on a cruise ship our travel agent was with us. We were in Ensenada and he told us he and some other investors built some condo's on the beach and couple years later a Mexican family claim his land was their family land and legally took it away. They lost everything. So beware.
You misunderstood the lesson. The lesson is not "never buy property in Mexico," but "Use due care when buying property in Mexico."
It's kinda like saying "a friend of a friend shorted Game Stop stock in 2020 and had to declare bankruptcy." The lesson is not "don't ever short stocks," but "use due care when shorting stocks."
Dudes smokn crack i live in USA ON 1500 month, 3,200 a month thats rock star life style for mexico .
Do you have a 2 bedroom new condo overlooking the ocean?
bicycle in french velo
Shawn is living the high life...I think I could live well on far less.
Yes - it's all about what you like and where you live. Then there is the income requirement to get a long-term visa. I'll be doing a video on that soon.
We are renting a small 1 BR 1 BA apartment in a convenient location in Rosarito for $330 per month - and we know from an acquaintance that locals pay $280 or $300 for identical neighboring units. It’s a crappy bare-bones place that didn’t even have a fridge, stove/oven, anything when we moved in.
But we spent enough on quality beds, furniture, and appliances that it looks nice inside, almost like home in the USA.
A 2 BR 1 BA was available in the same building for $420 per month, again probably a bit less for local tenants.
We look forward to escaping reliance on barely-effective propane tanks for hot showers; in other words, we’ll eventually need to move to a bigger, much more recently constructed apartment with a nice big boiler for sustained hot showers.
We also don’t love relying on VERY expensive lavanderias. So we’ll want a place with lavadora y secadora hookups in our own unit, next.
But you can in fact rent a clean place in a pretty safe neighborhood, not far from the US border is that’s a priority, for as low as $300, depending on what you want.
I am so happy for Shaun, did he tell us how much he was paying for rent? What a great story, much happiness for Shaun on all his new adventures in life!
He would be paying about $4000 USA for the apartment that he was in
@@1232bluejays Thank you, I must have missed that, beautiful apartment, especially the view.
@@1232bluejaysHi bluejays . . . I am happy to pipe in here that my recollection of his expenses suggested nothing of the kind . . . $US 4K is more than one would pay here in pricey Seattle/Portland for a similar apartment. WAY more. SO, no, we need to go and re-listen! ❤
I'm not sure he said in this video, but I know the rent on his new place is around $1200USD per month. It doesn't have the rooftop terrace that his old place had. Same building, one floor down.
He said $1700 CDN I think, then adding in food and insurance etc. would be around $3200 CDN total expenses. Or something jesus man just go watch the video again!
IM MEXICAN LIVING IN CALIFORNIS FOR ALMOST 30 YRS NOW, AND EVERYTIME I GO TO MEXICO I END UP SPENDING CLOSE TO 2000 IN 10 DAYS NOT INCLUDING AIRPLANE TICKETS.
IM NOT SURE HOW YOU WOULD LIVE WITH 2000 A MONTH COMFORTABLY.
What the Hell is wrong with you then? We spent less than $200 per day while staying in Mexico with FIVE children, even when in an Air BnB apartment. Get control of yourself.
How much of that sum was spent on easily avoidable vices like alcohol, tobacco, and gambling?
It’s different when you go on vacation ready to ‘blow money’ vs when you actually live in a place.
Perhaps next time spend a few of your dollars on getting your keyboard fixed. Seems like your CAPS LOCK is stuck on!
why didn't Shaun have health insurance? i heard that is cheap as well...$7k is nothing, but is a big bill in a fixed income
Many gringos don't have health insurance in Mexico because healthcare is so affordable. However, I think the best thing is to buy into the national healthcare system (for about $1000 USD per year.) Then use the private system 99.9% of the time, but know that the public system is there for a serious catastrophe. And if you're lucky, you'll never need to use it and you support the Mexican healthcare system.
As a Mexican myself. Shaun is living like the top 10 percent of wealthy mexican people with his numbers
The reason people have a better lifestyle in Mexico is because even though Mexicans work a lot, they have a good time at work. They are not bug down thinking how to pay for all the bills. First world countries are great to work/mexico great to live
So true! Mexicans are a much more happier people all around!
Unfortunately, for many , their “fun at home” includes rudely blasting music when others are needing to sleep. Or when others are implying to read, have a conversation, conduct lessons or business online, etc. Those particular people, and there are a LOT of them here, need to learn some manners about living in close proximity to a lot of other people.
I live in mexico with less than USD$200 TWO HUNDRED AMERICAN DOLLARS MONTHLY
Are you a Mexican citizen? What part of the country do you live in?
@@AlmostRetiredinMexico I live in Chimalhuacán Estado de México. It's very cheap. I am Ucranian
Another home run Mr B. Where in Canada is Shaun from. It is after all a big country. Yes bigger than the U S of A eh . Just wondering if he has met Pam's nephew as he too is a financial "consultant planner". I'm reluctant to give out last names but Grant lives in Ontario. P n D
i'm 90% sure he's from Alberta. Hopefully he'll jump into the comments too.
He seems far too nice to be from there.@@AlmostRetiredinMexico
@@davebaker489 I was gonna say that too! But something like 3% of Albertans are real Canadians. The rest are actually Texans living in Canada.
Or wanna bees.@@AlmostRetiredinMexico
Canada and the US are almost identical in land area. The USA has slightly more land area and Canada more water area.
The USA, of course, has more territory fit for habitation, in terms of climate. Not that our cities fit that description so often any more ;)
what about buying property
Buying property is easy. There are rules for foreigners within 35 miles of the ocean, but they just require a bank trust with a Mexican bank. And if you buy inland, you need to sign a piece of paper that says you have the same rights as a Mexican citizen (you don't get extra rights for being from the US.)
For 2,500 you can live in Spain.
What an awesome, beautiful story. I love this Canadian dude because yeah, he talked about how less expensive Mexico is but he's not that's not his only reason for being in Mexico as demonstrated by his commitment to learning Spanish and also dating Mexican women. Now as a gay man I can tell ya he would've been snatched up immediately! LOL! Good luck to him with his new relationship and hope he's able to build a new, happy life with her in La Paz. 👍
Thanks Ulises. Shaun would be totally snatched up if he were gay! BTW - I'm hoping to do a "Cross-cultural gay dating video." I gotta see if my rather reserved friend wants to do this video...
Please don’t advertise your psychological disorder and perversion here. Nobody needs to know about your sexual habits or anyone else’s here. And our kids also read these comments.
Seek help rather than tell others about your problem for no reason.
The only thing keeping me here is my ferret. She's old, deaf and mostly blind but she's pretty healthy. But they get sick very suddenly. But maybe there are ferret vets in PV. It's kind of a balancing act, if she died because I took her to Mexico I would never forgive myself. But at the same time I don't really want to put my life on hold for an unknown number of years. Dumping her at a shelter is not an option. So I wait.
You should contact an animal organization there depending on where you want to travel to. There might be transport options as well. Not sure what would be involved but your little ferret is very lucky to have you. Maybe you could find a pet sitter and travel down and see if you like the area. We found one for our blind pug that we loved. Good luck
The local vets here treat everything (I've even seen exotic animals at the vet.) And once the vet was finishing up my cat and doing a housecall to stitch up a horse. I don't know if they are familiar with ferrets tho - sounds like it might be specialized.
My cats loved life in Mexico. They just rolled around in the dirt in a sunny spot. We knew their lives were coming to a close and they loved being here at the end!
Brighton, can you connect me with Rennie, the lady on one of your videos who is in Guadalajara, Mexico? I believe she is an American expat and I think she has a place to rent I would like to talk to her about
1000 dollars a day for hospital ?
why the marriage breakdown after so long
Who has money for therapy. I'm barely making it in usa
Come to Mexico and you'll have money for therapy!