3 Months of Living in Mexico: My Thoughts

[@hansonel]

As someone embarking on (almost) the same journey as you: breaking free from the 9-5 world, reselling, freelancing and planning on leaving the US to become a digital nomad next year these videos are inspiring.

[@camillagilmore1547]

Hey, so I did the drop everything and move to Malaysia (with my Malaysian husband) like 6 months before the pandemic. That little bubble of comfortable isolation was amazing for the first couple of years, but it does become quite difficult to break out of if you stay there too long. Particularly if you're naturally an introvert like me. Since you said you're having problems with your neck and headaches I'd really recommend killing two birds with one stone and signing up for a local yoga or taichi class or something that will get you building strength and flexibility in the neck and shoulders. The added benefit of having an hour or two a week with other people, even if they just stay classroom buddies and nothing more, will really help keep an emotional equilibrium and you're less likely to wake up one day and discover that you are cripplingly lonely. Take care. I really look forward to following this journey you're on.

[@carolmueller1354]

Oaxaca is a special place. You might end up never wanting to leave. To find a corner of this planet where you can feel "at home" is healing.

[@jahjahflash]

no thank you, Mexico does not supply you with the same freedoms as the USA ) although I do love Mexico, its just not the same

[@fromabovefrombelow1272]

@@jahjahflashOut of curiosity, which freedoms are only found in the USA and not in Mexico?

[@jahjahflash]

@@fromabovefrombelow1272 you have a right for freedom of speech, land ownership trial by own peers, we have fabulous laws in the USA that are not the same in Mexico.. it is a different political system..-- .. my husbands family is from Mexico , he can write a book on this. I suggest if you are interested, you can investigate and appreciate the USA laws as they are not the same when you enter there ))) For example, right now, I think you can't even smoke a cigarette in Mexico.. from what I recall. where are you from?

[@jahjahflash]

@@fromabovefrombelow1272 There are some key differences in freedom of speech laws between the USA and Mexico: The US has very strong constitutional protections for freedom of speech and expression under the First Amendment. These protections are broader and more absolute than in many other countries. Nearly all speech is permitted, except some narrow categories like obscenity, defamation, incitement to violence, etc. Mexico's constitution also guarantees freedom of speech but places more restrictions. Speech can be limited if it attacks "public morals," incites crime, or disturbs the public order. Defamation and slander laws are stricter. The US has no federal speech laws restricting hate speech, though some states have limited laws. Hate speech is broadly permitted under the First Amendment. Mexico prohibits speech that incites discrimination or violence against groups based on race, religion, nationality, etc. Mexico has tougher laws limiting political speech. Electoral speech laws prohibit political advertising outside designated campaign seasons. Negative campaign ads attacking opponents are restricted. The US has fewer limits on political/campaign speech. Mexico has stricter limits on speech deemed offensive to religious beliefs or government institutions. US protections for speech that may be considered offensive, inflammatory or anti-government are stronger. Censorship of media and entertainment is generally greater in Mexico than the US. For example, Mexico censors films more often for mature, sexual, political or religious content.

[@jahjahflash]

@@fromabovefrombelow1272 In the USA, private land ownership is a fundamental right. The government generally cannot confiscate private property except for public purposes via eminent domain, with compensation. Individuals and businesses have broad rights over their land. In Mexico, all land ultimately belongs to the Mexican nation. Private individuals can obtain ownership rights over land, but the state places greater limits and restrictions compared to the USA. The Mexican government has stronger abilities to expropriate land for reasons of public utility or social interest, even without compensating owners. This relates back to historical tensions over land reform. Foreigners cannot directly own land in Mexico, only through certain financial trusts or entities. In the USA, foreign individuals and businesses can buy and own property like citizens. In Mexico, communal land systems called ejidos grant members shared ownership over agricultural land. This reflects traditions of communal farming and provides access for poorer communities. Such structures are less common in the USA. Water rights in Mexico are retained by the government and cannot be owned privately. The US allows for more private ownership and trading of water rights, especially in the West. Mexico has stricter zoning laws that limit how agricultural land can be converted to other uses like housing or industry. The USA generally has looser zoning. So while both countries recognize private property, Mexico's laws keep stronger public control over land in line with its history and economic aims, compared to the stronger private rights in the US system.

[@BooksForever]

Foreground: “I don’t like opulence.” Background: “Hey, man, YOU framed the shot, not me!”

[@Inspiremehealthy]

I truly love the insight I get from these updates from you. So glad you are enjoying life more and seeing beauty in the little things!

[@karencurry6777]

So happy for your new adventure. Love the travel stuff and the reseller stuff too

[@bryannjones9016]

I started watching you because of the reselling but now loving the travel. Thanks.

[@GlacialRidgeHomestead]

I hike in the forest every morning before it gets warm (over 80 degrees). It changes my entire day. You look happy.

[@caling98]

I visit the Philippines one month out of the year. Whenever I come back to the US, I have this feeling of why is life here so much more complicated. I'm always on the grind just to make it through. In the Philippines, life is much more simpler, less material things and my mind is more at peace.

[@eugenemurphy6037]

Your the man thriftalife/bookpilled. You inspire equally introverted folks who also never saw travel for themselves.

[@seahorsefencing]

Looked up how to ship a sweater. Ended up listening to a friend I've never met.

[@elizabethwitt2621]

Aw! What a beautiful comment! Well said.

[@josh_graff]

$800 a month is still a good bit more than my mortgage on my 3 bed 3 bath house in the Midwest.

[@JayColeman-jz1gq]

Reminds me of after I turned 30, I moved from my hometown, Wichita Falls, Texas to Las Vegas, NV. Best decision ever.

[@lorirock2630]

My Florida friends sold everything and moved to Italy with their cats and children.They are soooo happy! I am enjoying following your journey as well.

[@PlayRoom44]

Has it really been three months?!? Dang! Oaxaca is beautiful. Go to Puerto Escondido! Beautiful. Don’t swim there unless your a great swimmer. It’s the Mexican pipeline. Big surfer waves. Oaxaca is wonderful. Glad you made it there. Keep healing. Do what feels good

[@johnteaguefilm]

Glad you're enjoying the travel! Hope you keep traveling for years to come. If you need a place to stay in Costa Rica, I got you!

[@rebeccawalton4448]

Love your content been watching for a while now. Nice to see how relaxed and happy you look.

[@candiceramirez1149]

So glad for you. Greetings from Northern Nevada. Watched your videos for years.

[@jodiscola1806]

I bet your so glad you had courage to take a chance . Love your videos , u express a lot of things many are thinking. Be safe.

[@katenickels617]

that is one of the reasons I picked up and moved across the country to Maine without a job and very little money. I love it here - it is beautiful and the people who live here year-round are good people for the most part.

[@Justanotherreseller-v2f]

Mexico is a beautiful country with beautiful kind people. Mexico has my heart.

[@bradykelso8682]

I so admire you. This is a life-changing moment for you. Wishing you strength, reverie, and joy! You’re having your Magic Mountain moment!

[@beunstoppable532]

Glad to see you are back with an update! You sportin that Forrest Gump hair (when he was running across America). Much love,. brother! 👋👋

[@cindylou8440]

Was thinking Evan Almighty but Forrest Gump works too

[@hectorg1752]

You’re living my dream man, awesome! Hoping to make the jump soon myself, I’m looking into Merida.

[@michaeldelisieux5252]

More is less. Less is more. Gratitude is a MUST.

[@thehappywanderer6469]

I had to find you in my subscriptions to see how you were doing. Loved your pithy update after 3 months. This journey we are all on never ceases to surprise. Following the herd is never a good thing. You are so right telling us what you discovered about too much opulence and screen time and time spent in apartments or offices. It is all a waste of time. Doesn't feed our souls. There is a sense of disquiet and despair. I can't shake a feeling that most things mean nothing. I too want out of horrible weather Canada East Coast and negative shallow drug affected uneducated people. I can't find like-minded people and realizing I will have to do what you did and leave family to their own devices. I have devoted too much of my life putting family first only to find myself spending a lot of time by myself now at 64. That is why I got into reselling. Sideline to horrible part time jobs. Now the clutter is getting to me and I dream of doing what you courageously did. Get rid of it. It is the greenery, listening to birds, walking that I crave. Speaking of opulence we had 3 cruise ships come in last week. One was The World, the ship is a floating luxury condo building that people live in full time. Only $8 million to buy a lease until 2052 plus $300,000 maintenance. I looked at this thing and thought is that happiness? Walking around that with other people appraising you as to what you were wearing and doing constantly. Anyway you reinforce to me I am not wrong in not believing all the garbage we are told will make us happy. PS I found a brand I had never heard of in a Boys jacket Jack Wolfskin. Will list it. I'm not sure it will sell. Keep us updated on your situation. Hoping your neck gets better more. ❤

[@Wendy-zl8kv]

Thanks for sharing. Thanks for including me!

[@michaeldraper2460]

Yo Matt I’d love to see you do a fishing video. I hear there’s some killer top water action in that area. Get use outta some of them thrifted goods. ( Simms , Aftco )

[@suzannehogue]

Love hearing about your experiences there and look forward to the reselling too! I've always had a longing interest and curiosity in Mexico so I'm getting to live vicariously through you LOL

[@sjerzgrl]

Thank you Matt for your update. The scenery looks amazing. I could look at the hills behind you for hours.

[@NicoleFitnessYouTube]

So many people are leaving cities for the off grid, country life. I think what you are experiencing is not uncommon. People want to reconnect with the land and simpler ways of living. Too much superficial ‘trash’ in the world. Thanks for the update 👍🏻

[@ivystein8999]

I agree with you about that feeling in Mexico. I am in SD too, and it’s funny because people call it one of the most beautiful places in the US to live, but something is missing that doesn’t exist in other countries I’ve lived. Something about the crushing materialism, and monotony of American life… I am wondering if you can put your finger on it ?! Sometimes hard for me to do!

[@pnw-coast]

It's a bit paradoxical that it takes being around money to get away from money. And it's usually only people that have, or had, financial security that say they don't want to be around money. People that have struggled all their lives don't usually say such things. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with those feelings, but just that it comes from a certain perspective that not everyone is going to have or understand.

[@propsdirector]

You are living the life I can only dream of, congrats. Thank you for sharing.

[@melodyharas6864]

Matt, I love seeing you smile. I am so delighted you are embracing this new life and it sure seems to agree with you. The new insight regarding getting away from technology and enjoying the sand and water in your bare feet is exactly what makes your heart happy. Do more of that, our handsome boy. ❤

[@Carepedoit]

Is it safe to visit the pyramids at Monte Alban? It’s right outside town. One structure in the center of the complex is a weird trapezoidal pyramid that causes the sun to point at the others in the complex during different periods in the calendar. Check it out!

[@Parker307]

A couple of months ago I visited the Smithsonian Zoo in Washington DC and the new bird house had just opened after being closed for renovations for 6 years. The focus is migratory birds and there are 3 rooms. The two smaller rooms are the shorebirds aviary highlighting the Delaware Bay and the birds that stop there for the horseshoe crab eggs food and the other one focused on the Prairie Pothole region and its importance to many species of ducks. The main large aviary is set up to have the birds that are in a shade grown coffee farm in state of Oaxaca Mexico! It has many neotropical migrants and also some birds native to Mexico. A quick search tells the coffee farms are in the Juarez Mountains not too far from you I don't think. You could actually go see a bird friendly shade grown coffee farm there!

[@Deuce7Off]

I feel the same way in California, and I've felt more at home in Mexico than America for the last couple years. It's hard for me to talk to others about how much I truly believe Mexico is ahead of America in many ways especially when the average American looks at it like a 3rd world country. Viva la Mexico Cabron! Enjoy it, Mexico turned me into the person I am today and I would've been a broken mess if I hadn't made the trip 5 years ago.

[@les0101s]

I'm glad you still like it and I can see why. I think I know what you mean about CA and the money. I lived in San Diego for awhile and then LA. I felt like LA was mainly for younger people. I moved from CA many years ago to Oregon for a slower pace and all the greenery. I know you've gone to many doctors about the pain you've had and you don't need any advice, but I've always found that laying on my back causes my neck to hurt.

[@ginamarie5575]

So true nature heals the body and soul . So glad you made the jump 🎉looking forward to more great content

[@woodyhayes7402]

Only the creator heals, not the creation.

[@kellyharris7820]

Your fortunate to be able to pick to and move and to live the life that makes you happy. Most people don't.

[@Learned333]

Is Thailand still on the table?

[@hansonel]

That's a great place for expats and digital nomads since there are TON of western digital nomads there and in South East Asia generally. Though, they're driving up the COL...

[@rocktheclock240]

Just discovered your channel. You're an interesting guy. I lived in Los Angeles for over 20 years, grew to hate it, and have had the opportunity to live in two different overseas places, both for a year. Both experiences were good --- one even wonderful -- but after about a year in both places I begin to long for "home" -- things I was familiar with. Not Los Angeles, certainly. But you may experience a similar trajectory. I live in an anti-Los Angeles style environment today: elk coming through, owls at night, a tarantula lumbering across the driveway. California -- and, in your case, San Diego -- doesn't solely define the "homeland."

[@ThriftALife]

Thanks. Have assumed since the outset that I'll probably last around two years before finding somewhere in the states I prefer to SD.

[@raya8633]

Show more scenery please, so what can see what you’re experiencing!!!

[@akashas6012]

What is the montain behind you. I enjoy your travel video

[@dimitrikorsakov2570]

I think this is the bushiest your beard has ever been in a video. I hope you keep it going!

[@June-tb4vi]

Beautiful view for sure! So your just living life doing you? 💜

[@wandad1799]

Here here!!! Also dislike being around pretentiousness/ wealth

[@MarioLuigi-vb3rp]

Unless it’s a Bnb 800 is way too much. I have family in Jalisco and they don’t even come close to paying that much for a house. You can get a condo in Puerto Vallarta for that much a month.

[@andykuhn9798]

Great video! Much luck in all your travels.

[@derrick8224]

I enjoy your travel conversations. Thank you

[@algriff3188]

Is there any chance at all to thrift Mexico? I'd love to see what the hunt turns up!

[@mtcbdth]

Bro, you should totally visit south east asia. Their food, medicine and body work can help you heal your pain. Check it out!

[@armandogonzalez8636]

happy to see you happy matt!

[@bobbyball1057]

Love these videos and can totally relate. I’ve been selling on eBay for 20 years and have reached the point where I’ve just had enough of it all…what am I doing with my life?? Am in the process of liquidating my stock which is a massive task and the plan is to get out there and see the world!

[@jahjahflash]

Dude I am in the middle of the desert and we are not around braggards and boasters ... just consider Arizona- its similar to Mexico and its still USA !!!! we have gorgeous views and no show offs

[@antun88]

You look like a person that would love living in Europe. It would be kind a like home in California, but you would be surrounded by history and beauty. So my recommendation is either Portugal or Netherlands. Anywhere when I think about it actually. If you hate being surrounded by oppulence just go a bit to the east XD.

[@helpfulcommenter]

I'm guessing that about now you're hearing the "MOOOOOOOOO Gas de Oaxaca!!! MOOOOOOOOOOOOO" truck horn/recording probably on a daily basis lol I hope you'll get a chance to visit the IAGO Graphic Arts Library downtown, it's one of my favorite places, I could spend hours in there just looking at the books and chilling out - its near the Plaza Santa Domingo. Some of the obscure antique/rare books and book covers you will probably dig, even though they're not genre sci-fi lol. Just cool to spend time in such a well cared for collection. Did you ever hear the "Fierro Viejo" recording in CDMX? I'm sure you did, it's pretty unavoidable. The little girl voice saying " We buy Refirgerators, Washing Machines, Microwaves, Ovens, or any old metal thing you're selling!!!!" That one is cool but the Gas De Oaxaca with the cow moooooing for no reason always cracks me up

[@helpfulcommenter]

Also check out the ruins at Mitla, sooooo cool

[@shannonmorrison457]

Great view and insight Matt!

[@robertmcfadden4511]

Good for you! I hope the magic remains for you for quite some time. I hope your neck recovers in the very near future.

[@drewbittle3888]

Hey Matt, glad you look so relaxed. How do you thrift now that you're down there? And where are you storing your inventory?

[@Jonahstrials]

HI faithfashionfriends. I'm moving there very soon. My friend lives in Puebla. I might be moving there. I am not exactly sure where to go yet. How is your city for cost?

[@twillsJKZ]

Hey man, appreciate the content. I am interested in your mens clothes manifesto, just curious whether you think it would translate into UK markets also? i know there is a lot of overlap between items that generally sell well everywhere but not wanting to purchase if it wouldnt translate to UK markets. Thanks a lot

[@DearM]

Happy for you 👍

[@slomantm]

Good for you, bro. Be happy.

[@Eva_SunshineThriftFinds]

Thanks for "this travel type stuff"

[@ThriftWarz]

If you don’t mind me asking do you work in Mexico right now? Or I vaguely remember you saying you saved a bunch from reselling? Thanks! Would love to do this when I’m financially able to in the future!

[@cheryladamic4773]

Love the views you give us. So pretty there

[@WowThingsThrift]

I want to go to mexico I just need to find a legit air bnb or resort.

[@californiapattycakes4417]

OMGOODNESS, miss seeing your videos!

[@zombieplanB]

So happy for you

[@TravelingEmporium]

Walk the beach or go barefooted everyday in the grass or dirt. It's grounding your body with the earth. It's how you get all of your negative ions back into your body.

[@sara-te4mf]

Nice update!

[@10711851]

how do you afford being in mexico? do you have a job there? i have so many questions

[@MIND9988T]

Hey, amigo. Enjoy 😃

[@cindylou8440]

Do you speak Spanish? Just wondering

[@skokiereaders]

Isn't San Diego beautiful? Not everyone there is of wealth, or am I wrong? Enjoy your travels! 🌺🐠🎣

[@jahjahflash]

Btw Matt you lose all your 'freedoms' when you leave USA ) albeit its cheap Consider a state in the USA with gorgeous views so you have have the benefits of living in a free country ))) If you go to Zillow you can rent for less money many gorgeous places in the usa )

[@amyb.9580]

I abhor California. I was born there and got out as soon as humanly possible. Never been happier living outside of it.

[@mousepolice55]

Hey Matt, you probably wont see this since im playing catch up on your videos im not getting notifications from your channel for some reason. Anyway perhaps youve tried everything already but just incase because the neck headaches are awful i know from experience. If you havent found something that actually works to rid you of them and havent tried Excederin you might consider trying it if you can take it. Its asa, tylenol and caffeine. It is the only thing that works for me aside from migraine RX for when its that rather than just a horrid make you wanna die not a migraine though. Only difference half the time is the migraine makes you barf. So just incase you needed yet some more advice (sarcasm baby) truly though, folks dont always think of excederine even if it is the headace medicine. I really enjoy your city tours and im glad things are better for you as far as the world around you. Hopefully everything else will be healed with time and some voodoo or therapy or Ayahuasca or whatever you find that works. Thanks for doing content. It does brighten up my life a little because your humor is actually well, humorous and theres value and non humorous content as well. Long fkn post over. Sorry bout that. Excedrin my boy if you can and havent. Take it easy

[@Crochetingiscoolfool]

Yes.🤌

[@SeyePhi]

Forrest Gump IRL

[@BenVanCamp]

God makes better stuff than we do 😊

[@darleneaitken1620]

Are you making friends?