After Loss, Kat Reclaimed Her Life in San Miguel

[@hivolco151]

What a lovely "video Essay" The Hawaiians call it "Talk Story" I just returned from Hawaii and I cannot help thinking how many similar cultural attitudes Mexico and Hawaii share. Both places have warm-hearted people with Music and food that is Unique to the areas... For some reason I never get enough of either place and always want to go back for more! MUCHAS GRACIAS Brighton and friend Kat who reflects so much beauty in this video!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks for this perspective. If we didn’t have pets, we’d probably be in Hawaii right now. We love it there! But getting pets in and out is difficult. Sadly, we probably won’t be visiting much - we usually went to Hawaii to escape the winters in Portland. I hadn’t really thought about that :-(

[@hivolco151]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Brighton, You are so properly named! You continue to Brighten up the world with your wonderful stories and beautiful videos. After this last trip to Kauai, I am more focused than ever on finding my Retired life in Mexico where my brain will be challenged with the language, but the wonderful feeling that I get in Hawaii, I also get in Mexico ... I spent a lot of time visiting with a retired gentleman in Hawaii... he struggles to maintain a simple life on his pension and social Security and still works part time at 68 years old. But He is so happy and grateful for every sunrise and sunset! So back to what you said about maybe not returning to Hawaii, I think Mexico is just as wonderful, just in a slightly different way! Many Blessings to you and your wife as you share your journey.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

@@hivolco151 thank you! Mexico is wonderful - and way more affordable than Hawaii!

[@nancyoconnor124]

Thank you, Brighton, for introducing us to Kat. I believe she was talking directly to me. I recently lost my husband and I am trying to process my grief and rebuild my life. Kat, you are a beautiful person and example of finding life after loss. Thank you for sharing your story ♥️

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

I'm sorry for your loss. But glad you found this video. Kat is a kind soul!

[@ColbyWilk]

Kat is a STAR wherever she goes! Thank you for showing us how to make a change and in the end find more of who we truly are!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Great comment- thanks for sharing

[@katsparks2109]

Thank you good sir.

[@MadeNCda]

This was lovely Brighton. It is heartwarming to see people like Kat find their happiness and serenity.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Yes! Thanks Kate

[@francieanneriley7349]

Wonderful fun meeting Kat, thank you!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Happy to share! Thanks for watching Francie

[@katsparks2109]

Thank you! I appreciate your sweet reply

[@skytitleservices8305]

hello from houston Texas had a friend talk about the city many years back 30 yrs ago wanted to retire there unfortunately he pass happy to see this video!!!!!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

It’s a glorious place - I wish I’d moved there 30 years ago ;-)

[@katsparks2109]

Hi there, I grew-up off FM1960. Sorry to read of your loss. I hope you visit our fine city.

[@angelainresaleland1982]

Love this in Kat! Love you Kat!

[@katsparks2109]

Thank you Ms Purple!

[@photographyalamexicana]

San Miguel de Allende is a charming and historic town located in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. Known for its picturesque cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and vibrant arts scene, it has earned recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town's rich history dates back to the 16th century, and its well-preserved buildings showcase a blend of Spanish and indigenous influences. San Miguel de Allende has become a hub for artists, writers, and travelers, offering a unique blend of traditional Mexican culture and modern creative energy. Its lively markets, art galleries, and cultural festivals contribute to its reputation as a cultural and tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world. Thanks, Casi Jubilado en Mexico!

[@YesItsMeGuys68]

Four of us stumbled quite by accident into Ten Ten Pie a week ago. We were starving and we could not all agree upon any one restaurant to eat at. Our decision to go here was brilliant. The food is fantastic and we are all looking forward to returning quickly

[@dianaj3139]

I absolutely love the idea of a Hummingbird garden. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Yes! We have hummingbirds that visit our fountain every morning.

[@TonyLiveTV]

Thanks for this video Kat. Very informative.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Glad you enjoyed it, Tony!

[@katsparks2109]

Thank Tony~

[@marathoneyes]

I love your glasses! Your home is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing!

[@WilliamsOWilliams]

I enjoyed your video. Thanks for sharing.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thank you for watching!

[@bamslerc]

Another good one. 😊. I’m on a similar journey. Took care of my mother for 8 years, she’s now gone, and looking for what it is that I want now. I hope Mexico is in my near future. 🤞 just need to qualify for residency. I grew up in Mexico City 20 years. I love Mexico. ❤

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Good luck with your residency! Maybe your past history and family connection to Mexico would help. I know it helps with citizenship. Not sure about residency.

[@lunazamoracreative]

Awesome!!!!! Thanks, I can’t wait !!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Hope you like it!

[@chrismaxfield5484]

Can’t wait to move down this summer!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Enjoy - it's a great place to be in the summer (and all year for that matter.) Where are you moving from?

[@chrismaxfield5484]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico just gave you a comment on FB….your area. I’m in Bothell and a good friend of mine is also a realtor living in Shoreline. Small world!

[@katsparks2109]

@@chrismaxfield5484 Let's do coffee when you get here!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

@@chrismaxfield5484 The Pacific Northwest is great in the summer!

[@christinec.6685]

Super-charming woman and a great interview!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks!

[@kimkuks6370]

Gorgeous home

[@yourmajesty1630]

i am so happy for you and you should do a youtube channel. ths was very interestng as someone who is really considering sma. only thing is the murder statistics there. i know. but i can't help saying it. i am so close to hightailing it there once i can but there is always that conversation about crime. not just any crime but kidnapping and home invasion in particular. grew up in nyc and mugging is just quaint in comparison.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

I agree - Kat should do a KZbin channel! Note that the statistics don't usually separate foreigners from Mexicans. And foreigners are much less likely to be crime victims. It's not zero, but most foreigners living in Mexico say they feel safe (I know I do.) Check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZXWiayhnLiebcU

[@katsparks2109]

I understand what you are saying. Though I will say I feel safer here than the downtown streets of Seattle. I hope you find peace wherever you live.

[@hivolco151]

@@katsparks2109 I was born in Portland and I can say both Portland and Seattle have changed for the worse the past 7-8 years especially! 36 years ago I walked freely in downtown of BOTH cities and felt very happy and comfortable day or night... Now not so much! Honestly I have felt much safer in Mexico including Mexico city even though I got myself into some potentially scary places I noticed much respect and eventually I felt very calm in Mexico. Thanks for all you have share here!

[@GringosRUs]

We are currently in SMA and we feel very safe here. The statistics that you are seeing are for the state of Guanajuato and not specifically SMA. We delayed our trip to the city of Guanajuato just for that reason. And it really is not the city, but the drive to it is through some areas that are experiencing some high crime rates. Better safe than sorry. But SMA, we have felt just fine. Overall, crime here in Mexico feels like it is a lot less than what we left in the US. There are areas that are bad on both sides of the border. You just have to do your due diligence and there are a lot of KZbinrs on here that can help with that as well.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

@@GringosRUs Thanks for sharing your experience! You just need to be safe and do a tiny bit of research to find the rough areas. I'd love to see the monarchs, but it seems like this year is not the year to try.

[@davebaker489]

There is a time in ones life when it becomes time for me to look after ME . She found hers. Good for her. Colour us jealous. P n D

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

So true about looking after yourself. How does Pam feel about that? ;-)

[@davebaker489]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Pam's fine. She's not the problem. Good genes are. So be it... I guess.

[@katsparks2109]

Thank you,

[@ShauninParadise]

What an amazing woman! Go Kat! And what a fun casa! ❤

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks Shaun!

[@katsparks2109]

Thank you Shaun!

[@jude999]

Do you fly to these places in Mexico, or ground transport?

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Combination of both. I flew from Mexico City to Querétaro, then car--shared to San Miguel, then bus to Mexico City, then flight back to Portland.

[@danataylor9437]

Kat, how do I connect with you directly?

[@chrismaxfield5484]

What neighborhood is this? And can you walk to the Parroquia?

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

I think it's called the San Rafael neighborhood. I walked it from the Parroquia to Kat's house. But we took a cab when we went to dinner. So it depends on your mobility.

[@rickyo.1171]

20000 foreigners living now in SMA...a safe city, nice weather, cheaper to live. USA is closed enough by airplane especially. So a nice place to live and retire...im going too..Kat looks so happy happy...

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Enjoy your time in SMA!

[@galinacoleman1379]

I’ll have what Kat’s having! ❤ Wonderful interview. Working on getting there from Southern California!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Best of luck! Kat is definitely living an ideal life.

[@katsparks2109]

You can do it!

[@pramtanboon3073]

Kat,you are awesome ❤️

[@yourmajesty1630]

where is 'old mexico' in sma?

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

It depends on what you define as "old Mexico." Centro has all the historic architecture, but further out is where it's mostly Mexican people.

[@katsparks2109]

Good question. There are parts of the city that are lived in primarily by expats. I live in an older part of the city that is primarily working class mexican. The houses are older and there are less coffee houses.

[@yourmajesty1630]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico she said in the vid she moved to a part of town in old mexico. i have been looking at the housing on the internet and i am trying to learn about neighborhoods (which i know you can only really get to know when your boots are on the ground but i can't tell which colonia 'old mexico' is in.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

@yourmajesty1630 Kat lives out on the west side of town. I think the further you get from the downtown commercial core, the less gringos you'll find. As Kat points out, the more coffee shops you see on a map, the more expats will be in the area ;-)

[@jens7898]

how much money do you need in the bank to get a visa in mexico

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

It's around $50,000USD for temporary residency (which you later convert to permanent residency.) It can include retirement accounts.

[@jens7898]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Thank you.

[@katsparks2109]

Worth every penny i saved . Get an expert to help you.

[@1960317]

If you don't have that much money saved, you can establish residency over a few years without it.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

@@1960317 Yes - you can also get residency based on having income instead of savings.

[@BloodLaboratorySafety]

What a beautiful home. Thank you for sharing.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks for watching!

[@GringosRUs]

I'm really impressed with how much Kat pays in rent. We're over here in Gringoland (Colonia Bellavista) so that made me laugh. Supper club sounds like fun!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

The supper club events look like they've been going really well! You should join her for one.

[@colleengarcia4886]

I'm a foodie too.

[@jackieturner4629]

Kat is amazing! I hope to meet her when I relocate this summer as well as to find a house like hers! 🩷🩷

[@ChristianUSA8]

👍👍👍

[@jamesmir89]

it’s nice that people are enjoying Latin America but sad to see it now out of reach for locals with people like this coming in and destroying housing markets.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

@jamesmiranda5330 I'd love to hear ideas on how to stop displacing locals while still having foreigners move down. I know that most Mexican's own their homes (compared to the US) so there's less competition for rentals.

[@matarael101]

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[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks for your comment 💩

[@fashionistadevota]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexicothis Mexican girls apologizes for the hate and the terrible behavior of this person, most of us are not like that, I love your videos, keep up with the great work u r doing.

[@brightonwestvideo]

@@fashionistadevota Thank you Karla. I know that most Mexican people are awesome. No need to apologize. If I had to apologize every time someone from the US was rude, it would be a full time job and I'd need an assistant to help!