Retired in Oaxaca, Mexico

[@MyWTFName]

Love hearing from Joe, and his satisfaction after being there 3 years makes an honest perspective.

[@cindyk3076]

Joe was a great interview! I love to hear that people are giving back to their neighborhood!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks for watching Cindy!

[@ivm7322]

Please share how to get involved in communities. I’m Mexican residing in USA for 30 years, coming back to my country and want to explore Oaxaca. Gracias.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

@@ivm7322 Here are my thoughts: join local facebook groups and ask how people are volunteering in their communities. Also, attend local meetups (usually advertised in those facebook groups) to meet other people in person. One type of meetup that is popular is English/Spanish speaking clubs. You can meet locals and foreigners at the same time - and practice your Spanish!

[@rebeccaketner816]

What a wonderful human! Inspiring to listen to this.

[@moi20003]

Great video! Oaxaca is very culturally rich and it has a unique identity, with the combination of indigenous and colonial influences. Open minded and adapting is very important if you plan to live in Mexico.

[@rocketdog2723]

He’s a good man, he realizes that he’s blessed but others have it much harder and he takes action, he’s very respectful and grateful that God gave him the opportunity to live a happy life in Oaxaca, Good for you Joe , maybe you can find a nice lady friend to keep you company,

[@gloriaheinze4142]

I absolutely love this channel and these videos. They are well done and the questions are exactly what one wants to ask and know the answer to. Well done!! I would love go to Mexico and explore. These videos make it all seem possible! 🌞🙂

[@nancytrekker]

Great interview! Thanks so much for what you do. ❤

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

@@nancytrekker thanks for watching Nancy!

[@SiameseAmerica]

I’m a U.S Navy Veteran moving to Mexico soon. Maybe Merida and Oaxaca should be first to visit. Six Siamese cats must be coming with me… I don’t know if they own me or if I own them.😊

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

I’m headed to Mérida next month. I’ve heard it’s beautiful - but hot in the summers (your cats would probably love the heat!)

[@1EQUALS-INFINITY]

Thank you Sir. I live in Queretaro, you have a friend here.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Queretaro is beautiful! Thanks

[@Mphscat]

Thanks Brighton for another honest opinion on making the move from the States!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

You're welcome! It's a big decision so good to have as much info as possible!

[@martbright]

Oaxaca is at the top of my list. I've been there 6-7 times and attended immersion Spanish there, 5 hours a day for 2 weeks. I already had basic skills but I learned a lot and it was a great experience. I have a Canadian friend who does a lot of volunteer work there, with animals and with migrants. I would love to be involved in those activities. I absolutely adore the indigenous culture and the surrounding area offers so much in terms of hiking, visiting artisan villages, and even cycling. Now I just gotta pry my husband loose from his career😉

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Best of luck with your husband!

[@ingridmarrero8470]

Very Nice interview 👍 I need to definitely check out Oaxaca!!! Gracias!!!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

You should check out Oaxaca - it's great. Thanks!

[@willydear4906]

When I made the decision to live closer to the ocean I researched all over the world. My Spanish is limited and fear of crime took Mexico off the list. I eventually moved to the Philippines a little over 9 years ago. During covid I got stuck in USA and I found out about Oaxaca. I looked into going there but the covid stop light went to red a week before I was supposed to go. Most expats last about 2 years in the Philippines before they move on. Moving to another country isn't for everyone but if you can accept it for what it is and not try to change things then you will do fine.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks for sharing! Glad you've found a place that works well for you.

[@irisavila6643]

Great VIDEO!!! - Thank you for sharing the house & budget- we got to see the community where he lives & enjoyed his conversation!!! 😉🙂

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks for watching!

[@GaagiiLammers]

Nice work, Joe and Mr B

[@cuddlybear6509]

All is god, happy to see you are happy enjoying your retirement in Mexico, only one little clarification, you mentioned there are a lot of migrants moving through from another parts of the World on its way to “America”, you are living in America already. Mexico is located in America along with the rest of the Countries south of Mexico, I know you meant to say they are traveling to The United States or USA and this is common for US citizens to call your Country America but saying that in Mexico or any other part of Latin America sometimes doesn’t falls ok with people living in those Countries as they feel excluded from a Continent where they were born. Again, welcome to my Country and happy to see you are enjoying your golden years without some much stress due to the financial race to be able to retire comfortably back here in USA.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks for pointing that out! I try to use USA or US instead of America, but sometimes I fall back into old habits.

[@alalesc3796]

Oaxaca is beautiful!😀

[@WilliamsOWilliams]

I enjoyed your video. Thank you for sharing.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks for watching (and commenting!)

[@o2bkjohn]

We were in Oaxaca the last part of October. Loved it! I'm a mole addict...lol. I pretty fluent in Spanish and very familiar with Mexican culture. I could live there. I'd like to check out Chapala. Wife is a little higher strung and doesn't speak hardly any Spanish

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Chapala would definitely be easier for your wife. But not nearly as much mole!

[@tonyvalle794]

Huatulco, Oaxaca is my destination. Yaya

[@normaleticiaandrade6509]

Hasta luego ❤

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

@@normaleticiaandrade6509 hasta pronto

[@MrClockw3rk]

Question: do you ever get used to the bacteria that causes stomach issues?

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Yes and no. I think you build up resistance, but if you get a big dose, then you still get sick. So most locals drink bottled water too.

[@musicglenn]

i heard in another video that there’s been some pushback against foreigners coming into oaxaca (probably from a small percentage of residents but some have been pretty vocal). any experience of that?

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Yes - there have been some negative comments, but I find people here to be mostly welcoming.

[@davebaker489]

Good 1 Mr B. I fully understand leave your "American" when you cross the border. Pam and I were born in the Toronto Ontario area. Later in life we moved to Canada's east coast. Now living in Nova Scotia. Locals from this area refer to people as C F As (come from aways) . Almost everone from "away" Tend to start conversations with where I come from we do it this or that way. This falls on deaf ears and gains no friends. So I imagine when someone from the US or Canada tries to teach Mexican's the "right" way to do things it's not well received. PS How was Saturday at your place? P n D

[@janicemunn]

I was raised on the east coast of Canada and spent my career on the west coast… I am familiar with the come from always… I’m also familiar with the east coast belief of how it’s done here. It goes both ways.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

CFA - interesting. So common for people to want to show how their way is better. But much nicer to learn a new way to do things. BTW, where I'm from, we elect egomaniac, misogynist, racist reality TV show star to run the country. Saturday night was great. Probably 100 people at our place. So glad it's big inside and out - it's really a place built for parties!

[@davebaker489]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Star ? By chance do you mean a cowardly rich kid bully LOL. Glad to here the shin dig went well. PS We don't always elect some of our officials well either.

[@janicemunn]

@ in Canada we elect drama teachers.

[@davebaker489]

@@janicemunn It does for sure. Especially for employers who feel the countries labour laws do not apply to them. As I come from both a union background (Dad) and an HR background (yes Mom) I found it "difficult" to handle that or embrace it. However I proved them wrong AND kept working there.

[@storres1368]

🙏🙏🙏

[@nancyjohnson6099]

Does anyone know if Oaxaca has a cooperative INM office to work with for Regularization? Or a good facilitator to hire? I'm coming for at least 6 months and want to make it happen. Is there a better location for that purpose. Oaxaca sounds perfect for me. Yes, I speak some Spanish.

[@kennethboehnen271]

Can anyone provide info on where to acquire a home loan in Baja😅 Mexico or Southern Mexico? I have adequate income and credit.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Pick a location and find a local realtor. I suggest searching Facebook for a group called, "Expats in..." Oaxaca, La Paz, Cabo... wherever you might want to live. Then search for a realtor recommendation in that group.

[@Stacy-r1x]

Hi I'm from Canada I now have apartment in Puerto Vallarta one bedroom I pay 7000 pesos I've been here for 1 year 2025..now 👁️♦️👁️

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Wow! That’s a steal.

[@Okey-dokeyoo7-w7h]

According to an investigative reporter, Oaxaca is in a massive drought but the locals are priced out by the gringo.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

I’ve heard that Oaxaca is experiencing a drought.

[@Okey-dokeyoo7-w7h]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Glad to know you’re not being affected 🙄

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

@@Okey-dokeyoo7-w7h It's hard to be affected when you only visit for a couple days and live elsewhere.

[@Okey-dokeyoo7-w7h]

@ It’s sad how many people are affected

[@anaborges616]

Yes, a lot of locals are affected 😢​@@Okey-dokeyoo7-w7h

[@OmarMadrigal]

Please don't gentrifry

[@osmar6985]

Gentrificador

[@Ocean245]

It was too expensive.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

What was too expensive?

[@00vTv00]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico "IT"

[@Ocean245]

The residency I lived there for two years and insufficient monthly income have become costly requirements for eligibility.

[@00vTv00]

@@Ocean245 I agree, the assumption that only upper western middle class folks can qualify for residency removes the heart and soul of talent and skilled craftsman who could really do well in Mexico by melding their skills into the culture. The current policies encourages a bunch of wealthy expats with very little talent and little interest in assimilating into Mexico's culture because they have no financial need to, but instead they become isolated in gringo enclaves and seek out each other in their boredom to entertain themselves, IMO.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

@@Ocean245 Got it. Have you tried the regularization process? If you've been in Mexico for a while, you might be eligible.

[@jjd903]

Everybody loves the gringo!

[@Traveljetsetter954]

Yeah a other white american moving to a other country and doesnt know the language smh

[@lisadeharthansen7076]

As an older person, language learning can be very, very difficult. We cannot make the move until we retire, and getting back into a disciplined class setting is the last thing I wanted to do after being stuck in a cubicle for decades. I have tried online classes, but that does not work for me. I have tried private lessons and that is too stressful for me (age 70), but have started a two days a week class with a small group in the teacher's kitchen (no blackboard to intimidate me). We are all at different places in our lives, learning abilities, and memory abilities. Personally, I can find myself sitting for 5 minutes trying to call to mind the English word I need. Additionally, many of us face taking care of elderly parents or our spouses through illness. Hard to concentrate when taking care of a dying or very ill person in your family.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

@traveljetsetter954 - glad you are able to pick up languages so easily. Joe is trying to learn, but for many of us, it takes a lot of time.

[@Traveljetsetter954]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico as long as he trying your community sir is known for this of stuff when it comes to this kind of stuff for forcing their ways and being racist so I hope you are learning Spanish there a lot of of your people go downthere and expect the mexican people to kiss your ass I am not fluent but I do try with the lil that I know

[@Traveljetsetter954]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico your community is known for this kind of stuff relocating to mexico and forcing the mexican people to your american ways and being racist and everything cost more because you're bringing your american dollars and you're american mindset amd you go.downthere amd expect the mexican people to communicate with in English and for them to kiss your 🍑 because you giving them your american money you're people white Americans who think you are untiled for the mexican people to communicate with you in English and you're rasing up the cost for the locals

[@Traveljetsetter954]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico this has nothing to do with what you just said you're community is known for this sir for going down to mexico and forcing your ways and are racist towards them when they don't cater to you you are aready raising to costs for the locals as it is