How I Went From Bankrupt in the US to Homeownership in Mexico (& my 5 year plan to move permanently)

[@GallusSusan]

I loved your openness and your story, thank you. We are taking our first trip to Merida next week, excited to see what our future may look like.

[@DestinationRetirement]

Thank you! :) I am so excited for you! Merida is magical.

[@paulntpa1122]

Loved this video. C U IN MERIDA !!!

[@esperoboy]

Thank you so much for the inspiring story -. I also would love to retire in Mexico and your contents have been a great help.

[@DestinationRetirement]

You can do it! It's such an exciting journey.

[@roundpaws]

Love hearing your story. You are a great narrator.

[@DestinationRetirement]

Aww thank you. Funny when I play back I mute my voice - ha! :)

[@roundpaws]

@@DestinationRetirement your voice is great. Your delivery smooth and you are specific and concise when you discuss your topics. So many KZbinrs have no idea how to narrate cleanly and provide an enjoyable video. Gracias!

[@MartinLozano242]

Very informative, touching. Nice video, period.

[@DestinationRetirement]

Thank you Martin! I appreciate the comment. This one was a lot of work, forgot I had a job job to do that week. ;)

[@Wonkaforever]

Great story. Inspiring!

[@DestinationRetirement]

Thank you Wonka. :) Abrazos.

[@JudyCampagna]

I recognize the house in Merida by the English Language Library. We spent the month of December 2018 in that home and loved it!! We live in Cozumel and travel a lot within Mexico.

[@DestinationRetirement]

Hi Judy, what a small world. :)

[@louiewld3963]

I love it , I’m rite behind you I was born in Merida brought to the states @ 2 I’m 49 & can’t stand it here coming home soon

[@DestinationRetirement]

Hola Louie. Do you still have family in Mérida? When do you anticipate coming home to Mérida? Abrazos.

[@louiewld3963]

@@DestinationRetirement hola saludos all my familia live in Merida they have there businesses they do well , my house is about 90% complete my wife is going by the end of this month for a birthday party & to look at the house . Good luck with everything you have beautiful homes . Ours is in Santiago one block from 59 .

[@PassportPerks]

​@DestinationRetirement can we collaborate on some content

[@johnnieswain1554]

Congrats on your progress. Keep pushing Amy!

[@DestinationRetirement]

Thank you Johnnie. Peaks and valleys for sure but getting there.

[@luciadiane6682]

Thank you for sharing what many would consider keeping private. I have a similar experience. Lots of ups and downs with financial choices but somehow (by luck or design) seem to land on my feet. I want to move to Mexico as well, but similar to you, I have a parent that I would hate to be away be at the wrong time although she’s a healthy 82yrs old, but she’s, 82. Like you, life is an adventure with every choice I make, good or bad. I don’t know why peeps on KZbin aren’t as honest and transparent as you. It helps others know that reality is real and that’s what makes us all connect, right? I grow tired of just hearing peoples “great experiences” but I know they leave out the “bad decisions” times. I recently retired (10 years early) because well, I felt that if I stayed I would just get too stressed and my body would start breaking down faster. . Luckily, I have a pension and now I have to just try to stay healthy. I have been to Mexico twice in two years and just love everything about it. In the meantime, I enjoy watching videos, such as yours, and gringos r us, it’s enough for now.😌😉🇲🇽🇺🇸

[@DestinationRetirement]

Thank you so much for commenting on this one. I was really hesitant to share so much. It sounds like you and I have a lot of similarities. Huge congratulations on your early retirement. Abrazos! Amy

[@DestinationRetirement]

@@12567NoYouCannot Redmond? Yes, I know where you are. :). Interesting comment. If one can not leave the US do you think it would happen that fast? I do have my 3yr temp residence card for MX thankfully. Oct 2025 it converts to permanent. Thanks for chiming in.

[@ElizabethSanchez-xo7qi]

Wow great story! Good luck with everything, Amy.

[@DestinationRetirement]

Thank you so much! Abrazos

[@dianaj3139]

I am pretty sure I first saw you on Brighton's channel, and I must have at least seen One video or so on here of yours.... I love stories, so I am enjoying this journey from the sidelines at the moment... I have been working my way to Mexico as well, with several health set backs and the loss of 4 close family members I am a little delayed but hopefull this Winter I will finally become a Mexican resident and start making better progress... your story is encouraging so THANK YOU! Or should I say Muchas Gracias y una abrazo para ti tambien! :)

[@DestinationRetirement]

Hi Diana. I am so sorry to hear about your loss. A more frequent story for all of us as we get older, myself included. I’m glad you are actively reaching toward your goal of enjoying life in Mexico. Would love to stay connected. ❤

[@alexarroyo2111]

Awesome! I'm planning on moving to merida as well. I'm a Mexican born in Oregon and never really been to Mexico. But now that I'm 53 I'm so ready to retire and be able to enjoy the rest of my life. So videos like this is an inspiration. I have so many questions but its already a book lol.

[@DestinationRetirement]

I am also in Oregon, in Scappoose. Where are you? Do you have Mexican citizenship? Not sure how that works being born in Oregon. Where in Mexico would you move to?

[@MikeS-sc5qv]

Hi Amy!! My husband and i enjoy your videos. We’re both 57 and still live in the US. We got our temporary residency in Merida in April. We plan on living in MX, full-time, beginning in the spring of 2027. We’re not exactly sure where yet, but will be visiting Guadalajara in October and Merida again in March. Take care, we look forward to some more insightful videos!!

[@DestinationRetirement]

How exciting! There are so many wonderful parts of the country to explore. I really like Guadalajara, it's been a long time since I've been there but I really enjoyed it. Sounds like our paths are similar. :)

[@maniizz]

I want to move to Mexico too, and be part of your tribe! You are so awesome 🫶🏼

[@DestinationRetirement]

Tribal membership is open. ;) Abrazos.

[@maniizz]

@@DestinationRetirement 🥰

[@dianacook6337]

Great video Amy. We had so many challenges I was beginning to wonder if we would ever get to Merida. But we did! And I’m loving it. I love the quiet, how safe we are and the beautiful people. We found our house. Should move in about 4.5 months. Looking forward to meeting you some day.

[@DestinationRetirement]

@@dianacook6337 YAY!!! So happy for you. Yes, let's meet. I'll be in Merida in Sept. Send me an email to [e-mail] so I can get you an invite to the open house for the blue cactus house.

[@maniizz]

@@DestinationRetirement Excelente idea 🤗

[@davebaker489]

Wow a decisive , driven , dedicated ,dynamo . I salute you for your "gumption". If I were to sell my 4.75 acres on a harbour in Nova Scotia I could easily afford a home in Mexico. I think La Pas is more suitable for us and my arthritis . I love our ocean playground , just not the pain especially when there is a weather change. Plus L P is further from the gulf and the hurricanes. But I digress . I wish you nothing but good luck and good sailing in your future. P n D

[@DestinationRetirement]

Hi P n D! Thank you so much! I have friends in La Paz. People love it. Have you been yet? Check out my friend Brightons YT channel. It's called Almost Retired in Mexico. He and his wife are part time La Paz and part time here in Portland.

[@davebaker489]

@@DestinationRetirement I've been following Mr B for quite sometime. No I have not been there yet. 2 dogs and about 4 acres to cut once or twice a week. Plus my Mother who is next door (93yrs) needs us and WON'T travel. My Father died in my arms app. 12 yrs ago and as he passed away I promised him I'd look after Mom. Not a promise I will not honor. So that's my problem. No one else's. Oh well. Fingers still crossed...... Someday.

[@George-hl2xm]

Sounds nice can I go 🌹🤣😂

[@DestinationRetirement]

Claro que si George!

[@sophiavega1777]

How exciting ....I will be retiring in three years ...and my dream is to retire in Mexico Puebla

[@DestinationRetirement]

Hola Sophia. Go get it!

[@sophiavega1777]

@@DestinationRetirement 💯👍

[@DEG1985]

Which place is better to live Oaxaca Huatulco La Crucecita, or Mérida? I have never been to Mexico, I have only watched videos.

[@DestinationRetirement]

They are both soooo cool. I have friends that go to Oaxaca every year and I have not been yet myself. Outrage I know. I am really excited to visit there one day. So, I can't really speculate not having visited yet.

[@DEG1985]

@@DestinationRetirement Maybe one day you can make a video of that place and compare it to Mèrida. Thank you...

[@maniizz]

❤❤❤

[@williamgreystone2098]

I'm thinking playa. I was in Mexico City

[@DestinationRetirement]

How did you like Mexico City?

[@williamgreystone2098]

Where are you from?

[@DestinationRetirement]

Born in Oregon. You?

[@williamgreystone2098]

New York City

[@brendalamalfa5030]

Aww, that was so honest and inspirational! I'm a single gal who got "stuck" in a city (it felt more like trapped) for 10 years, but i had been living in Mexico for a year and a half and loved it! People ask me why I returned to the states, and I can't actually come up with an honest answer. I regret it but it's taught me a lot. #1 being I really don't belong here in Wisconsin and my heart has been yearning for Mexico for several years. So, I got my 1 year temporary residency card last September, and I'm flying back in a week to renew it for 3 years. Then I'll come back and start the process of moving back permanently!!! Im excited, nervous, all kinds of emotions. Thanks for your informative and fun vids. You remind me of me! 😊

[@DestinationRetirement]

Hi Brenda. I'm so glad you listened to your heart and opted to return to Mexico. yay!

[@DrAJ_LatinAmerica]

Why "bankrupt" when you were working and making money, plus had money to invest to repair a house boat? And you still had credit?? Something not adding up. YES, Mexico is a nice place to live. Lots of cool things to see and do.

[@DestinationRetirement]

It was the real estate market crash of 08 that had the trickle effect, no sales, no commission. I was back on my feet when I bought the heavy fixer (barely). Then over the months I would close a sale just in time to pay the boat yard, or contractor. So on and so forth till I climbed back out of bk. I actually did not have credit at that point. it was the kindness of friends taking me in while I put Humpty Dumpty back together. A lesson in humility for sure. :)

[@DrAJ_LatinAmerica]

@@DestinationRetirement awesome 👍. Several friends up in Michigan who were builders during the 2008 housing crash, lost everything. Their homes, the homes they were building and renting and all their company, equipment and employees. Millions in debt and still years later not able to get credit to buy a home. The government looking for back taxes, (no bankruptcy on taxes). Big mess. One of them got divorced, divorce court judge said bankruptcy court and divorce court separate systems, so he took his life. It was hard times. So happy to see you have made it out and return to normal life. Amen 🙏🙏

[@rubensantamariaortiz8326]

Hello friend, what would become of humanity if it didn't have stories to tell, like yours?"

[@DestinationRetirement]

Ahhhhh I LOVE IT. Best comment ever. :0

[@randycallow3736]

Majority of all the Mexican relocation theme videos are excellent. Lots of good information, and they normally have in common, and maybe don't realize it, all the people coming to Mexico are bringing with them a positive attitude. To compare US and Mexico is very very difficult. The formulas would be ultra complicated. There are thousands of affordable places to live in the United States.. many communities have decreased population year after year. The issue in the US is if there is affordable housing there is nothing else. Most available cheap housing stock is in rural towns in decline, many don't have a gas station, grocery store or any services. So forget about a doctor, dentist, pharmacy or anything else. Mexico, about 80+% is also rural and uninhabited. Difference in Mexico, most small towns have some services, including groceries, restaurants, bakery, maybe a gas station or Oxxo. You can choose to live in tourist areas, bars , restaurants, lots of temp residents.. you can move to a Mexican city, prices are the same as US, Monterrey, Mexico City, all the problems of a big city anywhere or you can move to a typical Mexican town and have a sense of community and have services, like restaurants, movie theater, abundant shopping.. and a variety of clinics, pharmacy, maybe a hospital.. government offices, police, fire and ambulance.. but there are thousands of great options in Mexico.. almost none look like the tourist promo photos.. most a sleepy, dusty, pleasant, laid back places.. And so American, Canadian and European prospects don't get wrong idea or misinformation.. getting a work permit for a non Mexican in Mexico is as difficult or more difficult than it is in the United States for a foreigner wishing to work legally..if you are moving to Mexico remember that @40% of all Mexicans work in what is described as the " informal economy" which means they are paid in cash, off the books, no taxes. Those opportunities are always available if your Spanish is excellent and you are low key.. If you don't speak Spanish, you can use a translator to watch any of the hundreds of videos about digital nomads and gentrification in Mexico and how Mexicans feel about it . that's an important issue when you are trying to integrate into Mexico.. and easy to role play in the Mexican to US situation, w or without legal status.. people in the US are hostile to semi hostile about competing for housing and jobs w foreign immigrants, same in Mexico, almost identical.. so if you have income Mexicans don't like prices going up, but they don't feel threatened

[@DestinationRetirement]

Wow Randy. Thank you for taking the time to dive into that topic. I couldn't agree more. I've been to numerous towns that are not heavy laden with postcards or IG (nowadays) saying, "move here." When I lived in MX in the 90's for three years I was able to live in such a town and it was heavenly. Interesting topic of foreigners getting work in MX, again, spot on. I have plans to sustain myself and prop up local workers. Just though this channel my Mexican Architects and attorneys have gotten lots of referrals from me. Mexico is full of kind hearted people. A lesson for us all. Great comments. Much appreciated. Amy