She Built This House for $120,000 in Baja California

[@adventurefreaksss]

What an amazing collaboration! Blue Sky Sanctuary and Almost Retired in Mexico! Two of my Favs. Great job you two!

[@cindyk3076]

Veda has great energy and I love the way she embraces the Mexican culture! Her house is cute, her dogs are beautiful, and her garden will be wonderful. Thanks for this interview, Brighton!

[@steven.h0629]

❤ Good for You Veda! I love your little property! 👍😎✊

[@howard266]

what great interview I ended up in Mexico during plandemic Love her spirit amazing

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks Howard!

[@StreetTruckinTitan]

A worldwide "plandemic" huh?

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

@StreetTruckinTitan I chose to ignore that and/or consider it a typo...

[@truestory923]

It's sad that you wouldn't be open-minded enough to explore other opinions. Perhaps you could learn something? Perhaps there's something important that you are turning a blind eye to, for some reason.

[@WRMRanch]

Really cool seeing her off grid property down there.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

I hope to share more off grid homes on this channel.

[@BlueSkySanctuaryBaja]

Wow, thanks for all the kind comments everyone! And thanks for having me on your channel Brighton, cheers!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

I'm so glad that you reached out and we connected. And thanks for tweaking your video schedule ;-)

[@grandcityvlogs9816]

This collaboration made my day ❤ week ❤️ and probably month !!! I love both of your content. Thank you so much for sharing such helpful and inspirational videos.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

@grandcityvlogs9816 We are both happy to share! You're welcome.

[@Roger_Ramjet]

What an inspiring human being! Simply wonderful video

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

@@Roger_Ramjet Thanks Roger!

[@leemartinez2975]

Here is a tip for hiring builders in Mexico, even in South Texas where most construction workers are from Mexico. In the afternoon bring "merienda". Definition: "Usually taken in the afternoon or for brunch, it fills in the meal gap between the noontime meal and the evening meal, being the equivalent of afternoon tea in the English-speaking world; or between breakfast and lunch." The merienda can be as simple of soda, coffee, and pan dulce. Once the home is almost complete you can even have a little carne asada for the workers as a thank you. In Mexico and even in South Texas the little extras aside from monetary pay go a long way in getting the home the way you envision. The workers will usually pay more attention to details and go the extra mile in the construction of your home. When my grandparents built their home in McAllen my grandma used to take the workers "merienda" almost every day.

[@Mphscat]

Oh I enjoyed "meeting" Veda and look forward to checking our her channel. Love her hair!!! I am in the process of clearing out my unnecessary belongings to prepare for Part 2. Oh my goodness... she lives off grid and is happy about it. WOW. She also live very intentionally with everything which is admirable. She is very young to be retired and I look forward to hearing more about that as well. Thanks Brighton for sharing Veda with us!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

I’m happy to connect y’all !

[@Agustin-jo8mv]

WOW. She looks young. I actually had assumed she was in her late 30s and just had gray hair early. Very cool! Thank you for the video. :)

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Happy to share! I was surprised that Veda was turning 50 too!

[@SamK2525]

I was thinking a cool, young looking, 50 something.

[@LindaHill-ut6zl]

Hi, I’ve been following Veda for a few years now. We purchased a small home in todos santos few years ago and will be retiring very soon. Love how she has been so determined to do all of this on her own. I recommend you watch her channel❤

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks for that glowing endorsement of Veda's channel. And congrats on your purchase in Todos Santos!

[@BlueSkySanctuaryBaja]

Thanks so much Linda!

[@MadeNCda]

Fabulous interview Brighton. Veda is inspiring. I can understand the desire for freedom and the pleasure that comes from a simple functional home design. Very appealing lifestyle and I wish her all the best. 😊

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@JoansJunkJournalsAndMore]

Great video. I love Veda's perspective on life. Attitude is a lot. It not only helps you look younger, but feel younger and healthier for you. Never be afraid to try something new. I'm still looking for the right place to retire in Mexico. I love the heat and with threats of snow tmrw 😢😢😢

[@BlueSkySanctuaryBaja]

Thanks so much! (Veda here 😊) Wishing you all the best on your search!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks Joan - and best of luck finding the perfect retirement spot!

[@DiscoverTop10_q2b]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico I think when covering places like Saranda, we need to talk about the impact of sazonality on prices. I was there in the height of summer last July, and the prices you mentioned were far off the mark for that time of the year. I fell in love with the place but struggled to find any space in most beaches. The mediterranean is bad for that, but the Albanians took it to another level. During the summer, 98% of the beaches are covered with loungers at 15-20 Euro a pop. Again,that'ss not a factor during the shoulder season. Sazonality matters.

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

great video, i love seeing how folks are living in Baja CA Sur, esp around Todos as my favorite area is El Pescadero. Thanks Brighton

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

El Pescadero - as in up on the non-beach side of the highway or the area more around Cerritos?

[@bajaboy29]

I enjoyed getting to know Veda. I'll definitely check out her channel

[@timshirley8468]

Nice! Thanks for sharing! My wife and I are in La Paz now from Memphis visiting family. We have a Memphis BBQ-Mexican Fusion food truck and arena concessions in Memphis. It's called Mexico In Memphis. Think, smoked meat tacos, quesadillas, etc. We've thought about bringing it here, but rebranding it as Memphis In Mexico. We're here until the 28th if you guys are interested in grabbing a bite. Angelica has so many stories from growing up here. We met when she was a foreign exchange student in TN. We LOVE Almost Retired In Mexico! Brighton, you and Cat are basically living the dream we've had for the last twenty years! 😂 Later, Tim 😎

[@deedeew4040]

I love the high ceilings and open floor plan. I love her concept of life. I am at the end of my life but if I was her age I would be doing the same.

[@HunterMann]

It’s so funny how people think $120,000 is cheap. I guess yes if you’re comparing it to living in Burbank or Portland or Seattle or something. But seriously $120,000? I built a Gilligan’s Island style tropical hut on the beachon the West Coast of Mexico for the less than $4000. If you do the math that would leave me with $116,000 left over that I could put in a Mexican bag and live quite comfortably off the interest for the rest of my life.

[@NubiaMartínez-r9f]

Really nice. ❤ Big hugs! The doggies so cute! ❤

[@jaminova_1969]

I love what you did! My suggestion, as a resident of Southern California is for you to clear a perimeter and remove all the brush around your property! Not sure if wildfires are a thing in your area, but it looks like alot of dry vegetation. Baja is what is known as "Marine Coastal Desert Climate! Thank You for sharing your dream!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks for that suggestion. Wildfires do happen in Southern Baja, but they aren't common. I'm not sure why. Maybe less power lines in natural areas? Definitely no thunderstorms here (but there aren't that many in California either.)

[@ErinOBrien2000]

Great video. She has a good perspective.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks!

[@enriquegutierrez1902]

Señor Brighton Great presentation Great Spirited Canadian Lady I like her home and dogs. Saludos de Arizona

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks Enrique

[@larapfeffer2845]

I’ve watched a few of Vedas videos! They worked hard on that property for sure! Sweat equity pays off hey

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

I agree - but in Mexico, it's also nice to build the non-sweat-equity way ;-)

[@larapfeffer2845]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexicomy preferred method!

[@gabagaba12ify]

I love it

[@carolynford6461]

Funny, I was just thinking get off the couch and you said it! 😂😂

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Perfect - glad you're off the couch. Now book some tickets to Mexico!

[@acalderonm]

For the type of house 120,000 seems high. I like her minimalist style thats the way to go to live with a retirement budget.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

This is Baja California Sur, where construction is much more expensive (lots of materials come by boat from the mainland and contractors are in high demand.) Plus there is a solar system included in that price.

[@robertwilliam9558]

How is the Safety in the region? I've heard a lot of bad things.

[@jamestaylor3075]

I like that new hat, it's very tennisy.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks. It’s “related” to the cowboy hat but cooler ;-)

[@colleenking5191]

Love these videos! We are visiting La Paz for 2 weeks this Christmas- hoping to explore and see if Baja Sur is right for these GenMexers! @almostretiredinMexico Any chance you will be doing your happy hour in La Paz to new subscribers, Brighton? We’d love to meet up!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

I'd love to meet you Colleen. I'll be having an event on the 22nd, but not the 29th (I'll be in Cabo.) See you in December!

[@colleenking5191]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico yay!! which bar is the happy hour/meet up event? I tried to find it in other videos, but couldn’t find it. See you in December!

[@vincentzacks9584]

How big is her lot?

[@rightright6582]

How many SF ?

[@davebaker489]

1st... The new mics seemed grrr8 .. so far. So buying high and selling low is wrong ? lol Veda is not only younger looking she is just a baby. I was born 21 yrs before her and I'm only 40 ish ok plus a few. Very informative thanks to your guest and Kat for letting you out of the house to do this. I imagine you'll be "home" in La Paz very soon. P n D

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

We start the drive south this coming Friday. Very exciting. I wish I was taking my "ideal microphone" with me, but Amazon has been out of stock and now it's too late to get the shipment :-( Oh well, these mics sounded good. I'm just not a fan of the way they look...

[@davebaker489]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Yes they are a little in your face but seem to work well. Safe travels my friends.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

The one I want allows you to plug in real lovelier microphones. So not in your face at all! But we’ll have 6 more months of “in your face.”

[@davebaker489]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Just hide it under "your" hat. Or colour them to blend in.

[@00vTv00]

Can you live there year round, or do you have to leave and re-enter Mexico?

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Veda is a resident, which means she can stay forever. Only tourists need to leave and re-enter.

[@00vTv00]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Thank you for your reply, I thought one needed over $200K clear in the bank, or about $5000/mo. proven income to become a resident, Veda appears to not have either amount which is great she has found a home for the right reasons; but, what is the amount needed to be a resident? This is never stated clearly anywhere, it changes often, and it seems everyone has a differing opinion on the matter. I am very curious, as Mexico is beautiful, and many of us don't care for Babylon the Great.

[@BlueSkySanctuaryBaja]

I currently have my Temp Residency, which is good for 4 years. I got it during the pandemic. The Mxn Gov made an exemption for people like myself who didn't feel safe returning to their home countries during all that madness, and we were granted our Temp Residency without needing the financial requirements. It was massive blessing, because I def wouldn't have qualified!

[@00vTv00]

@@BlueSkySanctuaryBaja Wow! Thank you replying, many blessings to you! I have heard that even refugee status may work as well, especially if you can prove to be able to support yourself, which you have been doing.

[@truestory923]

@@00vTv00it varies depending on the consulate. Every city has different amounts. You contact them yourself and find out. The only way of getting around that is to go to a different city in your home country where they have cheaper amounts

[@RS-oy7uh]

Well, Mexico is ok but for me the Philippines is much better choice also safer IMO.

[@rightright6582]

Advice to my fellow Americans. -pretend to be locals or some will charge u 5x the price -due diligence on prices n negotiate a lower price. It is a rule. -lawyers try to stay away from them , trust n verify , get a contract for services

[@cancroat-darylporter4881]

I regularly see homes selling for $ 150-200k cdn , top quality places so this doesn’t seem like a deal it’s really bare bones , why did it cost so much ?

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

A couple things: Baja California is expensive overall- materials have to be shipped in and labor costs more than the mainland. Also, she has a solar system.

[@rolliepollie831]

I’m happy for you, it’s a lovely place Just wish you weren’t disingenuous by having us think it was the house on the cover

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Sorry - KZbin is testing 3 thumbnails. Two with Veda's actual house and the one with an old hotel in Todos Santos (the town where Veda lives.)

[@dw8434]

The Mexican dream. Maybe it’s a good idea to keep it a secret, a lot of locals would thank you for not spreading it around. It would be kind thing to do.

[@endlessjourney6149]

what are you willing to do to make your dream happen?

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

I'm living it now. 50% of my time is in Mexico, 50% in Oregon.

[@endlessjourney6149]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico That's awesome, Veda. I was actually just repeating what Brighton said because I liked the clarity of the question. Maybe I was asking myself. Thanks for the reply, though.

[@raymondpeters9186]

My name is Ray Peters I live in Pescadero. I am a pumicecrete home builder and want to hire you to help me with KZbin how do I contact you Take care Ray

[@HANZELVANDERLAAY]

Congrats.. impressive..but thats still alot...of money.. ..i bought some land that allows container homes..will be cheap when i take it on .enjoy

[@truestory923]

Think twice about incorporating the "grid". Currently you're in a very low EMF living space. This is critical for mitochondria health

[@luisr5887]

which lawyer would you recommend?

[@eduardoE5252]

Supongo que gustan por los lugares naturales y alejados de la ciudad, con esa cantidad hubieran comprado una buena casa en un residencial, casas que la mayoria no podemos adquirir, lo importante es que esten felices, reciban saludos desde Toluca, Mex.

[@wheninrome42]

120 for that? u got ripped off 😢

[@wheninrome42]

oh jeeezus I thought 120 was for everything, that's just for the concrete block house? 25k for a wall, oh no bb

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Concrete block is the building material of choice here. And this is Baja California Sur, where everything is more expensive (labor and materials) compared to mainland Mexico. Plus there is a solar system with batteries.

[@truestory923]

Why couldn't she use adobe?

[@RexPonder-y6b]

Used to be a nice place. But now it's LA. With out the pavement. It's a crap place to live. It's not Mexico. It's South Sandeago

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Cur Mudg On

[@fredglobal9675]

you cannot own a house 50km from the ocean.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

You can have a bank trust.

[@fredglobal9675]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico exactly.a criminal bankrupt organization owns it now. a narco organization

[@fredglobal9675]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico that is why. The criminals own it now. Narco criminals. Central banksters

[@1980pumas]

I hope mexican government put restrictions to foreigners because this is out of control for me looks like invasion in many states of mexico and other bad side of this is raise the prices for essential products and services for locals the main point there's no benefit for common people...

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Gentrification is an issue, but foreigners are only a small portion. The middle and upper classes of Mexico are growing. I'm all for the government putting in price controls, etc. But that doesn't seem like the Mexican way.

[@RexPonder-y6b]

We moved back to the United States Mexico has gotten very expensive and the new government is very scary now be careful things are changing in Mexico

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Where in the US did you move that is cheaper than Mexico? Property tax? Cost of a margarita? Rent for a 2 bedroom?

[@StreetTruckinTitan]

If TRE45ON happens to cheat his way back in youll wish you were still in Mexico. Talk about scary!!!

[@hondacbx1975]

⁠salton sea, California..

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

@@hondacbx1975 even there houses cost me $300k!

[@hondacbx1975]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico haha true.. but you can’t swim in sulfuric water in mexico like in salton ..

[@RexPonder-y6b]

That's the biggest slum in Mexico. What a dumb.We couldn't get out fast enough. It's like LA with out pavement. Wouldn't ever go back. Could not give me a place there for free. Sorry but true.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Not too many people giving away places for free in Todos Santos!

[@HuatulcoGuy]

For anyone looking to purchase property and build an off grid home, this video is a must watch. It is full of well thought out ideas to help save you time and money. Thank you for posting this video. 👍

[@StreetTruckinTitan]

You never lived in mexico. Dont lie to spew your hatred.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

@@HuatulcoGuy thank you!

[@rightright6582]

U have to right to express your inner grousseme, racism against a great country Mexico.

[@MexExpatHelpers]

Brighton do you have email I can contact you on about a business sponsorship?

[@juancarlosibarra3245]

I thought she was 35 or less. She has a nice personality too.

[@quantumprotocol6045]

Sorry to rain on your parade but you could have build that house for less than 60k, Gringos are always being taken advantage of wonder why, it's in the dna

[@hondacbx1975]

You can’t built shit for 60k or less.. don’t lie to your self.

[@quantumprotocol6045]

@@hondacbx1975 you can't, I certainly can because I know how and I know the system

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

@quantumprotocol6045 Can you build the solar system too?