They Planned to Retire on the Same Day, BUT She Got Cold Feet...

[@Kiwiwanderer]

You are such a good interviewer. 1. You choose such interesting people 2. You let them speak, you never try and take over. 3. You ask the right questions. I’m loving your channel - it’s made me realise how much I like Americans and Canadians ! Makes me want to move to Mexico 🇲🇽- but it’s a bit far….😢. Love from New Zealand 🇳🇿. P.S. if you meet any kiwis 🥝 or Aussies please interview them

[@arabellalunkes4532]

My husband and I are starting to dabble in where to go (snowbirds) for part of our retirement. I love the Spanish language and had a great experience when we travelled there. I am seriously starting to consider Mexico. I love the laissez-faire attitude, the warmth of the people shown in your videos. I dream of fresh fruits and vegetables. I also believe that when I am a guest in someone’s country I like to bring something to the table. I would love a video on the opportunities to contribute to Mexico by volunteering with people preferably, not just dogs and cats. Love your videos! Thank you so much!

[@derrick8224]

I’m from Ottawa Canada. Excellent video. Thank you and congratulations on your retirement. I can’t wait to retire in Mexico

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks for watching Derrick - see you in Mexico soon!

[@susanc1179]

This is just an observation, as I try to sort through what I think I know about Mexico. The monthly rent he’s paying seems *really* expensive for Mexico & for a small casita. I’m sure being so close to the beach is a big part of it, but I’ve watched other videos where the cost to buy a four bedroom, two bath house is essentially the same as in my city in California for a nicer place. I really am confused as to why Mexico is considered less expensive than the US. It may be less for a Southern Californian, but for someone from the Midwest? $1500-$1800 a month for that small of a house is astronomical.

[@dianaj3139]

Love your interviews! This is such a terrific story!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thank you Diana!

[@catcauldron217]

Yes, so clear and honest: “we’re just too lazy to learn the language” 😂😂😂 Adorable 😘

[@kocreteify]

Great story, Ray's got balls! Keep on bringing adventurous and trying new things because life is just too short!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Yes! Ray sent a video of skydiving for the first time on the day he retired. He’s definitely got the adventure bug!

[@DSchafer]

Lol, poor Brighton, you're an honorary Canadian soon. We too are from Alberta and loved our first trip to Lapaz this past February. Loved it!! Enjoy your vids. Take care buddy.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks Danny. I was born in Wisconsin, so I was pretty close to Canadian at birth.

[@kathleenkane7274]

This was SOOOO helpful! I hope you’ve got a few more interviews in the can to be edited this summer. In particular, I am very stressed about finding an apartment or house in La Paz or Centenario that isn’t dark or tiny or full of awful furnishings. So everything in the video about costs of living, including going out once a day (love that!) is super useful.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

I have a video coming up where I talk to various renters, tour their places and get all the pricing info. And I have at least a half dozen interviews in the can too.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Kathleen - I just noticed you gave me a "Super Thanks" with your comment. Thank you so much!

[@BPe-ie9je]

i learned alot. thanks.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

You're welcome!

[@Rennygade1]

Yet another interesting adventurer’s story! Thanks guys!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@charortiz402]

Love the interview. I wonder how anyone can not love la paz and the people. Just everything about la paz.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Oh - that's a great video idea! Why anyone hates La Paz: You don't get offered drugs on the street like Cabo. The 90 degree dryish heat isn't dry enough for you in the late summer. You can't swim. People drive too slow. You can't pay for things in US dollars... Anyone who doesn't love La Paz is a person I don't want to hang out with ;-) Thanks!

[@jonerickson580]

Really enjoyed his stories. Lots of value there. Thank you for sharing 👍🏻

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks for watching Jon

[@Mphscat]

I would give anything if I'd known this was a possibility to house sit when I was young and free to do it. What a wonderful thing for settled responsable young adults today! Go live in paradise and get paid.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Ray isn’t so young. It’s possible for any age. If you have the freedom to move around.

[@juliocesarzermenolotina3708]

Great interview 🎉

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks Julio Cesar!

[@lindylee1139]

Great interview and story.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks Lindylee!

[@cindyk3076]

Interesting interview!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thank you Cindy!

[@marcar8103]

I didn’t know anything about house setting, is there a website

[@markeisner318]

This was a great video. Much appreciated.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks Mark!

[@GordWilsonsBajaLife]

Great interview, Ray! I love his anecdotes and perspectives... He echoes how so many of us down here feel about the sense of community, the cost of living, and especially his comments about the crime - or lack thereof! 👌

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Did you see the pickleball clip I chose? I had to get Ray making a bad shot ;-) Miss you guys!!

[@GordWilsonsBajaLife]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico yes! Awesome... And we are in one of the party stills!! *Blush*🤣 Miss you too, buddy!🥰

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Of course you're in a party still! All you in-town people are so social!!!

[@catcauldron217]

You said it. “Midwest”

[@CollegeRecruitsNW]

Stop, means roll first within respect of the other driver. If you are first, you roll, stop signs in Mexico are "Yield" sign in the states.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Definitely! But I've found it's different in every town. In La Paz, it's a pretty fast roll. In other towns to the north, it's a pretty slow roll ;-)

[@catcauldron217]

I got a ticket once for not making a complete stop. They sent me a notice in the mail asking for $350. I went to court. The idiot cop didn’t show so my case was dismissed. What a waste of time. Can’t wait to visit Mexico so I can do all the California stops as I want. Very carefully 🙏

[@doughalldorson8663]

Great video ,I sure could relate to what he described and because of your videos I think we will check out LaPaz 😀🌴🌵

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Wonderful Doug. I really enjoy hanging out with Ray and I knew this would be a popular video. I hope to see you in La Paz in the future!

[@dovygoodguy1296]

Good job, Ray. I'm originally from Calgary and feel great kingship with you. What does one do with one's own possessions when you engage in house sitting?? Unfortunately I'm nowhere near as athletically inclined as Ray.....

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Ray said they sold most of there stuff and put some in storage. During the pandemic, they bought a condo in BC and moved stuff to the condo - but he mentioned that most of the stuff they thought they'd want (and put in storage for 5 years) they ended up giving away when they took it out of storage.

[@davebaker489]

My Dad informed my Mom he was retiring at age 55. They both lived in Mississauga Ont. Dad "kindly" invited Mom to join him. lol Then they moved to Nova Scotia. For about 2 yrs she regretted the move. Too slow. Too isolated. etc. Now you couldn't pry her from her NS home. Maybe La Paz will grow on Marian eventually.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Marian is now in love with La Paz. She’s got her routines and walks everywhere. Thanks for sharing your parents story. 55 is a great age to retire! Is that a Canada thing?

[@davebaker489]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Those that can do. In my Dad's case 2 brothers had died along with many friends. Like Dooglas he wanted to retire before he died. (I think it was a good plan).

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Retiring pre-death is a great plan. Sorry about your uncles :-(

[@davebaker489]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico thanks. But decades ago.

[@maleconmanny2953]

Fantastic video again Brighton. Very informative content. To retire or not retire? 😅 We’re at that point too!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Retire! The answer is always "Retire!"

[@johnandersen8199]

Great interview Ray. I’m wondering if all of that hype about how unsafe Mexico is, is just that: hype. I suspect peddling fear lines many a pocketbook. Perhpas it’s so lucrative because many people want to believe that our problems stem from immigrants who look different than those who belong to the dominant culture. When you get a firsthand, prolonged exposure to Mexico, it quickly becomes clear that what they’re saying north of the border, is at the very least, misleading.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Thanks John. Maybe it’s a “don’t hold me accountable, your problems are caused by those other people.” It’s definitely easy to blame people who look different… until you spend some time in Mexican culture and realize it’s all lies.

[@Mikesroadtrip-ec5kp]

Baja is totally different than the big part of Mexico. Besides Tijuana.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Correct. Baja is different. What do you see as the main differences?

[@dianavillasenor8238]

Curious… what was the price of the slip for the boat?

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Ray says it was $800 a month. I've got an interview coming up with some folks who live in this same marina.

[@kimkuks6370]

so crazy...;living in nyc the first year i spent 30$ per day or about $900 the first month. sounds reasonable for 2.

[@dovygoodguy1296]

Do they use Google Translate??? Great interview, Brighton!

[@Mexicobeanpole]

If they don’t. They should. It’s not completely practical because the Mexican waiter, gardener, mechanic is patiently standing there while you use the service, and it feels awkward. Then invariably they ask a rebuttal question that you have zero idea what they said. It’s why my husband and I, living in Mexico are making a strong effort to learn Spanish. I do respect his admission of being too lazy to learn. We each have to make life in Mexico work for us. PS: not only do I want to learn Spanish as a respect to Mexican culture, but also for safety reasons. What if I have an emergency with my beloved pets and the vet doesn’t speak English. What if I don’t see a car coming as a pedestrian and someone yells to warn me? (This happened to a friend of mine.) That moment of emergency that any country in the world can have, leaves you vulnerable.

[@dovygoodguy1296]

@@Mexicobeanpole ¡ Seguro y claro! ¡ Grácias por su punto de vista!

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

These are great points. I feel like learning Spanish is important. But Google Translate is an amazing tool. However, in emergencies, speaking Spanish is a huge help!

[@dianavillasenor8238]

What is the House Sitting website?

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

TrustedHouseSitters.com

[@ambrookes4971]

Does Ray still have his boat in the marina? Leave it there as a base between travelling…?

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

No - they sold the boat. They are living in Australia right now.

[@elvaplascencia6810]

Hahaaa that’s how we role un Mexico don panic life is just simple no insurance no sit belt no worries we got this 😂😂

[@nightskylights4501]

What??

[@JourneysTravels]

Dude, your wife didn’t want to retire and have to take care of you. She could continue teaching and get paid for taking care of others.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Or, she could retire and enjoy life in Mexico.

[@tracymorgan5386]

I think you forgot the part where he retired and was a house husband for awhile and don’t think his wife takes care of him in Mexico.

[@andreawisner7358]

If he speaks French he should try speaking to people in French. A few are likely to know French and will understand him.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Or at least they will be extra confused ;-)

[@1232bluejays]

Another teacher

[@barryholiday8998]

Why didn’t this guy push for Canada to eliminate its border so that more young men could stream across and live there? Canadians are such an opinionated lot with a sense of moral superiority.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

Hmmm... I'm pretty sure lobbying for eliminating borders would be a full time job and not a very rewarding one.

[@larsonbwl]

Love Mexico and my Mexican friends, but “De verdad” did you need to insult Trump supporters who see that the USA’s decline is accelerating as fast as Biden’s mental health recently?

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

How did I insult Trump supporters? That was not a fake video. He did say that and it did make many of his supporters believe that Mexicans are criminals and rapists. I’m 100% NOT insulted when you say anything about Biden having the mental abilities of an 80+ year old man. I voted for him, but saying something negative about him doesn’t offend me.

[@davebaker489]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexicoBri Lar. Isn't that the greatest part of a democracy ? The ability to vocalize your feeling about politicians (pro or con) without ending in a prison cell. I personally believe Trump is a crook a racist a liar and frankly quite stupid in world matters. You likely believe the same about Biden. So What ? You and I are allowed to. It's when you start explaining your beefs with a weapon . That's when a democratic society should remove your rights. aka Crow Bar Hotel. Or that's how I see it.

[@AlmostRetiredinMexico]

@davebaker489 On a related note, we can talk all we want about US and Canadian politics, but Mexican politics should only be left to the Mexicans. For me, the only thing I know about Canadian politics is that your PM is better looking than the average politician...

[@larsonbwl]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico I believe it was taken out of context. He was talking about illegals coming across the border, not about Mexicans in general that live in Mexico. Which is the subject of your videos.

[@larsonbwl]

@@AlmostRetiredinMexico Also how about the wall-to-wall coverage by the mass media of any time an American gets killed in Mexico that makes many of the sheeple who watch Democrat propaganda news think they are going to be killed or kidnapped in Mexico? Got anything to say about that?