Amy Talks Cost of Living in Puerto Vallarta vs Canada

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  • Опубликовано: 16 июл 2022
  • Amy learned early that expenses in Latin America were much lower than in the US and Canada. So she and her husband moved to Puerto Vallarta in their 30's. Learn more about Amy and her Spanish for Expats courses: expatspanishlessons.com
    Amy has great energy - and why wouldn't she? She's living in paradise and working online earning US wages while spending pesos on rent, electricity, food, entertainment, etc. She talks about how they sold their house in Canada and now their rent payment is much more affordable.
    If you're living in Mexico and have a story to share, please do that in the comments below.
    Support this channel by buying me a margarita over at www.buymeacoffee.com/AlmostRe...
    The Mexico Relocation Guide is the perfect resource for moving to Mexico. We've partnered with them and you can get the guide here: mexicorelocationguide.com/?re...

Комментарии • 106

  • @melann4065
    @melann4065 2 года назад +11

    Good video would have like to hear more about monthly budgets included. That always helps. Thanks.

    • @expatspanish
      @expatspanish 2 года назад +9

      My husband and I live for about $2000-2500 per month which allows us to eat out at low to mid-priced restaurants 4-5 times a week, have a car, medical insurance, buy whatever we want from the grocery store, and really spend without worrying to much about our budget. We enjoy many activities that are low cost like going to the beach to catch the sunset or going on walks or hikes. It would be very easy to spend much more than we do (fine dining, expensive excursions, and a house with a view), but also very easy to live on a lower budget of $1500 if you were very conscious of your spending.

    • @melann4065
      @melann4065 2 года назад +2

      @@expatspanish Thank you we are moving this winter and getting a little bit nervous over meeting our needs. We are a family of 3. Glad your move worked out well for you and thanks for sharing your info.

    • @MarniTheViking
      @MarniTheViking 2 года назад +2

      @@expatspanish is that US$ or CDN$ ? Thanks!

    • @expatspanish
      @expatspanish 2 года назад +4

      @@MarniTheVikingThat's in USD. After living here, I think in pesos, then convert to USD if needed :)

  • @expatspanish
    @expatspanish 2 года назад +20

    Thanks for the fun interview, Brighton. It was very nice meeting you and having the opportunity to share my story. I hope it inspires some expats aspiring to make the big move. If anyone has any other questions, feel free to ask :)

    • @AlmostRetiredinMexico
      @AlmostRetiredinMexico  2 года назад

      Thank you Amy!

    • @amyhollingsworth16
      @amyhollingsworth16 2 года назад

      Amy, did you purchase your mini-splits on Amazon for $420 USD? (115 volts,12,000 BTU).

    • @realenglishconversations
      @realenglishconversations 2 года назад

      @@amyhollingsworth16 I think the 2-ton unit was 15,000 pesos installed (for the huge living room area). And the two 1-ton units were also 16,000 pesos installed. If you are in Puerto Vallarta, I know a guy who charges very reasonably. Maintenance is 600 pesos per unit to clean them which is recommended every 6 months or so due to mold from the moisture, dust, and cat hair in my case lol.

    • @AlmostRetiredinMexico
      @AlmostRetiredinMexico  2 года назад

      @@amyhollingsworth16 Amy H - we'll see if the other Amy replies, but my experience was with hiring a local installer who directed me to the LG brand (I think) based on service/parts available in La Paz. It might be different on the mainland. But we had a Bosch dishwasher and it was crazy expensive to repair down here because the parts need to be imported from the US. Other brands are stocked locally.

  • @RobotDad
    @RobotDad 2 месяца назад +4

    One of the better stories - proud of her

    • @AlmostRetiredinMexico
      @AlmostRetiredinMexico  2 месяца назад +2

      Thanks 'dad'!

    • @RobotDad
      @RobotDad 2 месяца назад +1

      @@AlmostRetiredinMexico proud of you too ‘son’ 😁

  • @shannonhirsch3941
    @shannonhirsch3941 Год назад +9

    So awesome to see Canadians moving to Mexico - it’s my 5 year plan!!

    • @AlmostRetiredinMexico
      @AlmostRetiredinMexico  Год назад +1

      Lots of Canadians down this way! I think you can do it in 4 years! ;-)

  • @99eimy
    @99eimy 2 года назад +8

    Amy is adorable, just as you see her. The best teacher you can have!❤️ Saludos desde Suecia!😘🇸🇪

  • @vivianhart8579
    @vivianhart8579 Год назад +6

    I'm taking Amy's Expat Spanish course. Excelente!!

  • @gumbogirl8071
    @gumbogirl8071 Год назад +3

    Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm in the process of planning my exit from the states and your journey is inspiring

  • @kocreteify
    @kocreteify 2 года назад +6

    What a Great story!
    I want to get out of Canada too 😫

    • @AlmostRetiredinMexico
      @AlmostRetiredinMexico  2 года назад +1

      What’s holding you back?

    • @kocreteify
      @kocreteify 2 года назад +1

      @@AlmostRetiredinMexico Excellent response 👏
      I'll be looking in early winter! I love the Cabo area...and I am going to check out La Paz too!

  • @katem4365
    @katem4365 2 года назад +8

    I love Amy's outlook and vibe 🤗 And I also love the traditional Mexican style of her home. The rent is amazing and goes to show you can find gems outside the core. Thanks for this episode Brighton - I really enjoyed it.

    • @AlmostRetiredinMexico
      @AlmostRetiredinMexico  2 года назад +2

      Glad to share Kate. I have 3 more "gringo interviews" from PV coming up. Only one lives in a touristy location.

    • @katem4365
      @katem4365 2 года назад +1

      @@AlmostRetiredinMexico So I'm not alone in my preference to live and be amongst locals. Hope you're feeling better Brighton!

  • @amandachevrier6741
    @amandachevrier6741 Год назад

    Thank you for creating this video!

  • @fernandozome1750
    @fernandozome1750 Год назад +3

    A los mexicanos, les encanta responder en Ingles 13:00, Pero usted siga practicando su Español ! Siempre le aseguro que las frases que usted aprenda en español , le va a llevar a una mejor experiencia .

  • @BibbyVelum1
    @BibbyVelum1 2 года назад +1

    Great interview and lovely person. Thanks!!

  • @derrick8224
    @derrick8224 Год назад +2

    I’m from Ottawa Canada. Your living my dream. I can’t wait to move to Mexico 🇲🇽.

  • @juanmespinoza65
    @juanmespinoza65 Год назад

    Great videos!!! Love both places LP and PV

  • @ElreyRayo
    @ElreyRayo 10 месяцев назад

    Gracias

  • @catherinehall2072
    @catherinehall2072 2 года назад +2

    My approach is that 1. I need to do stuff, eat stuff, or buy stuff.
    2. I have no problem appearing to be an idiot. I raised. 5 teenagers. So I am never embarrassed just trying, because I have already been called an idiot by people I love and no longer think I am an idiot. Thank goodness

    • @davebaker489
      @davebaker489 2 года назад +1

      Sounds like an expression I wish I had coined. You never fail when you try. You fail when you fail to try. For what it's worth. Keep trying and showing the naysayers up . Dave of P n D

  • @bewellstaywellnetwork
    @bewellstaywellnetwork 2 года назад +4

    Great to see people thinking out of the box at a younger age!

    • @AlmostRetiredinMexico
      @AlmostRetiredinMexico  2 года назад +1

      Yes! I wish I had figured this out sooner. At least I didn’t wait until 65!

  • @thinkplanetearth2946
    @thinkplanetearth2946 Год назад +1

    Great interview. She's super charming and very forthcoming with information that was very helpful to hear.

  • @lisaw1085
    @lisaw1085 9 месяцев назад +1

    @expatspanish Thanks Amy for an interesting interview 😊 I was shocked when you said Kelowna! That’s where my husband and I live!
    How ironic that I would stumble upon this video as we’re considering moving to PV. 😅 Maybe a message from the Universe 👍

  • @stephanievalencia2939
    @stephanievalencia2939 2 года назад +1

    So cool! We were contemplating moving down to Puerto Vallarta, but chickened out after looking at school options. It wasn’t going to be as affordable as I had hoped. We’ll be vacationing for 10 more years.

    • @AlmostRetiredinMexico
      @AlmostRetiredinMexico  2 года назад +1

      Are you talking about bilingual schools? I'm hoping to interview some gringos who have kids in school for a future video. I'd love to hear what you found.

  • @eyesea123
    @eyesea123 Год назад

    Really nice

  • @maryfurman698
    @maryfurman698 Год назад

    Brilliant. I may look you up.

  • @irenemassey6292
    @irenemassey6292 Год назад

    Amazing home love it,
    Mexico has beautiful color’s

    • @AlmostRetiredinMexico
      @AlmostRetiredinMexico  Год назад

      Yes! Our home in Portland is also colorful, so we feel very much at home in the colors of Mexico.

  • @FriedaArt
    @FriedaArt 2 года назад

    Very good video on places that are affordable not close to a beach and very affordable! She has a beautiful old traditional style casuista.

    • @AlmostRetiredinMexico
      @AlmostRetiredinMexico  2 года назад +2

      Yes - there are lots of places like this, but real estate agents don’t show these so it takes more effort to find them!

    • @amyhollingsworth16
      @amyhollingsworth16 2 года назад +1

      @@AlmostRetiredinMexico, as you mentioned affordable places are available, it just takes boots on the ground and word of mouth in order to find them. You just have to walk around the neighborhoods you’re interested in, call the phone numbers on the rental signs in the windows and talk to the neighbors. A little Spanish goes a long way!

    • @AlmostRetiredinMexico
      @AlmostRetiredinMexico  2 года назад +1

      Very true - this is a perfect example of why you should invest in Spanish lessons. The return can be huge when looking for housing.

  • @epidelacruz2364
    @epidelacruz2364 10 месяцев назад

    Hola Amy saludos dios te bendiga....soy Mexicano viviendo..en USA por..30@ños..pero ya me retiro pronto pa Mexico...cuidate dios te bendiga y Eres muy hermosa..💪🌍🇲🇽💪🤣🙈

  • @maryfurman698
    @maryfurman698 Год назад

    I agree with you, I live in the US and here, we do equate certain things with being unsafe.

    • @AlmostRetiredinMexico
      @AlmostRetiredinMexico  Год назад +1

      So true - I think we have a culture of fear in the US and we tie our fear to certain things ;-(

  • @RobMoses
    @RobMoses Год назад +2

    Cool video. It's interesting to hear her story. And a funny twist for me is when she said she sold her house in Kelowna. I just happen to LIVE in Kelowna LOL. Man if she had just hung around here for another 5 years I bet she could have got double (or more) what she got for her house. But those last 5 years down there must have been awesome. :) I subscribed and I am looking forward to watching more of your videos.

    • @AlmostRetiredinMexico
      @AlmostRetiredinMexico  Год назад +1

      Thanks Rob. It's hard to time the housing market. You get to look back and be happy or look back and cry ;-)

    • @RobMoses
      @RobMoses Год назад

      @@AlmostRetiredinMexico haha totally! I still own a place in Calgary even though I live in Kelowna now. When I bought that place like 3 months later the price of oil fell and so did the real estate prices! lol. I'm hoping the price goes up to at least where I bought it at so I can unload that thing. Maybe I sell both houses and just move down there. ;)

    • @AlmostRetiredinMexico
      @AlmostRetiredinMexico  Год назад

      @@RobMoses I hadn't thought about the connection between oil prices and house prices in Alberta. Lots of Albertans here in Baja California. Best of luck with your sales / move to Mexico!

  • @cynthialopez9950
    @cynthialopez9950 2 года назад +1

    Omg! I thought I saw you in passing in Playa los Muertos😎 it was you!

  • @michelleem5967
    @michelleem5967 Год назад

    Amy is great!! I'd love to connect with her. I'm starting my research and transition to move at the end of March 2023. I've been to PV a dozen times in the last 15 years and I'm ready. I'm a single professional with a cat....Definitely excited but nervous moving solo 🥰

    • @AlmostRetiredinMexico
      @AlmostRetiredinMexico  Год назад +2

      You can reach Amy through her website: expatspanishlessons.com
      And check out another single woman. I just released this video today: ruclips.net/video/xH2j-xKwgZ4/видео.html

    • @michelleem5967
      @michelleem5967 Год назад

      @@AlmostRetiredinMexico Thank you SO much!!!!!

  • @johndonohue5717
    @johndonohue5717 Год назад

    I like her artitude. Going to Puerto Vallerta summer.

  • @tomlam3680
    @tomlam3680 Год назад +3

    Hi Amy, do you think I can live in PV with $1000 Canadian? If not what is the minimum amount ? Thank you

  • @amyhollingsworth16
    @amyhollingsworth16 2 года назад

    Great Vlog Brighton. When I'm ready to take some Spanish lessons I'll definitely get in touch with Amy! How long will you and Kat be in PV? Just until your quarantine is over and test negative, or will you be staying longer?

    • @AlmostRetiredinMexico
      @AlmostRetiredinMexico  2 года назад +1

      Kat is already back in Portland. She left Saturday (the day before my positive test.) I'm just here through the end of my isolation... then I'm probably going to La Paz.

    • @amyhollingsworth16
      @amyhollingsworth16 2 года назад

      @@AlmostRetiredinMexico, sorry you weren't able to see more of PV due to being sick and quarantined. Next time you take a trip to PV let me know and I'll share some of our favorite places, cheap eats and things to do. Hopefully you'll be able to return again when it's not so terribly hot and humid.

  • @blancagutierrez3861
    @blancagutierrez3861 Год назад

    Almost retired in Mexico Expat Spanish lessons . She is so inspiring 😍 ! may I ask what area of pv this is in ?
    Example 5 dic, or ZR etc ?

    • @AlmostRetiredinMexico
      @AlmostRetiredinMexico  Год назад

      Hmmm... it looks like that part of the video where I showed a map cut out. Sorry about that. This is Independencia.

  • @reyhernandez4381
    @reyhernandez4381 Год назад +2

    I would love to rent a home similar to Amy's. Do you have a recommended realtor I can use in Puerto Vallarta. I do not want to live in an expensive area or close to the beach but in the same area Amy lives which is perfect for me. Thanks.

    • @AlmostRetiredinMexico
      @AlmostRetiredinMexico  Год назад +2

      Homes like this are harder to find because realtors aren't likely to be involved with these. I'd recommend getting an Airbnb then starting to pound the pavement looking for a place to rent. Or looking through Facebook.

    • @reyhernandez4381
      @reyhernandez4381 Год назад

      @@AlmostRetiredinMexico Thank you

  • @storres1368
    @storres1368 2 года назад

    ❤️❤️🥂🥂

  • @marianbrown1491
    @marianbrown1491 2 года назад +2

    Good morning very good video I would love you teaching me Spanish is it possible.

    • @expatspanish
      @expatspanish 2 года назад

      Hola Marian. Absolutely, I would love to teach you :D My students are located all across the USA, Canada and Mexico. Let's meet in one of my free trial lessons. Here is the page to reserve your spot in an upcoming lesson: expatspanishlessons.com/events/free-online-spanish-lessons/

    • @AlmostRetiredinMexico
      @AlmostRetiredinMexico  2 года назад

      Here's the link to Amy's classes: expatspanishlessons.com

  • @laura3619
    @laura3619 Год назад

    💕💕👌👌👍👍

  • @dreweunice
    @dreweunice 3 месяца назад

    Hello, my husband and I are Canadian and would love to find a safe place to go to in Mexico. Can you tell us who to contact to help with this?

    • @AlmostRetiredinMexico
      @AlmostRetiredinMexico  3 месяца назад

      I suggest talking to Greg Custer. He's in this video and in the description of that video, you'll find a way to book an appointment with him: ruclips.net/video/P7vE-ytC14U/видео.html

  • @user-sh3wi7mv2d
    @user-sh3wi7mv2d 8 месяцев назад

    this lady is full charisma and 100% KO'

  • @tonycollins1278
    @tonycollins1278 Год назад

    Why did you chose puerto Vallarta for your home base. What does your hubby do?

  • @irenemassey6292
    @irenemassey6292 Год назад +1

    We as Spanish speaking learn the English to make you feel welcome

  • @SuperFlatrock
    @SuperFlatrock 11 месяцев назад

    Why do you have bars on the windows?

    • @AlmostRetiredinMexico
      @AlmostRetiredinMexico  11 месяцев назад

      Property crime is a problem in Mexico. Violent crime is limited to cartels/drug dealers. The average street criminal doesn't have a gun, so they aren't as into violence. But criminals will break into houses.

  • @mrdabolina7344
    @mrdabolina7344 Год назад

    What's up with the 10 cats?

    • @AlmostRetiredinMexico
      @AlmostRetiredinMexico  Год назад +1

      Gringos in Mexico tend to collect pets. There are so many animals here that need homes and people from the US and Canada are suckers when it comes to dogs and cats. We currently have our dog, plus a foster dog.

  • @FriedaArt
    @FriedaArt 2 года назад +1

    I hate auto correct!

  • @SuperFlatrock
    @SuperFlatrock 11 месяцев назад +1

    It might be cheaper to live in another country but unless you are able to earn an income that allows you to live in Canada, you will never really be able to return to Canada. There are more affordable places in Canada than concrete jungles like Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver.

    • @AlmostRetiredinMexico
      @AlmostRetiredinMexico  11 месяцев назад +2

      You're right. Having a plan that allows you to return to your home country is important. And that involves having a nest egg that will last in a place where you burn thru money at a higher rate. But a lot of people just choose to grow old and die in Mexico. With residency, you'll never get kicked out. And it's not a bad place to grow old...

    • @SuperFlatrock
      @SuperFlatrock 11 месяцев назад +1

      I will retire in a couple of years. I am actively looking for a condo near a beach. I will live there for the winter months and return to Canada for the rest of the year..@@AlmostRetiredinMexico

  • @irenemassey6292
    @irenemassey6292 Год назад

    That is extremely affordable, due to living in San Diego CA, I paid $1,575 for 1 tiny bedroom apartment

    • @AlmostRetiredinMexico
      @AlmostRetiredinMexico  Год назад

      YES. We used to spend winters in Ocean Beach, but moved to Mexico to buy a house.

  • @DMait-xw1tw
    @DMait-xw1tw Год назад

    Que es ella youtube?

  • @richardnelson8121
    @richardnelson8121 Год назад

    🅿🆁🅾🅼🅾🆂🅼

  • @TainoKnight1495
    @TainoKnight1495 Год назад

    Now they're coming to Dominican republic. Makes me sick 🤢