Good evening, thanks so much for all the budget videos, they have helped so much with our planning. We will be landing in Funchal in mid September and like you, our first problem is finding long term housing. We are looking to rent and was curious if you had any advice on finding that first year rental..did you use sites or use an agent? Would you recommend your agent if you had one? Thanks for anything you can share!!

Great improvement on the sound quality. Did not realize it was so distracting until you added the new mic. Good on you.

I started this process over one year ago. I planned financially for those conditions including the lower cost on living on Madeira. It is mind blowing how much the real estate has gone up over there. I thought I was ready but am a little concerned about the increase in costs. I still plan on coming but now have to see the conditions to plan for a purchase and long-term life there. I do hope I will be able to manage. But, The same thing is happening here in the US as well. Thank you for the video.

We have Been enjoying your videos for a long while now. I love your playfulness 😉 We will be there soon on our scouting trip, and just applied for our NIFs. We're originally from the UK, but have lived in the States for 25 years(CA and now Austin, TX). We are adventurous souls, and having fun planning the next stage of our life-journey together. It's very impressive to commit to posting a new video each week – especially while traveling. We've learned a lot from your content – thanks for the inspiration 🙂

I wonder if Doug is missing his big 4×4 he had back in Canada?

see you soon in madeira – probably 2023.

Perfeito!!! Thx for answering our questions! Good mics! Before we can hear a slight “empty room echo” … but much better now! I have 3-4 generations of photos and family immigration docs & artifacts! How did you let these items go! I want to be fee of them but feel responsible like the family caretaker/curator!

From the map it looks like you’re from the Midwest but My Spidey sense detects a little Canadian in your accents! Could be wrong tho! Ciao Ciao!

Been enjoying your videos as I too research the idea of retiring abroad. I'm also lucky to have access to a pension from law enforcement career, but also have a business degree and early interest in personal finance and investing that has served me well. With our youngest just turning 18, we are wanting to make sure she gets out and settled, so we are looking to retire in 2-5 years when we will be in our early to mid 50's. We are looking to make a preliminary tour to check out Madeira next March or April. I would be happy to pass along some financial planning information for some recommendations and insider info on things we definitely should check out and understand so we can better determine if Madeira would be right for us.

You both seemed so much more natural and relaxed in this video…. It shows that you are getting more comfortable in front of the camera! You are both very inspiring. Thanks so much for all the time and effort you put into these videos. I enjoy following your journey.

Doug and Monique, I happened to see your video while I am searching the information of retirement in Portugal. Loved your video and subscribed. Watch your video every week is kind of my habit. Today’s video, bring you two closer to our life. Like the way you talk, your smiles,and important your altitude and thinking of life. Wish you all the luck, and hope to meet you someday in Madeira.

Greetings from Montreal and congratulations for your videos. It is nice to see you both very excited about your new life. I'm very impressed by your audaciousness. I like travelling, but I don't know if I could go as far as making my home in a foreign country as you did..

Another wonderful video. I didn't know anything about the population of Portugal until I got interested in vlogs from expats around a year ago and must admit I was shocked it was so low for a country that had such rich history in world exploration. When one scrolls around the globe in Google Maps from North America and crosses that big, blue pond, it's easy to lose perspective. We live in the Indiana portion of the Chicago metro. Portugal (including the mainland, Madeira, and Azores) is roughly the same area as Indiana, but with only about the same number of residents as the Chicago metro!

I just spent a week in Madeira as a tourist to see if I would like actually on Madeira. Instead of the mainland Portugal. I do love the climate here not super hot and less rainy in the winter. But not sure about all the hills!!😏
Last trip tomorrow to see the western part of the Island. I’m already threatening the Canadian winter 🥶 coming up! I guess I have the memories of Madeira to keep me warm till I can move for good !!

I’m enjoying your vlog. Since it would be so convenient for you logistically, especially as a side trip when flying to and from the states, I want to recommend the Azores islands. My grandparents immigrated from Terceira, Azores in 1906 and 1915 and they settled in Northern California. The capital of Terceira is Angra do Heroismo and the entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Usually you may find a church or historic building somewhere in the world that gets UNESCO World Heritage status, but in this case, the entire charming city gets that status. I’ve visited multiple times, but last October I rented an apartment in Angra do Heroismo for 3 months and it was wonderful to become fully immersed in the local culture. So, I just wanted to share this information with you for a future trip. Sao Miguel island is also quite lovely. They all are, but Terceira and Sao Miguel are the largest. I’m 75 now and couldn’t retire super early as I raised my son as a single parent. I do wish I had at least considered moving to mainland Portugal when I did retire at 62. I’ve also been to Madeira and it is stunning.

Great video! Just a question … are you two 🇨🇦 Canadian .

I find it difficult to believe that you two are in your 50s. If you two said "Hey! we're in our mid-30s!" I'd believe you. You look great & we look forward to more of your videos.

Mid fifties! You don’t look that age.. especially the guy

You two are just adorable! I thoroughly enjoy every one of your vlogs and can’t wait to see/ hear more from you! Love the cute little airplane and the camera editing insert 🥰🛩📸. I absolutely agree with everything you both have to say about living abroad and traveling the globe as there is only one ☝️ world 🌍 for us, and it’s too magnificent to be staying in just one spot for life. I recently moved back to Europe after many years abroad in the pacific region, and oh boy, am I glad to be here. I will move to Portugal come next spring (latest). I bought a little van, start converting it into a small camper this following week and …off I go ..
Place to be and things to see again. I personally lived in Berlin, that’s where I am from, in other parts of Germany, in Belgium, close to Paris, in the Netherlands , Tuscany, New Zealand, I spent extended periods of time in south east Asia, a bit in South America, visited a number of pacific islands and Northern Africa (I love the moorish culture, Morocco is so beautiful), I traveled through almost all of Europe and can’t wait to see more. As you both say, once you start exploring other cultures, there is no way back!! And I always worked, as an employee and as an employer; I had several small businesses and plan on establishing a new venture in Portugal, aaaand…I am in my late fifties, 😉 age is a number in the calendar… I also agree with you on the financial literacy journey. That is definitely something I’d highly recommend starting as early as possible in life. But in saying so, when we were young we didn’t have all those amazing opportunities to make a living. I was a full time intensive care unit nurse for 17 years and completely reinvented my work life when I immigrated to a new country, out of necessity. But, that sparked passions and talents I’d probably wouldn’t have explored further if I would have stayed in one profession for life. There you have it. Monique & Doug, you are an inspiration to me and to so many others, 💐, keep going… Skillshare should sponsor your next video, it’s about time, hehehe… have a wonderful time wherever you are right now, maybe I’ll have the honour to share stories and a nice glass of wine one fine day on Madeira 🍷 🍹 🍸 chin chin …Here is to you 🥂 💖

Great video you two-I just referred you to couple considering Portugal as a relocation. I’m looking forward to seeing you right in the midst of Madeira seeing the island and sights!! Thanks so much..

Pension is everything.

Thanks for sharing your stories and experiences in retirement. My wife and I have the same ambition(excluding YouTube) but want to move to Portugal and travel the world. Safe travels Doug and Monique.

Hi Doug and Monique, great video, mics sound great! So true about filling the days, we haven't stopped since we got back from Madeira. No way we could have done this if we were still working! Mind you, not complaining as we are getting closer to the main goal. Hopefully, see you both soon. Take care and safe travels!!

I like the new microfones, it seems more clear but I don't have experience on that rs. About travelling, to where have you been since you retired so far? I know you went back to US once, right? What about other places in Europe? I mean, I know you did a lot of travelling until now but now, after you are retired, what is the place you just sit and think: first one after retiring would be to enjoy XXXX country/city more. I want to hear that. And of course, when there, please, make a video rs.

Great video! You’re doing great when the editing, and getting better with each video! 🙌🏽
Thank you for being so transparent with all the costs with living and buying a place on the island. It’s been very helpful, as we figure out where we want to settle down. We moved to Portugal last fall and have been traveling all over the country to figure out where to settle down. Next stop is to check out Madeira! 🙌🏽

Muito obrigada for all you two do! 💕

I would also miss watching US sports. My question, is there an english version of Prime Video or Netflix one can watch? Obrigado!