Omg I’m actually crying - I’ve been waiting so long to sell everything and moving to Madeira . Spent two weeks on Madeira last June and toured the island and definitely know it’s the place for us. We have to sell 2 more properties until we can get out of Chicago . The gun violence is devastating and the lack of security is very unsettling - the US does not have universal access to quality healthcare either. I don’t belong in this culture and every single day I wake up and work towards our goal to do exactly what you guys did - can’t wait to get our house on the market, hopefully soon! I know I will have no regrets .
Hello Lynda! We totally understand and you will find many like minded people here. You deserve a Better Second Half of Life! We are cheering for you! 💕 M&D
I had a coworker, not much older than me, funny thoughtful guy most people loved. He had saved really well and got a surprise inheritance. He decided to work a little more, I think 50 yrs old goal in which he would have enough. He ended up having a heart attack 1.5 yrs before that date. It's scary to think that could happen. The earlier you can set yourself up to live your life, the better, I say.
Hello! Thank you for watching and for sharing that story. Very sad for him. I read somewhere this quote- It’s not that life is short, it’s that we waste a lot of it. As you say, do it as soon as you can. We did and no regrets. We are living our Better Second Half of Life every single day! Cheers! M&D
Great video and much appreciation to you guys for sharing your experiences and perspectives and your excitement of up-rooting and moving abroad. Having lived in the USA/Miami area for the several years prior to retirement, I have never been healthier, calmer, and more enthusiastic about life since moving to Portugal - a country I had never even been to before and knew very little about. Almost all my family and friends thought I was crazy... But after 50 years of working in the "rat race", I wanted to redirect my energy and focus on creating a new and very different and exciting life for myself. One of the best decisions of my life. I call it Joe 2.0 life. 😎
Hello Joe! We reread your message a couple times. It’s very inspiring and validating. So happy to hear you are living your Better Second Half of Life a La Joe2.0!! Love it! ❤️Thanks for watching and sharing your story with us. Cheers! M&D
Thank you very much.😊 And please don't forget the fishing video the next months I wished last year. Kinds of fishes, equipment, stores to buy, etc. - that would be interesting. I can't find a good fishing Madeira video in your quality.
We visited Madeira a few weeks back and we totally agree, the European lifestyle is beautifully laidback! You hear it from from friends and read about, but until you actually experience it yourself, it's hard to appreciate just how much so. Our plan is to head back again next year, for a longer stay!
Great video, M&D! Thought provoking and inspiring as always! Quite a commercial for Madeira! 😊 I see you're focusing on gut health, with your new cooking projects 👍
Hello! Good to hear from you! Yes exactly we’ve been listening to podcasts and we are incorporating gut health into our diet. I have to catch up on your channel!! Hope all is well- see you there!! M&D
Hi Monique and Doug, I'm on a similar path. How I mentioned already in another of your videos that I'm looking for a plot of land and finally I got it! Beginning of May was there signing the contract. Now will create a project and hopefully soon will be able to live there as well! Maybe one day we can meet and drink some Ponchas😊 BTW, congrats for 10k subscribers!!!!
@@fribasekander8088 in what region of the island? We'll be in Gaula/Santa Cruz. If you bought a ground with an existing project it can be realistic to move in August next year. If not, it'll be challenging. We don't have yet a project, but many ideas😄 so there's a long way to go!
Hello! Wow! 🤩 That’s awesome! Huge congratulations! Very exciting to start with a plot of land that you love and build from there! We are happy for you! Thank you for watching our videos and for your kind comment. Yes we made it to 10K! Appreciate the support! Maybe we will see you for a Poncha one day! Cheers! M&D
What an inspiring message. I am still on the fence about moving overseas but definitely have the desire. You made so many great points about the second half of life. So many gems here and you guys do not look like you are in your 50s!
Hi! New subscriber here 👋🏼 I randomly found you as I was researching Madeira. I recently started a family tree and traced like 8 generations back to Madeira so now it's a bucket list travel place for me!
Hello Jason! Welcome to our channel! Thanks for subscribing! Wow- that’s exciting that you can trace back to Madeira. You absolutely have to come here and learn more about your family history here, go through the archives and learn all about the island that is part of your past! Very exciting! Thanks for watching and sharing your story. Cheers! M&D
We love to see Leo wondering around or napping 😁. We have a soft spot for our companions . My little one is getting older and napping all the time😁. BTW Leo is for Law Enforcement Officer? I bet it is.
Hello! Yes she is a doll and very skilled!! We are glad you liked her. Please don’t feel daunted by being single. We know many people who have moved here alone, join expat groups- lunches, hikes, supper clubs, sailing, etc.. and have made friends! Between old friends and family coming to visit and new friends on the island- you will be busy!! We wish you the best of luck- whatever you decide. Thanks for watching! Cheers! M&D
We have a similar background; in teaching & my husband a police officer. We are looking at where to retire. Enjoyed our first trip to Portugal in April. Planning a 2nd trip! Have you stayed very long on mainland Portugal? I wonder if we'd have 'island fever' on Madeira? We may do a bit more traveling research in Spain & Italy, but leaning towards Portugal. Great video!
Hello ! Wow it’s great to meet you! Love that we have similar backgrounds! The teacher / police 👮 seems to be a popular mix! Yes we have spent time on mainland. Years ago for a couple months and more recently we spent 3 months and went everywhere on mainland Portugal. We have 6-7 videos from late last year about our time on the mainland. We never get island fever. We have a recent video where we talk about this! Please check it out! Europe is amazing and we wish you the best time on your adventures! Thanks for watching and your kind comment. Cheers! M&D
D7 visa just dumped the tax breaks for retirees. Now, retirement income is subject to 25-50% tax, and you are forced to become a tax resident in order to have the visa. For now, retiring there is not a great option!!!
Hello! Yes the NHR is gone. We did make another video about the new tax scheme available in Portugal but as you say, no longer tax breaks for pensions. Hopefully they come up with something like the NHR again or they will see a decline in expats. Thanks for watching. Cheers! M&D
Hey there I've watched you both for well ove a year now and am wondering if you knew any Spanish or Portuguese before making the move or did you learn it by classes there or on the fly while integrating? I just watched another expat video and it was stated that if you know Spanish that is great b/c many speak it in Portugal. Not sure if that is counterintuitive or not?!... This was another great informative video. Thank you!
Hello! Thank you for watching our videos and for sticking around!! We appreciate it! We did not and do not know Spanish or Portuguese. Here in Madeira you can easily get by on English. We are learning Portuguese using an app UTalk that has Portuguese Portuguese not Brazilian Portuguese. We are also planning on attending in person classes to teach the A2 level required for citizenship. To our knowledge, Spanish is not widely spoken where we are, and the Portuguese here do not like it when expats assume Spanish and Portuguese are the same and try to speak in Spanish. It may be different elsewhere in Portugal, perhaps closer to Spain, but we can’t speak to that. Thanks again for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D
Hello George! We would have to say that you could live here just fine without the language. Having said that, the longer we are here and becoming part of the community we want to be able to converse and chat in Portuguese- so we are heading to school this fall! Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D
Hello! Our channel name is Track Us Down in Retirement. Track Us Down was the name of our blog and email when we travelled full time for a year. It’s also the name of an e-book we wrote about traveling with children. Now we are also retired! So that’s our name. Thanks for watching! Cheers! M&D
Hello! There are a lot of factors without the NHR for taxation. It depends on your country of origin, the taxes you pay at source etc. Please consult a tax specialist for your specific situation. We recommend Fresh Portugal. Good luck! Cheers! M&D
Yes and yes...up to 48%! NHR has been dumped for retirees...no more breaks. They are trying to discourage US retirees especially, since their flocking there during COVID drove up home and rental prices.
Omg I’m actually crying - I’ve been waiting so long to sell everything and moving to Madeira .
Spent two weeks on Madeira last June and toured the island and definitely know it’s the place for us.
We have to sell 2 more properties until we can get out of Chicago .
The gun violence is devastating and the lack of security is very unsettling - the US does not have universal access to quality healthcare either.
I don’t belong in this culture and every single day I wake up and work towards our goal to do exactly what you guys did - can’t wait to get our house on the market, hopefully soon!
I know I will have no regrets .
Hello Lynda! We totally understand and you will find many like minded people here. You deserve a Better Second Half of Life! We are cheering for you! 💕 M&D
I had a coworker, not much older than me, funny thoughtful guy most people loved. He had saved really well and got a surprise inheritance. He decided to work a little more, I think 50 yrs old goal in which he would have enough. He ended up having a heart attack 1.5 yrs before that date. It's scary to think that could happen. The earlier you can set yourself up to live your life, the better, I say.
Hello! Thank you for watching and for sharing that story. Very sad for him. I read somewhere this quote- It’s not that life is short, it’s that we waste a lot of it. As you say, do it as soon as you can. We did and no regrets. We are living our Better Second Half of Life every single day! Cheers! M&D
"Life begins outside your comfort zone" is my favorite quote because it's so true!!! Another great video! ❤
Hello Dianne! Isn’t that the truth! 👍🏼Great quote. Thanks for watching and for your kind words. Cheers! M&D
I like how you compared it to being 25 again. You are absolutely right!!
Hey Jess! Well if we feel 25 again you must feel like a teenager!! 🥳 Hope you’re doing great and hope to see you soon! Cheers! M&D
Great video and much appreciation to you guys for sharing your experiences and perspectives and your excitement of up-rooting and moving abroad. Having lived in the USA/Miami area for the several years prior to retirement, I have never been healthier, calmer, and more enthusiastic about life since moving to Portugal - a country I had never even been to before and knew very little about. Almost all my family and friends thought I was crazy... But after 50 years of working in the "rat race", I wanted to redirect my energy and focus on creating a new and very different and exciting life for myself. One of the best decisions of my life. I call it Joe 2.0 life. 😎
Hello Joe! We reread your message a couple times. It’s very inspiring and validating. So happy to hear you are living your Better Second Half of Life a La Joe2.0!! Love it! ❤️Thanks for watching and sharing your story with us. Cheers! M&D
Thank you very much.😊
And please don't forget the fishing video the next months I wished last year. Kinds of fishes, equipment, stores to buy, etc. - that would be interesting. I can't find a good fishing Madeira video in your quality.
Hello Johann! Ha ha ok we will see what we can do about a fishing 🎣 video! Thanks for watching and for the reminder 😜 ! Cheers! M&D
We visited Madeira a few weeks back and we totally agree, the European lifestyle is beautifully laidback! You hear it from from friends and read about, but until you actually experience it yourself, it's hard to appreciate just how much so. Our plan is to head back again next year, for a longer stay!
Hello Chris! Thanks for watching and for sharing your insights. Madeira awaits your return! Cheers! M&D
Yes! It was worth! 100%!!!👍👍👍🥰🥰🥰
Hello! Absolutely!!! Nice to hear you have had the same experience! Thanks for watching! Cheers! M&D
Great video, M&D! Thought provoking and inspiring as always!
Quite a commercial for Madeira! 😊
I see you're focusing on gut health, with your new cooking projects 👍
Hello! Good to hear from you! Yes exactly we’ve been listening to podcasts and we are incorporating gut health into our diet. I have to catch up on your channel!! Hope all is well- see you there!! M&D
Hi Monique and Doug, I'm on a similar path. How I mentioned already in another of your videos that I'm looking for a plot of land and finally I got it! Beginning of May was there signing the contract. Now will create a project and hopefully soon will be able to live there as well! Maybe one day we can meet and drink some Ponchas😊
BTW, congrats for 10k subscribers!!!!
Hi, we bought land as well to build our dream home. Hopefully be able to move there by end of August next year. Can't wait to meet Doug & Monique.
@@fribasekander8088 in what region of the island? We'll be in Gaula/Santa Cruz. If you bought a ground with an existing project it can be realistic to move in August next year. If not, it'll be challenging. We don't have yet a project, but many ideas😄 so there's a long way to go!
Hello! Wow! 🤩 That’s awesome! Huge congratulations! Very exciting to start with a plot of land that you love and build from there! We are happy for you! Thank you for watching our videos and for your kind comment. Yes we made it to 10K! Appreciate the support! Maybe we will see you for a Poncha one day! Cheers! M&D
@@oliaye We bought in Calheta and just received our architectural approval and will start building July/August. Very excited.
@fribasekander8088 enjoy the process! Maybe we'll meet one day together with D&M!
Was there last month. Yes it was a positive experience.
Hello Peter! Glad to hear it was positive! Thanks for watching! Cheers! M&D
It's time for a poncha guys! I agree with you its really interesting to just hear everyone's life story here :-)
Hello! Ha ha 🤣 yes it’s Poncha time!! Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D
What an inspiring message. I am still on the fence about moving overseas but definitely have the desire. You made so many great points about the second half of life. So many gems here and you guys do not look like you are in your 50s!
Hello! Thank you so much for watching and we are so happy that you’ve found value in our content. We appreciate the compliment! Cheers! M&D
Heck yes it’s worth it! Excited to join you for ponchas in Madeira soon! 💃 🕺
Hello friends!! Can’t wait !😜 xoxox M&D
Aww, Leo enjoying the sun ♥️
Hello Miranda! Yes our boy loves the sun!☀️ Thanks as always for watching and for your ongoing support of the channel. Cheers! M&D
Hi! New subscriber here 👋🏼 I randomly found you as I was researching Madeira. I recently started a family tree and traced like 8 generations back to Madeira so now it's a bucket list travel place for me!
Hello Jason! Welcome to our channel! Thanks for subscribing! Wow- that’s exciting that you can trace back to Madeira. You absolutely have to come here and learn more about your family history here, go through the archives and learn all about the island that is part of your past! Very exciting! Thanks for watching and sharing your story. Cheers! M&D
Excellent video. It was nice to see Leo enjoying life.
Hello Rui! Thank you for watching and yes Mr. Leo is living his best life! lol! 😂 Hope you are all well! Cheers! M&D
Just when I was going to ask about the main man Leo, he shows up❤️
Hello Walter! Yes Mr. Leo always finds a way to be part of everything! Thanks for watching! Cheers! M&D
We love to see Leo wondering around or napping 😁. We have a soft spot for our companions . My little one is getting older and napping all the time😁. BTW Leo is for Law Enforcement Officer? I bet it is.
Love your video guy's, my favorite one so far, hello from Canada, hope to come there soon.....
Hello Stuart in Canada! Thanks for watching and for your kind comment. Madeira awaits you! Cheers! M&D
I would really love to do it!
I even met with your realtor & she was a doll. But it’s very daunting for someone who’s single.
Hello! Yes she is a doll and very skilled!! We are glad you liked her. Please don’t feel daunted by being single. We know many people who have moved here alone, join expat groups- lunches, hikes, supper clubs, sailing, etc.. and have made friends! Between old friends and family coming to visit and new friends on the island- you will be busy!! We wish you the best of luck- whatever you decide. Thanks for watching! Cheers! M&D
We have a similar background; in teaching & my husband a police officer. We are looking at where to retire. Enjoyed our first trip to Portugal in April. Planning a 2nd trip! Have you stayed very long on mainland Portugal? I wonder if we'd have 'island fever' on Madeira? We may do a bit more traveling research in Spain & Italy, but leaning towards Portugal. Great video!
Hello ! Wow it’s great to meet you! Love that we have similar backgrounds! The teacher / police 👮 seems to be a popular mix! Yes we have spent time on mainland. Years ago for a couple months and more recently we spent 3 months and went everywhere on mainland Portugal. We have 6-7 videos from late last year about our time on the mainland. We never get island fever. We have a recent video where we talk about this! Please check it out! Europe is amazing and we wish you the best time on your adventures! Thanks for watching and your kind comment. Cheers! M&D
D7 visa just dumped the tax breaks for retirees. Now, retirement income is subject to 25-50% tax, and you are forced to become a tax resident in order to have the visa. For now, retiring there is not a great option!!!
Hello! Yes the NHR is gone. We did make another video about the new tax scheme available in Portugal but as you say, no longer tax breaks for pensions. Hopefully they come up with something like the NHR again or they will see a decline in expats. Thanks for watching. Cheers! M&D
@@Track_Us_Down sadly, it's been announced that Portugal joins 4 other EU countries to pilot vaxx ID cards next month. Good luck!
Great video Doug and Monique! Very encouraging!
Hello! Thanks for watching and for your kind comment. Cheers! M&D
Joen and Amalie of Stay Classy UA-cam channel also live in Madeira. Do you know them???
Hello! We know who they are but we have never run into them. Thanks for watching! Cheers! M&D
Awesome ❤
Hello! Thanks for watching and for your sweet comment! Cheers! M&D
Great video.
Hello Norbert! Thanks for watching and for your kind words. Cheers! M&D
Hey there I've watched you both for well ove a year now and am wondering if you knew any Spanish or Portuguese before making the move or did you learn it by classes there or on the fly while integrating? I just watched another expat video and it was stated that if you know Spanish that is great b/c many speak it in Portugal. Not sure if that is counterintuitive or not?!... This was another great informative video. Thank you!
Hello! Thank you for watching our videos and for sticking around!! We appreciate it! We did not and do not know Spanish or Portuguese. Here in Madeira you can easily get by on English. We are learning Portuguese using an app UTalk that has Portuguese Portuguese not Brazilian Portuguese. We are also planning on attending in person classes to teach the A2 level required for citizenship. To our knowledge, Spanish is not widely spoken where we are, and the Portuguese here do not like it when expats assume Spanish and Portuguese are the same and try to speak in Spanish. It may be different elsewhere in Portugal, perhaps closer to Spain, but we can’t speak to that. Thanks again for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D
Do you speak Portuguese? I found it easy visiting Maderia not knowing the language, but is it something you need when living there.
Hello George! We would have to say that you could live here just fine without the language. Having said that, the longer we are here and becoming part of the community we want to be able to converse and chat in Portuguese- so we are heading to school this fall! Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D
Sorry sir I can’t understand for your channel name plz tell me explain and both of you stay happy
Hello! Our channel name is Track Us Down in Retirement. Track Us Down was the name of our blog and email when we travelled full time for a year. It’s also the name of an e-book we wrote about traveling with children. Now we are also retired! So that’s our name. Thanks for watching! Cheers! M&D
@@Track_Us_Down ok ok 👍 Thankx
will my ss be taxed. will my pension be taxed.
Hello! There are a lot of factors without the NHR for taxation. It depends on your country of origin, the taxes you pay at source etc. Please consult a tax specialist for your specific situation. We recommend Fresh Portugal. Good luck!
Cheers! M&D
Yes and yes...up to 48%! NHR has been dumped for retirees...no more breaks. They are trying to discourage US retirees especially, since their flocking there during COVID drove up home and rental prices.
You are in thirties 🎉
Hello! Ha ha yes in our own minds for sure! 🤣😆 Thanks for watching! Cheers! M&D