- 4 months ago
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TVTranscript
00:01The last five years of my life have been very complicated.
00:04I was married.
00:05Not anymore.
00:06Luis had a breakup, so he broke up with Atlanta, too, in the hopes of starting over in Tulum.
00:12I needed 100% reason of my life.
00:15I need peace, tranquility.
00:17I can still hear the noise.
00:18Tulum is booming.
00:19That's something we got to deal with.
00:21I am picky, but I'm picky with reason.
00:24He wants to have everything, but he got to focus on what he really needs.
00:28My biggest obstacle in this move is me.
00:43I am from Puerto Rico.
00:44I lived there until I was about eight and a half and moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1996.
00:50And I've been in Atlanta for 26 years.
00:54I found my cat at a gas station.
00:56I love him.
00:57Prince is now eight.
00:58For the last eight years, I have dedicated my time to work for myself.
01:02I'm a chef.
01:03My restaurant was called My Abuela's Food.
01:05The community loved us.
01:07However, I don't think it was the business that crashed.
01:09It was me.
01:10I was learning how to run a restaurant for the first time.
01:12It was tough.
01:13I was working constantly, and I became a bit of a monster that just burned everything to the ground.
01:20At the same time his restaurant was falling apart, Luis was also going through a divorce.
01:25I hit rock bottom, and I looked at myself in the mirror and I said, this is it.
01:29Either change or not change.
01:31And Luis's mindset wasn't the only thing changing fast.
01:35Atlanta has had massive growth, and with growth comes higher cost of living.
01:40I've always wanted to live somewhere else.
01:43In 2020, I visited Tulum and I immediately fell in love.
01:48There was like an energy that kind of pulled me in.
01:50It's just a vibe.
01:52So, after the restaurant closed, I started working remotely as a marketing strategist,
01:58and I can take that job anywhere.
02:00It's taking about two and a half years to save, to have enough money to be able to make a shift.
02:06There's a lot of risk involved.
02:08I'm hopeful, and I'm ready, but not ready.
02:12One of the reasons I'm choosing Tulum is I'm a beach guy.
02:15I love the water.
02:16I was born in Puerto Rico, and that just kind of stuck with me.
02:19Tulum is in the Caribbean, so just across the ocean from Puerto Rico.
02:23It's really important for me to feel water close to me.
02:26I love cenotes.
02:28I'm looking for calmness, places where I can maybe connect with yoga, meditation.
02:33Like, being able to pull in from that Tulum wellness piece, that's important for my life right now.
02:38Will it be just you or...?
02:40Me with my cat, Prince.
02:42He kind of makes all the decisions for me.
02:44His cat is a decision maker.
02:46Great.
02:47You know Tulum is growing a lot?
02:48Oh, yeah.
02:49Five years ago, there was nothing in here.
02:50During the pandemic, a lot of people moved down to Tulum.
02:53It's one of the most expensive cities in Mexico, but I have to keep in mind that I'm not here to save.
02:58I'm here to just live a new life.
03:00The Hotel Zone is one of the best neighborhoods in the city, but financially, it might be a little bit out of my comfort zone.
03:06With the Hotel Zone fully developed, investors have been racing to build more affordable options inland.
03:12Right now I'm looking at La Veleta or Aldea Sama.
03:17And the recently completed Tren Maya brings modern convenience to a once ancient city that's transforming overnight.
03:24Walkability is really important for me, so a place where I can just be social.
03:29Awesome.
03:30I'm going to be honest with you.
03:31I could be a bit picky.
03:32I kind of know what I want.
03:34I used to own a restaurant.
03:35Oh, perfect.
03:36And like cooking is one of my passions in my life.
03:39So a full oven.
03:40Yes.
03:41Complete kitchen.
03:42Yeah.
03:43Two bedrooms furnished.
03:44I work them out, and I just need to feel comfort away from a lot of noise.
03:51Washer, dryer in the unit is essential.
03:53Okay.
03:54And then maybe a plunge pool.
03:57That would be a great plus.
03:58Okay.
03:59So a lot of amenities.
04:00Yes.
04:01Do you know how much are you willing to spend?
04:03$1,500.
04:04Two bedrooms, a little bit hard for what you're looking for.
04:07His wish list is reasonable, but he's asking for a really complete kitchen.
04:11So that will be something hard to find for what he's willing to spend.
04:15To get Luis enough space, Rodrigo starts with a place on the outskirts of town.
04:20La Veleta is really well established.
04:22Two blocks from here, we have Calle Siete where you can find everything.
04:25Okay.
04:26This is like the newest area of La Veleta.
04:28The apartment is really spacious.
04:29It's a two bedroom, two bath.
04:31The great amenities and also the price, I think is the best one in the market.
04:36Yeah, I'm seeing that the area is not paved.
04:40Yeah.
04:41And a lot of construction.
04:42Everything is going on.
04:43The roads will be paid in a few months.
04:45It feels very alone back here.
04:47It feels very lonely.
04:48He needs to realize that everything is growing.
04:51In a few months, he will have grocery stores, restaurants right next to the condo.
04:55Wow.
04:56It's brand new.
04:57It's completely new.
04:58You will be one of the first ones leaving it.
05:00There's going to be like a work space.
05:02I can see myself working out here.
05:04I love this pool.
05:05I mean, this is beautiful outside.
05:06It's big.
05:07So this is a common pool, but you also have a pool inside the unit.
05:09Okay.
05:10It has also gym, yoga, and a cafeteria as well.
05:13Amazing.
05:14There's a small kitchen that doesn't have a washer and dryer, but the price is $1,400.
05:19Sick.
05:20That's it.
05:21Here's the main entrance.
05:26Wow.
05:27We have the living room.
05:29There's the kitchen right here.
05:31I'm not, like, in love with it immediately.
05:33Yeah.
05:34It has your forced stove burner, but no oven.
05:38Did you not hear what I wanted?
05:40I'm a chef, and this kitchen is not functional.
05:43I told you, ovans are completely rare in too long, so...
05:46I know.
05:47Still, I would like to bake.
05:48Yeah.
05:49So, that's a big question mark for me.
05:51I'm really loving the natural lighting, and I have to say, I can just, like, kind of
05:54kick that out.
05:55Yeah.
05:56And I like the decoration.
05:57It has that Tula Minotti style, but it's simple.
06:00I can still add my own aesthetic to it.
06:04You have a private pool right here, which is for two people.
06:08Okay.
06:09A small little plunge pool, but no privacy.
06:12I mean, what kind of conversations can be had in public, or what kind of guests could
06:16I even have in this pool?
06:18Yeah.
06:19And this outdoor space connects really to the bedroom.
06:21Okay.
06:22The main bedroom?
06:23Yeah.
06:24It's a good size.
06:25We have a huge closet this way.
06:27It's a giant closet.
06:28And then you also have a desk.
06:30You know, you can just work from your bed or work right here.
06:32Yeah.
06:33I wish I could be looking outside for a desk, but I like that it's here.
06:37Prince would approve.
06:38Totally.
06:39I like hiding spaces.
06:40So we're going good with Prince.
06:41Yes.
06:42But for me, I'm just not sure.
06:46This is the bedroom.
06:51Okay.
06:52It has good space.
06:53I like that the shower is big.
06:56I love that.
06:57Let me show you the second bedroom.
06:58Okay.
06:59So you can see this will be the main hall to the bedroom.
07:02Yeah, I like this.
07:03As you can see, you have two full sizes beds.
07:05Yeah, I'm really liking this natural light.
07:07I can also see myself, like, working here.
07:10Let's talk.
07:11I like the space.
07:12I love that it has two bedrooms.
07:14Amity-wise, I think this property is amazing.
07:16And the price is incredible.
07:18But it's not about cost.
07:19It's about how I feel in the unit.
07:21The kitchen wasn't speaking to me.
07:22I can't believe there's no oven.
07:24You know the ovens are completely burnt into the room.
07:27I don't care.
07:28This is what I want.
07:30We don't have a washer-dryer space.
07:32I don't think that I have the privacy that I'm looking for.
07:34And it's kind of far away from all the restaurants, shops.
07:38There's a lot of construction.
07:40When I think about my day-to-day, I want to be social.
07:43I don't see that in this apartment.
07:45Now I understand what he meant of being picky.
07:48With the next option, Rodrigo throws the kitchen sink at Luis.
07:52It has the oven.
07:54I like this.
07:55An occasion is great.
07:56Actually, it's not a selling point yet.
07:58I can still hear the noise.
07:59I need peace, tranquility.
08:01It's very important to me to be able to learn about a whole different culture.
08:08And just breathe something new.
08:10A new light.
08:11In 1996, my family moved to Atlanta.
08:13And that wasn't my choice.
08:15This is personally a choice that I am making of moving to another country.
08:19Mexico just brightens my day.
08:21How are you?
08:22I'm good.
08:23It always has.
08:24I first visited Mexico when I was nine years old.
08:27And it just made me really happy.
08:29And I want to learn more.
08:30I actually just want to be part of the country rather than just visiting.
08:34And meet new culinary creatives.
08:37Thank you so much for having me in your kitchen.
08:38This is like your most traditional dish.
08:40Yes.
08:41And with the falafel, it will be perfect.
08:44Currently, I'm exploring ideas on what do I do next.
08:48I work, but I want to develop something new for myself.
08:53So during this trip, I think learning about culture and learning about the food
08:57and being able to explore different business models is going to be really helpful for me
09:01in what's coming up next in my life.
09:03Yep.
09:04Whatever it is, it's like a hug in my mouth.
09:07And it's vegan.
09:08I needed a whole reset.
09:10Professionally, personally, spiritually, physically, mentally, everything.
09:16Man, I've lived in couches. I've lived in friends' homes.
09:20I've had many years to learn different lessons in life.
09:24In this new chapter, I'm ready to use those lessons and bring them to good use.
09:29And that's why I'm picky.
09:31I really want a full kitchen, oven, stove, washer, dryer in the unit.
09:36Having that in mind, I'm thinking in some places we're going to take a look.
09:39And let's not forget.
09:40Prince.
09:41I haven't met Prince, but I'm kind of getting it now.
09:43Both are picky.
09:44We'll just go with that.
09:45This property is close to the city in Aldea Selma.
09:48It has the largest kitchen we will see.
09:50Nice.
09:51It has two beds, two and a half bedrooms.
09:52It's also a swimming pool.
09:54I think it's the best option, but it's $2,000.
09:57Okay.
09:58Since the price is a little bit higher, what about the sound?
10:00We have a lot of construction, but I guarantee inside you will not hear nothing.
10:06This is very beautiful.
10:07Yeah.
10:08So the apartment, we will take a look. It's the first one in the complex.
10:11First one means I get to hear everything.
10:13A little bit.
10:16Wow.
10:20Lots of textures.
10:21We have like the rocks and it's very nice, but I'm immediately drawn into the kitchen.
10:26I know.
10:27I can see myself cooking here.
10:29I really like the sliding.
10:32Yeah.
10:33I like that it has an oven.
10:34Super happy with that.
10:36And I also like the black countertops.
10:38And the sliding doors, you can just open everything so you can have that extra space outdoors.
10:42Yeah.
10:43I love that.
10:44All the doors can slice all the way to the back.
10:47Really, that's just like a sexy energy to it.
10:50Yeah.
10:51So you will have this with your pool.
10:52I love this.
10:53And the pool is just for two apartments.
10:54This is great.
10:55I love this.
10:56The only thing I'm still not excited about is that I can still hear this construction.
10:59It's part of Tulum.
11:00Okay.
11:01And it's really close to the road.
11:02That's the thing that I immediately like just feel.
11:05You know, the apartment has this amenity, which is indoor, outdoor, but the noise level,
11:10it's a bit much.
11:12I'm looking for peace.
11:14No stressors.
11:15I don't know if like the furniture, honestly, is like my style, but the space is really,
11:20really nice.
11:21Love that I get to sit with people.
11:24And honestly, I can work from here too.
11:26I work for a communications firm.
11:29Professionally, I've explored my entire life.
11:31But personally, I kind of just want to connect with myself.
11:34The space is perfect.
11:36Definitely not.
11:37But I can see the energy that's trying to be portrayed.
11:41Do you want to take a look to the rest of the apartment?
11:43I do.
11:44Yeah.
11:45So here we have the laundry area.
11:47Okay.
11:48You can see over here.
11:49Nice.
11:50This is a washer and dryer.
11:51It's a washer and dryer.
11:52Great.
11:53Then you have the health bathroom.
11:55It's kind of small.
11:56Yeah, but it is a really nice bathroom.
11:58So this is the main bedroom?
12:00This bed is great.
12:01Yeah.
12:02Yeah, absolutely.
12:03This is really nice.
12:04Really big, really comfortable.
12:06And then I see that it has a full bathroom attached to this bedroom.
12:10You have like double entrance to the shower.
12:13Yeah, it's really interesting.
12:14I like that.
12:15Want to take a look into the other bedroom?
12:16Yeah.
12:17Let's go.
12:18Oh, nice.
12:19If I have guests or when my family visits, like this is really nice to have.
12:24Totally.
12:25Yeah.
12:26Nice.
12:27Full bath.
12:28Nice shower that I can see myself singing in.
12:29Yeah.
12:30High ceilings as well.
12:31There's a second bedroom.
12:32Nice.
12:33This is like a really good space.
12:34Something I want to mention that mostly of the apartments don't have is this.
12:38What is this?
12:39So I know you like cooking.
12:41This is an extra kitchen.
12:42What?
12:43This is like a full apartment.
12:45This is going to be Prince's kitchen.
12:47He likes to drink and party.
12:49So this is like his party spot.
12:50Yeah.
12:51Any other surprises?
12:52Not for now.
12:53That's everything for the apartment.
12:56I don't hate it, but I don't love it.
12:59It's not bad.
13:00I really like this kitchen and I really like the outdoor space.
13:04Prince would love this hallway, just like running back and forth as I catwalk with him.
13:09He likes to do the catwalk.
13:11I don't know what's a catwalk, but he likes that.
13:14But the second bedroom having an additional kitchen.
13:17I'm looking for my own personal space with a little space to host.
13:22But that just feels like I would be looking for a roommate and that's just not something that I'm seeking out.
13:27Do you think that second bedroom is completely necessary or?
13:30I'm not really sure.
13:32I don't want to say I'm going to make a compromise.
13:35I hope that he will be able to make all my dreams come true.
13:39Rodrigo hopes downsizing for the right location.
13:42Wow.
13:43Will finally seal the deal.
13:44The sound of nature lives rent free in my brain, but it's not spacious.
13:50I'm still not connecting with it.
13:53Life at Atlanta was almost a blur.
13:55I was working about 90 hours a week.
13:57I would like come home, not sleep.
13:59I just lacked care, but still have to have a facade of caring.
14:03And that just transforms into the perfect recipe for disaster.
14:09Top thing that I need in my life right now?
14:12Wellness.
14:13Tranquility.
14:14Slowing down.
14:15Understanding that I can take my time.
14:18Things that I don't want is stressors.
14:21I want to really be at ease in my own space and just accept, be there, present.
14:27You like going out here?
14:28Yeah.
14:29You know, I'm not looking to be super social, but I'm interested in the long run to make friends, build community.
14:35Yeah.
14:36When I moved to Tulum, I was going through a breakup, so yeah, kind of like Luis.
14:39I've been through so much, and that's why I'm seeking comfort.
14:42I mentioned that I was picky, and I think I'm picky, but I'm picky with reason, right?
14:47He's picky, but he's not good, so I can deal with that.
14:50With the final option, Rodrigo goes all in on tranquility, but the peace and quiet comes with other setbacks.
14:57We're now in La Veleta.
14:59Okay.
15:00It's more part of the city.
15:01Is it close to things?
15:02It's close to things.
15:03You can walk by everything as well.
15:04You can see now the roads are like this, but momentarily we'll be paid.
15:07Okay.
15:08This is a one bedroom, one bad apartment.
15:10What?
15:11We're losing a bedroom, but I think the game changer will be the jungle view that you will have.
15:14Okay.
15:15The only thing is that it's on the second floor.
15:17That means we're taking some stairs?
15:19Yeah.
15:20And also the price is $1,750 as well.
15:23Hmm.
15:24Okay.
15:25We wanted two bedrooms and now you're saying that this one's only one bedroom.
15:29I don't think he's listening or understanding my needs.
15:33That was some stairs.
15:35I didn't really think about having that in my life on a day-to-day basis.
15:39I know, but everything is worth it when you can see this type of view.
15:42There's no construction.
15:43You can just hear the birds, so.
15:45Yeah, this is really beautiful.
15:46It's really peaceful.
15:47Yeah.
15:48Totally worth it.
15:49I don't know that yet, but this is definitely really pretty.
15:55This is tight.
16:00I'm not seeing an immediate connection to it.
16:05It's a bit small.
16:06This one, I really feel you can put your touch on it.
16:09Yeah, that's something that I'm seeing.
16:11It gives me space to be able to individualize it, for sure.
16:13Yeah.
16:14Well, let's go with the kitchen.
16:15What do you think about it?
16:16I don't think it's the biggest kitchen, but it has really good counter space.
16:19I think it's a functional kitchen.
16:20Yeah.
16:21And it really is functional.
16:22It has an oven, the four burners, nice counter space, and I just really like the natural light.
16:28The natural light is where we're landing in here.
16:31Okay.
16:32But I'm still not sold.
16:33There's something about it that I'm still not connecting with it.
16:36Yeah.
16:37It's just not giving me what I want.
16:40It's expensive, and I'm losing space.
16:43Luis is thinking on the past life.
16:46He's thinking that maybe he needs a bigger kitchen, super spacious place.
16:49But now that he's on his own here, it might not really be completely necessary.
16:54Oh, I do like the bathroom.
16:56And I love the fact that this is a full-size shower.
16:59Yeah, it's big.
17:00That's really nice.
17:01Let's take a look at the bathroom.
17:02Okay.
17:03Wow.
17:04Okay.
17:05This is a really large bed.
17:06Yeah.
17:07The size is perfect, I think.
17:08Yeah.
17:09And I like that it has Prince's closet and then my closet.
17:11Yeah.
17:12You want to take a look on the balcony?
17:13What's this?
17:14So those are the stairs that go upstairs of the roof.
17:18Okay.
17:19I'm excited.
17:20Stairs in the balcony.
17:21That is something different.
17:22I have a little surprise for him.
17:28Wow.
17:29It's a nice and spacious pool as well.
17:31Yeah.
17:32So just like a plunge pool.
17:33It's just private for your unit.
17:34Wow.
17:35So it's just for you.
17:36You get that privacy also in the outdoors, not just in the indoor space.
17:39Yeah.
17:40Let's go take a look over here so you can see as well.
17:43You have another area where you can cook.
17:45Love that.
17:46Barbecue area.
17:47And what's this?
17:48That's the laundry area.
17:49Okay.
17:50You have a washer and dryer up there.
17:52Yes.
17:53This is perfect.
17:54I just wish that I felt this downstairs.
17:56I just don't know.
17:57If it gives me enough space for my day to day life.
18:00It's enough for Prince though.
18:01So we have Prince approval on that side.
18:03The kitchen is good, but it's not great.
18:06And a lot of stairs.
18:07What about the location?
18:08What do you think?
18:09You're so close to so many things.
18:11And the sound of nature lives rent-free in my brain.
18:15Are you willing to sacrifice the second bedroom?
18:18I don't think so.
18:19Yeah.
18:20Outside is great, but I live inside.
18:22And Prince also is an indoor cat.
18:25What if I say yes to the one that I'm not really sure about?
18:28Like, what if I make a mistake?
18:30And moving to another country completely alone,
18:33I want to make sure that when I'm saying yes,
18:36I'm like fully committed to it.
18:38What do I do?
18:40I want to bring you here so you can start filling the lifestyle
18:43that will be now yours.
18:44Absolutely.
18:45Ending the day this way is so special.
18:48There's so many challenges in this move,
18:50and now I'm just ready to face them.
18:52I'm not moving to save money.
18:54I'm moving to reset my life,
18:56and I want to make sure that the decisions that I'm making
18:59and the choices that are leading me
19:02to my next stage in my life are done carefully.
19:06I'm seeing a lot of construction
19:08around this entire apartment complex.
19:10Yes.
19:11The two-bedroom garden was in the back of La Veleta.
19:13Yeah.
19:14It wasn't close to much of anything.
19:15But in a few months, you will have new stores,
19:18new grocery places.
19:19But the kitchen wasn't functional.
19:21It didn't have the oven,
19:22and it didn't have a washer-dryer.
19:25It's a no for me.
19:26Let's take that away.
19:27Let's talk about the two-bedroom stream up.
19:29The location was good,
19:30but it was the first apartment to the right.
19:32I feel like I'm going to hear everything across the day
19:35with a lot of construction around it.
19:37But it honestly had the dream kitchen,
19:39and I really enjoyed that it had the washer-dryer.
19:41But I didn't understand the second kitchen.
19:44It's $2,000.
19:45But I think it could be worth it.
19:47Absolutely.
19:48What about the one-bedroom apartment?
19:50Those stairs are a lot.
19:51But the view, worth it.
19:53The inside was small.
19:55Kitchen, not so great.
19:57It has appliances.
19:58But the outdoor space really spoke to me.
20:00I mean, that outdoor rooftop is money.
20:03The real area as well,
20:04that's something you didn't ask but has it.
20:06Are you willing to sacrifice the second bedroom?
20:09I don't think so.
20:16The way that I'm looking at this right now
20:18is the Atlanta version of me
20:20versus the Tulum version of me.
20:22The Atlanta version would pick two-bedroom, swim up.
20:26But this is a different me.
20:28I have to think of my budget, but not only money.
20:31Which one says,
20:33hey, Luis, here's where you focus.
20:36Yeah, I think the one-bedroom
20:37will make you connect with yourself.
20:38Absolutely.
20:39If that's the thing that you were looking for.
20:42I rented the one-bedroom.
20:44Mr. Prince.
20:46He loves his apartment.
20:48There is a part of me
20:49that definitely misses having a second bedroom.
20:51But when I walked in here,
20:53I fell in love with being indoors yet outdoors
20:57and feeling calm.
20:59And the rooftop space is everything.
21:02I think I did find the right home for both of us.
21:05Working remotely from here is good.
21:07It's challenging sometimes.
21:08I can't lie.
21:09But I'm finding my way.
21:11Tulum has given me the opportunity
21:13to explore new flavors.
21:15I feel alive.
21:17I wake up every day and I sometimes say,
21:20where am I?
21:21I'm grateful.
21:22I'm extremely proud of myself.
21:24And I'm really happy that I took the risk.
21:27Now I'm ready to conquer the world.
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