At 37, Mauricio Verbichi left his steady job at an automotive factory in Buenos Aires and moved to the open fields of La Paz, in Córdoba’s Traslasierra region. He was keeping a promise to himself: to reach forty “autojubilado y en paz,” self-retired and at peace. The move was not a fad or an escape from crisis.
His decision wasn’t a blind leap. Years on the factory floor had left him questioning the value of a fixed schedule and predictable pay. A motorcycle accident forced him to reconsider his priorities and revisit old goals he’d written down but set aside.
Verbichi and his family began with weekend trips to clear the land before construction started.
He changed his address and the rhythm of his daily life. In La Paz, Verbichi started building his own house with quincha, a traditional blend of wood and straw, bound with mud. The land had no urban comforts, so rather than wait for utilities, he set up a small solar panel and built a rainwater collection system. One of his first projects was a clay oven, made by hand for cooking.
“Not having a fixed job is a relief,” he told the YouTube channel Crónicas del Cambio - De Música Rutera in an interview published on April 24, 2026. Verbichi says the absence of a fixed job brings him relief. He earns a living but he can, drawing on his gardening and cooking skills while taking on repairs and other work as it comes up. “There’s always work,” he said. Cronista notes that this approach is becoming more common in the region, where flexible skills and self-reliance matter more than ever.
Leaving the factory didn’t mean giving up work. It meant redefining it. Verbichi no longer depends on one employer; he juggles different trades, balancing construction with supporting his family. He admits the fear of instability is real, but uses it as motivation: “I use fear as a driving force.”
Traslasierra, where Verbichi settled, has recently drawn news coverage for its rural character and ongoing infrastructure projects. Reports have also noted weather events in the area, including snowfall in the Córdoba sierras.
Family was a major reason for the move. As a father of three, Verbichi wanted more time with his children and a slower, more intentional pace. The countryside, with its challenges and freedoms, gave him a way to reclaim both. He continues building his home and piecing together his income, finding satisfaction in his independence and the visible results of his work.
Google/SpainAuto reported that Verbichi’s story is about taking control of his time and priorities while continuing to work. His experience reflects growing interest in different ways of living and working, especially as traditional jobs come under question. Not everyone will follow his path, but his choices show how flexibility and ability to recover help people face uncertainty directly. For some, peace comes from letting go of fixed routines and accepting the unpredictable.
