Introducing myself and considering moving to Belize

Hi everyone,

My name is Mary, and I’m new here. I wanted to introduce myself and ask a few very practical questions about Belize.

I’m currently living in Argentina, waiting for a residency decision that should be known within the next couple of months. If it doesn’t work out, I’m seriously considering Belize as a backup plan — not for a short stay or “trying it out,” but as a place where I could realistically build a life.

I want to be very honest: I don’t really have a “home country” to return to, so for me this is not about coming for a few months to see how it feels and then leaving. I’m specifically interested in long-term legal stay and residency options.

My main questions are things I’ve found hard to get clear answers on from official websites, so I’m hoping people who actually live in Belize can share real-life experience:

Visa extensions - the most important consideration:

How realistic is it, in practice, to extend a tourist visa monthly for up to one year in order to become eligible to apply for permanent residency?

– Is this commonly done?

– Are extensions usually straightforward if you follow the rules and pay the fees?

– Any issues people commonly run into?

Money / cost of living (very simple lifestyle):

How much money does one realistically need per month to live very simply?

I mean:

1. small, basic apartment (no AC is fine)

1. no eating out

1. local food only (rice, vegetables, fruit, basics)

1. no nightlife, no imported products, no luxury lifestyle

I’ve been living in very basic conditions in Argentina for quite a while, so my standards are genuinely low — I’m used to simplicity and don’t need much comfort or "Western-style" convenience, just stability and basic stuff.

Anything important I should know early on? For example, are there things you wish you had known before committing to Belize long-term (especially related to visas, residency, or daily practical life)?

I’d really appreciate honest, experience-based answers. I’m not looking for a “dream destination,” just a place where a simple, stable life is realistically possible.

Thank you in advance to anyone willing to share their experience.