Relocation Visit /Vacation

Hello Dwayne,

Welcome to Expat.com 😀

Feel free to ask any specific questions. Members will be happy to share their experiences, both positive and negative.

Wishing you a great trip and an early happy birthday!

Best regards,

Cheryl

Expat.com team

thank you for your gracious response and I eagerly look forward to my visit. Thank once again and have a blessed day

@Dwayne Jones

Hi D. J., I would suggest that you visit each area before making your mind. If you like beach, take a look at Hopkins and Placencia and PG. If you like mountains and jungle, check out Sittee River area, Cayo district area.

@CocoHer

Yes Mam I understand that entirely as I said in have been researching and gathering information for nearly 3 years  I know most expats returns back to their home lands after 2 years there, I have spoken to people both in Belize and here in the united states who are from belize specifically Corozal numerous times and well as constantly watched Youtube videos and your channels 3 5 and 7(the nation Station). I am originally from New Orleans as I have said so I have lived in a tourist city and i know i dont want that type of environment I know about the other regions but for me Corozal seems more of a fit for my lifestyle it doesnt mean i wont explore other areas but for this trip this is the area in focused on, I plan on making 2 more trips to Belize if all goes well this time thank you for your imput and have a blessed day

@Dwayne Jones

My husband and I made the move in early 2023 from Ontario Canada to Corozal Belize.  The community has been incredibly welcoming.  Its relaxed and laid back with plenty to occupy you.  So many community events and gatherings.  Feel free to reach out, Happy to answer any questions I can.

You’re doing it right: getting boots on the ground, talking with Belizeans and expats, and taking your time! Bravo! If you do make the move, you’re much more likely to have a successful relocation!

The folks who come then leave after a year or two weren’t as prepared for the reality of life here. Common issues we’ve seen and heard over our 16 years here include the following:

1. not comfortable living in a color blind society that doesn’t preference being white
2. No big box stores and almost nothing open from midday Saturday to Monday morning
3. No way to check out contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc and iffy skill sets in many cases
4. inability to accept very different concepts of time, urgency, etc than in the US
5. the big one: medical issues! Too many are unrealistic about their health and are not prepared for a medical crisis or ongoing problem.
6. lastly, unrealistic ideas about cost of living: especially if one lives American style instead of Belizean style. And the cost of building is comparable to the US even though the land may be quite reasonable.

Everyone has their own stories but these are what we’ve seen and heard the most. It’s very sad to see folks who came expecting it to be very inexpensive and that their income would stretch further only to find the International Living’s budgets were wildly wrong, for example. Or a medical issue that can’t be handled here but all their money is tied up here and they can’t afford to leave. Real estate does NOT sell quickly here!

We tell folks who ask that there are only 3 things here that are less expensive: rental housing, property taxes, and labor.

Hope this helps. We love it here!

@Dwayne Jones. Hello. I would be happy to answer any questions you have.  We relocated to Corozal in early 2023.