Belize vs USA - Cost of Living

Thank you so much
I realy glad for this information

Congratulations, on your move to Belize. Do you have a place picked out yet? That helps. Realtors are a good place to begin, that search. As for household items to bring. We rented a furnished place. We were not expecting much more than furniture. We have EVERYthing! Bedding, towels, kitchen items, lamps, pillows. You name it. We have a tv, it's really  old, but works. There are appliances, full size refrigerator, stove, with oven, microwave, washer & dryer. Some things we brought with us, because we weren't sure, were clothes hangers. We've since bought 20 more... haha We were lucky, now that we have seen some of the other places that were for rent in San Ignacio, before we left the states. We purchased two more bath towels, also. But, we purchased them in Chetumal, Mexico. They were less expensive. We purchased a small, stereo, with cd, radio, mp3 player. It was expensive, we think. At least, it's new. We purchased a PS3, for some games & that was used, old games & we think, very expensive. Ah well. EVERYthink electronically, is pirated. So, you might want to bring your own music, movies, ect. The copies are sometimes really bad. ha Good luck! Hope you enjoy your new home, in Belize. annie

Ms. Godfrey, is the lady that helped us at the BTB! They've changed the dating, for your expiration, to December 31. We got lucky & have an added 6 months, due to an error... Good luck & be PATIENT. NOTHING goes as planned, in Belize & NO one is in a hurry. Annie

Thank you Annie.
I don't pick up location, yet

I just wrote an e-mail to Mr. John Acott, and I just have info. from his office.

I'm looking now for app. or just one room, not for house.
Maybe later.

If you know somebody , who is willing to rent out one bedroom , wherever in Belize I will be more than happy.

I planning to get with me my iPad & copmuter for now,
is good staff even for music  
Do you know how much is for Internet per month?

How long you live in Cayo District and why you want to move
to different area?
Is dangerous or expensive there?

I' m going to read BTB and ask for elp in future to Ms. Godfrey.

Thank you your hopes & advices.

Our landlord is building a 1 bedroom apt, right now. It's about complete. Our little cottage is really small, but just right for us. We are leaving because of the costs, per month, here. You will have to buy bottled water, for drinking. River water for other household things. It's clean enough & the guy puts some chemical in both of our tanks to purify it, somewhat. ha  But, we were really hoping to be saving $500 per month, living as Belizeans. I don't know how they do it. Especially, with a family. Ahhhh... so, we really have been coming in about even every month. If you are alone, you should do wonderful! We live about a mile, from San Jose Succotz. That would put us about 5 miles from the Guatemala border. We thought we'd have some problems, but none. Don't even hear of anyone else having problems. We've decided that after a year in Belize & doing most of the stuff on our bucket list, we'll head back to the USA. I hope John will be a good broker for you to find some places. Are you bringing a car? If so, take it thru the QRP program & you will only have to pay for shipping. It's really the best deal, as autos are mostly, from the 1980's, wrecks & EXPENSIVE! Not a good deal. You could live in town. It's dirty, from the dust on the roads, VERY noisy, from all the traffic, buses, big trucks & there are a lot of bars, everywhere. Below where people live, below where you would be renting. They don't show you this online. So ASK, ASK ASK!! Over & over, if you have to. It will prepare you more. You'll love Belize!! But, most of the stuff online is candy coated.... Annie

jettz wrote:

....We are leaving because of the costs, per month, here. ....  But, we were really hoping to be saving $500 per month, living as Belizeans. I don't know how they do it. .....But, most of the stuff online is candy coated.... Annie

LOVE this post! Thank you so much Annie. We plan to "live like Belizeans" too but we love beans and vegetables so I think doing without some meats won't bother us much. Do you mind sharing what it was that put you over on your budget? When we say live like Belizeans we have an Americanized version of what we think that means.

For us it means more shopping for cheap vegetables at the farmer's markets, meats such as pork and beef more as a side dish portion when its cheap, LOTS more fish, no big TVs or stereo equipment, hopefully no car. A house that it more proportionate to our needs than our wants. Right now we live in a 4 bed 2 bath and there is only 2 of us. Ridiculous!! We expect our place there to be a little over the size of our living room now 400-600 sq. feet. We seriously spend 95% of our spare time in that much space now; we just pay for more. More volunteering and less eating out due to laziness or boredom. We make a lot of vegetable based shakes now and hope to utilize the availability of cheaper veggies to make that most of our breakfasts and lunches.

Are we crazy? Can a couple of chubby old people live on $1000-$1500 a month there? We aren't sure about the TV and cable thing-- some report it to be too much $$$; others tell us that it can be had for about $100 a month.

Thanks again, it is so hard to get realistic info on the cost of living there.

First of all, fresh vegies are not cheap. Some, if not most are from some other country, so you pay for that. If you can find vegetables & fruit, that is from a neighbor, ect, that would be the best part of living Belizean. ha We tried the rice n beans, MUST say this correctly. THERE is a difference. ha It gets real boring, even putting other stuff in it, or having something else with it. The pork & beef, are not good quality & to us, taste funny. Everything is pretty much huge frozen chunks of meat & is sawed in what you want, in front of you. It's crazy. Also, everything is $2 BZ, per pound. We get some frozen ground beef steak, of all things, in the grocery store. Lots of frozen stuff. Just be prepared, for the sticker shock. Velveeta sliced cheese is sometimes $11 BZ. It's the best tasting. We found peanut butter is pretty good, for lunch. Flour tortillas are easy to make, recipe online. You can get flour, lard, sugar, pretty cheap. As for cable, we pay our landlord $44, per month for ALL the channels. The BTL owns EVERYthing in Belize & where our cable comes from either DirectTV, or Dish satellite dishes in Benque Viejo del Carmen. haha We Enjoy all the newly released movies. It's great! & we get all the sports channels. ha We are paying $1500 BZ, per month. But, we have TWO bathrooms, washer & dryer, so it's all good. We don't mind. If you ask John Acott, at Re/Max realty, in San Ignacio, maybe he can tell you what our landlord is going to charge & OFFER for the 1 bedroom apt, he's building. Okay? Do you know where you'll be wanting to live? We chose Cayo, in the jungle, just a little bit, close to the highway, buses are $1.50 BZ, one way, for short stops & they come by here VERY often. They're great!! They can take you ANYwhere you want to go. Just learn to be patient. Belizeans don't do much in any hurry... Good luck with your search. I hope I helped. Annie

Internet, here is okay. We have what is called a dongle. We pay $70 BZ per month for 5 GB's. We usually use those up, in the 30 days. We have a really cheapo cell phone & have the cheapest service, calls only, for $33 BZ per month. They have regular double up or triple up days, all thru the month. We don't go do that, because NO one calls us & we don't use it at all to call anyone. Just for emergencies, I guess. ha Annie

Also, at least on Ambergris Caye, fish is not cheap and is usually frozen.  Because of the heat, it doesn't last long fresh.

Suggestion:  Make friends with a fisherman, or learn to fish yourself.  We finally gave up on grocery store fish after getting a couple old and not good tasting frozen fillets that we paid too much for.  I was very disappointed, expecting that frozen fish on a a tropical island would be inexpensive and plentiful. 

We ate no pork or beef while in Belize.  Lots of chicken (also frozen, decent but tough compared to US chicken) and occasional seafood.  We ate a lot of vegetarian or meals with just a small amount of meat vs. lots of vegetables.  Beans and rice are but one option.  We ate homemade veggie pizzas, vegetable stir-fry (sometimes with chicken or tofu), or a variety of veggies in a crockpot with coconut milk and curry and chunks of chicken, over rice.

Belizeans eat a lot of soup, but to me it was entirely too hot for soup about 10 months of the year.  They eat hot soup even in the summer.  Definitely a cultural thing I had a hard time getting used to.  The last thing I wanted when I was sweating was hot soup!

Pots & Pans are cheaply made here. & costly. Blankets, you'll need a couple light ones, sheets, if there are none at the place you rent. Pillows, are 2/$14 BZ, & lumpy. Towels are $14 BZ & cheap. Nice, for drying quickly. ha Shipping your stuff is what will cost you... For taxes & duties. QRP, has one year, to get anything imported, that will not cost you anything for duty or taxes. Annie

Ha ha, Caribegirl... Ya, soup isn't just what I want either, while it's hot. We have a difficult time with ice cream. haha I can't believe there is so little & very expensive. So, we settle for the cups of crushed ice with syrup poured on them. VERY thirst quenching. The fresh, brown eggs are the best, that we've ever had. & HUGE! We don't like the beef or pork, anylonger. My husband had a T-bone steak, at a new restaurant, last night & it was small, bone was large & the meat was hardly there. So disappointing. The pork is the same. & NO taste, at all. The fish we have had, from the open air market, in San Ignacio was small, slimy & tasteless. Shrimp was the same. We've purchased other fresh fish, from the coast & was larger, & delicious. I don't know. we are just a little disappointed in our experience, of Belize, over all. We've had a great time, we've met, very important people, met some just ordinary people, same as us. We never met anyone, that wasn't friendly, at all. Even the trips to Guatemala, Guatemala City, & Chetumal, Mexico. EVERYone was wonderful! We have enjoyed the experience over all! Annie

ive been reading the lastest posts on food supply,electricity,gas,why would anyone move to a place where you can eat rice and beans cooked-up 100 different ways,you cant get fresh anything,and have to live like someone from a 3rd world country just to save a couple of dollars a month.everything is more expensive there than anywhere else in the carribean,so if your going just for the language barrier,i cant see subjecting myself to a lower standard of living with the medical and gas,groceries,hydro,find a community in another country that is american or canadian  that is cheaper.theres places in cuba,mexico,and they speak english.the country of belize is beautifull,just 100 years behind everyone else.im not bashing belize,but if your looking to move somewhere and live in seclusion,this is it.

Firstly I will say that I have not lived in Belize. I have only visited and only twice. We have bought land and are going to start our build in Sept/ October. The main reason for us picking Belize is Yes the language and the weather, easy for us to get to, and the cost of food for us is just a bonus as we have to eat there or here but cheaper there.. Also healthier living there, we walked a lot more and will as we will just own a golf cart and peddle bikes. We spend a lot of time in the water. We ate less as it is  to hot to eat we did not eat as much as here. On the other had we did drink more.. those darn Happy hours..  lol

Jettz : When we were there last time we had pork chops. It was not from a grocery store but a butcher like place. I really do not know the name of it as a friend took us there. Also we had chicken our friend did on the BBQ. Fantastic. But he spiced them up as well. And he did a fish. We were in Placencia so closer to the sea probably makes a difference for the sea food. Yes Popeye I am from Edmonton Alberta  And ...

" you cant compare alberta to many places elsewhere.alberta other than toronto or vancover is the most expensive place in canada to live "  in general for those of us living here.. at least... it is cheaper in Belize..

This is from my last grocery bill and of course in Canadian dollars. All these prices will include GST :

a case of Pepsi 12 cans $8.29  inc Deposit
Lays chips $4.19  for 270g pkg ( I did not pay this  as I wait till they are on sale $3 for $10.00)
500 g Greek yoghurt  $4.99
Kraft Cracker barrel cheese 600 g  $11.69
Tomatoes on the vine $2.00 LB
2% Milk 4L $4.91
a watermelon  $1.74 Kg or  .79 a lb ON Sale should have cost me $9.78 but cost me $6.07
drinking water and a large bottle is $5.00 each if I return the other bottle and just get a filled one.
a large box of Frosted flakes here $9 -$10.00 ( again you can get on sale for $6.99 )
Gas for our truck is at I am not even sure but around $1.05 a Litre.
Power In the winter it gets dark here early by 4 PM so lights on  our water heater uses power and our furnace fan Our Dec bill $206.
Gas bill for Dec $194.00
My internet is $49.00 a month
My satellite TV is $70 ish a month and we have the basic package.. and for those nay sayers if we want any TV we have to have satellite.
We are on a farm so we have a water well .
We do not have garbage pick up so we have to take our garbage to the dump.
The cheapest cell phone just a normal phone no i phone no internet etc is $32.00 a month basic package

As for fresh fruit is available but expensive. $1.49 lb for some apples we can get bananas for .80 a lb. and most of it is tasteless. We buy what is on sale.

Plus all the clothes we need  Eg coats. we have one for winter one for almost winter one for fall  for summer a cool coat a warmer coat a rain coat.. Shoes:  winter boots, sandals, every day shoes. Jeans, socks.. ( never wore them in Belize)  We use more fuel for the trucks because you have to warm them up.. Shovels, snow blowers,and  and and

I do realize that yes there are different expenses in Belize or anywhere hot  eg, power to run air conditioning etc. ( We never used it when there at all just the fans but again that is still power.)

Popeye: I know of a couple  who bought a time share in Mexico they went down there and found out that they did not own it anymore. They had it for years and years. My sister and my sister in law both know people who bought in Mexico and lost their properties as well. We feel secure having bought in Belize. Yes I know there is lots of people who have bought in Mexico and have not had a problem. But in Belize it is MY name on the title not the banks..  Where is your ideal place to live?

It may sound like I am bashing Canada or Alberta. Yes I guess I am this is our reality of living here. and Yes If I had a choice I would move to belize full time but.. My hubby wont.... (yet)  We have land we farm, our own business and I am partner in another business. All of which are more summer orientated.  We have always been self employed so we do not get pensions. ( just the government ones) So we will have to just spend winters in Belize and Summers here  for a while anyway..

Popeye1 YOU are so right. We moved here for the Mayan history & the wonderful people. THEY really are. But,the economy SUCKS big time. There are monopolies in this country, than any other place, that I can think of, so nothing will EVER change. There is still a huge British influence here, so that will never change. Modern conveniences will be expensive & difficult to get. 100 years behind is okay, if it were ALL that way. But, when you're NOT getting fresh produce, because it's from last week, or imported at twice the cost, & for the most part, the different parts of this country COULD produce just about ANYthing, themselves. A little frustrating. We love living here. We are just too frustrated with the water situation, for someone that doesn't own a vehicle. This is the kinds of things, that SHOULD be WELL publicized online, so persons thinking of moving here don't just take it for granted. It all looks good online, in the ads, HGTV's International Househunters, but the harsh reality is, it doen't rain, much, in the rain forest. It's hot, humid, most homes do not have fans, much less any type of a/c. NOT that we mind. We didn't move here, for modern conveniences, a/c, much less, anything fancy, dancy... We LOVE living in the rain forest, rain or not. We LOVE the small towns, all around us. We LOVE the medical, that we've needed. We LOVE all the folks we've met along the way. We LOVE the bus service. We LOVE the taxi's, even tho, they'll charge a WHITE person more, just because, they think everyone, that's not related to them, are tourists. ha We have done all that we've set out to do, so we'll leave here, with GREAT memories, no regrets, at all!! Annie

Little Canadian family, bring PLENTY of bug juice! It's VERY expensive here & you can't get around it. The bugs DO leave nasty scars! IF & WHEN you go to the Belize Zoo, which is WONDERful!! Be sure you've rubbed PLENTY of bug juice on your legs, for the sand flys. They bit me about 100 times & it looks more like a rash, than anything. You won't even feel them biting until you're out of there. Sunscreen is another great thing to bring with you. Especially, if you're fair skinned. We hardly use it at all, anymore. Don't know why! ha Xtra deoderant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, ect. Is always a plus. Anything you don't have to purchase here, is a good thing. Belize is a Tourist industry. EVERYthing revolves around that. Just remember that & you'll be in great shape. Be polite, when the taxi drivers continue to ask if you want a taxi. They will only go back to their conversations. ha I don't know where you are going, but I hope you research, all the areas AROUND, where you are thinking of going. Check for open markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, ect. You'll be much better off. Research is a wonderful thing, annie
P.S. Bring extra underwear. They don't sell them in the package, (6/$10 US)They sell them EACH $6.00 BZ! Mice ate just about all our cotton underwear, shorts, shirts, undershirts, anything that is cotton. We hang up all of our Tshirts, afraid the mice would eat them, too.

ladytrougher this cannot be a grocery list from alberta?i live just south of ottawa and to compare your list.

cracker barrel cheese on sale at independant grocer 600g   $4.44
any kind of lays chips every other week at shoppers drugmart  $1.99 this includes doritos.

4liters of 1%,2%, milk $3.97

pepsi or coke 12pk. at shoppers is 3for $10,thats $6.67per 24 case or buy it separate on sale for $5.99 per case at food basics.

as for buying in mexico or anywhere else theres been more realestate transactions in any other country other than belize,if i were to ask 20 people on the street right now where belize is,18 probably never even heard of it.there is no capital gains tax in belize,land is cheap and labor is cheap,(thats it)!!!same as honduras.if you had a problem in mexico then you didnt have the right lawyer,and i would never ever buy a time share,ever!!!you open up a mexican corporation and put it in your name.even in canada you dont own your property they can take it and give you fair value for it at any time,this is what they call (expropriation)its what they do for pipelines,railroads,highways,or anything the government wants,honduras has the same legal title as belize,but both governments are not very stable.they cant keep up right now with the condos in tulum,playa del carmen,cancun,and its all americans,canadians,and europeans.cuba is extremely cheap but you are not allowed to own property there unless your a national and they just started letting them sell their property,before they used to have to trade house for house.i can rent there cheaper than owning,and a huge 3 bedroom spanish style right on the water.i live just south of ottawa and its currently cheaper to live here than belize,im just on the border to new york and get my gas and groceries there.other than my taxes i pay its cheaper here.i dont have to eat rice and beans all day.the cheapest place to go is cuba or panama.panama has a pensionado program where if you can verify that you have a pension in the amount of $2000 per mo.this can be old age,canada pension,or work pension,you get discounts on almost everything,

Popeye 1
Your Profile page states "iwould like to live in Belize". Is this truly so? Or do you need to change yourProfile?


http://www.abelizehomeforus.wordpress.com

We are looking in the San Ignacio area and I have done and am continuing my research....

i almost bought property on ambergrise caye,but after talking quite extensively with some people i know in belize from canada about the costs and whats available and thinking island living may not be for me i decided to look at the mainland.then i was talking to a real estate agent on the island from canada about the vist del mar area just outside belize city in the ladyville area and he informed me that this is not an area for gringo`s as he called it.too much crime.the rest of the country is just too small and no infrastructure.where do you go to get medical on ambergrise caye or dentist?i dont plan on taking the whole day and water taxis just to have a check up.i think belize is beautifull same as costa rica or honduras,just the same as the united states in the 1800`s,not developed and people who try to tell you that its cheaper there should really give the proper description of the costs.belize is raw and the government needs to put money into development to attract visitors,if the locals dont want this then belize will stay the way it is,undeveloped and undesired.

Maybe undeveloped and undesired IS what they want. I know that even in Kansas City tourist are a pain in the butt. They are great for the economy but they are a pain. Maybe the Belizean people would like us to stop invading their paradise.

You appear to be hell bent on denigrating Belize. Why?

http://www.abelizehomeforus.wordpress.com

johnhenry1925, popeye1, doglady, little canadian family... Don't take EVERYthing you read, hear, or do, in Belize, that is actually what IS Belize. We live about 3 miles from the Guatemalan border & about 6 miles from San Ignacio. WE love Belize. We love living in Belize. It's just, we were a little naive about the REAL costs. Yes, the infrastructure is in need of some help. But, the people that LIVE here, DO NOT MIND. It's THEIR country, WE are the invaders & need to accept it for what it is & NO to change ANYthing about it. WE would have loved to have known about the water situation, before we came. We would have looked further for something in San Ignacio. However, we didn't know, we didn't look further & we HAVE adapted to that. OUR decision & we are the only ones that can own up to that one. We intend to get the word out, about the other things, that are ever so important to survive, in this world. Anyone can live here. Just accept that Belize IS still a 3rd world country. We visited Guatemala City, & we loved it. We don't speak any other language but English. It was NOT difficult to communicate, at all! We LOVE Guatemala, the people & ANYone can live there also. What we heard from the US government, was to Stay out of Guatemala... sigh. Same as Belize City. THERE is crime EVERYwhere. Learn it, know where it is & either deal with it or stay away from it! This is one reason we fell in love with the area we live. We are 1 mile from Mayan ruins, Xunantunich. We go there often... WALK all the way. So much to do here. There is always some sort of gala, or parade, fireworks, ect... If you're OLD as we are, you'll probably, not see some of these things. GET to know your neighbors. We know all of our neighbors, both closeby, across the street, people that ride by on their bicycles going to work, SAY hello, stop & visit a minute, shake our hands. WE can't say too much bad about Belize. ha San Ignacio area, is the most beautiful area, that we've seen on any of our drives around the country! Just ENJOY the ride!! annie

Annie I am enjoying 'the ride'. My response was posed of Popeye 1 who to me appears to post on this forum only to complain about Belize.

Before we relocated here we holidayed perhaps 30 times. We got to know the 'goods' and  the 'bads'. We got to try to understand the people. We tried to make sure that 'this' is for us. Then, and only then, did we decide to make the big step of moving here. One year in we are pleased that we did.

Yes there are things that we miss. But then again there are things that we are pleased that we left behind.

It's not for everyone . Where is though. What irritates me is criticism from someone who has not lived here. And yes, I direct that at Popeye 1 unless he has lived here. Has he ?

abelizehomeforus.wordpress.com

Johnhenry1925, it's all good... ha We researched for about 5 years, 2 years ago, decided we could not afford the 2 weeks we wanted to spend here. SO we took a cruise, for 9 days 7 nights. Our third day was in Belize. We took an excursion to Xunantunich. Because it is across the WHOLE country. We saw just about everything we wanted to see, from the bus. ha We stopped in San Ignacio at Hode's for lunch. We would have had 1 1/2 hours to spend walking around town, HOWEVER, the ship was having a hard time trying to get the ship in front of us, to park, so we could get off. An hour & 1/2 later, we were speeding thru Belize City & off to a hurried run thru the ruins, back on the bus, so quickly! It was SO worth it all. We began making plans & getting our financing in order. My spouse had to first retire. One day he did & about 5 months later, here we are. We don't have plans to return, to Belize, but we may go do some other "brave" things now. I don't think, we'll fit into the big city, any longer, that's for sure! Good talking to you! annie

Easy guys (and gals). There are helpful bits of information in everything here. We do not live in Belize. We will by the end of next year, somewhere. My husband and I are looking for the places that most people describe in a somewhat negative way. Here's why. We would like to live like Americans did many years ago. To us, Belize is the new world. "Organic" seems to be the term of preference now but we just want S I M P L E !

We had the awesome privilege of camping at the ruins for the Mayan celebrations, staying at the Trek Stop and driving into Guatemala last Christmas. I damn near killed myself getting up the hill at Big Rock Falls; but we wouldn't trade it for any cruise or other vacation we have ever had. Xunantunich was one of the most amazing places on earth and the people of Belize and Guatemala were incredible.

Its very easy to see why some people couldn't handle the rural life there. It looks a little rough. Being poor is never an easy road and "poor" is a relative term. But our intention in researching through this forum and others is to learn about the different areas and their pros and cons. We understand that this life is not for everyone, Hell it might not be for us either. But we are on our way to find out.

We appreciate ALL of the information. But we also know that gardens and outhouses aren't for everyone. We; as I hope other do, sift through the information and pick out what applies to us. We understand that what might not work for some people is exactly what we are looking for in a place to live.

doglady wrote:

We appreciate ALL of the information. But we also know that gardens and outhouses aren't for everyone. We; as I hope other do, sift through the information and pick out what applies to us. We understand that what might not work for some people is exactly what we are looking for in a place to live.

That's so incredibly true, doglady.  Everyone is different and has unique wants and needs and things that they can't live without.  And sometimes you just have to see for yourself if a place is right for you even if it ends up not working out in the long run. 

All of the moves we've made have taught us about ourselves and will help us make better decisions in the future.  Our time in Belize was fascinating and fun, and even though it didn't end up being a place we'd choose to live for the long term, we still enjoyed it, made great friends, and had many wonderful experiences that added to the richness of our lives and memories.

We had read many pros and cons of Belize on forums like this one prior to moving to the country, but there's nothing like experiencing it for yourself.

Oh doglady! We came for the exact SAME reasons. We wouldn't trade where we live, for anything. We live SO close to the Trek Stop, & you know what that's like. We can walk to San Jose Succotz, but ride the bus to where ever else we want. We usually go to San Ignacio 2 times per week. Mostly, to check mail, but also, eat breakfast at Pop's (A/C) ha coffee is always good, great conversations & people. We've met just about ever important person, in Belize, at Pop's. Then, we wander around town, get some groceries, open market, icee, from a good friend, that owns one of the umbrella covered carts at the old bus stop, then, go wait for the bus, again. We know all the taxi drivers, so they always come & visit, while they're waiting for another fare. ha sometimes, we just wander up & down some of the side streets, just to see where they lead us. We've tried all the restaurants in San Ignacio & can recommend just about all of them. some are better for breakfast, others for lunch, or dinner. I remember how excited we were to finally, get as far as you are right now. ha Now, that we've been here a year, we can only say... WE DID IT!! We have survived, very well, for two old city slickers. When the lights go out, we go outside & look at the world, until they come back on. Night time, in Belize is the MOST amazing adventure EVER!! Exactly why we came here. We've been to most of the Maya ruins, in Belize & Tikal in Guatemala. When you finally get here, please take the time, take the bus, to Guatemala city & get a hotel, ride the taxis, everywhere. Awesome city, for a HUGE city. We stayed at the Barcelo, by the airport. It was only $77 USD, per night. It's safe, guarded at night & VERY VERY nice. There are two or three restaurants, in the hotel. A VERY nice pool & gym. YOU will enjoy it very much. Take one whole day & get a ride to Antigua. It's about an hour from Guatemala City & it will take your breath away!! SO worth the 4 days we spent around there. Do you plan to purchase a vehicle in Belize, or bringing one? They're mostly wrecks here,just so you know. & costly. We chose to not do the auto thing & take the bus. So, we do. It may take a little longer, but we ALWAYS enjoy riding the bus. One day, a young couple from Columbia, were singing, playing a guitar & serenaded us, for a couple of blocks, before getting off. It's always a treat. ha All the negetivity, I've been putting on here, is teeny weeny stuff, compared to all the HUGE knowledge we've aquired!! We must return to the US, however, in July, for some surgical proceedures. As for medical. We have been to see 4 different doctors, since we've been here. ALL are wonderful. Mostly, for allergies. sigh... didn't realize all of that. ha BRING Benedryl, (we get the bottles from Walmart & combine them), the bug bites are painful & annoying. Benedryl helps. It's expensive here & you only get 10 pills... Baby asprin is another item, if you take it for heart condition, or whatever... We get the generic at Walmart & combine bottles) Bandades, is another thing, you really don't think about, but sometimes, the plants will slice you like a paper cut. Oh... generic neosporin, any aloe vera lotion, will help with your sunburn. You'll figure it out. ha We also, brought a bunch of sunscreen, but we really haven't used it as much as we thought we would. I suppose, when we take off for canoeing, again, or what ever... Good luck! annie

We do not intend on getting a car. If we can't walk to what we need we will catch a bus. We already have the bus thing in us. When we come down, we fly to Cancun and take the bus the rest of the way into Belize. Sometimes we stay near the ADO station in Chetumal or Playa. We LOVE El Fagon, some of the best Mexican we have ever had!!! Its always an adventure.

Our friends kid us all the time about riding the chicken buses to save money; but there really is no better way to see Mexico and Belize. We take the water taxi back and forth to Ambergris Caye most of the time if that is our last stop and usually stay at the Blue Tang for a couple of days. We use to stay at the Costa Maya but they changed our time share to some lake in Canada. We haven't used it since--that was probably the point. They told us that this lake was comparable to Belize. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? The only thing that they seem to have in common is Caribbean and Canada both start with C. But I digress.

We really wanted to live on the island because we have some undeveloped property at the North end. Our original intent was to go up and do a little homesteading there but we have been told that it is VERY dangerous. We have also invested ourselves in some of the charities there; which we would like to continue. But it is looking less and less likely. The whole country is beautiful and we have never met with any problems anywhere we have gone, other than our water shoes being stolen from in front of the Blue Tang. So we figure we will land where we land and move if the mood strikes.

We are just a couple of old, chubby, farts that think that life on the farm was a great childhood and would make a great mid life as well. The weather is right and the people are amazing and everything else will work itself out.

But take heed. We are also the people who you read about disappearing from cruises because we didn't listen. When the cruise director says don't go "over there" we go to see what they are hiding. We have found some of the best places that way. We were warned not to try to drive to Guatemala....so you know, we rented a car and drove to Guatemala. You only live once.

I want to thank everyone here for your great input. We look forward to joining some of you for coffee or drinks someday very soon.

I enjoy your spirit  and your sense of humour (  We are just a couple of old, chubby, farts that think that life on the farm was a great childhood and would make a great mid life as well ) .
We have a few little things in common..  I too would go and see what they were hiding..or at lease try..to be honest probably after a glass of wine.. or 2.. 

As for the lake in Canada and  belize being the same. "They told us that this lake was comparable to Belize. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? "   I am sorry to say  they are kidding you.

:cool:billem, you can have ALL your household goods shipped to Belize, from the US. We applied to a Qualified Retired Persons (QRP) & they gave us one year, from the time they granted our entrace. We figured out a lot of sinerios & came up with 4 large suitcases, jammed with stuff, that we know we weren't going to find in Belize, very easily. It's all here, by the way. EVERY Chinese market carries everything you may need. ha Should have just saved the airline fees. haha Anyway, our place came furnished & had blankets, sheets, towels, pots pans, utensils. Pretty much everything you'd need, to be a Belizean. I don't know if the other places to rent are furnished or not. ASK 1,000 questions, when you are asking the authorities. They'll be happy to tell you, & if you don't ask, you may pay more. Have fun! jettz:cool:

Oh ya... There is NO Pepsi, Michelob beer, only because of the 2 Bowen brothers, that own & have monopolize Belize! Same with the phones, internet, cable, electricity... Be prepared! Can't bring the stuff across the border, either! jettz

Thank YOU jetzz for sharing your wisdom and time on forum to us future Belizean

and thank you all for good advices as well.

The more I read the more I understod. But if someone want to try live in Belize he have to, beccuase
it's better try and regret than regret not trying.

We only live once right doglady?

Greetings to all
and I'm looking forward to have coffee with all of you.

Absolutely 88. My friends and family keep asking "what are you going to do if things are bad there?" We tell them .... "duh, we'll go somewhere else." They just can't imagine how a middle aged couple can scrap the "American dream" life for a third world country. My family blames my husband for spoiling me and taking me to 'weird' places and his family blames me for making him into a Gypsy. Either way, Let the fun begin!!


I should add that we fly and cruise during hurricane season for the discounted prices, we bus through Mexico, and we've walked the back streets of Jamaica a couple of times. Its not like moving across North America should shock anyone. But it does?!

88mimi88, YES! better to try & not like it, than to sit where ever you are, now & wonder... WE just jumped with both feet. We really got pretty much what we expected. & for all we've learned in the past year, SO much worth it all!! NO regrets, from us!! We just feel the other online sites, that promote Belize, should be more forthcoming in the small things, that can add up to BIG things. Still we got SO much more than we expected. Just DO it!! Jettz

doglady... my family was exactly the same!! WHY would ANYone go to another country & actually STAY? hmmm We are gypsy's & we can keep going. SO there! ha Some of my family, has never left Michigan... WHAT???! Can't stand it! Go have fun, enjoy, learn something new, see something, NONE of them will EVER see!! jettz

Just a note.  They tell you to lock your doors in Belize too. But I guess you won't.  lol You really don't have a clue do you?

There's nothing here to get our panties in a bunch over. Why so pissy?  I thought this was a few people getting together to share knowledge and experiences; so I offered mine.

WE lock our doors. I don't know where you got that one. Whew... We live 3 miles from the Guatemala border.

doglady... hehehe...