New members of the Belize forum, introduce yourself here — 3rd quarter of 2015

I am steele from texas I am retiring soon  my wife and I are thinking about belize

we have booked our trip arrive 2nd Nov till 15th. wondering is it easier to bring Belizean dollars to spend plus visa? also are there any golf courses on the Cayes?
What can we expect for weather?(we know its the off season) musts to do and see while we are there too?

i do not think you will be able to buy Belize dollars very easily out of country US dollars accepted by most paces and cab drivers, they will give you change in Belize dollars. ATM machines available in most towns of size not the villages. if you purchase with US credit cards most businesses that take them will charge a fee of between 4 and 7 %.  hope that helps

Hi all,
I am Sam.  I am 70yrs, single, retired environmental consultant, and I am considering a move to somewhere in Belize within the next 12 months.  I will have a lot of questions between now and then and hope to gain a lot of information from this forum.

Thanks in advance for your collective help.

Hello, my husband Rob and I are planning our move next year.  We are visiting for a 2 week drive through and deciding where to rent and then, hopefully buy some small investment property.  We are looking for a relocation specialist because of some questions and issues with the QRP.   Hope to get to know some of you! Thanks.,

I seriously doubt you NEED a relocation specialist, most forms rules and regulations are available on line, these forums have archives worth searching for the very questions you want answers for. Location specialists will guide you to what they want to sell you. OK so I am  synic I think you should use your 2 weeks to see as much as you can of the different areas, Belize while Tiny is very diverse.  There will always be time to buy land or property, it has been said before  almost everything is for sale in Belize. Inflation has not hit the property market there in reality but asking prices are going up, no one ever pays asking price in Belize.  you can see property on line with more than one realtor with very different prices. My land we offered 33% below asking and it was accepted with such alacrity wished we had offered less, but really happy with purchase.
Have a wonderful holiday and worry about looking for your investment place later. Once you voice that aim in Belize you will find everyone you meet their  friend or family member or themselves, has the ideal property you want, and visiting these will eat up your vacation time. I would not advise purchase of any property you have not personally examined and fully explored the area it is in.

Wow! Great advice! I noticed that too,  in looking at properties online they would have different prices for the same property. Very confusing on what the market there actually looks like. I was getting discouraged because my husband and I don't have a lot to spend on a piece of land for a future retirement home and it looked to me like a lot of pricing was similar to US properties. And high pricing is a huge reason why we don't want to buy in the U.S.!  I believe that everyone who wants to live close to the ocean should be able to, not just the super-rich. I am glad to know that there is room for negotiation! Thanks!

Yes property prices on line are always the dream price, I have yet to meet anyone who paid an asking price outside of the overpriced plots within some of the designed communities that are to be found on line with artist renderings of what they may or may not eventually loo like. It is not difiicult once you have decided where you want to live to purchase. Just ensure you have tittled  property, not lease land. If its water front and beaches you want the areas are mainly the southern areas around Hopkins Dangriga and Placencia and the far south in the Toledo district. Then the cayes which is a higher priced area but if its ocean front not nessecarily beach front there is the North areas around Carozal. There are also many inland rural areas with nice river frontages. We bought inland with jungle, savanna and river front but only 10 minutes from all the conveniences of the city. Also to consider do you want all mod cons like electricity and piped water and sewerage. Or would you be happy to go off grid solar and/or wind power, rain catchment and septic system. Hope this helps.

Oh it definitely helps. I'm not planning on buying until after I rent for 6 months. That's the plan anyway. I've visited Belize and fell in love with it in 2004.  I thinks it's probably a bit different now but ever since then I've wanted to live there. I wasn't crazy about the punta gorda  area but I loved the jungle. I also loved caye caulker but couldn't see myself living there. I'm spending a lot of time in placencia and Hopkins areas this visit. Can't wait!!!

Am in Ghana and planning to move to Belize to work and live there,but is my car that am selling becuase of the trip. I want to no if its good decision to make and if there is any help please.As a ghanaian what requirement that i may need

My wife and I have been retired for awhile now and are looking for a  6 month retirement spot & I think Belize will fit the bill. We travel throughout Canada & the U.S.  We'll probably settle in B.C. For now but would like to experience Belize for 2 months ,March - April 2016 . A 1 bed furnished apt would be great to start. Anybody have any ideas? 1000 or less/month

I am from Hamilton.  Retired. I have been going to Belize for a few years.  I am staying at Corozol - Hotel Maya- for Jan. Feb - not sure about March right now.  The cost of the 1 bedroom is $500.00 Belize a month.  You can find them online and the owners name is Rosita.  This might interest you.  --

Greetings;

I am the Manager of Crystal Auto.  With my 14 years of experience of dealing with vehicles - I am confident that I will be able to share my automotive knowledge with anyone asking for information.

Thanks

Hi! My name is Joe Koller and my wife is Rhonda. I am 62 years old and trying to do my home work about moving to Belize. I love gardening and grow an organic garden of green beans, red and green peppers, tomatoes and strawberries, ect Is this possible in Belize? If so where is the better district to do that in? I guess if I can't garden then I am not moving!

Not really new to the forum but back after a time away. I'm Kelly from Kansas City. I will be heading down to Caye Caulker for a couple of months and would like to know where to get the best local food. Also, for a person that will busy most days doing volunteer stuff, what is the best places/things to see on a limited day?

Thanks Ginny777. Does this room include a kitchen & how long a walk is it to grocery,restaurants,BARS & beach.  I have trouble walking a long distance. Looks like a good spot to explore the country from

Moving down to The Cayo in first part of October. Retired from teaching high school math, plan on doing some tutoring to stave off boredom 

Yes the hotel has a 1 bedroom apt and a 2 bedroom apt.  You are within walking distance to everything and across the road from the sea.  You can google the Hotel Maya in Corozol, Belize.  Trip Advisor has information. I have reserved the 1 bedroom and will be going on January 2 .  The cost is $500. US per month.  The reviews are really good

Thanks. If we go it won't be until March . I'll check on you again when your there. Thanks again

I am a graphic designer, not of retirement age, but ready to slow down and live a healthier, happier, simpler life. Fortunately I will be able to work a small, bimonthly freelance job I have had for many years, remotely. It is minimal pay at $750/mo but includes some additional jobs throughout the year and I have $10,000+ savings to help get me by until I have financially adjusted. I also have utilized trade/barter here in the states for many years and hope to find it is welcomed down there as well. From my many years of research, I do see a need for better web presence:)

I have weeded through the tons of information, and tried to disseminate what was factual, what was a pretty spin from someone with something to benefit, and what was just bitter rhetoric from individuals not getting what they were seeking. I realize there is no utopia but think Belize has much more of what I am looking for, and that I am a viable candidate for living there. I am from Miami, always lived in the south, and prefer the heat over the cold any day. I also prefer the long days of summer and cringe when the change of season approaches. I keep my ac (when running) at 80, don't own a tv, my dishwasher is a drying rack, I haven't shopped at walmart in years (not much of a shopper at all). I rarely go to the doctors and I don't take any meds. I don't eat at fast food places, I abhor the junk they put in the store bought food here, have a very adventurous spirit and am flexible to my situation and surroundings.

I will be visiting in February to hopefully verify my findings and ensure that I will be able to live and thrive there, and then my lease is up in May... Obviously one of my main concerns is the internet as my job depends on it, so I will be looking into that. I will be visiting  several different areas but am most interested in Corozal, for many reason, one of the biggest is some good friends are moving to Bacalar by the end of the year!!

I welcome any comments or concerns on my plans or assessment of the situation. Fates willing, I will be landing in February...

I think Corozol will be to your liking.  I have been going down to Belize for several years and this year I am staying in Corozol. Have visited Corozol on several occasions and like it very much.  I have never had a problem with the internet in Belize.  It has always been very reliable but I do not need it for business.  I am a retired female from Canada and am hoping to be able to go to Belize for 6 months a year.  That is my plan.  I will be there Jan. Feb  and March this year.  Heading to St. Pete's Florida for November.  If you have any questions I may be able to help.  Contact" ginnywade777@hotmail.com"   Have a good day!! :

Hi Wolfgirl. I can say that during my stay in Corozal the Internet at the hotel worked just fine for me. I use pay-you-go, no big carrier plans. I did have some issues when moving around outside the hotel, but I wasn't aware then that I need International Service. Round 2 is coming for me. I need to stay for a few weeks and get started building. Hope that tidbit about IE was helpful.

Larry

Hello all. I will be spending October and November in Caye Caulker and would love to know a little about the place. I like to eat cheap local food and leave my American cravings at home. We always try the local specialties no matter where we go so I am not afraid of adventures in food. Ate a handful of termites on the last trip. Not bad!

I would also like to know some nice places to meet people there. I'm not a big drinker but I do like a Belikin or two in the evening. I will be alone for the majority of the trip so safety is key. But again, I am a bit adventurous and want to get into the real Belize; not just the tourist/ex-pat only world.

We have been to San Pedro many times, inland a couple of times and Caye Caulker once. More often than not we are greeted by incredible smiles and wonderful people. Our only problem other than the quick scam of a few dollars on getting our change back was a seriously over priced burger which I think was the same thing. Sometimes they get you on that two to one exchange if you aren't paying attention. My bad for not knowing the deal before I set out. Live and learn.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated and I look forward to meeting some of you next month. Have a Blessed September.

Hello,
My wife and myself are planning to move to Belize in a couple years. Our last trip there back in February we bought some land in the Cayo, and plan on building a small home there. We have been living in Puerto Penasco, Mexico full time  for the past 6 years in a house that we have had for 21 years. We are both in our young 50,s and have had a computer based  graphics company for the past 30 years. We choose the Cayo because we love the outdoors, plants, gardening and of course all the nice people we have met there. We will be back there in October to start a little work on the land.
The main reason we decided to make Belize our new home was the people. And the beer is pretty darn good too.

Welcome to the forum! We have essentially the same plan and timeline as you. We purchased some property just off  the Hummingbird, around the Cayo-Stann Creek district line, where we plan to retire and build a house. Just returned from Belize a few days ago after a wonderful trip, and can’t wait to return. We hope to put our road in this spring, so we can proceed with our plans. We love the people, the weather, the coast, the laid-back lifestyle, and most of all – the freedom.  You can obtain a lot of information from this forum about a wide variety of topics, particularly reading the older posts.  Good luck to you, and hope you enjoy your visit next month.

Hi,
     Carmelle and I are from Squamish B.C. Canada. We are planning on coming to Belize first 2 weeks in January to look around and see what,s up. We are looking for long term lease  till sure or maybe permanent. Any suggested areas and advice ??

Thanks,
We are down the Cristo Rey road just past San Antoino. Maybe we can keep in contact as as we start building since we are on the same timeline. Are you considering a cement or wood structure? We are not sure yet but this time we are going to check out the Mennonite builders to see what they have to offer.

Our present plans are to put a Mennonite house on a concrete frame -termites- while we build. We may also do a metal skin instead of wood, but undecided at this point.  That will give us a guest house in the future, and allow us to be on the property while we build. It will also keep us from wasting money on rent, and give us time to build what we want, which we have yet to truly decide. I had planned to go by Linda Vista last week but ran out of time. They are currently about 18 months out from orders placed.
As for the beer, Belikin is not bad. Plus, you have very few other options. I do wish I could get 12 oz beers though.

Sounds like we are on the same track. Put up a small Menonite house to live in while we get the main house built then turn the small one into a guest house. Last time I talked to Linda Vista they said they were 12 months out, but that was a few months back. Do you have power or water run to your property? We are about 3/4 of a mile from power and water so in the mean time we are deciding on solar or generator. We will start pricing and talking to people next month when we are there.

We are 1/4 mile from closest power pole and do plan to do both line and solar power. We have a number of panels from another endeavor that we will utilize, but I want the option to have line power as well. We are close enough to municipal water that we could probably do that, but we are planning on utilizing the water from the streams on the property and rainwater. I probably won't do generator except for back-up. Diesel and gas are very expensive in Belize. The last quote I heard for line power was the first 3 poles and 300 ft 'free', then $40,000 BZ per mile, plus transformer.

That is great info on the power being run. Up to this point I haven't found any numbers for that. At least that gives me a ballpark to start with.
Thanks again

Hi,

I invite you to follow this topic on this new thread:
https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=529728

Thanks!