Hello all!
We are a family of 5 who homeschool our children in Florida. We own a thriving business, but because its so hard to find employees who will work, my husband has been working the job of 4 people for YEARS, and the toll it has taken on him is immense.
We have decided to get rid of nearly everything and relocate to a slower pace of life where our children can experience different cultures and not be so darn privileged. My husband and I grew up very different from our kids and want them to learn and earn their way, so to speak.
I have been researching anything and everything on Belize, and it seems to be the place we are most interested in.
Can anyone tell me the safest and best areas for families that may have an expat community for us to help integrate? Ive looked at Placencia real estate, but Im not sure about being on the beach long term as well as the higher cost of living.
The Cayo region looks very hopeful, as it is cheaper and we could have a small bit of land to grow some of our own food and lessen our costs, and it seems like being near the mennonite and farmers market would be helpful in food growing, trading, buying things. I read however that Cayo is best left to more seasoned Belizeans.
Can anyone offer insight to narrow down our search for when we come to visit and start deciding what we want?
As a side note, I know there are different restrictions on working and not taking jobs away from native Belizeans. Our goal is to work as little as possible and raise our family in peace without blowing through the savings we have. I will have a bit of income from book and painting sales, but thats an ever changing area. If we become residents, eventually opening a small business could possibly be on the table if the economy and government permits it, but were really just looking to survive and not make money.
Im sorry this is soooo long!