I have questions

Hi Adam,
Noticed you are from Tx too...we live in Allen, just north of Dallas.  Recently purchased on Ambergris Caye.  Not sure what you are looking for, but the island is is very different from the mainland.  We are enjoying our condo with beach view, nice neighbors, both expats and locals.

We currently spend a couple weeks a month down there, hoping to spend more after retiring in Jan.
Cost of living is relative to the lifestyle you live now in the states.  If you want to live on the beach for 250k  with all the amenities, then that is very reasonable.  Places in California or Florida compared to what we purchased would cost us 2 or 3 times that.   Smaller places can be found for 100k in nice areas, rents run 500. for studios on up to 1200 per month for large condos or homes.

Food prices are more expensive on the island, but enjoying fresh fish and veggies are something we are willing to pay for.  I don't buy junk food, processed or frozen foods, so we feel better and are much more active.
We purchased two bikes that gets us around town just fine.  If friends come to visit, we rent a golf cart for a few days to show them around the island.  We have no car payment, insurance or fuel costs per month, so those typical expenses help in other areas.

Having visited places on the mainland, I know housing is much cheaper, as well as food.  However, depending on where you live, you may have to have a vehicle.  So, each person has to look at their situation and determine if Belize is for you.
We have found that the lifestyle we can afford on the island, is much better than we can live in the US for the same budget.
If you have any specific questions about the island, I'll gladly try to answer and give my "humble opinion."  Good Luck,

Hello Adam,

I recently moved down from San Marcos, TX to Corozal, Belize.  The pros of Corozal are, low cost of living, close to Mexico, quieter, a little more family orientated.  People are friendly and generous, fresh fruits and vegetables are available,  the waterfront is nice, lots of parks, right on major bus routes, good base to venture out from, and it rains less than southern Belize.

The cons, no beach, water is a nice murky green,  no real attractions, or a lot to do.  You may want a vehicle to go places, internet is slow 2-3 Mbs, and there are power outages about once a week (they usually only last for a few minutes or hours).

We are "trying out Belize" for 5 mo. to see if we want to move down permanently, something I suggest you do, and so far we love it.   Our costs are around $1200/mo.  but we don't have a car, just bikes, and no A/C or cable, just Internet.   Our rent for a two bed, 1 bath, 3 blocks from the ocean, with a fenced yard is $325/mo.  Food for our family of 3 is around $300/mo.  not counting eating out. 

Ocean front lots run from $90-$120,000,  across the road from the ocean lots about $45-60,000.  Costs to build are approx $60-$70 per square foot.

If you have any specific questions about Corozal, let me know.

A piece of information that may be useful.....    Mexico is only a few miles away and they have far more & generally better quality goods and grocery items for sale, than are available in Belize.    Proximity to Mexico influenced our decision to come to northern Belize.     

Additional information:   to take your car, you must have Mexican Insurance, your Belize insurance does not work.   Your Belize phone does not work.    I am not yet a permanent resident, so when I go, I have to go through Belize immigration/border control, I  pay an exit fee of $37.50.    Money changers await on your exit from border control.   I use a Belizean taxi man when going so he can handle these details.   As a gringo, I am fair game for higher rates.  Then change some money to Pesos to use for small purchases like ice cream or lunch or if you go to the big central market.   for anything larger, use a credit card or US dollars, to avoid the exchange rates.   Belize money generally can not be used for purchases.   

Next you drive to the Mexican entry building to show your passport and fill out papers to be used when you exit Mexico.    Most of the buildings in Mexico and Belize are not handicapped accessible.   Next, your vehicle will need to be sprayed on the under carriage for pests.    there is a fee, which I can not recall at the moment.   Next is a group of young women in uniforms who ask you to pull over and they ask you questions about your reason for coming to Mexico while some of the group look thru your windows to see what you have in the back seat etc.   I assume they are looking for drugs?    As 4 old ladies, we do not fit any profiles, so we do not get out of the car or open the trunk etc.  .   Finally, you will drive into town.  Chetumal is a small city  and mostly has no street signs so getting around is a learned skill.   There is a shopping center with many options, decent prices, and things that are difficult to obtain in Belize.   In the shopping center is a high end department store called Liverpools which carries the same sorts of items that would be available in Macy's in the USA.   Higher priced tho.    In another location, there is Walmart and Sam's club.   Neither of these stores carries the same goods that the same stores would carry in the USA.    The items they carry are meant to be for a Mexican consumer market segment.   The Walmart has a great grocery store.   HOWEVER, what they have, that I want, (fresh fruits and vegetables & dairy products that I can not get in Belize), I can not legally bring back to Belize.   The prices can vary from a good deal to outrageous.   Nice places to go for lunch near the sea, expensive.   also some inexpensive places if you are going with a Belizean who knows where things are.       When your shopping is complete, you go back thru Mexican border control and turn in your paperwork.  then the real fun.    You carry your purchases through to the people who assign tariffs.   If you have too much there is probably a young man who will carry things for you and who expects a fee.  best to asks what he wants before he touches your things.   If you have purchased banned food items, it will be confiscated.  If you try to smuggle in banned items or items with a high tariff such as high tech items, (tv, phones, computers), wine etc. on your person or in your vehicle,  It may be confiscated and a fine given. or other options presented.   Pay up and take your things back to car.   & go home.   

The process is not cheap nor quick.   

these shopping expeditions are not just a quick jaunt down the freeway to the mall & then home again in a few hours like it would be in the USA.    The only way to avoid the tarriffs which rise to a whooping 66%, (at the discretion of the agent), is to pay a fee to a Belizean shopper.    You have to write down, complete with item numbers, (pictures are best) and fees, & send money with the shopper.  the shopper will have a specially equipped vehicle and a relative in the border control.   The shoppers fees are less than the tariffs.

My friends that have been here many years and who have permanent residence status, get some kind of card that makes some of this easier & it avoids the $37.50 exit fee.

I will also suggest that taking the time to read through past remarks on FB and these blogs will be revealing.   I notice that if I answer a question with both the positive and the negative possibilities on a topic, I am characterized as being against Belize.   People who know about Belize from reading International Living, or from a few trips as a tourist, are not getting both sides of the postcard.   I live in Corozal.   I am realistic.   I do not sell real estate.  I am not trying to sell a house or property.    My experiences and opinions are only that.  I have only been here over a year.  I read, notice and ask many questions of locals and ex-pats of all stripes.    Every district is different.   

The only way to know if Belize is for you, is to come here, pick a place to settle, rent for a year, then drive around and experience the other areas for climate, culture and topography.   meet everyone and ask a zillion questions.  read the papers.  get online news.   check out the politics.   The government and politics are Important here!    Pay attention.   enjoy Belize.  Belize is a jewel.

Living close to the border is useful as well for advanced modern medical care.  There is a trick to painless shopping and that is to take the boat from Consejo assuming it still goes on Wednesday. I cannot recall the contact person but he shouldn't  be hard to find. The cost is very reasonable and gives you about 6hours of shopping time. It's a 20 minute boat ride. There is also the 90minute thunderbolt from San Pedro as well. The Belize exit fee is only 15$bz from the dock area. Mexican check in at the Chetumal wharf is a breeze. The trick to duty free shopping is to ask the Belize  customs dude if he needs anything before you depart.. Furthermore I was told by old timer gringos  to cover the top of my cart with feminine hygiene products ( new not used) as Belizean men won't rifle through that. I never bothered however. Never once in two years of trips did I get searched. Usually brought the agent Huggies diapers or ham.
Chedraui  and Aurora are also great for groceries along with the other stores noted above. Have brought back steaks, wine, Mexican beer, mushrooms, fresh rolls, veggies, pate, and deli meat and never had to pay a dime. It can be done. The savings are variable but mainly there is the availability factor.
FB is useless as an ex pat info source due to poor topic organization and intolerance of negativity( aka realty)
We usually had lunch at La Botana along the waterfront in Chetumal.
Alternately like a number of ex ex pats you can relocate to Calderitas or Mahahual and save 30% on cost of living overall.
Belize is a jewel in dire need of polishing.

Hi,

Thanks for the response.  I like your advice about moving and renting for a year to see if I like it. BUT, I am still a little confused in regards to the residency aspect after 6 months.  In my research I read that at the 6 month point you must apply for a work permit but does that mean as a general procedure OR you MUST have a job lined up?  If not can you carrying on renewing the 30 days permits with no problems to stay?

I know a lot of people on here are QRP so they would not know this which is fair enough. 

On another forum a very cynical rude Brit told me that I would never find a job no matter what.  I would not be looking for any blue collar work as I know that goes to the locals. I am well educated and qualified in a number of specialist white collar business areas.   

Also, what is the bus system like in Belize, is it very third world and dangerous or do most people use it of all backgrounds in your experience?

Thanks!

PhilCole- I enjoyed your post- thanks for the info.

I am very curious about the ocean lots you mentioned "Ocean front lots run from $90-$120,000,  across the road from the ocean lots about $45-60,000.  Costs to build are approx. $60-$70 per square foot."

Could you please send me any links for lots across the road about $45-$60,000?  I am looking for more property and privacy- any ideas in your area?

Thanks, Kevin

For a 3rd world standard ,Bus system is very good.
Many Buses are converted school buses ,but Belizeans do a good job running the Bus line on schedule

adrock1234   after the six months of paying $50 per month then you can continue monthly payments at the immigration office, which increase to $100 belize dollars per month.   this can continue until you get permanent resident status.  Permanent resident status can be applied for after i year in the country.   To qualify for Perm Resident status, you must be in the country for a year,  can not be out of country  for more a total of 14 days.  I have been told that if you have a medical reason you can be out for more than 14 days.    I would not advise testing this though.  Belize rightly does not want to open its doors to the infirm, who eventually burden their health care system.

A work permit is an entirely separate, different process & procedure.   Please be careful about checking out prospective employers in Belize.   It may be difficult for you to get a work permit or find a job.   US trained experienced  people come here with areas of expertise and training & can not get work permits.    I would hate to see you come and spend your last dollar while you wait to get a work permit or a job here.    Best luck