New members of the Belize forum, introduce yourself here

Welcome QueenieK.  This site has a lot to offer. My husband and I are planning a trip there soon with the intention of scouting out the area as a retirement spot.  Good luck in your move.  And thank you for your service!

I'm both encouraged and amazed how many of us are moving ahead with our plans! Newbee!!

Hi My name is Imee. I live in the Philippines ans wishing to visit Belize. I m hoping that joining this blog will help me gain more informations about Belize. I've been reading alot about this country.. I wish to visit this place someday.

of course you will be welcome to visit Belize.  I have a friend in Saipan and it looks to me that the countries look similar.   Probably you have better beaches.   Our beaches are best on the Cayes, not the mainland.   there are a few to the far south, in Placentia.

Hi Julian, I am 66 years old and have had few real adventures in my life and am ready to experience a few things - none survival- related.   I think Belize is where I want to start and maybe end up.   I look forward to getting to know a few others  who feel the way I do,  I am a Christian so of course I hope to meet others who love the Lord and want to share a clean loving companionship type relationship,  I love to laugh, am a good cook, enjoy gardening, sailing, reading and writing.  How's that for a start?

...k...what are your thoughts on living/renting in Belize on tourist visa for 6-12 months before acquiring QRP? My plan is total retirement life...still in the beginning phase. 

Thanks

Well. obviously I am not a wizard of all things computer as I have already tried to post to this forum twice.    I will try again.  I am 66 female, Christian, planning to come to Belize as soon as I find a friend who also wants to come.  I am a bit hesitant to come alone.  I saw on the front blog where people who want to come put their names and cities.  I was that there was a lady nearby in Birmingham, but now I can't find her.  How do I do that?  I believe that I want to live inland...maybe around corozal town....   we will see.   Thanks for the invite.

Hi Mimi48,

Your post worked both times. 

Boxergal!

We came on a tourist visa, paid our $50 per month for the first 6 months, we rented for a year in a Belizean neighborhood,    My husband did get a work permit, (time consuming & expensive).   

It is really important that people who think they would like to live here, come and experience the country and the culture for themselves.   See if it works for you.   There are significant differences in the 5 districts.    Belize is also not like the USA in almost all respects.

You are awesome!  This is basically the information I needed! Great to know that the visa works that way. I want to do just as you and your family did...makes the most sense. Now, I get the added adventure of checking out places to live and cities.  Again, Thank You, QueenieK

I work as a seafarer and have many months off of my job a year, so I can live anywhere in the world. Right now living is the US is a drag and just want to live my life; so I am looking at moving to Belize right now. Good to be on board with fellow expats.

Hello All 

A warm welcome to all our New members who have been presenting themselves 

Also please do not hesitate to create a new thread if you have any questions, be specific so that members around can guide you the best way they can.

Regards

Kenjee

Hii! I'm Bianca. Looking to move  to Belize for 1 year and maybe more if posible.I am a writer and i found Belize very beautiful and peaceful,exactly  what i need for inspiration and spiritual wellness.Any kind of information you can come up with it's very useful.

Regards

Relocated from Miami three years now n living on santa rita heights corozal.   Love the quietness of Corozal....oh n not to mention the sea where my family n I take swims or just go out to the beach to relax.  Love corozal

Bianca,  plz check out all the threads.  Dr. Al, and Spiceman, to fly away   all have different experiences and expectations, living in different parts of Belize.   there are threads about crime and cost of living etc.

I'm here in corozal with my wife.
I'm open a chiropractic office.

Thanks 

Thank you for the warm email. My name is Tony, I have been through a real crappy divorce, which has just made my life here in the states miserable.

I am originally from Boston, but have been living in Florida most of my adult life, therefore wanting to stay in a tropical climate. I am 46 by the way but don't feel anywhere near that age (maybe because subconsciously I blocked out 11 years I was married).

I will have a decent amount of cash upon my arrival but will definitely be seeking employment. That is my biggest worry about Belize as I have read it is not the easiest of tasks finding employment in Belize. I really do not want to go anywhere but Belize, but once I get there, I do not want to come back for any reason whatsoever.

So, therefore, I want a new slate, I don't even know which city or town to go to yet, I just want quality of life, any job that just pays the bills and leaves me enough money in my pocket to have fun everyday.....lol, but actually serious, I want to be happy again!

I guess the best advise I could ask for is what is the best place for me to live AND work. I am a salesman by trade but will do anything so long as I can stay and have FUN!!!!

I look forward to hearing from some of you and REALLY look forward to meeting any or all of you..... YAY! I CANNOT WAIT!!!!

Tony

as s follow-up to my previous post here, read my brief evaluation of our recent trip under the thread '3 main concerns about relocating to belize' on this forum.

Corozal town the best .....check it out smile

Hello,

My name is Tanya Dennis and I am a school teacher planning to retire next year.  My social security and retirement leave a lot to be desired in that I would have to continue working if I don't leave the country.  I have savings so I am interested in purchasing a home in Belize and settling there, hopefully on enough land to plant fruit trees and have a large garden.

My son, who is 39 is coming with me this September to "check it out".  Whether he decides to move with me is questionable at this point so I need to find a place, hopefully with an ocean view that I can live on $1,500 a month US.  It that doable?

Tanya Dennis.  It may be possible to live a subsistence lifestyle in Belize on $1500 a month.   I would not want to do it.  Belize in reality is not as advertised in general.     I can only suggest that you come and plan to rent for a year, a full change of seasons and invest in traveling around the country.  Each district (state) of Belize is geographically, ethnically and economically different.   Belize is not for everyone.   Only you can answer your questions for yourself.   I would also suggest that you check out the Caribbean coast of Mexico.   Many people are suggesting Malhalal.  Because of tourism in Quintana Roo many people speak some english so if you are not a spanish speaker it may not be an issue for you.   English is the legal language in Belize.   Most Belizeans speak spanish and creole at home over their dinner table.    If your son is needing to work to support himself, this will be very difficult in Belize.  Best luck.

Hi all,

My name is Jude and my husband is Gary.  We currently are living in the western slope of Colorado.  We are very excited as we have just purchased property up in the jungle on the Hummingbird Highway halfway between Belmopan and Dangriga.  We will be returning in December, driving from Colorado to Belize our second time.  We have cleared our land and are ready to break ground on a house which we will build ourselves.  We plan to make Belize our first home and work towards dual citizenship so there is a lot to accomplish to make this all happen.  We have friends in Teakettle, San Ignacio and Belmopan but are really looking forward to being up in the jungle and living off the land.

Congratulations!
We are in the process of doing the exact same thing! A truly beautiful and unique place.   
(Happy 4th too!)

Hi, Steve here from South Carolina.
I'm doing a lot of research on living in Belize about 3 months out of the year to start out, then maybe permanently later. I've been to Belize once while on a cruise and really enjoyed the short time I was on land. My wife and I travel to Cozumel about 3 times a year. Really disappointed that I can't feel safe buying property on Cozumel as a U.S. citizen. Belize seems to be the next best thing and it looks to be a short boat ride to Cozumel.
I'm an advanced level scuba diver and a semi pro photographer specializing in Real Estate and vacation rentals.
My wife wants to know what I will do while living in Belize. By looking at the photos of the real estate and vacation homes, it looks like there is a great need for my talents here. I think I could stay busy for an eternity.
Looking forward to meeting the members on this blog and learning all I can.

I guess u guys will be living in corozal if u guys love cozumel smile

Belize has laws.   It is not easy to get a work permit in Belize.  You would not be allowed to do volunteer work without a work permit.  Check your map of Quintana Roo & then check out a smaller coastal town just past Chetumal.  Maharal is well thought of.

Husband and wife researching a move to Belize.

I teach as an adjunct prof (Anatomy) at a small school and she is a General Surgeon.

We were curious about these two fields as a way to earn a living while 'retiring' in a new country.   

Who knows these types of things?

Tim

MyrtleBee.   My husband is an MD & chiropractor   from our personal experience and anecdotal information from others, your wife would never get a work permit in Belize.    Work permits are very difficult and expensive to get in Belize.    plz look thru all the blogs until you find Dr. Al & he tells the story accurately.  some do not like his straightforward style.  His information is accurate.

I just returned from a two visit in June  to Corozal  district after a 3year hiatus. I spent most of the time visiting friends and updating relocation data. Nearly all my time was spent with Belizeans some business people and professionals. I worked a bit at a local clinic and because of connections with the chief pharmacist visited at the local hospital as well attending the care of a terminal cancer patient.  I would say the odds of obtaining a license to work as a general surgeon are about zero. The hospital is really grim. The private facilities in Belize City are good. There is a shortage of some specialist and GP's but due to a bizarre notion of protectionism North Americans are excluded. There are a couple of very long term UK docs as in dermatology. There may  be a possibility of teaching at CAHSU however. I taught there at one time including neuroanatomy. The contact person is Dr Modavi.
As for relocation data, very little has changed. There is a bit more commodity selection. Internet is slow and expensive, electricity and telecom  are  very pricey, roads are crap, gas is exorbitant. Basic medical care is excellent,anything else is hazardous. But proximity to Chetumal can offset some of these issues. A number of former ex pat contacts have moved that way. (Calderitas, Mahahual)

Hi all. Currently living in the US in New Jersey.  I have kids in school and have no intentions of moving just yet.  I do however want to buy property somewhere outside of the US.  Most likely land as close to the water as possible. Not having traveled there yet Belize seems like a good fit for us. Would like to maybe compile a list of properties in a particular area before we head down. Maybe in the Cozumel Bay Area or at least the northern section of the country.  We're pretty much open for anything besides living in the city.  The cheaper the better!  Any suggestions on areas that we may want to concentrate on that are safe?  Thanks everyone. Enjoy your island paradise

Belize is not cheap and it is not paradise.    Belize can be interesting and enjoyable.   Belize is not for everyone.  Some people love it and do not leave.    Some come, lose money & go.    Plz do your reasearch, thoroughly.    Go on FB to the expat sites/accounts.

Hello everyone,

Newbie Canadian here looking for Belize retirement info and web-site links.  Any helpful advice and resources would be greatly appreciated- thank you all, Kevin

Read your post and curious on your comment "'Go on FB to the expat sites/accounts."  What exactly is FB so I can research further- thank you for your help- Kevin

Facebook     There are expat sites there is one for Corozal and I am sure many more.

Thanks but I do not use Facebook- too many people telling the world their boring stories and taking pics of sentimental value to themselves and their close friends- I appreciate your post though- thank you.

Any good blogs you would recommend for the area?  Thanks again, Kevin

We are on Ambergris Caye and a couple great blogs about this area are ...Bound For Belize".    Another is Taco Girl.   Good Luck!  We love the island!

Yes, Kevin.  Check out San Pedro.    very tourist attractive.   more expensive than most places in Belize, but the least difficulties.

Face Book is a direct reflection of the people who use it.   Stupid people appear stupid, etc.   however, there is information to be had there.