10 Reasons You Should Live Or Retire In Belize
Belize is perhaps not the
cheapest place to live in – a tropical paradise with so many advantages does
not come as cheap as other retirement areas such as certain Latin American or
Asian countries. In fact living on a North American or European lifestyle here
will cost as much. But in general, resident expats in here say they live
more comfortably than back home. Retirement cheques, stocks and investment
income, just appear to go further in Belize.
Services that are significantly
more economical in this country include medical care, cable TV, household help,
insurance, farm produce, seafood, property taxes, and yes, wine, song and so
on. This tropical paradise produces and exports high quality rum made from
locally produced molasses and cane sugar. In fact sugar is so cheap it is one
of the rare local products smuggled out of the country into the neighboring
republics. The other side of the coin is that gasoline, electricity, telephone,
mobile phone and Internet access are more expensive. But you can always setup
your own satellite dish and enjoy Internet access at near U.S. prices.
Housing, depending on your taste
can be significantly cheap compared to back home. Belize has a thriving
Mennonite community that provides many services including pre-fabricated homes
out of pressure treated lumber or local hardwood. For about U.S. $15,000. to
$20,000. you can get a North American design three bedroom home pre-wired and
complete with plumbing, transported and set up on your site.
If you prefer to rent, you can get
a modest house for US$200-$400 a month, or build a new home for US$50,000 to
$100,000. Waterfront lots run from US$40,000 to $90,000. depending on location.
If your taste is more upscaleBelize has condos on the beach ranging from U.S. $99,000. to the multi-milliondollar range. Sample Budget For Expatriates Living In Belize On $1,500. Or Less.
Spending needs are different for
most anyone but here is a sample monthly budget in U.S. dollars for a couple
living in comfort as expatriates in Belize:
* Rent or mortgage payment: $300. *
Car expenses: $250. * Electricity, water, telephone, and Internet: $500.
* Groceries: $300. * Health
insurance: $50. * Entertainment: $100
2. You Speak English
If you are North American or the
U.K. there is no need to learn a new language because, as a former British
colony, Belize is English speaking. Spanish is widely spoken and
unofficially it is believed it is the more popular language as the Latinos have
now become the largest single ethnic group in Belize. But most Belizeans are
bilingual and many trilingual. All official documents, street signs, menus and
so on are in English and most of the media, newspapers, radio and television
stations are primarily in English
From the day you first set foot in
here you can dine, chat, shop, and ask for directions without having to look up
a foreign language app on your laptop or smart phone.
3. It Is Good For My Health
Its true. Living in Belize can make
you feel and look better and actually improve your health. There are plenty of
fresh fruits and vegetables grown locally ranging from bananas, oranges,
grapefruit, soursop, pineapple, papayas, mangoes, noni, many grains and nuts
not to forget fresh coconut water, free range chicken and eggs, natural grass
fed beef – the list would fill a farming newsletter. Fresh fruit and
unprocessed food is found aplenty in the local shops or at better prices on
markets days.
Most towns have special market days
– Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturday are the most popular. Wide open spaces mean
that you can ride the car less and walk more.
You can spend much more time
outdoors in the crisp, clean , unpolluted air rather than in an artificial
climate-controlled office or residence.
You go home for lunch or take a
siesta at mid-day. Arthritis, rheumatism and and other aches and pains seem to
melt away. Many folks who move to Belize report feeling better within a couple
of weeks, perhaps due to a better diet, sunny clime or less stress. But of course
you can easily have an unhealthy lifestyle in Belize — staying indoors, eating
greasy Chinese fried chicken which unfortunately is cheap and plentiful, watch
TV all day, binge drinking and not exercising.
4. There Are So Many Things To See Or Do In Belize
There are so many things going on
in Belize it is very hard to get bored. If you’re bored here, it’s your own
fault. The country may be small but its rich diversity of landscapes, cultures
and the as it is rapidly developing this makes for almost no end of things to
do, places to explore, projects to plan and maybe even start a new business.
If you are on a budget, you will
find and be able to take advantage of specials that are offered on the off
season. For example the two local airlines often offer half price airfare deals
for cash only customers and these are often only announced locally.
Belize is a natural wonderland. It is home to thousands of species of trees and flowers, orchids, animals, birds, exotic tropical fish and butterflies.
The cultural diversity of Belize is
what attracts some many visitors again and again. If you are so inclined you
can spend the rest of your life studying and learning the the rich flora and
fauna of the country. The culture and history of the Maya dates back thousands
of years.
Latinos were the first Europeans to
venture into the area and in fact the Father of the Mestizos Gonzalo Guerrero
was the first European to make Belize his home. Later immigrants were the
Scots, Irish and British, Africans, Garifuna, and more modern immigrants such
as the Mennonites, Central Americans Chinese and other Europeans. Every local
ethnic group has a colorful history to explore, cuisine to enjoy and cultural
events, festivals and fairs to enjoy.
Outdoor activities include the
gorgeous beaches and the majestic Barrier Reef, the wide open savannahs and
mountains, countless caves – many yet undiscovered, the tropical rainforest,
the many rivers and waterfalls, the Maya ruins and of course you can easily hop
across the border into Mexico or Guatemala for entirely new horizons and things
to do, see and explore.
Travel links to Mexico and Central
America, once neglected, have been recently come under attention for
development. The Mexican bus company ADO now does twice daily runs between
Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula with destinations in Cancun, Tulum and Merida.
These first class air conditioned buses are a great alternative to hope deep
into southern Mexico for a change of scenery.
In the west, the highway on the
Guatemala side is now completely paved and a new bridge is nearing completion.
This will make a once bumpy trip to Tikal, Rio Dulce in Guatemala and Guatemala
City a more enjoyable journey. In the south, a new highway is under construction
to link the south with Guatemala.
5. The U.S. Dollar Is Accepted Belize Currency
The BZ Dollar still bears the image
of the Head of State – Queen Elizabeth II. With independence the Belize Dollar
has sprouted some indigenous symbols such as various local flora and fauna as
well as nationalistic symbols and landmarks. But the U.S. Dollar is accepted
everywhere – coins are not.
You can pay for most anything in
Belize with your U.S. Dollars except, and we are not making this up, government
offices or any government transaction. A government that is perennially short
of foreign exchange does not accept U.S. dollars at any government cashier, for
e.g. the courts, the post office and so on – that is unless the clerk on duty
wants the foreign exchange and accepts it and then pays in the Belize Dollar
equivalent out of his or her pocket.
But apart from this, any other
business establishment, be it the gas station, your local grocery or
supermarket will welcome your U.S. Dollars. The BZ Dollar has been pegged at
the rate of two BZ Dollars for One U.S. Dollar for decades. Thus for those who
bank in U.S. dollars prices remain stable as the value of the Belize Dollar
does not float.
6. You Like Belizeans
As a general rule Belizeans like
North Americans and Europeans and folks from all over the world. It is
estimated that the equivalent of Belize’s entire population lives in North
America. Because Belizeans speak English, hundreds of thousands live in the
U.S.A. and Canada. Thus most any Belizean has a relative in North America.
Many Belizeans work and live in the
North America then retire back home thus it will not be strange to run into a
Belizean who lived and worked in your hometown for a few decades before moving
up here just like you! Some locals refer to these returned Belizeans as
BelAmers – short for Belizean Americans. Folks in here are of fun loving and
like to party and celebrate. Belize has fifteen official holidays including the
very long Easter Holiday that begins at midday on Holy Thursday and runs
through Easter Monday – that’s a four day weekend holiday.
7. I Love Belize Time
Belize is on a different time clock
– much more relaxed and easy going. Maybe not the most efficient but the idea
is to take it easy. Government offices are supposed to be opened for business
at 8 a.m. sharp but apart from the Post Office you will not get much attention
until 8:30 – that is the essence of “Belize Time”.
Government workers arrive by public
transport at the town of their employment, then wonder around catching
breakfast or doing errands before reporting for work. This can be irritating
for some used to precision and deadlines but don’t let your pressure go up.
Adjust to a slower more leisurely lifestyle. Be prepared for promises the job
will be finished by Monday 8 a.m. Belize Time really means the job will be
delivered Monday evening if you are lucky or more likely Tuesday morning.
8. I Feel Comfortable With Property Rights
As a former colony of the United
Kingdom – Belize law is based on British Common Law – just like the legal
systems in the U.S.A. and Canada for example. Certain countries in Latin
America and Europe base their legal systems on the Napoleonic Code, a system
difficult for North Americans to grasp. You will not have that problem here.
The country’s legal system is far
from perfect and lawyers just like back home are not cheap. Caveat: beware of
what you read in publications put out by foreign writers claiming to be Belize
experts. Here like in most countries, squatters or the government can take your
property – if you abandon it. Squatters who settle unmolested on a property for
20 years can claim the land. And the government can take away your land if you
are a scofflaw and abandon your property and do not pay land tax. But these are
extremely rare cases and who would abandon their property for twenty years or
fail to pay the ridiculously low property taxes?
Anyone, including foreigners,
enjoys the same property rights under the Belize Constitution. And there are no
restrictions on foreigners owning land in any part of Belize, and that includes
water front properties. In fact one local newspaper did a non-empirical study
and believes more than 60 per cent of Belize’s beach front property is owned by
expats.
9. I Can Afford To Live on The Beach In Belize
Prices are going up like everywhere
but , you can live on the beach for about one third the cost of doing this in
North American. You can buy a beach front lot in Belize for between U.S.
$30,000. to $100,000. – depending of course on location and access to
amenities. Lots one street or two behind the beach front can be had for about
half the cost of beach front.
Construction costs for a strong
concrete structure capable of withstanding most any storm range from between
U.S. $40. to U.S. $80. a square foot – shop around. Your mileage may vary. You
may consider using the services of an architect or engineer to supervise
construction. The professional fee may save you lots of money and time. We even
have a new company that gives you that nice hot mix asphalt driveway you may be
accustomed to at your old digs.
You can
reinvent yourself in Belize. Moving to a different country where the first
language is English can open up entirely new opportunities for the retiree.
Many retirees mingle with the various ex pat communities and find or take
inspiration about new things to do. Some retirees return to work part time –
mainly self employed.
International Services Ltd can help you greatly with your needs in Retiring, Living and Investing in Belize.
For more information see our services below:
· International Business Companies (IBCs)
· U.S. Dollar Accounts
· Asset Protection
· Bahamas, Panama, Seychelles & other Foreign IBCs
· Trust and Trustee Services
· Belize and Panama Private Foundations
· Local Company (Chapter 250)
· Belize Dollar Accounts
· Mail Forwarding and Virtual Office Services
· Work Permit and Residency Services
· Nationality and Passport Services
· Qualified Retired Persons Program (QRP)
· Licensed Escrow Services
· Purchase Agreements
· Owner Financing Agreements
· Land Title Investigation
· Transfer of Title
Email: gomezisl@btl.net
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