You Can Afford Paradise
Seven Reasons to Choose Belize
By Susan Jane Terry
“You’re only limited by your imagination.” Amy Urban, Psychologist, Kaiser, Santa Rosa
Yes, you can.
You can afford to live in the Caribbean in one of the world’s last unspoiled destinations: Belize. Expatriates and retirees have been attracted to this tropical paradise for decades. They come for the sun and the fun. They stay because the living is easy and the cost of living is low.
You haven’t heard? Belize may be Mother Nature’s best kept secret. Sun, sea and surf make the country a natural paradise. With 174 miles of Caribbean beaches, mountains, cloud forests and exotic flora and fauna, Belize is a Central American jewel. Environmentally sensitive, only 20 percent of the country has been developed. The rest is preserved for nature and wildlife, including the world’s only jaguar reserve.
Offshore is the world’s second largest and longest living barrier reef, making Belize a premier Caribbean destination for divers. Inland you’ll find jungle adventures, caves to explore, majestic waterfalls and ancient Mayan ruins.
Bordered to the north by Mexico, to the south and west by Guatemala and to the east by the Caribbean, Belize is just a three-hour flight from major gateways, keeping you connected with family and friends.
Nerina Heredia, Belize Tourism representative, said, “American retirees on Social Security can easily afford Belize. They rent at first and then buy land later. Americans often choose the northern regions where it is very affordable for retirees. Or, the island, Ambergris Caye, in the town of San Pedro, has affordable rentals, too.”
Seven Reasons to Choose Belize:
1) Great deals on real estate and rentals, too.
Like other countries in Central America, the cost of living in Belize can’t be beat. While certain places can be higher than the U.S., many residents say that you can get by comfortably in Belize for as little as $1000 a month. In the lush western region, home to eco-tourism, expats live in or around the thriving river communities of San Ignacio and Santa Elena.
One recent listing mentioned in International Living included utilities for a one-bedroom apartment for rent in Santa Elena located in the heart of town with a beautiful view of the Maya mountains. Price: $300/month.
Also popular with expats on a budget is Corozal and Consejo Shores in the Northern region, just across the border from Mexico. This area is close to the Mayan ruins and lush rainforests. Here, a recent International Living listed a one bedroom apartment one block from the bay. Included in the rent are water, electricity, cable and internet. Price: $400/month
Of course, Belize offers many choices in a wild range of real estate from rustic to luxurious, enough so that you can decide how you want to live. From charming seaside villages to more than 450 islands, there is a wide diversity of options. And you can live well on your income.
“You can buy an acre of land here and have a house built for $5000,” Expatriate Becky Haines said after returning from Belize, and planning to build. “They don’t have Walmart but you can barter almost anything. Everyone is so friendly. I can’t wait to go back.”
Actually you won’t find a McDonalds or Burger King anywhere in Belize. And in the entire country, not one Starbucks.
2) Reinvent yourself in paradise.
If you bring your dreams to Belize, a popular phrase goes, Belize will make them come true. Haines said, “You can give up the rat race and make a fresh start in Belize. People are friendly and pro-business with Americans.”
One woman went from the classroom to luxury travel, The International Report on Belize said, “Of all the kinds of writing you can do — fiction, academic, marketing or technical— travel writing is the most fun…and the most rewarding. Sandra Kennedy retired from teaching, moved to Belize and now gets paid to travel and write about what she recommends other people do and see.”
3) Winter is simply not permitted. But watch out for hurricanes in late summer.
It’s not too hot or too cold, ever. Belize has two seasons; the summer months are in the wet green season while winter is dry and warm. Rainfall varies by region. Showers usually are short and during the night. With average temperatures 79 degrees, Belize has nearly-perfect weather. The sun shines nearly every day.
You can leave your winter coats behind. All you will need is a ceiling fan to circulate the cool Caribbean breeze except in hurricane season from August to October. Not to worry. Belize has a thorough emergency plan ready to be enacted and storms are tracked and predicted in advance using state-of-the-art technology.
4. It’s not just the place, it’s the people.
As if paradise itself wasn’t already priceless, the people in Belize are some of the friendliest and welcoming you’ll ever meet. It’s easy to make friends with locals and fellow expats, like-minded people who live well on what they’ve got.
Belize is often referred to as a melting pot of cultures preserving individual ethnic differences and traditions. Co-existing in harmony, Belizean society include Maya, Mestizo, East Indian, Mennonites and others all intermingling to form a unique Belizean identity.
5. Those friendly people speak English
No need to learn a foreign language. Belize is the only English-speaking country in Central America. That is because Belize was a British colony called British Honduras before it became a self-governing colony in 1964 and independent in 1981. So don’t worry because you can communicate with the locals and even read the road signs. English makes doing business easy. The Belizean dollar, matched at 2:1 American dollars, is stable and makes it easy for investment. When it comes to purchasing a house, the contracts you sign will be in English, making the transaction one you can read and understand.
6. An abundance of healthy, locally-grown food.
Haines, who has battled cancer, said, “I got healthy here.” She found the food in Belize a breath of fresh air. An abundance of bananas, mangoes, papaya, coconuts and other locally grown fruits and vegetables are found in the local markets. You’ll also find free range chicken and eggs, natural grass fed beef and fresh fish, all at affordable prices.
“When you shop and eat like the locals,” Haines said. “Living in Belize will make you feel and look better.”
7. Ancient Mayan archeological ruins and culture.
Belize is rich in history and culture. Today there are thriving communities of ethnic Mayans in western and southern Belize where they have lived for 2000 years and still retain their culture and language.
In the Maya Mountains are archeological ruins dating back thousands of years. The Mayan ruins are open to exploration. Some have been cleared from the jungle and excavated like Tikal, just across the border in Guatemala. In the grandest of the Classic Mayan cities, Tikal, where toucans and parrots fly, the only sounds heard are the howler monkeys.
