Here are the top 6 reasons why you should live or retire in Belize and will find Belizean life a lure that you can’t resist: 1. Why do you think so many retirees live in Florida? Being around this many friendly people couldn’t possibly be a bad thing for your spirits. Warm weather year-round. Relying upon produce grown nearby and available in hours rather than days — and getting used to seafood just plucked from the ocean — may be a bridge too far in terms of your health. For many retirees and potential expats, a major concern is how to get along in a foreign country where English is not the primary language. Ignore the lush landscapes. Much of Belizean life revolves around the beach. ), to apply to the Ministry of Health for permission to work as a chiropractor here, to get a police report required for a work permit, and to talk to both the income tax office and the immigration office about my work permit. Your guests can swim, sun and have fun instead of shoveling snow. What reasons are there for visiting Belize? The traffic jams, commutes and allocating extra time to travel very few miles within the urban setting you call home something you enjoy? Well, here are nine more reasons right here… 1. These places, away from Belize City, are the safest places to live in Belize. You may want to invest in a dog – sounds odd maybe, but dogs make for good security. Overall, Belize is growing into a haven not only for vacationers, but for those looking to enjoy a quieter life, whether it be on an island, on the bay, or in a jungle town. But Belize has become the new Florida, and it’s not hard to see why. You’ll have to rely on local markets where freshness is guaranteed. But inland there is little worth taking the time and effort to see. Belize is hard to beat, not only for the Caribbean lifestyle it offers on its cayes, but also for how easy it makes it for a foreign retiree to make Belize home. 8. Belize is a great place to retire for many but not all. If you're looking for big city living, Belize might not be the place for you. And a QRP retiree can be as young as 45 years old! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. While it is true that there is not a single opera house in the country, Belize is world-famous for its cultural festivals, live music scene, and thriving nightlife where a variety of musical styles flourish, including punta rock, a genre invented Dangriga, the cultural capital of Belize. There is a spot suitable for just about everyone. After all, there is a reason why Belize is considered as one of the best places on earth to retire, and if the cons were significant, it would not have earned this title. Photo courtesy Kevin Quischan Photography. 8. Some expats are now gravitating as far south as the Toledo District, although you’ll find fewer First World amenities there. Ignore the lush landscapes. Still here? Other reasons I have had to go to Belmopan include to replace my temporary U.S. passport after mine was stolen (in London, not Belize! Here are eight great reasons you just won’t love retiring to Belize in 2021. Belize is not the cheapest place in Central America to buy real estate, but the cost can be amazingly low compared with the cost of comparable property in the United States. The cost of living is cheaper here. Belizeans prefer meals cooked from home with local ingredients. It’s not Cancun – or Miami Beach, or Punta Cana! Now if you have made it all the way through this article and still see no objections, then Belize is just the place for your retirement. Other topics include the quality of medical care, having a baby in Belize and more. Beachfront Living on Ambergris Caye at Alaia: Grand... An Amazing Way To Spend Spring Break in... A Procrastinator’s Guide to A Super Last-Minute Valentine’s... Belize Reopens Maritime Borders for Yachting Tourism. Britain made Belize a self-governing colony in 1964, and on September 21, 1981 it became an independent country. If that sounds unreasonable, you really shouldn’t retire in Belize! Lastly, the beach is where many excellent bars and restaurants are found. If your retirement plan includes indulging your craving for opera, ballet, symphonies and other arts, don’t retire in Belize. Once people decide to move to Belize, they quickly come to love their new home. You planned to use your retirement to learn a second language, Ready to decide for yourself? However, the capital is cheaper and you can choose to live in a gated community. Expats in Belize share tips and advice about healthcare and health insurance in Belize. Belize City is not a place you should consider if thinking about a move to Belize. You won’t find Caribbean beaches here or quaint beachside bars. Let’s face it – the older we get the colder we get. A move to Belize will inevitably mean that you would have to spend some time in Belize City, the largest city in this Central American country. Parties can go into the early hours of the next day. Top Reasons You Shouldn’t Retire to Belize. Good grief, you think; I was hoping to keep working at my stressful job well into my 60s! A tropical paradise with so many advantages does not come as cheap as other retirement areas in other Latin American or Asian countries. San Pedro is popular. You will have to settle for annual festivals, music and dance performances, impromptu dancing on the beach, drumming lessons and immersion within Belize’s unique rock ‘n’ roll, country. 2. How To Live or Retire in Belize is at the very top of Frequently Asked Questions about our country. In the interest of transparency, you will run into the occasional Belize traffic jam, but that’s because so many ex-pats left their cars at home, kissed insurance goodbye and invested in golf carts to get around. To make sure that you will enjoy your retirement in this fine country, first look over this list and see if there may be a problem. Tons of tourists pack their bags time and again to this beautiful country and … Good. 8 Best reasons in retiring to Belize. Belize includes 240 miles of white, sandy coastline. If your retirement plan includes indulging your craving for opera, ballet, symphonies and other arts, don’t retire in Belize. In Belize, real estate taxes for ex-pats are so low, plenty of retirees have been known to call government officials to make sure those extra-low tabs are correct. Your kids & friends are only a half-day away, Belize is just too close to North America. Waiting for your annual real estate tax bill is always a treat because you get to see a breakout of your participation in keeping schools, libraries, municipal government, transport and other assessed services running. When deciding where to live in Belize there are a variety of lifestyle options throughout Belize’s 6 districts. While many chain restaurants have sprung up across the United States, Belize is different. Belize City. The culture of the country is so rich and the people are … History of Belize We will first talk about the advantages, and then we will discuss the disadvantages. How did you choose your new career path. CC+L will serve up knowledgeable information on a variety of regions, along with inspiring culture and lifestyle content. by James Fisher 20/03/2019, 10:11 AM 77 Views 101 Votes 0 Comments. Copyright © 2020 - Caribbean Culture and Lifestyle. sales@saltlifebelize.com Some of these reasons to live in Belize include its affordability, ease of communication, health benefits, unending list of activities and mainly the culture. Sorry to break it to you, but almost everyone in Belize speaks English. But what if you want to ignore our advice and come down anyway? He’s a full-time resident; she’s a QRP. The outdoors is one of Belize’s greatest features-this is a country with five types of environments and has come up with recreational activities for every one of them. As for the rent cost in Belize, that averages at $250. Belize is definitely not the cheapest place to live in. Your guests can. If beachside living is the reason you’ve come to Belize then you’re in luck. 1. In the interest of transparency, you will run into the occasional Belize traffic jam, but that’s because so many ex-pats left their cars at home, kissed insurance goodbye and invested in golf carts to get around. How many hours do your kids drive to celebrate Christmas with you? 10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Belize Wedged between Mexico and Guatemala, the tiny country of Belize has become one of the most popular eco tourism destinations in Central America. While Belize City is the sole fast-moving part of Belize, it is not a fixture of high culture. As a former Chief Information Officer and Immigration Consultant to the Government of Belize, I share with readers some of the basics of making Belize your home here. Get a FREE Booklet Mailed To Your Home At No Cost: "Belize: A Guide To Living, Retiring, & Vacationing in Belize", THE CLOCK IS TICKING TO GET IN ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF SALT LIFE BELIZE, 5 Benefits of The Belize Qualified Retirement Program, 3 Essential Tips For Purchasing Belize Real Estate, {"cookieName":"wBounce","isAggressive":false,"isSitewide":true,"hesitation":"","openAnimation":false,"exitAnimation":false,"timer":"","sensitivity":"","cookieExpire":"","cookieDomain":"","autoFire":"20000","isAnalyticsEnabled":false}, meals cooked from home with local ingredients. There are actually several groups of people who may not be able to fully appreciate what Belize offers. This is helped by easy to seafood, tropical fruits and vegetables. 10 Reasons not to visit Belize. Think Cancun in the mid-1970s. Your palate has grown accustomed to frozen veggies, meat originating on other continents and prepackaged products. Wherever you find a party, you will find music and noise; even at church services. Belize is the perfect choice for those who are not comfortable with Spanish. The top reasons for this rise in popularity are listed below: The Importance of Language. If you always go for major brands, you will pay a premium but miss out on some of the best local produce around. Belize is known to be very reasonably priced and with all of these qualities, you’re bound to meet very happy and very friendly fellow expats! Belize ranges between 86°F and 92°F during the day to around the 70s at night. … The raft of benefits Belize offers to retirees must be some sort of trickery because no nation is willing to confer the magnanimous tax, perks and other benefits the nations Qualified Retirement Program includes. Those are a little more expensive when compared to other towns in the country. Get Maximum Value for Your Money. ), fancy wardrobe (don’t need it), cell phone service, cable TV and household help. Photo courtesy Leonardo Melendez Photography. Expat Life in Belize is affordable in most of the areas. If you love snow and cold temperatures, Belize is not for you. If you can live … The Belizean lifestyle is one of ease and relaxed pacing; going against this is fit for pointing out among locals. Belize is beautiful. Living standards in Belize may not be very cheap, but this tropical haven has many advantages to attract expats from all parts of the globe. 30 Reasons to Visit Belize: Landscapes, Food & Wildlife. Low cost of living. 6. Lush tropical rain forests, pristine beaches, and ancient Maya cities are just a few of the many natural attractions. Besides, there are no big-box stores nearby. 1. Friendly people. 50 Rock-Solid Reasons Why You Should Be Investing... Conch Shell Aisles, Sandy Toes & The Caribbean Sea: What Eloping in... Beachfront Living on Ambergris Caye at Alaia: Grand Opening May 2021, Complimentary Cocktails, Big Discounts & Flexible Bookings: A Tempting 2021 Offer for Travelers. You will have to settle for annual festivals, music and dance performances, impromptu dancing on the beach, drumming lessons and immersion within Belize’s unique rock ‘n’ roll, country, punta or salsa culture. Further, since the nation’s legal system is based on British law, you’ll have to get used to transacting official business in English, too. 9 Reasons to Live in Belize and the Best Area's . I have a business and freelance writing background. But that feeling won’t last long. Developing a British accent could substitute if you insist on fulfilling the foreign language promise you made to yourself! Leonard went on to explain, "When you live in Belize, you are going to stress out 3 times a day; about what you are going to have for breakfast, for lunch, and for dinner. Many fall in love with the place at the very first sight. If that sounds unreasonable, you really shouldn’t retire in Belize! While you can find hamburgers or fried chicken at restaurants, chances are likely that they will come with coconut rice or tostones, fried plantains, instead of French fries. A few things that are much less expensive in Belize are health care (okay, maybe not for Canadians), property taxes, income taxes, most types of insurance (much less litigation down here), rent, parking fees (none! Acquiring residency or retirement status is not as difficult as it may appear, and here we show you some of the options available to … I know work factored into your ‘Living in Belize’ vision. Situated on Ambergris Caye, Belize, Salt Life Belize is regarded as one of the best retirement communities in the country, offering quality amenities and breath-taking island vistas. Here are the reasons why you should live in Belize real estate.. 1. Here are five reasons why you too will love living in Belize: 1 – The Food , commutes and allocating extra time to travel very few miles within the urban setting you call home something you enjoy? If they drive over 3 hours, they would be better served by spending holidays with you in Belize where some flights arrive in a little over 2 hours. If you’re not used to seeing Belize retirement articles aimed at talking you out of moving to this beautiful, welcoming nation, consider this one your formal invitation to choose anywhere else in the Caribbean for your objective. 7. Well, Belizeans are known to be warm and welcoming. While some expats advise those with serious health issues not to move to Belize, other expats choose Corozal for its proximity to doctors and clinics over the border in Chetumal, Mexico. Their conclusion? Staying indoors is will force you to run costly air conditioning around the clock. We had always wanted to live and work here, but wanted to be realistic about how to make that happen. https://caribbeanlifestyle.com/8-reasons-not-to-retire-in-belize-2021 These are all valid reasons why you’re bound to have a miserable time if you end up visiting Belize. 4 Reasons Why You Want To Live In Belize. 2. The most popular landing spots for expats in Belize are Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker; the Placencia peninsula; the Corozal district; and the Cayo Region. Today, Ann lives in Belize full-time with her husband. Belize is home to thousands of expats, each living a life they might have only dreamed about, had they not discovered this Caribbean paradise. Caribbean Culture and Lifestyle is a new, creatively designed publication that is produced both digitally and in hard copy. Probably the worst reason to retire in Belize is if you want to go shopping. Belize is a great place to retire for many but not all. This is not the Vegas Strip, this is not Paris, and this is not Cancun. Belize is just too close to North America. Placencia is a top choice for retirees. Money Goes Further In Belize. 6. Belize is famous for being an exotic getaway vacation destination for newlyweds, families, and adventure travelers, but it is also increasingly attracting expats and retirees. To make sure that you will enjoy your retirement in this fine country, first look over this list and see if there may be a problem. Belize—situated on the eastern coastline of North America—has emerged as high growth and profitable investment region.It is not only a spectacular vacation destination but is also a great place for expats who are planning to move to South or Central America.Here are a 16 reasons why Belize is the perfect country to move to. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. Ten Reasons to retire in Belize 1. Below, I’ll take a deeper look into these reasons that will surely make you love living in Belize. Belize is definitely 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. All that good stuff. Once upon a time in Caye Caulker, there were only three gas-driven vehicles: the fire truck, the police car and the one that delivers the beer. How many hours do your kids drive to celebrate Christmas with you? https://money.usnews.com/.../2017-04-18/7-reasons-not-to-retire-in-belize I’m going to be really blunt and say that anything worth seeing in Belize lies along it’s Caribbean Coast – Islands and Coastal Towns included. If you’re not used to seeing Belize retirement articles aimed at talking you out of moving to this beautiful, welcoming nation, consider this one your formal invitation to choose anywhere else in the Caribbean for your objective. Schedule a country tour with, On the count of three, say “Belizeeee!” T, Traveling solo is empowering and gratifying; with, Guests are looking at private island escapes and b, For online workers with itchy feet, an extended va, Alas — like all good things — Lobster Season 2, 5 Affordable Ways To Explore Belize This Summer. So yes, you can retire to Belize as early as your mid-40s. A Virtual Tour of Carmelita Gardens in the... Keep Training, Hikers — Belize’s Victoria Peak Trail... Hopkins Village: The Caye You Can Drive To. Continental Breakfast, Belizean style, at Hamanasi Resort. Here are eight great reasons you just won’t, Belize is happy to declare you retired at age 45, 4. sun and have fun instead of shoveling snow. Belizeans love any excuse to cut loose and have a good time. If you have a little over $2,000, you can live quite comfortably in Belize if you stay away from the coastal areas. All that good stuff. (877) 342-1702. So much so, that you may not know what to do with yourself for the first few weeks. There are actually several groups of people who may not be able to fully appreciate what Belize offers. In fact living on a North American or European lifestyle here will cost as much or more. If they drive over 3 hours, they would be better served by spending holidays with you in Belize where some flights arrive in a little over 2 hours. But seriously, you think, they must have motives for being as nice, kind and helpful as the Belizeans living throughout the nation. Affordability. Ron comes from a newspaper family and has worked in media since he has 14. You know how Canadians are notoriously known for being nice? If you want to come here and your plan is to get your hair done every day and sit around and go shopping, then Belize is not for you that would be numero uno. It is very affordable to live and eat in Belize. While you look through places to plant your flag, consider looking into Salt Life Belize first. Tourism is now the most important industry in Belize, as well as exports of sugar, bananas, citrus fruit, wood, and hot sauce (so good). The Reasons Why You Should Live in Belize Real Estate Slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising.