Khariton
9/13/2013 00:14 EST
Hello, everybody.
My husband and I beginning in November "New Life" as retire couple and our dream to live in some nice quiet place. We love ocean and warm weather. Suppose to start our scouting from Belize. Can somebody help with info about Corozal city.
-How much income we have to have for living.
-What kind property we can rent for $350-$400/month if we will rent 3 or more months.
-How much need to pay for utility and Internet.
-Do you have some problems with Internet.
-If we will have tourist visa (from USA) how long time we can be there.
ups...:-) so many questions...
If somebody have time to share this information with us, we will be VERY appreciate.
With Skype it will be much better.
With best regards,
Elena.
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nichi
9/14/2013 10:34 EST
Khariton
The cost of living in Belize is just like anywhere else - it depends on the lifestyle you want to maintain here. If you want to maintain a purely US lifestyle, then it will be expensive. But if you can adapt to the local lifestyle, it can be less expensive than the USA.
Most people end up with a mix of the 2.
You can eat at a roadside chicken BBQ for BZ$8 a meal - or have a 1st class meal for BZ$60 or more. You can buy fresh fruit or vegetables at the market - BZ$20 will buy a whole bag of them, but if you want a US$3 bag of pretzels it will cost about BZ12 a bag.
Your utility bill could be a low as BZ$80 - but it could also be as high as BZ$800 if you use air conditioning all day and night.
Internet ranges from about BZ$25 for 124Kbps to BZ$700 for 8Mbps. or you could use the Smart dongle where you get a data package. Both BTL and Smart have extensive website that explain their packages and plans.
You can find rentals in your price range - but you should probably plan to rent something for a month, then spend that month looking for a more permanent arrangement. Seabreeze, Mayan and Tony's all have efficiency type apts. You find out about the deals, by getting to know people and walking the neighbourhoods. Unlike Placencia, Corozal is spread out and you will need a car to live in many places - or you will have to depend on a taxi - so that will limit your choices. Cars are expensive here - and so is gas.
When you enter the country you are given a 30 visitors permit. You then have to renew it every month. Generally, if you want to stay here permanently, you can come in under the QRP program or you can apply for permanent residence after 12 months. The visitors permit fee is BZ$50 per person for the first 6 months and BZ$100 after that. You pay monthly.
One misconception that people have about Corozal is that because it is on the water that there are beaches here. There are no beaches in Corozal. There is a retaining wall that separates the city from the bay. There are a few areas where you can climb down to go swimming - the kids do it. But it may not be what you expect.
Do your searches on the internet - there are photographs and blogs of people who have moved here on-line for you to read and get a feel for what life is like here.
But before you move down, come and spend 6 months here. Or if you can't manage a few months, at least spend a month here.
This is a great place, but it is not for everybody.
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vnazaire1
9/23/2013 11:35 EST
I was going to answer your question , but NIchi said it all.
Nichi told you the truth and nothing but the truth.
I lived for a total of 4 months in Belize, that is in Belmopan and in Cayo.
But Nichi said it all.
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ericwt
9/23/2013 12:18 EST
Unexpected outcomes are a bummer sometimes.
That is what happens when people rely on book publishers and relocation experts to research an area.
I live in Belize, btw. Although not through the QRP..
It is not necessary to do the QRP to live in Belize
This is the third world, what did you expect?
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Khariton
9/24/2013 11:12 EST
Thank you very much all of you for respond.
It so nice to know about people, who living there, and they are can help you any time. Thank you!
For us it will be third country for living and we are not afraid to start again and again :-).
We can to do all themselves.
I love to cook and food is not big expenses for us. But big question about amount of income for couple, if we will rent some appt or other cottage on Ambergris Caye and what the best price we can found in November for rent for 3 or 6 months.
Thank you everybody for your help!!!
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EktunHa
9/30/2013 15:40 EST
Some good suggestions already posted, best advice is to come and spend some time and get a feel for the place.
Many people fall in love with the place straight away, I know I did! Twenty-one years and still going strong!
Wishing you every success in the next chapter of your life!
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Khariton
10/2/2013 11:23 EST
Hello everyone who is living in San Pedro.
As of November 30,2013 my husband and I are moving in San Pedro to explore the new country for retirement.
If someone can help to us with advice, we will be very appreciate.
-What voltage in Belize, because I would like to take some electric staff for kitchen. I love to cook.
-Is it very hard to find some long term (3-6 months) rent in this time and what would the price be for a basic cottage close to beach.
-People talk about the high price for living in this area. Food costs have same rate as in USA. Is that right?
-I don't ask about what income we need to have, but what minimum of income is comfortable to live with in this town. I mean if I were to buy food on the market and not to go out in fancy restaurant every day :-).
-Where we can meet expats there, if we need some advice. It can help to us assimilate more quickly and easy.
Thank you very much.
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Katerina
10/6/2013 19:28 EST
Khariton,
It sounds like you shifted your interested from Corozal to San Pedro. Given that you have a tight budget, that may be challenging for you.
Voltage in Belize is the same as in the USA.
It is difficult to find a cottage on the beach on Ambergris Caye. There just aren't many cottages. You will find condo buildings and large houses on the beach. You might find a condo for around $1000/month US. But many expats are renting and moving here now, so those rentals are going quickly. This time of year is easier than in the busy season though.
The food here is expensive compared to the USA because it has to be shipped out to the island. For instance, I pointed out to my husband yesterday that we pay $1.70/lb for a regular white cabbage! It would be cheaper if you bought if from a street vendor, but not that much.
The QRP program requires that you bring in $2000/ month of income to live in Belize. That is a good point of reference. You can live on less in Corozal or the Cayo. But here, on Ambergris Caye, it would be difficult to live on less than this for a couple.
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ericwt
10/6/2013 20:43 EST
I live in the Cayo District. If you want to live a US style of living it would be very hard to do on less than $2,000.00 a month.
I spend a lot more but I live almost like I do in the states.
Also remember Belize Immigration does have the right to ask for proof of income when you renew your 30 day visa.
Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. The figure they use is $60 a day.
That being said I do know people who live on less than $2,000.00 a month in Belize.
Personally I would not want to try that.
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ericwt
10/6/2013 22:31 EST
It is $2,000.00 US. for the QRP.
For the 30 day visa it is $60 US per day.
I should have made that clear.
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