a10sgoddess
10/10/2014 14:00 EST
My husband and I plan to move to Belize in about a year. I have a 34-year-old son and a 6-year-old grandson, who will also be moving because my son is 100% disabled and without us, he can't afford to live in California. His SSI check should qualify him to come to Belize.
I thought about the Cayes and Corozal, but maybe someone has some great ideas for other cities to research. I'm not much of a city person, and we have a 75 lb. coonhound that we can't live without.
I'm looking for any cities that have good schools and where my grandson can play soccer.
We want to purchase property that can accommodate two houses so my son and grandson can maintain a life of their own.
Any ideas are much appreciated.
Post a Reply
 0 0 abuse
|
|
bobbyveee
10/10/2014 15:49 EST
Theres only one city, Belize city and you truly dont want to live there. How do you move your disabled son around.? The Cayes are very expensive , San Pedro has a very good private school. Does your son need specialist treatment? Im kinda thinking that unless you have a pile of money Belize maybe the wrong country. Nothing is wheelchair friendly. No side walks on the Cayes. But not knowing the background of your sons disabilities its difficult to advise
Post a Reply
 0 0 abuse
|
|
|
|
a10sgoddess
10/10/2014 16:32 EST
Although disabled for governmental reasons, my son doesn't require a wheelchair -- it's his back. He's had two surgeries and is getting ready for a third -- hopefully, this time will work, and maybe he won't be disabled anymore. He does everything everyone else does. He even coached soccer last year -- as long as he has his medication, he's good.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
bobbyveee
10/10/2014 17:16 EST
Thats wonderful to hear , i do wish him and your family every success, but why have you chose Belize. Its not a cheap country to move to property wise and school wise if your grandson wants to go far with his education then the standards are low and home schooling would be best. Its unlikely anyone within your family would get work permits unless you are thinking of starting a business. I can think of cheaper places to be in the USA as far as living and buying property
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
a10sgoddess
10/10/2014 17:22 EST
You know when you just know in your gut what you should do? My gut tells me Belize, but because I'm flexible, Costa Rica or Panama is not out of the realm of possibilities. It's just something about Belize -- I loved everything I read about the Island Academy for my grandson.
I'm retired -- I earned it, and I don't plan on going back to the grind -- I want to live out my life in a hammock!
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
buckiboa
10/10/2014 19:09 EST
Corozal has a plethora of properties for sale. Some with and some without homes. For the most part (except for Consejo Shores where we think the prices are high), the costs are not bad. Consejo is an expat community. You can find out about it on the Internet. Belize is not for everyone. You really should come visit (the other places you are interested in as well) before you decide. We have friends who have a son still in school but they are considering taking him out and home schooling him. The educational system here is not the best. My husband and I are both retired and we find we can live on a lot less here than we did the states even though some things like electricity and fuel are more expensive here. Please visit everywhere first before you make any decisions. Researching on the Internet is good but just not the same as seeing it with your own eyes. Good Luck!!
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
|
|
bobbyveee
10/10/2014 20:27 EST
Buckiboa is totally correct, until youve visited, make no assumptions. If you really like the Island Academy , it means you need to live on AC, house prices there are horrendous, we lived there till last yr and still have our beach bungalow. Another thought, and we moved here is St Lucia, has everything going for it, great meds, very good schools and the possibility of finding what you want at the price you want
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
a10sgoddess
10/10/2014 20:42 EST
Thanks so much. We plan to visit for awhile in several locations. Your input is very much appreciated.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
a10sgoddess
10/11/2014 01:48 EST
Thanks for the information about St. Lucia. That's definitely a place I will be visiting on our trip.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
Lillymac
10/11/2014 07:12 EST
Why don't you look at Vista Del Mar in Ladyville. There are lots of lots for sale and at a decent price and your grandson can go to school right there in the same village. Ladyville is quite good has good schools and almost all amenities. It's close to Belize City by 20 min and 2 hrs to the Mexcian border.
You can look at vista real estate (Hugo) they sell most lots in that area or seasure real estate. ( Joycelyn Codd).
Good luck
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
|
|
Katerina
10/12/2014 19:31 EST
You are right about Island Academy. It is an outstanding school, owned and operated by Lady Bowen, the late Lord Barry Bowen's wife. The challenge will be when your grandson reaches high school age. But by that time Island Academy will very likely have set up a quality high school since there are an increasing number of expats willing to pay for it on the island.
There is no need to "buy" a home in Belize when you can rent. Why lock yourself in? More expats are wising up and renting longterm so that they have more options. If you live off beach on Ambergris Caye, you will find much better rental deals. And if you are here in the off season, you will get the best deals. But expect to pay around $1000/month, or more, for rent for the four of you. If you want to be on the beach, it will be more costly.
A major difference between Belize and St. Lucia is that we are linked to the mainland, as part of Central American. That makes it easier to reach other countries, or the mainland. It only takes 15 minutes to fly from Ambergris Caye to the mainland. That makes life much easier. We can get off the island whenever we want a change of pace. We can choose between local planes that fly hourly, or the less expensive water taxis. It's not a big deal.
And many airlines fly to Belize daily. It only takes 2 hours to fly from Belize to Miami or Houston. So check the flights carefully and factor in how often you will go back to North America to visit family.
Another factor is that we are not in the direct hurricane zone. Belize's gets about 1/10th the hurricanes of the other Caribbean islands that are in the eastern Caribbean. We are also protected by the reef here on Ambergris Caye. That really does make a difference.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
bobbyveee
10/12/2014 23:00 EST
I must totally disagree about travel. The whole reason we left AC was the poor and costly flights. Nothing direct to Europe , expensive to other local countries and only really Mexico worth going to, Flights from Houston to AC are nearly double the price to St Lucia, I have dozens of great islands to visit all are other countries , two flights a day into London and direct flights into USA , more choices and far less money. Plus St Lucia gets less tropical storms and hurricanes than Belize. The reef was no protection when Hurricane Keith blew thro !!!We have two airports and a major port taking 4 x 120,000 ton cruise liners at a time , plus ferries to other islands
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
|
|
