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When is the best time to move?

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kec1958
  11/18/2014 08:08 EST

I am planning to move to Belize, never made trip there, but Ive moved halfway across America to new place without ever seeing it before. Living in regular US housing now, but lived very rustic (no plumbing, limited electricity, wood heat/cooking) until this month (nov. 2014) familiar with living on land.
When is the best time to move? Im hoping a trip in april i can find housing in the 42 day limit. My retirement check is all i got so im saving up.
Any advice would help. I know a prelim trip may be necessary, but id rather not.

bobbyveee
  11/18/2014 08:44 EST

Hi. From April onward , its easier to find accommodation, as the low season kicks in.
Not sure what you mean by 42 day period, after 30 days you need to get your passport stamped every 30 days , $25 usd for first 6 months tthen $50usd. I think the Cayes ill be too expensive, but there are areas on the mainland that you can get by on, but will be pretty basic, Belize isnt cheap. many things way more than in USA. Good luck in your search, others on here will tell you cheaper places to look for

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Melissajane
  11/18/2014 08:50 EST

I agree with bobbyveee - April onwards works perfectly as that's when the tourists and snowbirds leave, so places come available. Start in the Cayo district - mountains, rivers etc for someone more economical to live, if you find you really want to be by the sea then Punta Gorda is the more reasonable spot.

If you 'live local' it is not too expensive, if you want imported products it is. Some comparisons:
7 bananas for BZ$1, 1 apple BZ$1.50
bottle of local rum BZ$15, bottle of Absolut vodka BZ$80
Property tax BZ$20/year, import duty often 30-50%.

belizelenny
  11/18/2014 11:41 EST

April is very nice. What 42 day limit?

Its 30 with extensions. There are many choices in Belize as far as location goes. North and West seem more suited on a budget. Corozal is close to Mexico and good medical care.

buckiboa
  11/18/2014 15:14 EST

We moved in April which is a nice month and has the part-timers heading back to where they came from. Regardless of how you feel about checking some place out ahead of time, I would still strongly urge you to do so. Belize is not for everyone. We live in Corozal which is one of the less expensive areas. It is close to Mexico where you can purchase medicines and items for less. I don't know why you are choosing Belize over other locations but don't believe much of anything International Living prints. The real Belize it quite different from what they say.

bobbyveee
  11/18/2014 15:22 EST

Buckiboa is very right, Dont just turn up. International Living, one comes to realise is about as far from the truth as it can be . So many people think moving to South America is cheap and easy. Cheap and easy is USA !!!

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sheilaca
  11/20/2014 11:26 EST

Also, don't believe much of what Live and Invest Overseas prints. Especially don't believe their "Man-on-the Ground."

KacieCrisp
  11/20/2014 12:04 EST

What differences do you find between Live and invest Overseas and what you've seen on the ground? Are there strengths and weaknesses or do you distrust all?

sheilaca
  11/20/2014 12:52 EST

We are currently dealing (via an attorney) with their "Man on the Ground" because of the substandard house he built in a development that is nowhere like his advertised promises. We purchased in this development because we mistakenly trusted their recommendations. If you would like more details, please contact me directly ([email protected])

buckiboa
  11/20/2014 13:19 EST

I don't know about Live and Invest Overseas, but International Living leads people to believe that it is very inexpensive to live here and it is not! Depending on where you do choose to live, expenses on some items will differ but not things like electricity, gasoline, some food items, and housing. Again, some of it depends on what you feel is necessary for your comfort. My husband and I have medical conditions that require medication. While living here may have helped our conditions to a degree, we cannot just stop taking our meds. We have found that most of the meds we do take are about the same price as what we were paying in the states with health insurance. So, we chose to live closer to Mexico where we can gets out meds for a lot less than here in Corozal or the states. These magazine articles nake it look like you can live in Belize for very little and that just isn't true! Do we find the cost of living here less than it was in Florida? Some, but not a whole lot. You can't come here and live like a king like they lead you to believe unless you are bringing a lot of money with you. We are still renting because we are finding (and a lot of others agree with this) that it is easy to buy here, but very difficult to sell. So make sure you positive this is where you want to invest.

sheilaca
  11/20/2014 22:13 EST

buckiboa - you mentioned getting meds in Mexico - where in Mexico? I am having trouble finding the med I need in Belize. They do not have it anywhere.

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buckiboa
  11/21/2014 00:07 EST

We get just about everything in Chetumal. There are a few we get here locally but most come from there. There are so many pharmacies in Chetumal that you can shop around for the best prices.

sheilaca
  11/21/2014 00:11 EST

Is English spoken at these pharmacies? Do you need a prescription from a Belize doctor?

buckiboa
  11/21/2014 00:34 EST

No, they mostly just speak Spanish but we usually take the empty packaging from the medicine and just show it to them or tell them the medicine name and they know what we mean. We also have been trying to learn enough Spanish words to get across what we need. No, we have never needed a prescription for anything we have bought.

sheilaca
  11/21/2014 00:52 EST

Thanks very much, buckiboa, for the meds answers!!

buckiboa
  11/21/2014 02:46 EST

YVW. You can send me a PM if you want to tell me which Ned you are looking for.

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