Hi Brad , yes i agree with what you say, but one worrying aspect is if the bank of Belize drops below $300 million reserves the country is legally not allowed to trade. I fuel stopped coming in the country would come to a halt . It would also affect elec. generation, i truly hope this doesnt happen, but ........

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Excellent rebuttal Brad, Thank You!

BradinCT (but hoping Belize by the end of 2017)!

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Agreed that folks wont relocate to BZ based on these factors. They might not however after research and exposure reveal inadequacies in infrastructure, health care, amenities, cost of living and inefficient costly electrical/internet services. Lots of better places to enjoy darts, alcoholism, and fishing with superior beaches.. This 8 part blog was written by a fellow who after two years in bz crossed the border and hasnt looked back...https://costamayalife.com/2014/06/06/belize-versus-mahahual-mexico-part-1/
Interesting comparisons

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We get it Allan, your BZ experience was not up to your expectations and so you left. That's your prerogative and "good on ya boy" as they say.

The big difference I am seeing in the posts here is that one group is trying like the dickens to convince folks to not even consider BZ as an option, feeling the need to vehemently address/counter/debunk every positive statement/experience that is shared by those actually living in BZ with news stories that are then interpreted with some "doomsday economical theory" and touting their advanced college degree as their "support system" & reason why I HAVE to take their "side" in this conversation; while there are others who are merely stating they have had (and continue to have) a very pleasant & REAL experience, actually living/spending long periods of time in BZ and are simply encouraging folks to come "see for themselves" prior to making a permanent decision.

If I'm smart enough to research the possibility of living in/retiring to BZ, then reason would follow I am smart enough to look at/consider other Caribbean options as well; and collect as much information (pros & cons) on ALL options within my interest, then travel to those destinations that rise to the top of the list, prior to making my decision/choice.

I'm always a bit weary of the "expert" that feels the NEED to convince me of their "rightness" and "point of view", rather than simply offer me some information to utilize during my intelligent exploration of where I would like to make my next move.

I am especially weary of someone who feels the need to denigrate those who differ from, or won't accept, their "educated expert advice" by calling them names, labeling them and/or drawing conclusions about their behaviors.

Brad's posting (Lorraine's partner)

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LORRAINE -

Well said. Belize is not for everyone and many "don't make it" there (these tend to be the haters). Very simply and honestly, I will bullet point a few things:

1) It is a THIRD WORLD Country, you will miss some First World amenities and conveniences.

2) Sometimes certain items are limited and it become frustrating to get them (contact lens solution for example - how many people in a 3rd world country can afford contacts?) - you bring a year supply and you return to US / Canada once a year and bring a suitcase full of your first world goodies
(friends & family visit and you will send them a list to bring or just turn around and get back on the plane if they don't)

3) Things move slow - have seen many people get frustrated (gov't, paperwork, hardware stores, etc.) and stuff breaks (Jungles, tons of sun and rain near the equator), etc.

4) Much of the population is not educated beyond a basic 6 - 7 grade level.

Are these problems? YES. But it depends on your attitude and your reaction. If you are an uptight person that needs everything on time, a regimented lifestyle and are unflexible, Belize is NOT the place for you (nor most other 3rd World places), but if you are relaxed, go with the flow, it has a ton to offer.

It has one of the nicest, friendliest people of just about anywhere on earth (I say this as a person that has been to 30 - 35+ countries and continue to travel to more each year).

Interesting Story: When my wife's SIM card went bad on her Belizean phone, the lady at phone company asked "what made you move to Belize?", then said "I hope you find whatever it is you are looking for". People always say or ask "I was HOPING" or "Where you trying to get out of (insert here)"?

If you are running TO and FROM something (as many people in Belize are - it's a place to hideout), then it won't work for you. If you are coming to experience another culture, it's awesome!

Friendly people that speak English, similar laws that we are used to in America, close to get back to US and Canada, perfect weather (mostly) and quirky and fun. Don't be dissuaded by the crime statistics - I'm safer in Belize than Baltimore, Detroit, Parts of LA 7 Chicago (although Belize City is dicey and most of the crime in the country DOES happen there, although there are nice parts.

Come see for yourself and don't believe everything you hear from people - it is bent on their own point of view and experience (and some people have bead experiences everywhere they go - and never figure out that the reason is, they are carrying those bad experiences along with them).

Hope to chat over a beer, under a palm tree with you sometime

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Hi Brad, thats a pretty good summation of Belize , we had a great time on AC for 16 yrs, and many friends both expats and locals, and we left for one reason only , medical for my wife , plus her family in US and mine in UK it made visiting so much easy living in Florida. Good luck to all who come to the country, but do your research well and listen to those whove been there yrs

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Hi Brad (& Bobby),

This is actually another Brad, Lorraine's domestic partner.

Thanks for the information, it is a concise collection of most of what we have gleaned from the numerous Belize Blogs we have been reading and engaging on for the past 1+ years.

We are coming down to Caye Caulker to spend 12 days, April 18 - 29, and immerse ourselves in "Caye living" for those 12 days, to see if this is what we are looking for in a "beachcomber, laid back, slowed down and disconnected" lifestyle for retirement. If the trip goes well, we will return to CT and put the house up for sale, get all loose ends tied up and the goal will be to be back, living full-time on Caye Caulker by the end of 2017.

As I said, we have been researching this move for well over a year now and each came to the conclusion of Caye Caulker as our top choice, independent of each other's influence, so we're feeling pretty good about the prospects.

Our plan, besides immersing ourselves in the "living" experience (rented an AirBnB house, w/ charcoal grill - I do most of our cooking on charcoal, so not eating out every night -, grocery shopping, real estate exploration - already have an agent, etc.), is to try to connect with the US/Can expat community on the Caye, and gather as much information, input and advice as possible.

So, if you will be around April 18 - 29, and would consider coming to Caye Caulker, we'd be very interested in that beer and chat...we'll get the first round...or 2! ;-)

PM us and we can exchange email addresses and phone number (once we figure out what we will be doing for phone while in Belize) and we can hopefully plan a visit!

Thanks again for the TRUTH and insight.

Brad, Lorraine's partner

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Hi B&L Would have loved to have shared a glass or two with you both. We sold up on AC last june, and sold up in Texas a month later. Live on the beautiful Nature Coast of W Florida now. Im just wondering if you should spend atleast 3 or 4 days on AC , very different from CC , whatever you do , Good luck

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Good points except for the fact that many third world countries, by virtue of better governance, are moving to 2.5 world whereas Belize is failing.
There are some 1,000,000 USA expats in Mexico and under 3000 in BZ. There are sound reasons.. better medical care, and superior amenities and infrastructure. If you are in your twilight years do you really have the patience for places running out of contact lens solution, clumping cat litter or paying 30% more for gas, electricity or internet?
Mexico ( and lately Nicaragua) have Walmart, Home depot and Costco. Scoff if u must but in retirement life should be easy and efficient. No true?

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Well if you want the big box chain stores, the same than you are accustom to why didn't you stay in the States? Now you want to dictate to the third world countries how to govern their countries. These third world countries did not asked you to moved to their countries, and if you don't like it you can always move back to the States. It is really disrespectful on your part to want other countries to be the same than the United States. Have you watch the news lately? You have a crazy man by the name of trump who is a total dictator, a bullied, a total idiot who is driving every one with common sense, and values nuts including the media. Is that what you want the third world countries to become? Personally, I think these third world countries should make sure they have some kind of text to see how most people reason before letting them into the country. It is making me sick to see ignorant people like yourself who had been probably a nuisance in their country of origin, moved to other part of the world, and continuing to be a nuisance. Seriously, life is so darn short why don't your people give it a break, and stop nagging about every little thing, and enjoying life. All of your people who is complaining was never happy back home, and maybe could not survive financially either which is the case for lot of us, instead of counting your blessings that you are healthy, beautiful weather, friendly people...and you are even more bless if you have your loved ones with you.

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Three of the reasons I am happy in Belize is because there is no Costco, Home Depot or Wal-Mart

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I agree. No need for large retailers for me. That's the appeal of CC to me. Will see how I feel in may after visit.

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@5gallan1 then why are you on this forum. Shouldn't you be on the Mexico forum. it seems you would be better there. This is what people in less developed countries dislike about expats, particularly Americans. Some come down and want to change things. Why not stay in the US and change things there.

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Because Allan fell out of grace and was almost deported..So now he has grudge .

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Same here. If you want malls and Wallmarts then thats your thing. People that love Belize are not interested in that. In Canada where I live we avoid the Walmarts, etc.
I have also seen posts saying how great a location is because there is a city of 700,000 a half hour away. To each their own. We settled on Belize to be away from that.
When Belize becomes one big strip mall, urban sprawl, and 5 star resorts it will be ruined. And then what? Might as well go to Florida or Cancun.

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Good Lord you Belizers are such odd ducks
Things you might not find in BZ and if u do they will be of appalingly poor quality Chinese. By which I mean failed quality control in Shanghai but ok for BZ etc:
Slow cooker
good flatware. 
Tupperware
Decent quality cookware (Revereware)
Decent quality microwave.  My Courts micro died after 1.5 years
Electric radio clock w/battery backup
Rechargable batteries and battery charger.
Lamps.  Finding decent table lamps is difficult
Electronics, computers etc
Portable ac unit
My kitchen lights were 2 years old.  They fell apart, and they were not inexpensive.  The 'innards' to 2 toilets had to be replaced within the first year. The washer fell apart after 1 year. The kitchen sink faucet had to be replaced after replacing the first after 1 year.  I had to replace the jet pump after 1 year, and that's not an inexpensive item.  All part of the deal of living in Belize. 
Tools:  hammer, hand saw, power saw, electric chain saw, if you have a lot of shrubbery, wrenches, screw driver set, plyers of all sizes,a square, stud finder if you have a Mennonite house, bar clamps, sander, cordless drill, long extension cords,
Specialty foods of all sorts
Affordable drinkable red wine
A really decent potato peeler
Fluffy bath towels, flip flops, croc sandals, sunglasses, bicycle lock that lasts more than a day,
etc etc
This is why capitalists gave us Walmart and Home Depot and why I have met many former Bz expats up and down Costa Maya Mex enjoying a cost of living 30% lower guzzling Calixta red at 9$. / bottle with pate from Spain followed by tender NY strip from Sams
just sayin

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Does amazon ship to Belize? Can I get health products shipped directly. Or so I buy in volume here and bring over?

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I would buy in volume and bring over....That's what I did....I had a part shipped to Corozal from here and it cost me 25.00 Blz. to pick it up at the post office if I recollect correctly..Pretty much, whatever you bring in will be taxed, that is how they generate revenue...

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I have to agree the summation of cheesy products in Belize is correct. It is best to bring a quality version of all the above mentioned products in. I replaced the guts to my toilet numerous times in one year. The textiles made in Panama are awful. There is a level of Chinese cheese in Belize that makes the cheap stuff in the Dollar Stores here look like superior German engineering.
I love living in Belize and I don't particularly agree with Allan's style of commentary some times. He is being brutally honest regarding the above list of mentioned cheesy products...
Whomever is reading this, scan the list very closely and carry in the above mentioned stuff.....
The towels they sell are thin velour which is down to the nap. They don't dry you..I bought a pair of Jeans made in Panama and they didn't last long..Just saying...

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I guess we all have differnt needs and desires...And ways to express them. That's what makes this such a beautiful world. Peace and love!

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I think hearing every side is great, Alan tells it how it is, nothing wrong with that, we all have different ideas on our perfect place. atleast it gives people good insite into living in Belize and they can make up their own minds.

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Brad and Lorraine, small world as we too are from CT. Good luck in April. We fly down next Saturday and will spend a couple of days in San Ignacio and then a few more in Corozal. This forum has helped us meet up with some helpful people (Hi Ken), who have and will guide us around. Your visit will help you decide. We spent a week in Corozal last November too. The beaches aren't like where you are headed but it still is ocean and we find prices to be affordable. While we also don't need big box stores they won't be far from us as the Mexico border is right there. We can accept the trade off of fluffy towels for retiring ten years earlier than if we stayed in the States.

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Where in ct crispy? We are Fairfield Bridgeport line.. historic black rock section. Would lover to hear more about you research. PM us or email lorraine.ward12@gmail.com
Thanks.

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Why don't you Allan tell us what Belize did to you apart from not having material stuff u write as you have personal axe to grind were you mistreated I apologize and if you don't like us well we are not for everybody.

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Not to worry, I like you Ken even if u still havent sent me the beers you promised. Except for those in any GOB official capacity, I like most Belizeans. They are a happy bunch. Thing is Ken, Belize has the highest regional rates for alcohol and cannabis use, STDs and is tied with Guatemala for birth rate. Moral: if you are drunk, stoned and well laid you will be happy no matter who runs the country down. ;)

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Allan, Please...Give it a REST!!!

Brad (Lorrie's partner)

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