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Rent-vs-Buy

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obg2708
  7/19/2017 14:20 EST

My Wife and I are considering a move to Belize upon her retirement in about a year. I would like recommendations on whether it is best to purchase or rent a first home in Belize.

terrific
  7/19/2017 15:17 EST

Until you are certain this is the place for you always rent first. this tiny country has many diverse areas each with its own character and you may find after exploring the country you would like to stay somewhere else for a while. If all your investment is in a property in one area, it is not that easy and certainly not a quick process to sell that property so rent and possibly move around a little before you decide.

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katzgar
  7/19/2017 16:12 EST

I'm trying to remember this gets ass somewhere between two and three gazillion times (estimated). You can do a search. Something like 40 to 60% of the expats return back North after just a couple of years so renting is Far and Away the smartest thing to do.

5allan1
  7/20/2017 08:12 EST

My lime associate indicated each district has distinct features but failed to elaborate..
Corozal: popular with retirees due to proximity to the superior health care, commodities and amenities of Mexico
Ambergris: home to rich and shameless alcohol dependant party animals
Orange Walk: sugar cane and Mayan ruins
Belize District : about as safe in the daylight as Kingston or Detroit after dark
Cayo: great jungle and eccentric liberal granola crunching tree huggers who shower naked outside under cold water
Stann Creek: best beaches in Belize and also home to the Belize Entomology Insitute studying sand flea colonization of said beaches
Toledo: rain and more rain. Dengue fever, malaria, and amebic dysentery central
All districts have poor infrastructure and health care and inefficient utilities
Thats why 60% leave after a year or so. The other 40% are republican libertarians

bradinbelize
  7/20/2017 08:46 EST

RENT, RENT, RENT first

Travel around the country, explore and find out WHERE you want to live, then rent in your first choice for a few months, then maybe move to your second choice until you decide on a location, then RENT for a year before buying.

If you were to move to America, would you say "I think Colorado is a good place", then go and immediately buy a house?

Many people lose a ton of money or their entire life savings because the "jump to quick" and find out a year later they don't like it or need to move back to the US (and it takes a lot of time to sell a house in Belize - as in maybe a few years).

The money spent renting will most likely be your wisest investment in Belize and you can find out if it is for you or not before putting all of your money down

HMBDan
  7/29/2017 03:33 EST

Thanks for all your advice! Cayo sounded good till i thought about those all those republican retirees showering showering nude that 5allan mentioned....(eeewww), would send me running back home for sure! 30 sometin's might be another story! ;)

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elgordo42
  7/29/2017 10:35 EST

HMBDan, you should take anything Dr. Allan (or anyone else) says, with a spoonful of salt. He actually accused "eccentric liberal granola crunching tree huggers" of showering with the garden hose. You will find expats in Cayo of every stripe, from survivalist libertarians to hardcore conservatives to democratic socialists. All friendly, many of us simply choose to not discuss politics with certain other people! Cayo is actually fairly civilized, and offers choices of small town, village, or out in the boonies locations. Like every other location, it is an individual choice, you just have to see what feels like a good fit for you.

katzgar
  7/29/2017 11:30 EST

The Confederate cemeteries in southern Belize should tell you that disaffected Americans have been going to Belize for a long time

5allan1
  7/29/2017 16:38 EST

This is true Katzgar and if one stays in Belize long enough then the central nervous sustem slowly falls apart. Alcohol and hyperthermia no doubt play a part.
These are actual comments from FB expat page sites collected at various times which i have used to entertain and educate..
"Is there anywhere in Belize where you can get fresh fruit and veggies?"
"I am in desperate need of a competent reliable repair tech for my front end washer. The last guy burned out my circuit board" ( this is my favourite)
"OMG the sand fleas are feasting again in Hopkins. I just locked myself in the bedroom with the AC on full blast"
"If the internet was any slower they wouldn't be able to say free wifi"
"Any doctor flies like the ordinary houseflies that have been genetically mutated for wartime operations?"
"I have been seriously thinking of starting an escort service for women"
"120 more peeps until 3000. Then we can party again:)"
"I 'hate" how all the MEN think its totally acceptable to PEE IN PUBLIC... on my car tyres, on my outta wall, against a car, against a tree, whatever. You should have seen at the back of the Beliken Tent at Agric Show.... it was a PISSING CONTEST OUT THERE."

Very sad-such waste.

katzgar
  7/29/2017 17:40 EST

sounds like those people are either cruisers or all inclusive types?

bobbyveee
  7/29/2017 17:42 EST

Love your sense of humour and important to know facts Dr. A

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