About belizediver

Currently Lives:

Citizen of:

Some Forum Posts:

Belize: Retired Military:

Yes, 2k a month is enough to live on. I have been living both on Ambergris Caye and Northern Belize for over 10 years on less than $2k a month. The short answer is it all depends on your willingness to change your daily habits and slow down and live comfortable but do not expect high end stores, restaurants, shopping malls etc.. Learn to shop like the locals (farmers market) and purchase the items that are produced here in Belize. Imported items are 4 times the cost so you learn to do with out them except on special occasions. As far as Schools for your son it will be hard adapting but with you humbly working with the teachers respect goes along ways down here. Even after receiving my Citizenship I am still a guest in Belize. As far as close to the water the short answer is Corozal Bay Area, Caye Caulker, and South, Hopkins or Placencia. The North is still relitivly inexpensive as it is not a tourist destination per say but the islands and Placencia are so the price for rent and expenses are higher. The truth is corn tortillas are .75 a pound and Beans are .75 a pound. You could easily survive on that and some local fruit and veggies for a long time. Rent, Cable, Internet, Smartphones etc.. are the things you will pay a lot more than up north. Take a trip to each of the areas and budget out what you can and can not live with and that's the only way you will really know. If you need a guide (not me) but I know a few that would be happy to show you around, you need to look at the good, bad, and ugly and not expect to change it but make the choice to live with it on Belize time..........

Belize: boat rental Corozal:

Here is a Master Boat Captain for Corozal Bay, New River, Rio Hondo and Bacalar Chico Darvin Torres 622-3848

Belize: U.S., IRS F.A.T.CA. ruling:

Although "BELIZE" has not signed up officially, do not let that fool you. The Banks are the ones that are reporting behind the scenes and are starting to comply. Jurisdictions like Belize don’t offer nearly as much bank secrecy as they promise. On the marketing level they NEED U.S. investments so the bank will say the are safe but what the FATCA mandates is any Bank not reporting accounts "combined" totaling over $10k us must be reported. If the Banks "Atlantic Bank, Belize Bank etc.. Do not agree to report then the US will withhold 30% of any money transfer to the the that Bank (all US transfers). When anyone from the US wants to invest say $100k in real estate or business start-ups, $30k will be withheld by the US. This will force any Bank in their right mind to comply with FATCA or they risk loosing $$$$$ in potential investors. http://www.belizebank.com/u-s-foreign-account-tax-compliance-act-fatca/ I am not a TAX professional nor is this advise on FATCA, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlCLuIwuVgQ

Belize: Finding a Place to live in Belize:

Hi Matt, Spending a few weeks is a great start. You can rent for a few nights in each area, from the North Corozal (zero nite life but private), AC and CC with beaches and Night life (Zero peace in quiet unless you rent up north on AC) then you can go down South Placencia, Hopkins etc.. where it has a little of everything (Beaches, Nightlife, and peace and quiet). Reliable internet connection (NO) and privacy(YES). I love beaches, and enjoy a fun night life(YES). (I pay $150bz a month for 2mb internet, it is down for an hour or so every other week) Also, it Belize gay friendly? (Official it is "illegal") but you can live here without issue as long as you keep it private and do not keep anything on your PC, LT, Tablet or items in your rental/home to that fact. All it takes is one pissed off neighbor or friend to make an accusation and the police have the right in Belize to bust your door down. But that is rare unless you are extremely flamboyant in public or piss a lot of people off...) Recommendations on places with fast reliable internet,(LOL, NO, $$$) affordable beachfront home rentals. (Placencia, Caye Caulker) Happy travels...

Belize: Real estate help!:

Hello Kcmitch, I have been living in Northen Belize for 10yrs and have got to know the locals and agents. The agents are in it for the MONEY$$$, most the locals just want a fare price. I am offering a new service to fill in that gap. You can take a look here www.corozalbelizeproperty.com

Belize: house real estate sale advice:

I also agree with buckiboa "It's a very iffy proposition". Many deals like this go bad for the seller. Also depending on where you live, there is the Tax issues with IRS. When you report the Capital Gains you might find they categorize it as a rent to own and you will be taxed a lot more over the 5 years apposed to an out right cash deal. http://discoveringbelize.com

Belize: Exit Fees in Belize and Mexico:

Hi missouridancemom, To clarify, Yes you pay $37.50 bzd if you are not a "Qualified Retired Person (QRP)" http://discoveringbelize.bz/qualified-retired-persons-qrp-program/ or a "Permanent Resident in Belize" http://discoveringbelize.bz/obtaining-permanent-residency-in-belize/ But if you get QRP or PR you do not pay an exit fee.

Date Joined:

2/23/2015

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10

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