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Belize: A day in Corozal:
Well while not in Corozal, Here in Belmopan today I have walked the dogs before the heat got too much, done a load of Laundry in the Machine.
I then took the truck into Belmopan as it is Market day. I always pop a cool box with a couple of bottles of frozen water in the truck so I don not need to worry about rushing home if i see some nice fish, or something i need to refrigerate quickly on the market. Met a friend for lunch in the Caladiam. Popped into see people at a friends Hotel, Then returned home to be greeted by the dogs who seem to think they were abandoned for weeks. I went on "line" to see what the wicked world is up to and am now about to take the laundry from the Solar dryer behind the house. So a day in Belize is not dissimilar to an average day in the US just different people and better weather.
Next week being Easter week there will be a lot of church activities in the surrounding villages and the Children will be out of school. Belize has a 3and 1/2 day break for Easter most businesses (except majority of grocery stores) will close lunch time Friday until Tuesday. All the different denominations will be celebrating Easter. seeing the floral and woven Palm decorations by the road sides are lovely (the easter Bunny and chocolate eggs in Baskets not very prevalent within the Belize communities) The tourist areas will be having lots of activities and LOUD music will be the order of the weekend. Hope this gives some idea of life i Belize. Its Just Nice .
Belize: connecting with Ex pats in Cayo:
Thank you Mgammo, I agree you need to aim at making a variety of contacts and friends in the local community AND the expat community, also useful to remember not all expats are from North American countries. This will make transitioning to the Unique life style in Belize a lot less stressful. a Fairly dramatic Change of lifestyle is unavoidble whatever country you come from. I Need to remove my Washing from the Solar dryer. :-)(washing line)
Belize: Where to get shampoo etc.:
wow am I glad I do not live in Coozal I have little trouble getting most supplies for shampoh' conditioner etc here in Belmopan I. Do agree washing in rain water is the best. We only have catchment water so do not know the quality of the city water. US and European made cortizone creams in variable strengths are available in Brodies who have a good pharmacy. If you have a prescription it is always worth checking if it is a drug they stock as likely to be much less expensive. One of the few pharmacies that do ask for a presciption as proof before selling you many medcines.
Belize: Way from Corozal to BZE Airport:
Best advice get bus to ladyville and then wait at the little bus stop at the end of the Airport drive you will most likely get a iift. I know I often pick up airport staff and/or tourists on my way in. Might have to climb in back of a pickup but the walk is about a mile I think.
Belize: Those Posting Not Living In Belize:
Belize is a tiny but very dversified country. 10 days in December will give you an idea of that ara is like during high and holliday season the tourist season is only about 5 months, with Ambergris getting higher rates of travelers than most areas in the down season. Island life is very different to mainland life and each district has its own unique character. I would suggest further visits to as many different main land areas that appeal before making any firm decision. also you need to visit at different times of the year.
Here in the middle of the country April is, in my opinion, the perfect month start of the dry season so little rain but still cooler mornings and evenings. Then May comes in like the blast of an open furnace. Oh well I have a raised building and ceiling fans I will survive.
Belize: places to buy in Belize:
we lived in Belize with the British militry for 2 years in the 90's fell in love returned most years, for the next 20 years explored areas we liked and I decided it would be good place to retire here about 7 years ago. Mt husband was not wildly enthused and subject dropped. We continued annual trips, we still have a lot of friends here that we made when we first arrived. Then 5 years ago my husband came up with the great idea it might be a good place to retire to. Our family also love Belize and were in full agreement if thats what we wanted. our younger son was not happy with his life in the UK as all his family were in the US and his chance of a visa were at least a 7 or 8 year wait if he applied that day. we found a place and our son said he would live here look after the property and as if was a small arrable farm would work it. Well that fell through as the Farm hadnt been worked for years and had no road access anymore as he sold of the small piece of land that was the access. so My son found rented accomodation and viewed many properties. around Cayo twin towns, in placencia and along the Hummingbird many times things seemed great until tittles were needed then wierd and wonderful ideas like, we can fix it after you buy. Its a mere formality. etc. We all as a family knew life in Belize and still wanted to go ahead. We having seen one property we re discovered Belmopan which in the nearly 30 years of visiting we had never really considered as it used to be a souless concrete ghost town after 5 at night in the 90's. we found some good land at a reasonable cost with full clear verifiable tittle and puchased about 10 minutes drive to Belmopan. we bought in 2014 and to date have 2 houses the initial simple inexpensive house my son now has and a lovely house I designed built by local builders to a great standard. The location enables me to get to most places in Belize i visit most,within an hour to 3 hours drive. to visit the cayes there is the little airport. finding the place you do want your forever home is the hardest part and you do need an open mind and explore outside your original comfort zone. Everyone will have some bias to the place they chose being the best, I am very happy with my place but sometimes think what happened about the fantastic place that was all tied up with red tape and family law suits. would have been 1st choice if possible. Realism also plays a part.
Belize: public vs private heatlh care facilities:
There are posters that no longer live in Belize who for some reason seem to try to get that message across all the time. Yes Health care in Belize is basic not sure where this repeated reference to lack of "Wheel chairs" in hospitals is such a major point, may have a shortage compared to US hospitals but I have seen regular wheel chairs in both Belmopan and Belize city hospitals. Also surely Belize ingenuity at using what is available to make a temporary one is a good thing. Watch this forum for a while you will work out he expats who live in Belize, part time or full time, and those who no longer wish to live there.. I love Belize warts and all.
Belize: Best place for family with kids?:
the poster said he was not worried about Bars and besach's so why recomend the most expensive area of Belize that is all bars and beaches. and Belize has more schools that are ofat least equal quality to the academy in San Pedro.Good schools abound in Cayo SI, Belmopan, Placencia, and hard to believe there are some good schools at all levels in Belize city. I do not know any people with children in the other districts so can make no comment personally
if the poster really wants to offer his kids a cultural experience why go to the area that is the most expat populated in Belize. the Mainland can provide far more cultural diversity than AG ever can. Love San Ped for vacation spot but if beach life was my dream I would go somewhere along the Placencia peninsula. just my two penorth.
Belize: Fact Finding Mission:
But allan is a doctor, spent most of his time in Corozal area. He can complain a lot about the corruption in Belize as he joined in for a fair bit of his time in Belize, advising people to smuggle stuff into Belize is such a good idea Left about 3 years ago. So obviously we must all trust his information about life and conditions in every part of Belize at this moment in time, and never go there for more than a vacation. Surprise Belize is not a mini US or Canada. surprised no information in Belize about this outbreak of Dysentry must be a cover up. Yes Malaria is in Belize, just as well it is in the US and Canada if it is a worry anti malarial tablets are easily available and cheap. Although my husband likes to think the quinine in the tonic water in his Gin takes care of the risk.
Belize: Owning a business and visas:
Well things at immigration seem to have changed a lot in the last 5 years.
There is no longer an Investment visa anymore. Unless someone can tell me otherwise, but Belmopan immigration says no longer exists.
They have also tightened up with those 'friends' that can get your stamps done for months ahead.There is still a big ongoing corruption investigation into all these things, causing even more delays in the residency program.
They are remembering several laws on the books that they were not enforcing and bringing them back on board.
The country is broke so really no incentive to speed up the process for residency when approximately one year of monthly fees is all they get for the change over, so stringing it out keeps those dollars coming in. They might not throw people out of the country that often, for breaking the rules but they can and do level hefty fines for such. If you can't pay the fine the alternative is Hattieville. But you still have to pay.
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