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Belize: A day in Corozal:
A typical day for me would be to go to the market early am to have breakfast of tacos and juice and pick up a few items. Then spending the rest of the morning at the clinic treating ear infections, diahhrea, rashes,doctor fly reactions and expat goma and dart injuries. Then lunch of rice and beans at Jo Mel, Then pick up a few things at the New World store and then most of the early afternoon is spent at the Ranchito cool spot brothel socializing with the locals and providing medical services to the young ladies in exchange for contraband Mexican beer. The late afternoon would be a run to Chetumal to pick up a few New York Strip and some Spanish pate and Argentine wine. This is brought in duty free back to Belize in exchange for some ham and Huggies diapers for the customs guy whose wife saw me to remove glass from her butt after a car crash. Then dinner and TV. Repeat next day. Welcome to BZE.
Belize: Where to get shampoo etc.:
In Belize, humans are the main course in the Insectivora bistro.
There are two brands of mosquito: the Aedes that carries Dengue fever and Chikungunya and Anopheles that transmits malaria which is low risk unless you are in the far south of Toledo district.
There is the sand flea which inhabits the sands of Hopkins and Placencia and carries Leishmaniasis parasites but I only had two cases back in the day. Looks like leprosy if neglected.
The "doctor" fly will bite with the pain of burning embers and change you hand into a volleyball pdq. Benadryl by IM is needed for that, plus a hydrocortisone shot.
Fire ants leave itchy pustules on your feet that you scratch like crazy causing cellulitus but steroid cream is good for that.
Thats it for bugs. Scorpions can show up in your kitchen now and then but its not worse than a wasp sting unless you are allergic. Snakes like the cosacabel or fer de lance wont be an issue unless you hike in the jungle where you should wear thigh high rubber boots. The juveniles however have prehensile tails and they swing from trees and nail you in the neck where only a bible will save you, John 11:23 I think
Belize: Scary-San Pedro Video:
The Belize police are poorly paid, trained, and equipped. They lack forensics and community policing is rudimentary and their crime resolution rate is 12%. Its 70% in the USA. They often require transport if you need them. If you are republican libertarian like most BZ expats this is all cool. ;)
Belize: Those Posting Not Living In Belize:
Thinking errors abound with Belize expat wannabees. eg you can get first world amenities and health care in that region eg Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica. There is no need to settle for a neolithic failing country like Belize.
Clearly it is not a bad idea to get opinions from those who lived there for years and left. Its not a bad thing to have views from those who like to clear up rose coloured eyewear. After all do you just want the rosy opinions of real estate developers or others with commercial interests? But sadly after years of studying expat motivations and psychology, the Belizers are not the brightest of the cohort. Dumb as posts they are blinded by ideas of paradise. After one year of residence 60 % of expats leave. Its not terribly smart to ignore their input.
Belize: places to buy in Belize:
@Todd: Thanks for the reference. I don't need to tell you how crappy it is Mikexx already has done that. You dont I gather have the insights that I have into the poor governance that Belize suffers. The country is not growing anytime soon. Elsewhere I have written about poor health care delivery and that is or should be a concern for those over 60 or under 18. You must be aware that Belize is not nor has ever been in the IL retirement index top ten. Poor infrastructure and amenities keep the score down. Finally, of course you comment in self interest, thats self evident. Though you are not as bad ( yet) as belizelenny or ken at guerilla marketing
Belize: public vs private heatlh care facilities:
destiny56 is correct. I worked both public and private and the former, though essentially free is really grim- a notch above rattles and leeches. Many of the MDs are Cuban, poorly trained and speak no ingles. The private is excellent for basic or minor problems. The Northern Clinic in OW where I worked had a little inpatient unit with very good specialty care and very attentive nursing but only one spoke English. I had a patient though who needed emergency eye surgery and went to the Hoy clinic in BZE where after the procedure the anesthetist took off before full recovery and he was wheeled out semi consious in an office chair because there were no wheelchairs. He is still blind in that eye. In Consejo I had a fellow who got cut up by a bush hog and 911 was inoperative and it took 90 min to get an ambulance and the paramedics tried to stick the IV while in motion on that crappy road to Corozal. He lost the leg. I am familiar with the health care in Mex, Nic and Costa Rica and it is first world and inexpensive. No comparison. I had lunch with the only neurosurgeon in BZ and he was very good but the infrastructure he needed to deal with head injury etc was not there.
The moral is not to relocate to BZ unless you are in perfect physical and mental health and are not accident prone. Even so, Corozal is close to the first rate Clinico Carranza in Chetumal which is affordable. As for kids there are some terrific pediatricians as good as any up north, but the infrastructure is not there for anything beyond minor issues.
Belize: thinking of retirement:
Belizelenny is correct. If you insist on relocation to Belize, as opposed to a more rational choice like Mexico, Nicaragua or even Bolivia, then Corozal is the best one. Each area of Belize has its proponents but the proximity to the amenities and medical care of Chetumal make Corozal a no brainer. Plus by itself its a quiet, safe, and pleasant location with some very nice and helpful folks.
Belize: Fact Finding Mission:
Much as it pains me to agree with belizelenny, Corozal's proximity to Chetumal makes it ideal for the bulk of those over 55. If you need a new hip, autoparts, Charmin tp, a new light fixture not made in Guangzhou, Swiss cheese and Ny Strip its right there. As a perm resident it costs nothing to go there and duty free smuggling is possible if you travel with a Belizean. grandmother, or if u go by boat.
Toledo district is home to rain, malaria and dysentery.
Belize: Hopkins:
I have heard these tired arguements before about property taxes and if you want conveniences etc stay in the USA or Canada.
As for the former taxes pay for everything from fire service to road maintenance to sewage treatment etc. All of this and more suffers in Belize. As for the latter, Mexico, Panama or lately Nicaragua offer North America amenities and commodities at a fraction of the cost. Not to mention faster and cheaper and more reliable internet and power.
Belize: Planning our move to Belize:
It is a well documented fact that the internet in Belize is the slowest and most expensive in the region. Only 25% of the population has access to it because of cost according to the last Belize census.
Be wary of advice from expats or locals on here giving you advice when it is clear they are also trying to sell you something. Thats a no brainer.
Health care in BZ is excellent at a very basic first aid level. Beyond that it is pathetic. 911 is a joke, ambulances are ill equipped with poorly trained paramedics. ER/trauma/ICU care is prehistoric. To move there with kids is dumb and irresponsible, home schooling not withstanding.
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