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cgeaux
  8/29/2013 22:31 EST

I am SERIOUSLY considering a relocation perhaps to BELIZE next year. I am an older woman, single, raising 3 young children alone. I love living in the country and am wondering if anyone has any suggestions about country living in Belize. What areas are best, most reasonably priced, and how safe for a 60yr old lady raising 3 elementary school aged children. I saw some pretty property about 10 miles from San Ignacio on the internet, and several other places that look "promising". ADVICE, please! I currently run a 15 acre hobby farm, no rural life culture shock expected as I also spent 5yrs in the side of a mountain in KY.....yrs and yrs ago, but we are not spoiled city folks.....just tired of the direction the USA is headed.....we do have livestock, garden and like a quiet, simple and peaceful life. SUGGESTIONS and advice will be GREATLY appreciated. THANKS in advance.

belizeisit
  8/30/2013 08:37 EST

HI COUNTRY GIRL !
COROZAL TOWN TO THE NORTH WOULD BE A GOOD PLACE FOR YOU & THE KIDS !
LOW COST OF LIVING &
CLOSE TO CHETUMAL ,
MEXICO WITH MALLS ,
WALMART, HOME DEPOT ,
MOVIES !
JERRY !
[email protected]

nichi
  8/30/2013 09:41 EST

There are many great places to live in Belize. Although I live in Corozal, I too like the area around San Ignacio. In fact, I think I prefer it in many ways to Corozal and may consider moving there for a few months to try it out. I've been quite a few times and just love it every time I go. Land/house prices are more reasonable in the SI area, so if you are buying and have a limited budget SI may suit you better. While SI can get hotter during the day, it cools off at night and there are fewer bugs than Corozal. If you like mountains and scenery and rivers, jungle -then SI is better, if having a bay is important, then Corozal might suit you better.
I also found that SI has better (cleaner and better stocked)grocery stores and a nicer market for fruits and veggies than Corozal. The grocery stores in Corozal turn off their meat freezers at night - so I'm always suspicious of getting bad meat.
Corozal does have its charm, it's nice to be able to go down to the bay. There are some seaside park areas where the kids can play - but there are no sandy beaches. The kids just jump off the wall and swim.
I have also found the people in Corozal to be very friendly - which is one reason why I would be willing to pay more for land here - as we have met so many friendly people here in Corozal. But SI also has a large expat community, I don't think that making friends there will be difficult at all.
If you are going to live 'off-the -grid' anywhere in Belize, which is pretty much everything outside of the towns, you will need a really solid truck or SUV. The roads here can get really bad. In Corozal, some areas have cheap land simply because there is no access in the rainy season or the land gets swampy and has to be filled before you build.

As far as moving to Corozal just because it is close to Chetumal MX is not a good reason. You will probably find that the hassle of crossing the boarders - exiting Belize and paying the $37.50 per person each time ( until you have Permanent Residence) then paying to enter Mexico (FMM permit)- and needing Mexican insurance and the temporary import fees on the car , just doesn't make it worth it. It can also take hours at the border each time you go.
You also have to pay duty on anything you bring back from Mexico, so you will find that there is very little savings. Besides you can get just about everything you need here in Belize - and anything else you can have shipped using Amazon for example.
If you can, the best thing to do is to come and spend some time here before your move.
Research both Corozal and SI - there are pros and cons to both areas - it really comes down to where you feel most at home.

nichi
  8/30/2013 09:49 EST

There are many great places to live in Belize. Although I live in Corozal, I too like the area around San Ignacio. In fact, I think I prefer it in many ways to Corozal and may consider moving there for a few months to try it out before I buy something.
Land/house prices are more reasonable in the SI area, so if you are buying and have a limited budget SI may suit you better. While SI can get hotter during the day, it cools off at night and there are fewer bugs than Corozal. If you like mountains and scenery and rivers, jungle -then SI is better, if having an ocea bay is important, then Corozal might suit you better.
I also found that SI has better (cleaner and better stocked)grocery stores and a nicer market for fruits and veggies than Corozal. Most grocery stores in Corozal turn off their meat freezers at night - so I'm always suspicious of getting bad meat, that doesn’t seem to be the case in SI.
Corozal does have its charm, it's nice to be able to go down to the bay. There are some seaside park areas where the kids can play - but there are no sandy beaches. The kids just jump off the wall and swim.
I have also found the people in Corozal to be very friendly - which is one reason why I would be willing to pay more for land here - as we have met so many friendly people here in Corozal. But SI also has a large expat community, I don't think that making friends there will be difficult at all.
If you are going to live 'off-the -grid' anywhere in Belize, which is pretty much everything outside of the towns, you will need a really solid truck or SUV. The roads here can get really bad. In Corozal, some areas have cheap land simply because there is no access in the rainy season or the land gets swampy and has to be filled before you build.

As far as moving to Corozal just because it is close to Chetumal MX is not a good reason. You will probably find that the hassle of crossing the boarders - exiting Belize and paying the $37.50 per person each time ( until you have Permanent Residence) then paying to enter Mexico (FMM permit)- and needing Mexican insurance and the temporary import fees on the car , just doesn't make it worth it. It can also take hours at the border each time you go.
You also have to pay duty on anything you bring back from Mexico, so you will find that there is very little savings. Besides you can get just about everything you need here in Belize - and anything else you can have shipped using Amazon for example.
If you can, the best thing to do is to come and spend some time here before your move.
Research both Corozal and SI - there are pros and cons to both areas - it really comes down to where you feel most at home.

nichi
  8/30/2013 09:58 EST

Hi Jerry
Have we met? I don't think I have seen you around in Corozal. Why don't you join us at Blues on Saturday around lunch. If you want food, try to get there before 2:30 when the power goes off.

ericwt
  8/30/2013 10:16 EST

I live in the Cayo District, between Belmopan and San Ignacio.

I live about as country as there is in Belize, back o' bush. ;)

Happy to answer any questions about Jungle Belize.

cgeaux
  8/30/2013 10:40 EST

THANK YOU EVERYONE for ALL advice and opinions.....working on getting everything "ready for visiting"......and looking when we do make the visit. Is there the $37 fee each time if I come under the retired person's plan? I am 60, and should be able to show the documents to show I am qualified. THANKS again! Cheryl

nichi
  8/30/2013 14:08 EST

Under QRP you are not a resident, you are a "permanent tourist." (Which seems to mean that they can charge you the exit fee if they choose to.)
I have heard that some people who have their QRP card go to the Free zone and are not charged - others who go to Mexico are charged. Like many things here, it may not be consistent.

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