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Areas to consider visiting, possibly moving to

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Seeingred
  4/19/2018 11:28 EST

First time poster here. My wife and I are considering relocating from North Carolina, and Belize sounds interesting. I am admittedly at the very early stages of researching the possibilities, and don't have a definite time frame, but was hoping for a little bit of guidance.

We are looking for an area with easy access to the flats where we can fly fish for tarpon, permit, and bonefish. I know AC and the Turneffe Atoll are both well known areas, but I would love to hear other suggestions to add to the mix. She is able to work from home, provided there is internet service. I am considering the QRP program, as I turn 45 in August. I would bring my flats skiff with me, so the duty free aspects of the QRP are pretty appealing, Waterfront living would be great, but not a deal breaker a long as I can get the boat in the water pretty easily (I keep it on the trailer for maintenance reasons).

Thanks for any suggestions on areas to look!

Pete

bradinbelize
  5/2/2018 13:01 EST

Pete,

North Carolinain here that is from Raleigh (still have a house there and a beach place on the coast), but have lived here in BZ for 6 months a year and now full-time. I own property here, two businesses and have work permits, business licenses, bank accounts, corporations, etc. all set up here in Belize. It can be done and isn't that hard but it is time consuming and takes a lot of persistence on your part.

I'd be happy to chat with you and help you out. PM me for my local NC (USA VOIP phone) number that you can call me here in BZ for free.

you will get a million different answers, sarcastic replies and people saying "Don't go to Belize" - avoid all of that and come see for yourself. There are many odd people in Belize (99% of those oddities being expats) and many nice Belizeans and some great expats as well, but you won't find a lot of that on this Forum, unfortunately.

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bradinbelize
  5/2/2018 13:01 EST

Pete,

North Carolinain here that is from Raleigh (still have a house there and a beach place on the coast), but have lived here in BZ for 6 months a year and now full-time. I own property here, two businesses and have work permits, business licenses, bank accounts, corporations, etc. all set up here in Belize. It can be done and isn't that hard but it is time consuming and takes a lot of persistence on your part.

I'd be happy to chat with you and help you out. PM me for my local NC (USA VOIP phone) number that you can call me here in BZ for free.

you will get a million different answers, sarcastic replies and people saying "Don't go to Belize" - avoid all of that and come see for yourself. There are many odd people in Belize (99% of those oddities being expats) and many nice Belizeans and some great expats as well, but you won't find a lot of that on this Forum, unfortunately.

5allan1
  5/2/2018 16:45 EST

Belize and easy are not terms normally used in the same sentence.
Be cautious with advice from expats who claim to own businesses and property and displays of capital in a 3rd world banana republic, There are much better and safer and less expensive places to relocate to in the region.
I have nothing to profit from in so saying.

bobbyveee
  5/2/2018 17:24 EST

Hi Seeing. Listen to Brad, Im also ex Brit ex NC ex AC. We lived in AC for 16 yrs.
Im not sarcastic , but dont have rose tinted glasses either. recce Belize , dont buy, rent till you know where and if you want to live there. Good luck in your search.

mgammo
  5/2/2018 19:42 EST

I really think one should go "do Belize" to get a feel for it. Living there six months should be a good litmus test. I liked it, but I always knew I could hop on a plane back up here at any time. I can pretty much live any where if I have food, water, shelter, and at least a fan down there. I was on a bunch of meds when I went down there, threw them all away, and got very healthy eating fresh fruits and vegetables. Of course, I could have done that here. Belize is a beautiful, wild place. It is not a first world country. If I had a serious medical problem, I would think long and hard about moving there. Basically, not every one is well suited to live in a place like Belize. I really think it depends on one's constitution.
The potholes are deep, the beer is vile, I'd hate to have a heart attack in some of those cayes, but personally I like the place...

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jlydia
  5/2/2018 23:58 EST

Please explain how i can call Belize free. I do have a VOIP capability on my laptop and a Ooma phone that uses a modem to make US calls but foreign calls to Belize are .37 per min.
Thank you!

Retirednavy
  5/3/2018 07:44 EST

Hi there,
Let me actually answer your questions. First and foremost, I live here on the Placencia Peninsula. With my wife , dogs, and new Panga. We visited Belize for 6 years before deciding on this area. I am a fly fisherman and scuba diver. I suggest for that reason you come down and visit like we did, the islands, Caye Caulker, Ambergris Caye, and Placencia Peninsula, including Hopkins, Maya Beach and Placencia. Those are really the only and best locations to live and moor/Fisk the flats and reef from your skiff. All those locations are excellent places to live, but it’s up to you if is
And life is good for you or mainland.
For the working part, Ambergris and mainland especially Placencia have good internet. I am a travel writer / Author, so having good internet ( new fiber optic 5g here in Placencia is important.
I am on QRP, which took a few months to get approved on. Suggest starting application before moving.
BTW, nothing quite like firing up your skiff and heading out to flats, anytime you want to ??

Lahry
  5/3/2018 09:09 EST

Thank you kindly for your input. I'm an experienced traveler outside the USA. I've been to India and Nigeria, so there is no such thing as culture shock for me. I lived with the indigenous people in those areas. Electrical power is a bit more of a necessity. Their electric power comes and goes, especially in mid-afternoons when you need it most.

Back in the 70's, I spent 6 months working at the old oil refinery in St Croix. I had a condo right on the beach. And every day when I'd get home from work, I'd grab my snorkel gear and hit the water. Loved it.
In the late 80's I visited Belize, to visit a friend of mine who was working among the Maya Indians about 20 miles west of Punta Gorda. I loved it. It was in December, as I recall. What a beautiful place to be in December.

So, that said, I'm looking for a place where I can snorkel and maintain my internet presence. I'm a writer also, among other things.

I'm also a veteran. Do you use the VA healthcare at all? I do. It's all I have. So your input there would be invaluable.

My monthly income is $2000. Everything has to fit inside that budget. My only housing costs here in Louisiana is monthly utilities. Car is paid for.

So why would I want to leave this, for Belize? Good question. I suppose the answer is that I don't want to leave this, what I have here. But I'd like to get to Belize, say for 1 month about twice per year. So I know I'm going to have to visit, as you suggested. It's the only way to tell for sure.
If you would please send me an email, I would appreciate it. Then if I have a question or set a date, I can use you as an info resource, since you are so willing to help an old veteran like me. Even if I am USAF. LOL.

Thanks again for the info you provided.

Lahry Sibley
[email protected]

bradinbelize
  5/16/2018 09:45 EST

Lahry,

Sounds like you need a good place for two months a year. PM me and I can most likely get you a good deal on a very nice place for those months on Ambergris Caye - has the fishing you want and everything it sounds like you are looking for. Renting for two months (and those months not being together) is hard but I have a nice condo and my friend has a nice condo (he lives in US 6 months of the year, back and forth so timing just needs to be worked out).

If you send me a PM, I see your email and can send you dozens of photos and discuss what would work for you.

Brad

Lahry
  5/16/2018 10:33 EST

Hi Brad. I'm all ears. And thank you.

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Lahry
  5/16/2018 10:33 EST

Hi Brad. I'm all ears. And thank you.

Lahry
  5/16/2018 10:33 EST

Hi Brad. I'm all ears. And thank you.

Lahry
  5/16/2018 10:33 EST

[email protected]

Lahry
  5/16/2018 10:33 EST

[email protected]

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