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ENJOYIT
  12/10/2018 10:04 EST

hi guys, I'm doing my exploration trip mid Feb mainly in CC. I understand now about local veggies and seafood but what do you guys do about essentials? Soap, tp, deodorant, canned foods. gross question but what about sewerage. I'm aware of how to use a rain cistern and reusable 5 gal water bottles. if it were 1999 I might understand questions about cable tv but I reckon none of the people looking to move know anything about the new thing called DirectTV. I know it's a great idea for 99.99% of the rest of the world but I guess satellite reception is nonexistent in the Caribbean. I know I've gotten off my topic but I have learned that Paradise is usually where your heart is. So, what about info concerning the little things I take for granted in the US.

wateredwine
  12/10/2018 11:24 EST

I am not familiar with CC but in Placencia we have grocery stores which carry these items as well as a cable company for internet and TV. We also have fiber optic (FTTH) which does not yet carry tv. You can sign up for DirectvNow and download it onto Roku or Apple TV. Probably Fire Stick as well. Once you have your internet, you can stream. I am told it carries the local channels from your billing address in the US.
We have a filtration system for water in the house. And a superb septic system.

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Fairytales
  12/12/2018 08:35 EST

CC is a beautiful place, but very limited availability of goods/services compared to the mainland simply because every thing, every single thing has to arrive by boat, whether its a new chair, refrigerator or bar of soap. There are a few smalls shops for hardware and grocery items. Generally we found the people who actually lived there to be fierce in their decision to do so.

You'll be fine if you're a low-requirement, low maintenance type person but if you want what you want, when you want......you may not be so happy!


jeff

ENJOYIT
  12/12/2018 13:36 EST

thank y'all for your replies. I think y'all may have taken my questions in the wrong context. I'm the kinda guy that can sit on the patio and watch the wind for hours (hard to see the wind so I keep looking which is like trying to see electricity watching the outlet haha) but then again I like to go to the casino and play Texas Hold'em. my questions really are not about how to get US conveniences but how to get the basics because of how small CC is. I don't care if I must wait 2 seconds for a web page to open rather than "right now!" sure I love instant gratification but also if it's going to happen when it happens that's fine too. my kids asked if I was taking my car if I move and I told them on CC there are 4 modes of transportation. walk, bicycle, golf cart, hammock. myself, I prefer the latter. if I go fishing i usually spend more time swimming than fishing cause the fish ani't leaving, right. so really my question is do y'all buy your necessities on the Caye or go to the mainland and stock up. for me a Caribbean paradise isn't like AC where you can't wait for them to pave your street and a Super Walmart is opening in 2 weeks. like all of y'all have said on the different threads....why are you moving here where the motto is "go slow" rather than now it's just like back home heck, why move, right. my only requirement is that I can watch SEC football in the fall, specifically LSU.

ENJOYIT
  12/12/2018 13:36 EST

thank y'all for your replies. I think y'all may have taken my questions in the wrong context. I'm the kinda guy that can sit on the patio and watch the wind for hours (hard to see the wind so I keep looking which is like trying to see electricity watching the outlet haha) but then again I like to go to the casino and play Texas Hold'em. my questions really are not about how to get US conveniences but how to get the basics because of how small CC is. I don't care if I must wait 2 seconds for a web page to open rather than "right now!" sure I love instant gratification but also if it's going to happen when it happens that's fine too. my kids asked if I was taking my car if I move and I told them on CC there are 4 modes of transportation. walk, bicycle, golf cart, hammock. myself, I prefer the latter. if I go fishing i usually spend more time swimming than fishing cause the fish ani't leaving, right. so really my question is do y'all buy your necessities on the Caye or go to the mainland and stock up. for me a Caribbean paradise isn't like AC where you can't wait for them to pave your street and a Super Walmart is opening in 2 weeks. like all of y'all have said on the different threads....why are you moving here where the motto is "go slow" rather than now it's just like back home heck, why move, right. my only requirement is that I can watch SEC football in the fall, specifically LSU.

ENJOYIT
  12/12/2018 14:14 EST

ps: I've got Amazon Prime so I've got free 2 day delivery for all the luxuries of home haha

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corv75
  12/12/2018 20:12 EST

Sorry but Don't believe amazon ships to Belize

ENJOYIT
  12/12/2018 23:10 EST

I'm sorry corv75, I was being facetious about Amazon. Don't any of y'all on this forum joke or try to make a laugh, jeez. I mean it's like I ask when will the water taxi be here and you say 1:00. but dude it's 1:15. right you are, maybe tomorrow at 1:00. like I have said, Go Slow is a great motto

Fairytales
  12/13/2018 06:16 EST

Of course we joke, but sarcasm has yet to be expressed in these forums.....I was thinking "good luck getting large deliveries" myself....

What you need is for CC4ME to chime in. Kerry and I are fortunate to have him as a friend. Getting a chance to meet someone who lives somewhere really lets you see the benefits and the cons as well. He gave us the royal treatment tour then left us to our own devices. Terrific guy!

I think what I learned on CC (our trip was to go see cool places to live) was that it's a relaxing, beautiful place and to the people we met there, from Caveman who grew up on the island(& wasn't always as spiritually centered as he is today) to those that moved there, it is a privilege to live there. That's really speaking volumes, isn't it?

I had to face the reality that I collect and restore vintage motorcycles and most are tagged because I enjoy riding them. I also have a little 2 seater hardtop conv that I've owned for nearly 17 years. Me, moving to anywhere I can neither drive nor ride would not be a privilege to me.

I did suffer fantasies about storming the highways on my 1 modern bike, a Vstrom1000 but I got the feeling that that police, while not enforcing traffic laws much, would probably drop in to "see you" if you raised much hell down there. I don't see their tolerance very high.

Sorry for the tangent.....no doubt that the folks that live there can give you a much better insight.

jeff

Bobsworld
  12/13/2018 10:27 EST

It's easy to get Amazon to ship to Belize.
Use the address scheme of
https://reynoldsshipping.com/
and your packages will arrive in Corozal town in a month or so like clockwork.

Bobsworld
  12/13/2018 10:27 EST

It's easy to get Amazon to ship to Belize.
Use the address scheme of
https://reynoldsshipping.com/
and your packages will arrive in Corozal town in a month or so like clockwork.

William RussellWilliam Russell
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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.

William RussellWilliam Russell

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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wateredwine
  12/13/2018 11:28 EST

DO you know of and receiving company in Placencia for Amazon shipments?

ENJOYIT
  12/13/2018 12:04 EST

hi Jeff, thanks. Now the important stuff...do you do anything with Triumphs. I've had Bonnies from 1st one early 60's when a teenager to a '69 & '73 750 I loved. Had a lot of youngsters wanting to ride them. We were good until they asked where is the starter button. I also had a TR-4A and TR-6. Back in the day I raced a new model Japanese sports car (later found our they called it 240 Z) from Amarillo to Las Vegas...tore him up in the flats and he ate me in the hills haha. I know if I move to CC I'll need to get a golf cart with a turbo and wheelie bar.

seriously though, what my original post is asking what do y'all do for daily essentials like green beans or cream style corn or razor blades. I've got the idea of meeting the boats and farmers market which sounds great. From reading the other post about daily meds it seems the only problem is logistics, The only USA essential I have is LSU football.

People ask me what do I do for a living and I tell them I'm hard at work being retired and it's exhausting. the nicest thing about being retired is every day is Saturday

5allan1
  12/13/2018 13:12 EST

The multitude of Chinese tiendas in the country supply these basics. Things like Campbell soups cost more than the USA.
Indeed price comparisons on a wide variety of commodities show that Belize is more expensive than the USA and the Cayes more so because of transport issues.
Expats in northern Belize often travel to Chetumal for luxury items like edible steak, imported wine, and other commodities ranging from Monterrey jack jalapeno cheese to Kenyan coffee.

Fairytales
  12/14/2018 11:39 EST

Are you kidding? I cut my teeth on Lucas smoke(that's where the power is, just let the smoke out and you'll see a drop in power) and Amal & Dellorto carbs!

I think I'm a 1/4 gen younger but we all worked on the 500-650 Hurricanes and of course my buddy wanted to run his new Trident against my H2. He actually only got beat by a whisker....the Trident was pretty fast and had a ton of torque compared to the two strokes.

Years later I worked unloading cars from ships in Baltimore.....it was right during the Datsun/Nissan name change....and I drove the 280ZX's and 810's(*same engine as 280z).

Small world....

Good luck my friend and enjoy

jeff

bobbyveee
  12/14/2018 12:25 EST

Oh you guys , did u never get to ride a Manx Norton or a Vincent Black Shadow , the later is by far the most expensive antique bike you can buy , Real bikes for real men, but im not a biker , went to college on a BSA Bantam , then bought my first MG TC, last car in the UK was a very special Supra Mk4 with nearly 600hp , touched 200mph a few times in Germany, those were the days. !!

bradinbelize
  12/15/2018 09:06 EST

We have limited items here in Belize, but we're not "camping". To get things such as TP, toothpaste, etc. - you simply go to a store and buy them.

You may or may not need a cistern, depending on where you choose to live (you should EXPLORE the country). Caulker is a tiny island with limited amount of things. If you were from Europe and moving to the Us, would you just say "I'm moving to Marathon Key in the Florida Keys, not looking anywhere else". Come down, explore, RENT for at least 6 months (go to at least 3 - 4 different places on your first trip, both islands and mainland).

Direct TV is fine but we have cable and internet (varies by town) and you can use Netflix, Roku, etc. - On Ambergris we have everything you have in a small town in the US (sometimes you have to be willing to search a little more than you are used to, but you can find it).

ENJOYIT
  12/15/2018 10:44 EST

thank you Brad. very sound advice. the main thing I see is that Belize City is definitely out. I've read and re-read tons of the post and seem to have come to the conclusion that CC has the atmosphere and attitude that matches me. AC and Placencia are great places but it appears that CC is comparable in rents and a little more expensive than the other 2 as to daily essentials. From my reading it seems the Expats living on the Cayes go to the mainland to stock up which I realize is a pain but maybe is a good tradeoff. if my research is correct I'll need to go to Chetumal for my meds to save a few bucks and get the ones not available in Belize. like I said I'm coming down on a cruise and will be there for my b'day which is cool. my daughter will be with me and I'm torn between getting her opinion about CC or just going to shore and go to Iguanas bar for lunch and conversation. I'm going for a week in Feb staying on CC but plan to day trip to Placencia and AA. Corozal is interesting but I don't think it's for me and I'm definitely not a jungle guy. so that being said I'm hoping that that week will be enough exposure for me to do or not a 6 - 12 month longterm rental. I have done some research on golf carts though. the Jet Propulsion lab has come up with Turbo batteries with 0 -60 in 3 seconds, but the batteries are only good for 4 seconds, haha. maybe a Turbo hammock. Does this seem like a good plan or am I missing something. I really do value y'all's advice and pointers. thanks again for your insights.

ENJOYIT
  12/15/2018 11:20 EST

ps: on your analogy, Brad. it's like I've crossed Miami out for sure. South Beach is nice, but. So my real choice is between Key West and Marathon. Key West, AC, is really nice but has a certain hustle bustle where as Marathon is very laid back. I'm not even thinking about being argumentative with my previous or this post. I'd be a total idiot to think I know as much as y'all about the country but there are some really informative post

5allan1
  12/15/2018 13:26 EST

“On Ambergris we have everything you have in a small town in the US (sometimes you have to be willing to search a little more than you are used to, but you can find it).”
This is true but what you are not being told is that doing so will cost you 20% more than the mainland. For many items it will be 30-40% more than the USA or Mexico.

ENJOYIT
  12/15/2018 13:50 EST

hey again Brad. just looked at your menu and wow! great looking dishes. umm, are your menu prices BZ or US.

dustcover
  12/21/2018 10:11 EST

SEC football, specifically LSU, vipbox.com streams all football games!

bradinbelize
  1/10/2019 09:52 EST

ENJOY IT - First of all Amazon doesn't deliver to Belize, so forget those pleasantries.

Secondly, we are not on another planet. CC has grocery stores and convenience items (although limited amounts, these are growing everyday).

You might want to check out Ambergris. We have hi-speed fiber optic internet now and many have dish network. Although, US cable is fast and convenient and very cheap as well.

Bring your stuff and relax but don't get your heart set on Caulker (it sounds as if you've never been there) and while you were trying to be funny on another post, telling a guy to park his RV on CC, he is trying to relocate here and explore, just as you are and may be unaware that Caulker is an island (as you are unaware that we have stores that sell toilet paper, just like anywhere in the world).

Fair game! Play nice. This forum is to help give valuable info.

bradinbelize
  1/10/2019 09:53 EST

ENJOY IT - First of all Amazon doesn't deliver to Belize, so forget those pleasantries.

Secondly, we are not on another planet. CC has grocery stores and convenience items (although limited amounts, these are growing everyday).

You might want to check out Ambergris. We have hi-speed fiber optic internet now and many have dish network. Although, US cable is fast and convenient and very cheap as well.

Bring your stuff and relax but don't get your heart set on Caulker (it sounds as if you've never been there) and while you were trying to be funny on another post, telling a guy to park his RV on CC, he is trying to relocate here and explore, just as you are and may be unaware that Caulker is an island (as you are unaware that we have stores that sell toilet paper, just like anywhere in the world).

Fair game! Play nice. This forum is to help give valuable info.

belizelenny
  1/10/2019 11:02 EST

Numerous shippers have monthly deliveries to Belize. I get items every month. I just place orders and have it shipped to their US address.

Reynolds Shipping in LA and EZ Shipping out of Florida, so depending on which location is cheaper to ship to or the dates they are sending their containers down you can chose. There are others however these are the only two I have used.

njgjbj
  1/12/2019 00:20 EST

Luckily I have been researching Belize for years now so having someone suggest CC didn't do anything other than slightly annoy me. I have also been following this forum for a couple of years so I was kind of expecting some negativity. I have figured out whose posts to believe and who I should ignore for the most part.

Thanks to all the posters with legit replies.

terrific
  1/12/2019 01:13 EST

Amazon does not ship direct to Belize there are many 3rd party companies that will get it to Belize just remember you will have to pay customs duty then cost of shipping(from 3rd Party) and GST on the total.
The vast majority of Belize private addresses are po box numbers and Amazon do not ship to po box numbers either.

belizelenny
  1/12/2019 08:04 EST

Caye Caulker is a kewl spot!

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