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hotwired
  6/30/2020 06:17 EST

My wife and I are semi retired (our income mostly comes from very easy to manage rental properties in Central Maine). We have always dreamed of having a small place in the tropics. though I love my learning of Spanish, my wife does not know Spanish and so I think Belize makes a great deal of sense for us to being "researching". I've got 3 places in mind in order of "probability". 1.) Placencia, 2.) Ambergris Cay 3.) Cay Caulker (spelling?). I'm a introvert, wife is extrovert. We want to be "rural" but close to a few bars, restaurants, PEOPLE, and of course, not an all day drive to the airport or good shopping when needed. I'm guessing Caulker will be a little TOO rural but have heard NOTHING but good about Placencia. We value being directly on the water, close enough to fall asleep to the sound of the ocean. Pretty simple. (And pretty expensive, I know!). I know "boots on the ground" is really necessary, though I'd like to narrow down. What parts of Placencia might we check out first, given what bit of info I've given?

hrlee7804
  6/30/2020 10:11 EST

If you say shopping is an importance to you then Placencia is not a place to move. The reason many like Corozal area is because it is close to Mexico for shopping and medical. It is a better part of a days drive for that from the Hopkins/Placencia area.

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hotwired
  6/30/2020 10:36 EST

Thank you. This is the kind of basic info I need to "assemble' to start getting serious.

hotwired
  6/30/2020 10:37 EST

Looking at a map I see it's SUPER close to Mexico (which I like) and looks like Ambergris Caye is right off the coast (sort of)

bobbyveee
  6/30/2020 10:48 EST

If you decided on either of the cayes , theres no cars , just gas engined golf cars , over 5500 on Ambergris. Theres no big box stores in Belize by the way. And yes you need to come visit , atleast a few times at different times of the yr.

BarryK
  6/30/2020 12:53 EST

The Placencia Peninsula is approximately 14-16 miles long. The Placencia Road that connects to the Southern Highway is about 24 miles long, with the northern most 8-10 miles on the mainland. Riversdale, a tiny community right on the ocean is the most northern habitation on the peninsula itself. A few homes, a small resort, and that is about it. The "Plantation" area starts just south of Riversdale. It is all residential on the sea side of the peninsula, but toward the southern end of the area residences and lots are available on the lagoon side. There is no city or private water supply to this area. Everyone who lives there has cisterns or other water catchments to collect rain water. In dry season, there are people who provide water tanker service to fill cisterns or pools. There are no grocery or other types of stores until you reach Maya Beach, about 15 miles south of the Southern Highway. Between Plantation and Maya Beach you will find a lot of homes, lots, and a couple of resorts, but no commercial activity. Maya Beach is a popular residential community, with mostly homes, several small resorts, a few restaurants with bars, two small grocery stores, and a police station. A few miles south of Maya Beach is Seine Bight. A Garifuna community, and home to many workers from other countries such as Guatemala, Mexico, and Honduras. There are a couple of small groceries and restaurants, a large grocery with pharmacy, and just outside the village some large resorts. It is another 8 miles or so south to reach the village of Placencia (Punta Placencia). Between Seine Bight and Placencia Village there are a multitude of residences, lots, a number of commercial entities, and just outside of the village is the Placencia airport (airstrip). The village is where you will find almost all shopping amenities, medical services (government clinic and a private doctor practice), restaurants, bars, pharmacy, nice beaches, hotel accommodations, gift shops, clothing (mostly re-sale) shops, coffee houses (2), hardware stores, and service locations for phone and cable. I have been living on the peninsula for over 6 years, and love it. I am retired, so have no commercial interest in Belize. The international airport opens on August 15, but I understand there will be a lot of hoops to go through to get into the country. You may want to check into that before planning a trip. I would also recommend that you hook up with a "good" realtor down here to get an idea of what is available and where. I would be happy to recommend one or two. If you have any more questions, let me know.

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LiebersDad
  6/30/2020 13:22 EST

I will add that the people, both local and expats, are extremely friendly there. then again we found that o be the case everywhere we went in Belize.
Glad to hear the airport is finally opening.

inplub
  6/30/2020 13:58 EST

Bobby we have loads of cars here. When did you leave us? John

bobbyveee
  6/30/2020 14:31 EST

John , i know there are loads of cars but none for rent or hire , as far as i know its the same gotta be a citizen , know the mayor etc etc.

WMiller77
  6/30/2020 16:21 EST

Hello, Can I add another option? How about Hopkins? Also a beach community, with an ex-pat community and activities to do. We are only minutes from some major attractions that are inland and of course, we have a marina, fishing, snorkelling, scuba diving and other water-based activities. Mini-golf, an air-conditioned fitness centre, drumming centre, darts, music trivia, and oh so much more.

LiebersDad
  6/30/2020 17:02 EST

I can vouch for Hopkins folks being friendly. It's also not far from Placencia (keep in mind I'm from Texas so "not far from" means within an hour's drive).
Several good restaurants, at least one market. The diving/snorkeling in the area...well, all up and down the Belizean coast is great as is the fishing.

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hrlee7804
  7/1/2020 10:29 EST

Lots of positive things to be said about Hopkins. I have been there many many times. When I am in Hopkins I get the heavy feeling of the the difference between the 'haves' and the 'have nots'. It is not comfortable for me there. In the last 30 years I have probably spent 6 months total there and I can't shake that negative feeling.
I ended up in Mexico because Belize is a country circling the drain in my mind. The only draw for living there is the English language and that is not enough for me. Belize may be the perfect vacation wonderland but not for full time in my book.

bobbyveee
  7/1/2020 17:51 EST

Hi HRL , you know me LOL I have to agree. We lived on and off in Belize from 1999 to 2015 , my wifes best friend was raped in Hokins many yrs ago and when she went to the police they laughed and said what do you expect , she found out later the police man was related to the rapist , , she left the areas and lived on AC for many yrs before retiring back to USA. We pulled out of AC in 2015 , 5500 golf carts , crime , polution and the out of control Police and Gov. being the reason. mainly , plus my wife needed specialised hospital, not available in Belize . Its a great country for vacation , but look knowingly into living there especially now as its , in truth broke !!

DJ7
  7/2/2020 09:24 EST

Take a hard look at Corozal. Large xpat community. Layed back area with less crime that most of Belize. Of course, you can get yourself in trouble being stupid but that can happen anywhere.
Stay a week or 2 in each area you are thinking about, then rent for 6 moths to a year.

Belize is easy to buy property in but much harder to sell when you want it gone without taking a loss.

gibsonmy
  7/2/2020 09:49 EST

Hi. I retired to Placencia Village 5 years ago. Loooove it but forget about shopping

hrlee7804
  7/2/2020 11:05 EST

Mayan Seaside is a great expat community. It is adjacent to Consejo Village and Consejo Shores a larger expat community. It is just a few miles to Corozal town. If I was going to live in Belize it would be there. Great people and close to Mexico for shopping and medical. The down side other than that talked about is there are no beaches. The entire area is on sea walls and shallow grasses make up the would be beach.

Belizeboy
  7/2/2020 16:33 EST

Placencia would be perfect ??
Good amount of Expats, great beaches ( not in Corozal), water sports, snorkel, diving, fishing.
Easy short flight from Placencia Airport t San Pedro, Caye Caulker, etc.
Beautiful drive to Cayo and Mayan sites.
Everything you need right on Peninsula, shopping.
Less than an hour drive to Belmopan for “ bigger shopping”.
Placencia is 2nd for vacationers ( San Pedro 1st) for a reason.
Come visit and you won’t want to leave ??

Kenubelizeit
  7/3/2020 09:08 EST

Placencia has 12 miles of beach and 4 communities starting at Riversdale and ending at the point of Placencia village itself. Your rural view maybe a bit different from our view so I would encourage you to take a boots on the ground reconnaissance before deciding. I for one love Placencia and walking the beach but I love the kinda seclusion of Caye Caulker. Try Hopkins too and you maybe surprised at what you can discover. Feel. free to email me at [email protected] I gots lots of time on my hands

bradinbelize
  7/3/2020 12:49 EST

Give up shopping when you move to Belize.

Once here, you will find out that you don’t need 90% of the stuff you THINk you do.

You make a list, then go to Chetumal or fly to Miami, or have someone bring to you, or ship it here.

You’ll be surprised how little you actually need and you will save money. Also, when you do have the “shopping weekend” you will appreciate it more and hopefully get just what you actually need.

bobbyveee
  7/3/2020 14:02 EST

Like Brad said you will find you dont need a lot of stuff you thought you did, dont bring anything leather, it goes mouldy , lowest temps are about 60 , humidity is high , cotton is what you need in all types of clothing ,Try and eat local produce , imported is expensive. Good sandals and trainers are essential . But a couple of visits inb different seasons will give you a far better idea than we can

Belizeboy
  7/11/2020 09:42 EST

Everything points to Maya Beach and Plantation, on the Placencia Peninsula. 15 minutes from Placencia Village.
More “ rural”, with homes and building lots with direct beach access, stores, restaurants, etc.
Want info on homes and lots, I suggest you contact Marsha Peterson with RE/MAX 1st Choice in Maya Beach.
[email protected].
Maya Beach is where we live. ??

hotwired
  7/11/2020 10:13 EST

Wonderful. Such a succinct post. I should have added that nice sandy beach for walking is important. Doesn't have to be miles, but at least enough for a nice stroll.

mcagun
  7/13/2020 08:11 EST

https://www.smuggdenbelize.com/?fbclid=IwAR1X5ciLqlXO7-3cT46D4Q1D2CLmv14xRTym1InDIiu8gfVM8e_qmZ8JNXk

Above is a link to Smugglers Den, a family run little resort in the northern district of Corozal and specifically in the area of Consejo
This area of Consejo ticks all your requirements in your original post, Rural, Bars/Restaurants, People, Shopping. There are a few seafront retirement neighbourhoods in this area where you may find something you like

mcagun
  7/13/2020 08:11 EST

https://www.smuggdenbelize.com/?fbclid=IwAR1X5ciLqlXO7-3cT46D4Q1D2CLmv14xRTym1InDIiu8gfVM8e_qmZ8JNXk

Above is a link to Smugglers Den, a family run little resort in the northern district of Corozal and specifically in the area of Consejo
This area of Consejo ticks all your requirements in your original post, Rural, Bars/Restaurants, People, Shopping. There are a few seafront retirement neighbourhoods in this area where you may find something you like

hrlee7804
  7/13/2020 10:00 EST

I have spent more than a few vacations staying at Smugglers Den. Ray and Rosa are great. Just down the road is the Millennium Bar. If you stop in say hi to Jorge a great host and bartender. I love the location of that area. Downside is the road in the rainy season. But that was a few years ago. Maybe is better now.

billsmith
  5/6/2021 00:14 EST

Hi Barry ~

Great post. I spent a month in Plancentia about 15 years ago before moving to the Philippines. (Born and raised in Southern California). I'm thinking of moving to Plancentia.

Any feedback on renting before building or buying there would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks ~

Wayne

Donovan
  6/11/2021 12:16 EST

Excellent information ... and well written. Thank you so much for posting it. It helps me a lot with my choices for living on the Peninsula.

A little confused though that you wrote Riversdale is the most northern habitation of the peninsula it self. Are Hopkins and Dangriga not part of the peninsula?

Thank you again.

WMiller77
  6/11/2021 12:34 EST

Hopkins is not on the Placencia Peninsula. It is about an hour north of Placencia Village, and about 25 minutes north of the roundabout heading to the Placencia Peninsula.

We are 3 miles from the Southern Highway, right on the ocean. Our community footprint is much smaller than Placencia.

Dangriga is still another 30 minutes north by north east of Hopkins.

Kenubelizeit
  6/15/2021 19:45 EST

Dangriga and Hopkins are coastal communities but not a peninsula.

Amy5000
  8/25/2021 11:00 EST

Ive been in corozal since April 2021 and the Mexico border has been closed and not opening any time soon. Hardly any shopping here at all.

Amy5000
  8/25/2021 15:05 EST

I am an expat in Corozal and have not met very many expats at all. Where are they and what are they doing?

Amy5000
  8/25/2021 15:10 EST

Which area gets as low as 60? I have been in Corozal for several months and was told that the weather is 80s, 90, 100s year round.

Amy5000
  8/25/2021 15:17 EST

What about the roads headed into Consejo? It took us about an 1.5 hour drive on long dirt road with large pot holes getting in and out of the area. Did we not take a good route?

Kenubelizeit
  8/26/2021 07:18 EST

It is 7 miles and unless you were in a small low vehicle normal time is 25 mins when it is really bad 40 mins.

clayboy54
  9/3/2021 20:54 EST

We’re all around you Amy! There’s really lots of us. I live in Consejo (Mayan Seaside) and even during the summer there are a big number of us up here.

Stop by and say hello!

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