Moving to Belize

What do I need to know before moving to Belize?

When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Belize, they said:

"The best advice I got with regard to what you need to know before moving to Belize is this: Belizean people have no interest in becoming another country. If you come over and try to tell them how much better things are in the country you came from, they will listen politely and then recommend you go back there and enjoy those things. Remember, you are a guest in this beautiful country. Be polite, respectful, honor their culture and traditions, and do your best to adapt to their way of life," said one expat in Belize.

"I’ll give the same advice everyone else gives, come by and stay a couple of months, visit different parts of the country THEN make your decision," said one expat who made the move to San Pedro.

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How do I find a place to live in Belize?

We asked expats how they chose their neighborhood and found a place to live. They answered:

"I choose the San Ignacio area as it has the best local downtown, expats and locals mix well together, the folks are so friendly and the Expats are like my other family ! I found my home, thru Rainforest Realty www.rainforestrealty.com," said one expat who made the move to Belize City.

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What is a typical expat home or apartment like in Belize?

"Expat homes and apartments in Belize typically feature soaring ceilings, balconies, bright and airy living spaces, and independent access to the outdoors. Many expat homes and apartments are brightly colored, often in the local Belizean style, with ceiling fans, air-conditioning, and a mixture of traditional and modern Caribbean-style furnishings. Typically, distance to the beach or any other amenities will have to be taken into account when searching for an expat apartment or home in Belize," remarked one expat in Belize.

"1 bedroom apt. Washer/Dryer, Internet. A couple of steps away from the beach. Living on an island [Ambergris Caye], you are NEVER to far from the beach. Yes, several expats live in the suburb type area," said one expat in San Pedro.

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What is the average cost of housing in Belize?

If you are thinking about moving to Belize, cost of living in probably a key consideration. Expats commented about the cost of housing:

"Housing cost is about 50% less if you are a owner builder. Avg for land and house is $80k US and the ROI after three years is about triple that," said one expat who made the move to Corozal.

"MUCH LOWER! Property taxes are around 30 dollars a year!!! Car insurance is less than 150 a year! WOW!," explained one expat living in Belize City, Belize.

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Should I buy or rent a home in Belize?

If you have not spent a lot of time in Belize, you should rent before even thinking about buying. We asked expats there about the buy vs. rent decision:

"We purchased a seaside lot at Sittee Point and had a home built through a local builder. Rolando Gonzalez kept us informed regularly with emails and pictures, so we never felt isolated from the process," replied a member in Hopkins Village.

"We purchased a lot along the sea and had a local builder construct a home for us. It was all done primarily through email correspondence and money transfers. He sent us regular pictures and reports to keep us informed," commented one expat who made the move to Hopkins Village.

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What should I pack when moving to Belize?

We asked people living in Belize to list three things they wish they had brought and three they wish they had left behind. They responded:

"Wish that I had Brought: Bug spray, bug nets, bug zappers. Wish that I had left at Home: Me myself and I," said one expat in Belize City.

"Three things I wish I had brought: Brie Cheese, More Sam's Clubs oscillating fans and more gorilla glue( works great here!) Things I should have left at home: high heels, vcr tapes and tools (we can get any type of tool here!)," remarked one expat who made the move to Belize City.

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What cultural faux pas should I try to avoid making in Belize?

We asked people in Belize if they could share any humorous cultural blunders they commited. For new expats, keep in mind that these incidents are an inevitable part of expat life. Learning to laugh about them is the key!:

"In Belize, it is important to respect the diverse cultural backgrounds and traditions. In your interactions with local people, be aware of any sensitive topics such as politics or racial issues. To show respect, you should also be aware of clothing etiquette. Men and women should dress conservatively in public, women should avoid wearing revealing clothing, and the use of profanity should be avoided. Additionally, during social gatherings and conversations, avoid making loud or offensive gestures. Lastly, show respect to local elders by addressing them with respectful titles like “Sir”, “Madam”, or “Ma’am”," replied a member in Belize.

"Many! In a nice, small outdoor cafe I was served a traditional Garifuna dish called hudut. A whole fish lay in a bowl of delicious broth and on a plate was a mound of mashed plantain. I had no idea what to do with the plantain, so I asked the waitress. With a bashful giggle she told me to dip it in the soup. Additionally, a napkin was put on the table with a smooth rounded brown rock. I asked what this was, thinking it was also something to eat! Even the cook laughed and said, "it's a rock so the napkin won't blow away!"," commented one expat who made the move to Hopkins Village.

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Why do people move to Belize?

When we asked people why foreigners move to Belize, they responded:

"Belize has a great many attractions for prospective expats looking for a new place to call home. The warm, tropical weather, the stunning beaches, the stunning coral reef system, and the mix of cultures make it an ideal destination for expats. Additionally, Belize offers a low cost of living, with a culture that is both welcoming and safe. In addition to the many natural attractions, Belize also offers excellent opportunities for business and freelance opportunities, as well as a diverse range of activities and attractions that makes it an ideal home for people of all backgrounds," commented one expat living in Belize.

"The beauty of the country from sea to jungle. The local Belizeans are wonderful people who love and cherish their country. English speaking country in Central America is a plus. Easy going lifestyle is what people look for and Belize has it. Belize gives people so many options of type of areas from Seafront, Lagoon Front, Istlands, Jungles and Mountains with affordable living," commented one expat who moved to Placencia, Belize.

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How are healthcare services Belize?

When we asked expats and global nomads about the quality of medical care in Belize, they replied:

"Our first choice is to go to the local pharmacist, who is very knowledgeable and helpful," remarked one expat in Hopkins Village.

"Word of mouth is a great way to find a doctor if you need one. Our pharmacist has a neurogist that comes to her place of business twice a month from Belize City. He is a wealth of information. Also, be willing to travel to Belize City or Chetumal Mexico to see specialists. We are very pleased with the care we have received thus far. Most of our prescriptions cost us less or equal to our copay in the US without having the cost of a monthly premium on top of that. We are going to look into getting an international health insurance just in case one of us has an emergency that can not be handled here or in Mexico," wrote one expat living in Corozal/Belize City.

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What are medical services in Belize like?

When we asked expats and global nomads about the quality of medical care in Belize, they replied:

"I am located 10 kms from 3 towns that provide adequate health care, but Santa Familia itself does not. So their healthcare is non-existent, but I don't care, I'm a 10-minute drive from 3 towns with good healthcare," commented one expat living in Carmelita Gardens.

"I would strongly suggest anyone thinking of moving to Belize consult with those of us who have lived there for a long period instead of consulting the internet," commented one expat who moved to Sittee River, Belize.

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