Retiring in Belize

Rick:

Though Belize is a small country (especially relative to Canada, or even Alberta), it has very different regions. Therefore it depends what you are looking for in your retirement as to where you would want to live. As always suggested, you need to travel around and see what you like. Reading about them is far different than going there.

One difference is the amount of rain. Up north little rain and then as you go further south more rain.
Then the choice of island, coastal village, or inland. The island living is certainly more expensive.
Village / town or farm living is another choice you can make.
Do you want to drive over rough roads to get to town, or do you want to be able to walk or bike to the market.

Certainly they have internet though slow and expensive (relative to what you can get in Edmonton or many other places in the world). There are ATMs at the banks. The infrastructure is much different looking than in Edmonton. So it takes time to get used to that. What you may see as a very old building that looks dirty on the outside, may house a fantastic restaurant with great people to serve you and great food.

Many people on this forum have chosen to live in the north along the coast, or on the islands. Some (like me) have chosen inland.

We initially have decided to retire to CR. but was a little curious about Belieze, we currently live in Houston, tx. so the heat is not a problem for us, but cost and safety was our major concern. Jerry

Thanks for the info on Belize..I'm also considering Costa Rica and Panama..
Your info helps

Brush up on your Spanish for Panama and Costa Rica.

Rick - re: considering Panama and Costa Rica

We went down a similar route. We considered Costa Rica and Ecuador. Good luck on your research, and travels as you investigate. For us we chose Belize over our other narrowed down choices. It will really depend on what things are important to you, and how you 'feel' when you are on the ground. I certainly would like to hear your impressions and thoughts.

What town or village would be within 30-40min. from the airport but yet has all the amenities of a middle size town, we will not be purchasing a car for the first 6mos or so. San Ignacio town looked interesting, but seems a little too far from Airport for someone without a car.

Jerry, did you look up Ladyville rentals on the net and see if they had something?

We visited Ecuador last Dec (salinas). The people were very friendly...no English .but has you said..did not feel grounded there.