New members of the Belize forum, introduce yourselves here - 2021

I moved to Belize full time the end of last January (2020), with 3 suitcases yes, just in time to be locked in 2 months later! Just found this website/forum, would be happy to share my experiences. I found information  somewhat dated, 2017, & my experiences have been quite different.  I live in a small town, Santa Elena, Cayo which I love. People are friendly & helpful. Which has been necessary with the COVID-19 State of Emergency regulations.
Ali

Jeanette (Jiji) and I (Scott) have been exploring Belize online for months. I am nearing retirement and  we are surveying a number of relocation candidates, Belize being the top of the list. We are coming for a visit in 2 weeks and hope to find things as advertised such that we can enter the QRP and start the next phase of life. We've answered many questions over time about Belize and Belize living, which have generated many more. I am concerned, today, about the rigor of the medical fitness aspect of QRP qualification. How healthy is "healthy" in the eyes of the Immigration Department? Any experience or clarification is appreciated.

Hello All
I am searching the world for a place I would most like to be.   have been round the world beginning in 2019.   Have some likely candidates like Morocco, Greece, Italy and France ( Mediteranean sea area). But due to present situation in world, that is put on hold.
I am in Ecuador now but don't feel it is quite right .
Now considering Belize.

I am Europhile, to be sure,  But I also love the sea and hot weather. I need unsprayed pure fruit  to eat and a laid back , bicycle lifestyle . I love to keep animals like chickens and pigeons , cows.... or cats.
Need to swim every day and be in sun.
But most important is the ability to find natural /herbal/shamanic healing practices and supplies.

I could come for visit in next few months so beginning research now.
Any advice would be received with open heart and big (energetic) hugs !!

hi  my name is helen  allison     trying to move to belize  not having much luck

Hello Alison..what sort of luck do you need???  many expats are very helpful.
hope to be able to help.  regards, BB.

hi thanks for reply....here is my problem  i have two large dogs.....no airline will take then  small lap rats ok but not large dogs  plus i have three siamese house cats  all have  health certificates and the belize baha  what i can not find is a way to get ALL  of us to belize  plus  pick up truck and household items  not many .... but wanted.  the only option that is left for me is to drive through mexico    if need to i will have armed escort

helenhmja wrote:

hi thanks for reply....here is my problem  i have two large dogs.....no airline will take then  small lap rats ok but not large dogs  plus i have three siamese house cats  all have  health certificates and the belize baha  what i can not find is a way to get ALL  of us to belize  plus  pick up truck and household items  not many .... but wanted.  the only option that is left for me is to drive through mexico    if need to i will have armed escort

Hi Helen - Once the Belize land borders open, and you decide to drive, I can help with the description and route we take,  a list of pet friendly hotels we’ve been using, and a list of all required documents for both Mexico and Belize, for yourself, your vehicle and your pets.
Good luck and happy planning!

hi  thanks for the reply......when/if i have to drive through mexico  i do not plan to stop for anything other than potty breaks for human and critters .... do not want to spend anymore time in mexico  than i have to  i will also have a  guide with me from belize

Hi,

This is Bart and Mollie.

Is the drive thru Mexico to Belize safe?

Thanks.

that is what i have been  trying to find out

i have a friend who, in normal times, drives a vehicle from the US every month. he says any one driving at night in mexico is insane.

Hello fam,

My name is Philip and I discovered this site a few years back but wasn't sure of my future ending up in Belize, so I didn't join.

Fast forward a few years, with a property in Cayo and prospects to be living full time there by June 2nd, 2021, My wife and I are eager for a fresh new start in the country.

Even though I'm a millennial this site is about as "social media" as it will get for me, as I prefer personal voice contact.

If I break any rules, please kindly let me know as that is most certainly not my intention.


God's richest blessings to you all, thank you.

Hello, retired looking to move to Belize. Looking for an apartment or house to rent. Minimum one bedroom and bath. Budget $400-$600 US per month. Prefer furnished. Close to beach or yard for sun a must. Looking to move May or June depending on available housing. Any help or suggestions greatly appreciated.

***

Thank you for your reply. I'm looking for a long term rental not a seasonal rental. Your place looks great but need a long term agreement.

hi  i do not know  of any rentals........however  i have an attorney/ realtor   he knows everything about real estate in belize   if he ok's   and it is ok with you   it i will give his info to you

hi  here is the name   for you  raymond shepherd  can be reached    rymond@shepherdbelizerealty.com

Hello Again Jdaniel,
     I can not recall a holiday let.most tenants have been building their own property, the remainder  using the time to find a property that really suited them.. local unfurnished rentals are usually snapped up within ten days not advertised atall.
good hunting, regards,Malcolm.

Hello!  Like the majority of you, my husband and I are planning a move to Belize.  We’re from Canada.  We are going to travel there by van with a few personal belongings (and our two dogs) once we have been vaccinated and the borders open.  We are open to any suggestions you might have about a great, friendly and beautiful town to call home, a travel route, or anything you wish you would have brought with you or known about ahead of time.  We will be renting for the first year or so and then plan to buy a house or property and build. 

Nice meeting you all and looking forward to learning more together on this next great chapter in our life!

Winterfree wrote:

Hello!  Like the majority of you, my husband and I are planning a move to Belize.  We’re from Canada.  We are going to travel there by van with a few personal belongings (and our two dogs) once we have been vaccinated and the borders open.  We are open to any suggestions you might have about a great, friendly and beautiful town to call home, a travel route, or anything you wish you would have brought with you or known about ahead of time.  We will be renting for the first year or so and then plan to buy a house or property and build. 

Nice meeting you all and looking forward to learning more together on this next great chapter in our life!

Hi! I can help with the Mexico route we take, pet friendly hotels we use, all documents required for entry into Mexico and Belize.
We’ve driven from Alberta to Belize and back, with two dogs, quite a few times.

Hi! I'm new to this forum.  I have been going to Caye Caulker for years and plan to retire on the island.  I have 3 properties there. 
Anyone needing information on the process of buying real estate (I'm American), I'd be glad to describe my experiences on purchasing land as a non-Belizean.
I presently operate (from the USA) a Airbnb home on Caye Caulker and am starting building a home on a lot I bought less than a month before the virus closed things down.
I went through the entire BTB permitting process in order to get the license to list my home as a rental vacation on Airbnb.  It was a daunting process, and I'd be happy to help anyone that is thinking of or going through the process now.
I'm 54 and still employed full time in the States, but plan to move to the island sometime in the next 3 years (hopefully!).  Cheers!

hi  i have been going to belize  for many  years   love the people  and the weather   looking  to move  to corozal area  in  mayan seaside or consejo shores    hope to be in belize as soon as borders open  (soon i hope)

Hello Dear Ones,

I am a retired older woman, with two older dogs, planning a move permanently to this magical country of Belize. I am arriving June 4-17th to explore possible rental locations and also to visit with my Belizean friends and possible meet some of you.

I retired in 2009 and have tried different locations here in the U.S including my home state Colorado, as well as Oregon, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona. All have much to offer. I ended up back in Colorado with snow, forest fires, and a comfortable life style. With a very BIG birthday on the horizon, I decided, I can't dilly dally any longer. I have always enjoyed each visit to Belize and have been here at least 5-7 times over the years. This time I am planning the move alone as my partner won't budge and does like Belize.

My background is in education and ecology. I am an avid birder and love to snorkel and play in and near the ocean.

Looking forward to hearing from many of you,

Carol Bylsma
Dolores, Colorado

Hello,
I am thinking driving across Mexico may be the option, that way you have a vehicle and your pets arrive with you safely. I have a girlfriend that has driven through Mexico alone several times and now resides in the Yucatan. So it is possible to do this. If timing works out, we might caravan.

Carol Bylsma

Hello all. My name is Bonni my pup Monty and I are planning to move to Belize in 2023. I`m so very tired of the Minnesota winters! Any advice you can give to a 63 year old woman going alone would be helpful. My friend will not be coming as he doesn`t want to leave MN. alas that`s how it goes. I look forward to hearing from all of you and hope to meet new Belizean friends soon.

hi    bylsma carol ,     my  name  is  helen   i am    planing to move to belize  also...  and have to drive also   for same reason  i have two large doge and three siamese cats   no  airline will take us  so  drive  it  is .... now  getting to the point  it is not safe to drive through mexico .....there is an attorney  i have been  emailing re/purchasing land   and selling the land i already own  want to be closer to water....   he  has  a guide  that  is  going to escort  me  through  mexico  ........  the  bad thing  is  at  present  the  border  at  belize  is  closed  due to this  stupid  covid  thing..........  now  i hear  that  mexico  is  going  to  close  it's   border with  belize   so  we  can get  into mexico  just  can not  get  out  to  belize   if  you  want  i can  give  you  the  contact  info  for  guide  and  maybe we  can  get  a  time  frame  that  works  for  both of  us  and  can  travel  together  he  says the  trip  should  take  2 1/2  days  i would like to make  it  shorter   ..so with the  border closed  we  have  to  do  a wait  and  see   OH  you  also have to have and show proof  of  covid  19 shot

Hi, Thanks for the reply, and suggestion to contact your realistate friend, but adding them in the loop would only increase my cost in the long run. Doubt they work for free. Thanks again and wish me luck finding a short term rental for a 7-10 day dive trip.
All the best,
Cool Senior

Hi everybody, we are Gemma and Michael from the UK, flying to Belize beginning of May with one-way tickets! We are planning to buy land near San Ignacio (for medical reasons we need to be away from all kinds of radiation (mobile towers, mobile phones, Wi-Fi and wireless gadgets), so rural it needs to be. We came in January for a few weeks and explored the options, and have made some offers, but nothing final yet. We are interested in organic self-sufficiency, and growing a wide diversity of plants, and having a few animals. We will need help with setting up home, and will look to buy second-hand furniture, a motorbike, a fridge, tools (including chain saw) - any opportunities or leads will be welcome ... we have a car but nothing much else yet. Looking forward to getting to know you all, and to exchanging skills and expertise especially regarding gardening, plants, domestic animals ...

Hello everyone,
I've lived in Belize on and off for 9 years now and I love it. Now and for the most part I've lived in San Ignacio.
We spent a year in Corozal, made a lot of friends and enjoyed it very much, but then the strangest thing happened. There were a couple of daytime home invasions - not in Corozal, but in a village several miles away - and then a couple of people were forced from their cars at a stop signs and their cars were stolen from them right there on the spot.
This isn't the strange thing I'm talking about.
What was strange was how most of the expats we knew just disappeared. I mean, they evaporated!
I'm not trying to scare anyone - usually Corozal is a very safe, laid back place. But these things happen and they happen everywhere. I don't know what crimeless paradise our friends ran off to, but we weren't invited.
We spent a year in Mexico and my not speaking Spanish was a huge frustration for me. It was time to come back home to San Ignacio.
So here we are. It's such a beautiful and friendly little town. I know this pandemic has turned the world upside down, but I'd recommend checking out San Ignacio to anyone that's thinking about moving to Belize.

Hi all,

My wife and I were in Belize just before the pandemic scoping out possible retirement and moving there permanently in the next 5 years.

We were on Caye Caulker and found it too over developed and not enough beaches, we also stay din the jungle near San Ignacio, but we want to be near the ocean when we retire as I scuba dive.

I am 8 years older than my wife and if I retire in 5 years she is still a ways off so we discussed that we could both retire if we move from Canada to a cheaper location and ditch the rat race.

Any tips, advice, locations to consider etc etc would be greatly appreciated.

Dave & Michelle

We are planning move to corozal in the next couple months, but how does one get around the golden standard lodging? We want to move there full-time while waiting for the qrp.  However I cant find really any housing rentals online in corozal.  I have asked on many Facebook pages if there are resources for looking fir rentals and. O one has gotten back to me.  My husband will be going to belize for maybe 10 days
I ajve tried to find flights on Maya to go from belize city Airport to Corozal and everyday says it's sold out.
There is no airline I can find that goes from anywhere in Mexico or elsewhere that flies into corozal.  So my husband will have tondrive 2 plus hours from belize city.
We currently live in Puerto rico where we have classified to find properties to rent
Please help, as I need to have something in place before I book his flight and make arrangements to stay in a dam gold stand lodging
What pisses me off most about this gold standard lodging is that they take civid positive people.  I don't want him to stay in a place that's does that. Seems to be counter productive.  Shouldn't they only force covid people to stay in a gold standard lodging?

Hi Dave & Michelle
My husband & I also live in Canada & are too thinking about moving to Belize.
We have done a lot of research & have found the smaller town of Corozal might work nicely.
1) smaller town , but has all you need
2) a water taxi to take you to Mexico... where I understand most people shop... Walmart, Home Depot etc
3) 10 minutes is the main hospital... which in retirement is always good
4) the homes are reasonably priced... compared to the rest of the country
5) beautiful water & beaches
We plan a trip down for 1 month to check it all out!!!

Hope that helps a bit 😊
Terry

Hi Bonnie, Trish here.  I will be moving down to Belize mid 2022, when I turn 62..  My husband won’t come till the following year so I’ll be there for that first year by myself also.  I’m looking at it as a great adventure .  The expats and locals we met on our last trip down were all so friendly and helpful that I don’t feel nervous about it at all.  I just can’t wait.  I applaud you for making a big life change on your own!  Bravo!

hi  you do not need to take water taxi   to get to mexico....you can take  bus  that costs  .50 cents u.s.  goes to chetumal mexico      but depot is in the center of town in corozal  have taken  bus  many times.

Hello!

I am Vicki and am looking at retiring abroad in 2023.  I am interested in Belize because of the beaches.  I am visiting Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker in October and am looking at other spots in Belize as well as Panama and Costa Rica.

I lived in Europe while in my 20's and am feeling a great need to escape the US to a simpler and more authentic lifestyle.

I am looking for folks who are the real deal- I am not interested in fake over-positive sales pitches.  I have found little information through International Living that I actually believe.  I need more reality!

Thanks and I am excited to learn from this community!

Vicki

Hi there, this is my first attempt at making contact in Belize. We will be "semi retiring"  and my partner and I are thinking of coming to Belize for good in the next few weeks when we have organised everything. First renting probably. So,  I'm grateful for any advice you can give a European greenhorn. And yes, we are also looking for a reliable lawyer. Would it be asking to much for the contact? Thanks in advance.
Renate

hello info 18.    if by european you mean UK, try a personal message with contact details.  i am in warwickshire    at the moment, been spending over half the year in Belize for over 12 years,, made most mistakes!!  regards, malcolm

Hi Malcom,
nice to meet you. No, I'm not from England, but from the Austrian Alps. My partner is English though. . So, what is your verdict after 12 years of Belize? And what are the mistakes to absolutely to avoid? It would be so kind of you to warn us against them.
Have a great Sunday. Ours is almost over.
Renate

Hi, all.

New to the forum and new to Belize. My wife and I moved to Placencia Village Mar 1 2021, and are renting for a year. We've made some great friends and plan to stay. We've just started looking for some real estate to purchase and build, and I have lots of questions! Look forward to chatting with you!

Jim