Move To Belize Articles & Info
Absolutely Free - A Free eBook On Belize & Panama - See the August 2005 Issue of the Offshore Real Estate Magazine to get a free eBook written by Lan Sluder on Belize & Panama that provides an analysis of two retirement towns -- Corozal in Belize and Boquete in Panama -
Adapter Kit: Belize ~ Everything
You Ever Wanted To Know About Living, Retiring & Investing In Belize
~ by Lan Sluder - Adapter
Kit: Belize ~ Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Living, Retiring
& Investing In Belize ~ by Lan Sluder - Belize is a favorite
of those seeking a calmer lifestyle in close proximity to the wonders of
nature. It's a place where Big Brother isn't looking over your shoulder
and you can set your own building codes or own a flock of chickens. It's
a place where you can spend the day fishing without trying to keep up with
the Jones's. It's also become one of the hottest expatriate destinations
in Latin America. In a world that cries out for 'how to' books, a 'how
to' book on moving to Belize was sorely needed. That need was recently
met by Lan Sluder, with the publication of his Adapter Kit: Belize from
Avalon Travel Publishing.
A Tale of Two Low-Cost Retirement
Towns - A
Tale of Two Low-Cost Retirement Towns - With millions of
Americans and Canadian baby boomers just a bank CD or two away from retirement,
the race to find low-cost retirement destinations is off and running. That's
particularly true in Mexico and Central America, where many prospective
expat gringos see the potential of stretching their dollars and living
better for less than is possible back home, yet being within two to four
hours by jet from their old home towns. By Lan Sluder
All Over Belize in Boats, Planes,
and Golf Carts - All
Over Belize in Boats, Planes, and Golf Carts - Keith and
Erin are travellers who are taking a couple of years to see the world.
This is the first of many articles that will chronical a their journey
from beginning to end. In Belize, they discovered a new and different way
to travel. Keith writes, "As Americans, we are all about cars. Everyone
has one, sometimes two or three, and we use them to go anywhere, even it's
just around the corner to get a cup of coffee. The same cannot be said
for the country of Belize." In the ten days they spent in Belize, they
succeeded in shedding their all-American dependency on the automobile by
relying on just about every other kind of transportation imaginable.
Analysis Of The Top Ten Places
to Live in Belize - Analysis
Of The Top Ten Places to Live in Belize - Lan Sluder looks
at the top ten places to live in Belize and then asks five questions that
need to be answered before moving there. Important questions and straight
answers from the editor of Belize First Magazine.
Belize - Doing Business in Belize
- Belize
- Doing Business in Belize By Bill and Claire Gray - The simplicity
and ease with which one can start a business in Belize lets many people
do something they have always wanted to try but weren't able to back home.
Being free from all the bureaucratic red tape, and expensive, complicated
procedures, frees a person to put all their creative energy into their
business. We love seeing owners of even the smallest of businesses empowered
like this. In the developing world no expects anything from the government
and so they know they either have to get out there and earn money at something
or live off the food they have growing in their yard and the fish they
can catch. By Bill and Claire Gray
Belize
- one of the world's top retirement havens - Belize
- one of the world's top retirement havens - From
its Caribbean shores to its jungle interior, Belize has great natural beauty'blue
water, deserted beaches, and inland retreats where you can explore Mayan
ruins, tall waterfalls, rainforests, and rivers. Bird watching in Belize's
interior is also a treat; you'll be able to spot parrots, toucans, flycatchers,
and herons in their natural habitat or visit a jaguar preserve where you
can venture into the jungle in search of the elusive cats. It's no wonder
Belize's tourism industry is booming. If recent figures are any indication;
this tiny tropical paradise could be on its way to becoming the next hot
destination for explorers, expats, retirees, and investors. Between 2003
and 2004, cruise visits to this country increased by a full 55.1% as opposed
to just 13.1%, for example, for the same period in the Bahamas. By Kathleen
Peddicord Mar/06
Belize's New Residency Program
- Some Say It's The Best In The World! - Belize's
New Residency Program - Some Say It's The Best In The World!
- You can set up an office in Belize and run your business from there,
(taking advantage of the low overhead costs , and tax free status we might
add ) and still qualify for this program, as long as none of the money
your company earns comes from a source within Belize. In this age of e-commerce
and telecommuting , this scenario could work for a vast number of people.
~ Bill & Claire Gray tell us how to move to Belize - Sounds good, but
who in their right mind wants to live on a white-sand beach when they could
be living in Detroit?
Down In Ol' Belize - Expat Explorations
and Back Country Research - Down
In Ol' Belize - Expat Explorations and Back Country Research -
"At our table, Wild Bill told me his story: He arrived in Placencia, he
told me, a year earlier after driving around the U.S. in a motor home.
On the word of two ladies he met in Colorado and his subsequent research,
he began to believe that there was a village in Central America called
Placencia, which had everything he was looking for: avorable money exchange,
fresh food, great diving, and a laid-back lifestyle, complete with thatched
huts and wild animals." - More intrepid research from Robin Sparks as she
searches the world in pursuit of a perfect home.
Female, In Search Of A Country
- By Robins Sparks - Female,
In Search Of A Country - By Robins Sparks - Find a country
to live in - In Placencia, Belize, unlike Paris, I settled in for a nap
every afternoon in an audio space saturated with the melodious songs of
birds. On the other hand, the sand flies in my bed kept me twitching and
slapping, preventing me from napping as assuredly as the landscapers in
the Paris garden below. ~ The first in a series of articles by Robin Sparks.
Join her in our webZine as she interviews expatriates around the world
and shares the individual tales of escape artists from Belize to Paris,
to China and the Middle East, down to South America and beyond. You won't
want
to miss this series.
Finding a Little Piece of Paradise
in Belize - Finding
a Little Piece of Paradise in Belize - In the late 1980's
my husband Bill and I bought a used R.V., packed it with everything we
felt we couldn't live without and moved from our home in Hollywood California
to Belize, Central America.
How can I move to Belize?
Wondering if you can make the move to Belize. Your not alone. Many other Americans, Canadians and Europeans are seriously considering making the move to Belize for a number of reasons. First, Belize is an amazing country with a unique culture and a fabulous climate. Second, the average cost of living in Belize is well below that of North America. Third, Belize is only a short flight from home and is a great place to retire. These reasons will be expanded upon in the article below.
Belize life is calm and peaceful, at least in comparison to the hustle and bustle of North America and Europe. Belize is a country of less than 300,000 people, a very small country by world standards. However, the country is more than 9,000 square miles in size. A small population with a relatively large area makes for some very beautiful and untapped natural habitat. This includes some of the world's most beautiful coastal beaches on the Gulf of Mexico and the Maya mountains in the countries southern region. As well, the Belize coast is lined with coral and actually is home to the world's second largest reef, the Belize barrier reef (Second only to Australia's Great Barrier Reef). This reef makes for some of the greatest deep see diving and snorkelling in the world, and is a far cry from snorkelling the Texas coast. The Belize climate is subtropical with warm temperatures and moderate Belize annual rainfall.
Secondly, the average cost of living in Belize is much lower than the averages living costs in many other countries. This is one of the primary factors that makes moving to Belize such a great option, especially for retirees. Imagine, you've earned all your life in American dollars and now you can enjoy that financial nest egg you've built up in a country where your dollars can figuratively stretch for miles. You should consult with your financial advisor or accountant to discuss your own personal situation. You may also wish to discuss this with your local or offshore banker or your real estate advisor if you plan on purchasing a home in Belize. To learn more about the average cost of living in Belize or retiring in Belize, have a look at our recently updated articles.
A third reason to considering living in Belize is Belize is only a short flight from the continental US and Canada making return visits home easy and affordable. As well, Belize is only approximately a four to five hour drive to Cancun, Mexico. Cancun is a major hub for international air activities. All things considered, Belize may be the perfect spot to hang up your hat in the near future.
So you are considering moving to Belize?
Belize is a country full of natural beauty, warm sea, cool breeze, and friendly people. But before you just pack up and move to Belize there are a few things you need to know.
Helpful Facts
- After living in Belize for one year you qualify for permanent residency
- There is a retirement program for people 45 years and older
- Unless you are under the retirement program you may have to pay duty taxes
- There are public and private schools if you are moving with children
- You can bring your pets to Belize
- Belize has excellent communication services, including cellular and Internet
Immigration
If you are moving to Belize for a short period of time then you only need a valid passport to enter the country. Once you arrive your passport will be stamped and you will be allowed to stay for a month. After that, any immigration office can extend your stay for thirty days at a time, for a fee of course.
If you are planning to make Belize your new home then after one year you can apply for permanent residency.
Retirement
If you are considering retiring in Belize you should know that there is a retirement program available for people 45 years and older. This program has some excellent benefits.
Duty
Unless you are qualified for the retirement program, you may have to pay duty. However, as long as your personal effects are at least one year old, you will not have to pay duty on them. You will most likely have to pay duty on any vehicle you import, including cars and boats.
If you are not a Belizean citizen, you must be a legal resident before you can bring your stuff into the country duty free.
Children
Your children will do just fine in Belize. There will be many opportunities for them to make friends. Almost everywhere in Belize accepts and accommodates children. Most places are family focused. You will know right away which establishments are not appropriate for children.
There are public schools and private schools for your children to attend. The public schools are free. But just like everywhere else you will have to pay for a private education.
The education system provides a pretty solid foundation for your children. They should have no problem returning to your home country to pursue higher education. Most Belizean students studying abroad do extremely well.
Pets
You are allowed to bring your pets with you. Dogs and cats can enter Belize without being quarantined. However, they must have a veterinarian certificate declaring your pet free of any infectious disease. Your pet must also have been vaccinated against rabies.
Just please bear in mind that Belize is not suitable to all pets. They may not adjust well to subtropical climate.
Communications
Belize has a pretty reliable phone service, including cellular phones. The majority of people who own cell phones in Belize use prepaid cards. It works out much cheaper that way.
Internet service is widely available for your computing needs. Cable television service is also available for your entertainment.
Getting Your Things There
The recommended way for getting your personal items to Belize is to ship it down. You can ship either a half container load or a full container load. The most cost effective way is to load the container yourself and then arrange for it to be shipped to Belize City.
Once in Belize you can clear the container through customs yourself, although this is not recommended. The easiest way to do it is to hire a customs broker. Once it is cleared through customs it is not difficult to find someone to help you unload.
I hope that these tips have been helpful in addressing some of the concerns that you may have before you move to Belize.