Hey Carrie, Belize is a cool country. Speak english or spanish, and other dialects. No big army, beautiful sea and reefs, amazing jungle (what is left)
Lots of Mennonites and Amish settled there because of no army, and they make lots of “local” products. Great cheeses, dairy stuff, mediocre beer (esp. after livin in beer City)
Lots of fresh water similar to NC. And some really cool Mayan ruins and culture.
As I patiently wait to sell my house, I’m working on plans to spend a few years outside of the country. Right now, Belize is on the top of our list as my ex-ish wifey has a business opportunity there.
Nuvue, I’m sure you did not have to worry about work while you were there, but any insights for someone that does not have a business opportunity? I’ve researched the paperwork/residency side of the things which are easier than I could have imagined.
Hey Steamboater, don’t know why you would think I didn’t have to work while there…. That’s what brought me there in the first place. I was building a house for another expat and helping him run his crew of El Sal refugees and a few Belizeans. (He didn’t speak spanglish, and needed help with alt energy system, cuz the grid there is pretty pathetic and nonexsistent where we were. I learned a new way of building there, not unlike my early days of cabin rebuilding in NC
But, my experience there was wonderful, nicest folks you could imagine. Good simple food. Beautiful country, corrupt govt (where isn’t?) We were up in the mtns near San Ignacio right on a river. My experience was certainly hightened by working side by side with folks from there. We went to Spanish Lookout for most materials to build with, that is a large Mennonite community filled with a out of place populace…. You cross the Belize river on a one car, hand cranked ferry, and drive up a slick hill and all of a sudden your in Iowa looking pasture land….except the trees are huge Cocobola trees or palms out in the fields. Then there is the clapboard looking houses and stogy, severe looking white folks. I watched a young Mennonite guy at the hardware talk to me in eng. turn to another customer and speak spanish, then help a small family of Natual speaking Mayans. then answer the phone to his parents in proper german.
I loved Belize and want to return. Drove all over the country in a old 4wd Toyota. Gas is expensive, the Toy was Diesel.
Placencia is a small gorgeous seaside area with great healthy reefs, lots of expats there.
Nuvue, thanks for that post. Placencia is on my highest list of places to be there. About 15 years ago I spent a summer in the area helping a friend build a house on one of the private islands. I was/am not a carpenter but do well with direction. I’ll never forget the meals cooked over a fire on the beach there despite the alcohol.
Sorry to assume you did not work there. I admire what you seem to have going as an expat and am aspiring to do similar.
Another cool place that is opening up to capitalism (good or bad?) is Nicaragua, I spent a little time in Grenada, a gorgeous old spanish style city.People there are also very nice but there seems to be a huge gulf between haves and have nots…. Nobody goes hungry though.
The coast there is hot, remote in some places and gorgeous where it hasn’t been over developed. There seems to be a golf course building spree in some locales. Great surf on some spots.
One more thing Steams, after being away from A-ville for 24 yrs I am thinkin of moving back,
My mom is getting older, my daughter would like a bigger pool of friends, and school there is waaay better than the VI’s and cheaper to boot.( I tell her she can go to any college she wants….as long as its in NC:)
I want to reconnect with old friends myself, and being able to jump in your car or bike and go to Ingles, or a great beer venue has its appeal.
When I left there the economy was worse than now, I had trouble getting work and would drive way to Sylva to build a place for a Fla. transplant.
Also mine and my wifes white skin has been fairly blasted by sun, I have had enough blazing sun for a lifetime.
Now if I could rent this island house for big $ I could live there fairly easily…. will miss it though.
I hear you on that nuvue. I’m actually trying to come up with some sort of 8 months on, 4 months off plan. Having previously spent a long time in a hot and humid climate, I recall the draining ways of a 90 degree/90% humidity November day. Hmmm….can’t rent your house but am very open to helping you help me.
