Caribbean Living Lifestyle Blog - Belize

Take it Easy in Belize-y

nospam@example.com (Joanne Daubney - Contributor) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:56:41 -0600

You better Belize it! This is one of the slogans utilized to promote the country of Belize. It is fitting; it is rather unbelievable how easy it is to live in Belize. Living in the smallest capital of the world, Belmopan, which is not exactly the entertainment centre of the universe, was not something I had ever envisaged. In fact, before we moved here from Sri Lanka, my husband did not think I would like to live in this village. People often get offended when I use the word ‘village’ because Belmopan, as the capital of the nation, has city rights.

When we first arrived in Belize a year ago, my husband drove me straight from the airport to Belize City. But I was not impressed by the city, with its run down roads and buildings. Belmopan on the other hand, is quiet, green, relatively clean, and it has a friendly atmosphere. The same atmosphere you can find in San Ignacio, Placencia, Hopkins and Caye Caulker.

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A to Z Caribbean : Belize

nospam@example.com (Joanne Daubney - Contributor) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:26:32 -0600

Lush and green, Belize is a nature lovers paradise with blue skies and blue waters lapping at it's thousands of cayes. The 185 mile long coral reef is the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world and makes Belize a popular destination for divers and snorkellers.

The country is on the northern coast of central america and is 8,867 square miles with over 200 miles of coast to explore with white sands, mangrove swamps and lagoons all contributing to the abundant flora and fauna. The interior has a jungle and jaguar and maccaws can be found in their natural habitat.

Foreign ownership is encouraged by the government and Belize's Retirement Program has been so successful that the government recently reviewed whether it should undergo a revamp. Not only that, the cost of living is fairly low. For example water supply for one month is likely to be around US$20 and your electricity bill is likely to be US$120 and up, with internet quite a pricey US$70 per month. However the weekly food bill can be as low as US$30 per month. If you don't own a car, it is possible to live there fairly comfortably for approximately US$1000 per month. This figure is taking into account that a house has been purchased to live in.
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Belize Retirement Program - Sign Up Now

nospam@example.com (Joanne Daubney - Contributor) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:08:05 -0600

Belize (formerly known as British Honduras until 1974) has the lowest density population of the South American countries and of the world. It is also the only South American country with English as the official first language and with a British colonial heritage.

In 1999 Belize announced a new initiative in the form of a tourist/immigration program to be run by the Belize Tourism Office to attract new blood to the 8,867sq mile country.

After 10 years of successfully running the Qualified Retired Persons (QRP) program, the government of Belize is ready to change the rules. The program was created to incent retirees over 45 with a monthly income of at least US$2000 to move to Belize.

A cap of 20,000 retirees was determined, that limit has now almost been reached and a less generous program is expected to be introduced in early 2010. New retirees from Canada, United States and United Kingdom wanting to take advantage of the benefits offered are encouraged to apply now before the new rules are announced.
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