AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Talk Belize Chat Area Advice on moving to Belize and making friends

anything online will be over priced. figure out your area and ask around, stores. Looking for stuff like CL in Belize shows you have a lot to learn about Belize so take it slow.

From someone who actually lives on the island... There are plenty of Facebook Groups that sell anything and everything, I've sold countless items in the various groups.

From someone that will never live on the island. I've had expats in Belize tell me that something like 40 to 60% of expats return back north. rent until you decide if you like it. The best price I have heard of in San Pedro is from a family in the US that pretty much dumped a place after the expat died of a heart attack. I really like Belize but my heart issues make living there unwise given the poor health care.

Foreigners move to Belize for a variety of reasons - mainly a full change of life style and/or the climate.

We have a small number of foreign criminals who move here to avoid justice in their homeland. Many are returned north in handcuffs. Some still live amongst us but justice or karma will catch up with them eventually.

Many younger retirees leave to take care of ailing parents. Older retirees return home for better or supplemented health care reasons.

Younger folks move here for the lifestyle changes and enjoying their youth in a fairly carefree society that promotes entrepreneurism. They often leave when they feel it is time for their kids to get an education overseas.

In regards to owning property here, if you buy a home or condo it will likely take a year or so to sell if you price it at market value. It will sell faster below market value and if it is above market value it may take years to sell.

Renting when you first arrive is wise to ensure that you are really ready for this huge lifestyle change. Once you take the full plunge you are committed for usually a few years.

No matter how you find your way here and how long you stay here, you will leave forever changed, or you may choose to never leave.

Make you decisions with your eyes wide open and do not burn bridges at home. Leave a few doors or windows open so that you can return north if living here doesn't suit you after a while. But while you are here, enjoy and embrace the customs, traditions and alternate lifestyle that Belize has to offer you.

Excellent advice plan to rent for a minimum of 6 months to a year. There are so many differences that are cute at first but after a year will make you crazy. We were given that advice before we moved and found it to be the most important tip.

My two cents .......... random bits and observations .......
Trust your gut just a bit more than the judgments of others.
Listen more than talk.
Don't do the "I'm here I am and I'm important" thing. It offends and backfires.
Slow down.
Remember that advice given bars is usually from people under the influence and that often drama trumps fact.
Remember that in most cases the real-people you want as friends probably already have friends and settled lives and aren't out there desperately courting your company. Pretty much any time somebody rushes you for new best-buddy status they are on a hustle for something. Over time you will meet people that are genuine and caring. There are many here.
Even though this is an English-speaking country, many times the language is used differently than where you come from. Assume that you might not understand and clarify communications.
Be glad when things happen on time. Don't get mad when they don't.
Don't wear a bikini walking down Middle Street.
Enjoy the beauty, the weather, the people, the place ...........
IMHO Belize isn't perfect, but it is a good place and a healthy place and for me it is home. It may be the same for you............

To emphasize Diane's forth sentence above... SLOW DOWN............."Island time"

Excellent advice Diane