Glossy travel magazines usually focus on the spectacularly beautiful offshore reef, pristine rainforests, friendly locals, and delicious food when showcasing Belize. But the number one reason that people move to Belize can be summed up in one word: freedom.
With year-round warm temperatures and more than a third of the country set aside as national parks or protected nature reserves, people living in Belize have the freedom to enjoy the great outdoors. Instead of being stuck inside a car or office, people living in Belize can go outside and savor fresh air. Nearly everyone in Belize has a hammock, the ideal way to rest a spell while enjoying a tropical breeze.
Belize may be officially classified as a “developing nation,” but it has many of the benefits that expats are used to at home. There are plenty of familiar shops and retailers when you need them, but all you have to do is turn the corner and find someone playing the drums, tending chickens, or selling fresh fruit that was harvested that same morning. Driving in Belize is actually a pleasure instead of an obligation, with gorgeous panoramic views along the paved roads and lots of little villages to visit and side roads to explore.
In a time when it seems most of the world is rushing as fast as it can to make another buck, life in Belize moves to a different rhythm. People in Belize are comfortable and happy with the life that they have, doing the minimum amount of work necessary to obtain the minimum necessities. Ask anyone who lives in Belize, and they’ll tell you that what matters most is not how much money you have in your pocket but finding enjoyable ways to spend your day and lively music to listen to as you dance all night.
A stable and peaceful democratic government has been in place for more than 30 years with laws written and adjudicated in English. Expats pleasantly find themselves at home right away, the locals world-famous for their friendliness and hospitality and established expat communities busy with social events and organized activities. The cost of living in Belize is relatively low, and the property market has not yet reached the sky-high values like in other countries in the region, making Belize a very affordable place to live.
Orchid Bay
Located in Belize’s beautiful Corozal District, Orchid Bay is a master-planned gated community ideal for expat retirees. With low-cost retailers like Wal-Mart just across the border in Mexico, excellent health care facilities nearby, and homes right on the gorgeous Chetumal Bay, life in Orchid Bay is pretty sweet.
Visit their website for more information on moving and retiring in Belize.