Until we really started to get serious about Belize, I knew very little about it. I knew my husband and his two sons had vacationed on Lighthouse Reef back in the early 90s, before I knew them. I knew that Ambergris caye (means orange whale vomit) is a fun tourist spot, and the topic of many trop rock songs, like the Jerry Jeff Walker music video below.
I knew that Belize's official language is English and that off shore is the 2nd largest coral reef in the world (why it's such a hot diving spot).
My husband only knew the country from a tourist's perspective. We had a lot to learn if we planned to actually move there. One of the first things I did was to put together a YouTube playlist of all aspects of Belize. I included many news clips of the crime that can be found most places in the world, but also tourism ads and interviews with citizens, visitors and expats. We learned a lot that way, and had fun watching them, even through quality and content varied greatly. It was a start. The one below is very informative.
We also started looking at real estate to get a handle on prices down there. We want something on or very near the water for around or under $200,000. I think it can be done, but will take some work. For one thing, we found that, unsurprisingly, the prices you see online are "rich gringo" prices. We decided that when the time comes, we'll probably rent for a year before we buy. That way, we'll have a much better idea exactly where we want to live and find out about good local deals. We may build, but many people have invested money in property down there, found they really are not suited to the life and just want OUT! We're hoping to find a great deal. Anyone want a waterfront castle?
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