Many of our friends and family have been very supportive and encouraging of us while we took this risk to move to Belize. So it is with a heavy heart when I tell you that unfortunately, this move is not going to pan out for us right now.
Here's some of the reasons why:
1. Cost of living isn't exactly what I expected. Rent is fairly inexpensive in some places, but not dirt cheap, especially if you want to be anywhere near big towns or a body of water. If not close to those things, you'll need a car: a POS car from the early 90's will run you a minimum of $5k. And then there's no guarantee it will last long. No "lemon" laws or BBB here ... and no remorse, 'specially if you are a Gringo. Add to that the $5/gallon of gas plus rough roads and you'll be spending quite a bit just to maintain it.
To the basic rent, there's a staggering energy rate if you'd like to use electricity. Nearly 19 cents per kwh (to put that in perspective, the average rate in the US is 10-12 cents per kwh). Some people were bragging about $150usd electricity bills because they DIDN'T have to use air conditioning. Ai Yi Yi!. So even if you're lucky enough to have a/c, you hesitate to use it due to the immense costs associated.
Then there's not just sewer water to pay for, but also jugs of drinking water. All of this, while spending a minimum of $30usd/month for 1MB cable internet speed. Yes MB, not GB. Fastest speed is about 8MB for a whopping $125usd or more per month.(That's about 1/4 the speed or less of most cable internet, and even some wireless, in the States).
Due to these costs, and since neither of us are currently working, we really need to bring in some extra income. You cannot get a job (or even volunteer) without a work permit in Belize. That will run at least $1,000, along with loads of documentation and paperwork.
2. Red tape and narcissism are truly relevant factors to getting anything done. If you're a "white-face" aka Gringo, you'll be paying a lot more for pretty much everything. From duties at Customs, to land taxes and fees, to your basic everyday needs. Most people are fair, but there are many who will try to rip you off because they think (and in most cases are right) that you don't know any better and/or you can afford it. To be honest, there's nothing you can really do if you DID know better anyway. So it's a wise idea to hire a local Belizean to navigate some of that stuff for you. But, keeping someone "on staff" so to speak, to handle your local affairs, will definitely add to your cost of living. And even that's not a guarantee you won't scammed.
3. Post offices and paved roads are few and far between. They do not deliver mail to homes here. There is one Post Office in town. It has some PO Boxes you can rent. The rest is sorted in an alphabetical cubby and you have to go to a window and ask if there's been anything delivered for you. They thumb through the stack with a half glance before turning a blank face: "Nope." And if you ship an insured package or FedEx/DHL then you've got to go through customs. And hopefully you don't have anything new in package... or else you'll pay duties on that, too. It's really an ordeal just to get a package. I never appreciated how amazing the US Post Office is ! You mean you can put a letter in a box and they hand deliver to the addressee? ? What sorcery is this?
Paved roads are only really maintained on highways and cities. Most residential roads are dirt.. and shift as the dirt is pounded during the rainy season and driven on constantly. Even the paved roads have these great, big bumps to slow cars down. (Funniest thing I heard them called were "sleeping policemen"). They work, and keep anyone from speeding through towns. But man, it's like a horse-drawn carriage ride anytime you're driving. Yee-haw! Lol
There are other factors, such as lack of friends/relevant school options for Cailey and the ever-present mosquitoes that also tend to put a damper on the ambiance here. But those are really the biggest reasons why we won't be staying.
We came. We saw. We decided it wasn't for us. Would definitely like to visit again, though.
So it's back to the States for us on August 5th. We'll pick up some things in Colorado and hang out a few weeks while we decide where the next adventure will take us. Certainly will be somewhere with NO SNOW and LOW cost of living. So...
Anyone have thoughts on that? Let me hear 'em! All options are on the table.
XOXO,
Charla
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