Life is what you make it...

A guide to the cost of living, and adjusting to life in Belize

The beauty and the relaxed lifestyle of Belize has attracted many a foreigner to her shores. Some find the climate kind to ageing bones, others just like the change of pace. Here we provide a sampling of average prices for land and goods, as well as some general advice on making the adjustment go smoothly.

Real Estate (in US Dollars)
It's impossible to say "it will cost you 'x' amount of dollars" to live here, because it depends entirely on where you want to live and what type of amenities you need. Before you believe someone who says you can live here on $500 a month, be sure and find out where they live, and whether that type of housing and location is what you had in mind.

An apartment in Belize City can cost $1000/month and up, yet a house in Ladyville (towards the airport) can be rented for only $150/mo. (one bedroom) to $250/mo. (three bedrooms). A house with acreage in the Cayo district could rent for as little as $300/month. A vacant town lot can cost as little as $5000 to $10,000. On Cahal Pech hill, in San Ignacio, a treated pine house with a great view, three bedrooms and an 85' x 100' parcel of land is selling for $120,000. Undeveloped acreage can cost from around $500/acre for large parcels (100 acres) to $2500/acre for smaller parcels (20 acres). Generally speaking, house prices in San Ignacio range from $25/sq. ft. for raw finishing to $40-50/sq. ft. for plusher surroundings. A sea front condo on Ambergris Caye can cost $250,000; as would a large parcel of undeveloped beach property either on the cayes or the mainland coast.

The last word of advice on purchasing property in Belize is don't buy anything until you've seen it in October or November--the peak of the rainy season!

Food (in US Dollars)
Despite all the talk about imported goods being very expensive here due to high rates of duty, food prices are still pretty reasonable from an outsider's point of view. Prices for grocery items vary widely from store to store, and you can save a lot of money by shopping around for the best bargains. The biggest problem is remembering which store has the best price on which items. I have seen the same box of Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese in one store for $4.00 and $7.50 in another! Whether one was mistakenly under- or over-priced remains a mystery. In Belize City, the supermarket prices are lower than out in the districts, but fresh produce is cheaper in the districts than in Belize City.

Your drinking habits will have more impact on your cost of living than your taste for cuisine. The quality of imported wines tends to be unreliable, probably due to the heat and storage problems, and you may find yourself switching to local rums and brew, which are more refreshing, anyway. However, there are a couple of premium wine and spirits importers that would be more trustworthy (and expensive). After your palate and cooking habits have adjusted to the local fare, smart shoppers could live very comfortably on $100 per week for two people, including liquor.

Tips for a smooth transition
Before you sell your house and car, pack up your Bermuda shorts and head for Belize, be sure to make a couple of extended visits here. If you are particularly fond of a specific area, check into renting a house for a few months and see how the place suits you. The best reason for coming to live here is wanting a different lifestyle from what you leave behind. Unless you live in southern Florida, you won't need most of your present wardrobe.

Plan to move here during the winter season (especially if you're coming from a cold climate). The temperatures are cooler, and you'll have a chance to acclimatize yourself more easily. Take it easy for the first few months...don't jump into your normal jogging routine the day you arrive. Your body will take about six months to reach an equilibrium of sorts, and start to feel normal again. After about a year, you'll actually be reaching for a sweater on cooler days! Most people crave and eat a lot more salt than before-this, along with drinking a gallon of water a day, helps prevent dehydration.

Learn to walk slowly. A good pace is about half as fast as normal. You'll still arrive in plenty of time (being punctual is not a Belizean trait nor requirement), and you'll be a lot more comfortable when you get there. Accept the fact that things don't always get done when you want them, but they usually will by the time you really need them. Let's face it...if Belize weren't so different, you probably wouldn't have wanted to come here in the first place!

TopNow read Moving, Part II, in our new issue!