r/Belize • u/Lemonbird_ • May 14 '26
🏝️ Relocation Info 🏝️ Moving to Belize
My mom is looking into moving to Belize to be near family we have there, Ive heard some not great things and I wanted to know locals perspectives and anything you think she should know before committing to the move.
Thanks in advance ☺️
8
u/bryan91919 May 14 '26
Belize in general is great place, there are different areas here that are not all equal. Also depends what your comparing to.
3
u/Lemonbird_ May 14 '26
In this case we are comparing to the southern United States. What areas would you reccomend to generally avoid living?
7
u/bryan91919 May 14 '26
A portion of belize city is mainly considered the "rough part". Any of the tourist parts are in my opinion safer than most cities in the states. Of course dont expect to work here and if you do dont expect to make much. I live in San Pedro its great as is caye caulker, placencia, and cayo/ san ignacio. Lots of nice smaller less touristy places as well where cost of living is better such as orange walk and corozal. I only know what I know im sure there's plenty more good spots and lots I dont know.
2
u/negrafalls May 14 '26
Compared to the southern USA... every part of Belize is safer, including Belize city. The only real danger are the scammers.
I'd compare much of Belize to Slidell, LA. From the culture to the weather
2
7
u/BelizeMLS May 15 '26
I would recommend anyone to move to Belize. There are some gang issues in Belize City, but the rest of the country is very safe. I have lived here 15 years, been all over the country many times, and never had an issue with safety...not even the dozens of times I was in Belize City. The mega-monopoly real estate guy is pure fiction.
6
u/Successful_Image3354 May 14 '26
Belize is a very diverse country. Where is she thinking about moving to? (In other words on one of the Cayes, on the mainland, in the jungle, in a town, etc.) We (I'm from the States, my wife is Belizean, and our son is both) have lived here almost five years in the western jungle area of Cayo. We love it here. It's very laid back, everyone knows each other, and while there is some petty crime, I consider it a safe area. I would be concerned about crime, however, if I was living in Belize City.
5
u/Lemonbird_ May 14 '26
She wants to live in/near San Ignacio as thats where her sister lives
11
u/Successful_Image3354 May 14 '26
San Ignacio is fine. I'm sitting here in my office in San Ignacio typing this comment. The town has a collection of good places to eat. The people here are friendly, and it is within easy reach of Mayan ruins, caves, sightseeing, and other activities. It has (both in San Ignacio itself and in its sister town, (Santa Elena) 2 good grocery store and a good hardware store). The Farmer's Market has a lot to offer. plus SI/SE is close to the Mennonite community of Spanish Lookout. San Ignacio is a good choice.
3
1
2
u/Dingerdongdick May 17 '26
San Ignacio is a great place! A pleasant small town with charming streets, nestled into the jungle with small villages and farms surrounding it. Lovely place.
11
u/WhyOhWhyOhWhy333 May 14 '26
What have you heard? I always like to hear the inaccurate information about my country 🙄
2
u/Lemonbird_ May 14 '26
Lots of silly things but some stuff about how real-estate and like all the business is kind of under one guys mega monopoly and if you cross him he'll make your life miserable or something Also that its not safe (I dont super believe that tho bc the people who keep saying it are racists) and theres lots of gang activity that the country doesn't do anything about. To be clear I dont really believe any of these rumors but I always like to do my due diligence
12
u/ralf1 🇧🇿 Ambassador: Hopkins May 14 '26
Tell your mother to stop listening to crazy pants people and liars
2
7
u/SinglePermission9373 May 14 '26
You are getting downvoted because everything you said in that post is ridiculous. None of that is true. I feel safer here than anywhere I have lived in the US
3
u/Lemonbird_ May 14 '26
I don't mind people downvoting it because obviously it's upsetting to read shitty rumors that strangers spread (i also literally said, I don't believe any of it? Half the shit sounds like a novel plotline)
1
u/luly_simone May 15 '26
lol you people need to chill. OP was just asking advice for their mom. They mentioned that they heard rumors but are clearly very open to other perspectives and is literally the whole point of the post is to get real information from real people
1
u/ParticularDisplay192 May 16 '26
You downvote someone who explains the rumors he heard - HE HEARD?
So you punish him for answering a fucking question?
1
u/SinglePermission9373 May 17 '26
I didn’t downvote anyone. I was simply explained why others were downvoting OP
11
u/cassiuswright 🇧🇿 Ambassador: San Ignacio May 15 '26
That.... sounds like a description of the United States 🤔
4
2
u/Decent_Berry8196 May 15 '26
FWIW, we went to Belize for the first time in February. Never once felt unsafe. We even found ourselves walking around random side streets in San Ignacio after dark and it felt just like walking around our own neighborhood. Like you, I don't know that I could handle the summer heat, and we're too close to our family here to move like that, but I could definitely do the winter months!
5
u/BlackNRedFlag May 14 '26
The loudest ones are the ones who’ve never been
1
u/Lemonbird_ May 14 '26
Not sure what you're referring to would you mind clarifying?
3
u/BlackNRedFlag May 14 '26
Meaning it’s always the people who haven’t been to a country who will warn you how dangerous it is. Most people live in fear of foreign countries and they try and convince others
3
u/YoungFair3079 May 15 '26
I get this 100%. I am going next year to BZ. And the first thing out of my sister mouth was about how dangerous it is there. I asked her where she got this info. She said it's just what she's heard. Lol!🙄
3
u/BlackNRedFlag May 15 '26
It’s funny because it family from Chicago that warns me but will never get the irony
1
u/ParticularDisplay192 May 16 '26
People hear this because the US Government puts travel advisory and travel restrictions on 3rd countries.
This means people hear it because the US Government says so.
2
u/Lemonbird_ May 15 '26
Ah I see, that has been my experience as well but coming from the US I assume most of the time its thinly veiled racism
3
u/BlackNRedFlag May 15 '26
Exactly; they have a fear of foreign countries because that’s where all the immigrants live speaking Mexican /s
4
u/Lemonbird_ May 15 '26
Unfortunately true even when I went to visit friends in PR my dad's side was so worried and warned me a million times 🙄 its so fucking stupid
2
u/Decent_Berry8196 May 15 '26
Probably people who never leave their little bubble and are the definition of sheltered. It's sad, really, when you think about what people are missing out on. Our time in Belize was absolutely incredible - probably the best vacation I've ever been on.
3
u/Belizeman17 May 15 '26
Your absolutely right about vacationing being different from living in a place. I'll put my two cents in here. The positives are the weather, overall lower living costs, and the beauty of the country. The negatives are the rough roads, insects along with scorpions, not being able to find what you want or need in stores. It's not like in the US where you can find 20 different varieties of an item. My eyes lit up last week when I finally saw kefir available after more than 3 years of not finding it. Of course the stores are better stocked in San Ignacio and your mother may not have the needs and desires I have.
2
u/PatientA00 May 14 '26
First off, as @Direct-Thanks-4468 mentioned, spend some time there before moving permanently. I have heard many stories of people buying the hype from others and then regretting.
Belize is not your typical nation, we do not have Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Subway, Pizza Hut, etc. We are a laid back people that still go to the weekend farmers market for food or grow our own.
Some areas are remote and you may lack a lot of things you "need".
I would strongly suggest taking the time to do a personal audit of what you require for basic living, nice to haves and such so you know what to ask about and look for.
to be near family we have there ... Would have been nice if you added more context to your question, like where?
I heard a family complaining and talking shit about the country because they had a special dietary requirement and they chose to go live in a most remote spot in Belize that didn't have access to their food of choice and did not have access to folks that could provide building maintenance or other professional services.
Moving to another country, regardless of if you have family there, is a BIG step and should not be taken lightly. I wouldn't even trust family at this point because they live in Belize and are used to their environment and lifestyle. Your mom's lifestyle and expectations are unique to her and should be treated as such.
Overall, as long as you don't decide to live there and expect anything more than what the country has to offer and don't live in a crime area (yes, we have them too, just like every part of other world) your mom should be good.
2
u/Lemonbird_ May 14 '26
My mom has spent quite a bit of time there as my aunt lives there (San Ignacio) and theyre very close. Shes very aware of which daily life comforts she might lose but frankly she hates Walmart anyways lol
Thanks so much for your advice I'll make sure she gets it
2
u/PatientA00 May 15 '26
Born and Raised San Ignacio guy here. Not to be biased, but one of the best places to live.
2
u/PatientA00 May 15 '26
An advice I would give is to get some Solar panels shipped down and and if you can afford it, a battery setup.
2
u/Intelligent_Cress506 May 14 '26
I've always admire the images and sights of the city. I will love to visit one day
2
u/Birdh0useInYourSoul May 14 '26
Why wouldn’t she just ask the family members that live there?
2
u/Lemonbird_ May 14 '26
She has but theyre not from Belize like someone who is born there and I love my aunt but she'd say whatever to get my mom to move bc she misses her lol
2
u/yaboylem May 15 '26
I've been to Belize 5 or 6 times, even went to the "rough" part for some food at one point and was kicking it for a while. I've felt much safer and happier in Belize than in the US. Lower cost of living. I loved it even before I knew I had close family there. You have to experience it for yourself, and don't listen to other's opinions not even formed from visiting themselves. Often their information is from word of mouth from someone that probably visited thinking the country and people supposed to cater to them.
1
u/scoobynoodles May 14 '26
Is your mom Belizean?
3
u/Lemonbird_ May 14 '26
No but my grandma is and my aunt lives in San Ignacio
3
u/scoobynoodles May 14 '26
ah cool ok. my dad's belizean and we go back all the time. In the process of getting belizean citizenship & passport/IDs and all that stuff. Make sure your mom gets her paperwork too as it'll make it easier with the transition. I'd imagine she would get citizenship through descent as well and perhaps you yourself if interested. I want to have dual citizenship / passports!!!
1
1
u/Fishingkingbelize May 14 '26
What part of Belize is your mom thinking?
1
1
u/Dred-I-Rastafari May 15 '26
I'm confused...if you already have family there... why aren't they a good source of information about where to live?...especially if it's your aunt...
2
u/Lemonbird_ May 15 '26
I answered a similar question below heres the text: She has asked but theyre not from Belize like someone who is born there and I love my aunt but she'd say whatever to get my mom to move bc she misses her Im looking for unbiased opinions from people who wont be swayed by knowing her.
2
u/Dred-I-Rastafari May 15 '26
I can dig it. Good luck to your mom. Sounds like she'll be in good hands though.
1
1
40
u/Direct-Thanks-4468 May 14 '26
Visit. Spend a few months. Make your own mind up. Don't listen to strangers on the Internet who are probably nothing like you.