Belize Warts And All

Belize Warts And All

Aug. 10, 2010, Ambergris Caye, Belize: Belize is one of the world’s top offshore havens, but living here, like anywhere, you’ll encounter challenges and frustrations.

 Dear Live and Invest Overseas Reader, 

Belize is one of my favorite places on earth and one of the world's top offshore havens right now. 

That's not to say that Belize is perfect. Living here, like anywhere, you'll encounter challenges and frustrations. For example... 

Belizeans speak English...but do they understand it? 

As we point out regularly, English is the primary language in Belize, but that doesn't mean that you and Belizeans communicate in the same way. Yes, they speak English. But you'll learn to keep your communications with them simple and specific. 

Belizeans answer the question they think you have asked, for example, and nothing more. They think and respond literally. At times, as a result, you may think they are misleading you. But they're not. They're giving you the response they believe you're looking for. 

At the recent Live & Invest in Belize Conference in Belize City, Belize expat Amma Carey gave a great example of misunderstandings that can occur when speaking with a Belizean. 

"Say this microphone I'm holding doesn't seem to be working," Amma began, "so I turn to our Belizean friend in the corner, the IT specialist for the conference, and I ask him if the microphone is working. 

"He responds to say, 'Yes, the microphone is working,' and then he leaves the room. 

"I continue trying to use the microphone, still with no luck. It's not working. 

"When our IT friend returns, I say, 'This microphone still is not working. There must be a problem?' 

"At that point, he might reply to explain that, right, the microphone is working, but it needs new batteries." 

What else should you be prepared for, living in this country?

If you're a hobby shopper, you'll experience withdrawal. There's little opportunity for non-essential shopping in Belize, and there are no big chain stores--no Wal-Mart, no Costco, no Sam's Club. This is a small country where life is simple. You'll find everything you need but often not everything you might want. 

Parties, festivals, and music are loud and can last all night. Belizeans of all ages love to party. The louder the music, the better, and even a quinceaño party can continue until 4 or 5 a.m. Even the churches love amplifiers. Everyone sings along, and singing in key isn't considered important. 

If you can't appreciate the Belizeans' jest for living life to the fullest, you have three choices. You could move to an isolated area (easy to find in this country). You could escape during the festival weekends (though there are lots of them). Or you could steer clear of Belize (and, frankly, most all Latin America). 

A more serious concern living in Belize can be health care. Again, this is a small country, and its health care resources are limited. When you consider that the entire country is home to fewer than 330,000 residents, it's not surprising that you don't find the breadth of health care specialists and facilities you might be used to elsewhere. 

You will, on the other hand, find competent, dedicated general practitioners and some highly qualified specialists. However, if you have a sensitive medical condition, you'll likely want to head to Mexico or the United States for care.

Many expats living in Belize are satisfied with the health care available to them, especially when they factor in the care they can avail of in nearby Mexico. Belize Correspondent Ann Kuffner, for example, recently underwent emergency hip-replacement surgery in Belize City (following a fall). The experience was first-rate, and Ann's recovery has been impressive and quick. 

Moreover, the cost of medical care in Belize is typically one-third or less the cost of what you'd pay in the States, for example, for comparable care. And, to be fair, Belize health care services are improving. 

Still, again, if you have serious health concerns, Belize might not be the best choice for you. 

Belize is a subtropical country. In other words, yes, it's hot and humid here, as it is throughout nearly all Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean (with specific highlands exceptions). 

Also, again like the rest of the tropics, Belize has bugs, snakes, scorpions, spiders, and dengue fever. You will be bitten by mosquitoes, no-see-ums, and other insects in this country. Following a major rain, it's wise to hang out in the house at dusk and dawn, when the pesky little creatures are most noticeably on the prowl. 

Don't come to Belize if you are a theater or an opera nut. If you need a regular fix of traditional European-style culture, you'll feel deprived living here. Belize is a beautiful country, archeologically and historically rich, boasting many annual festivals plus local music and dance. But you won't find a Broadway-style musical to attend, unless it is put on by the local high school. If you like to dance to live music on the beach, on the other hand--everything from rock 'n'roll and country to punta and salsa--you'll be happy indeed. 

Likewise, stay home if you feel the need to be vocal about how to improve things. No question, sometimes you'll feel frustrated by the lack of efficiency in this country. But if you are the kind of person who can't learn to take frustration in stride or who will respond by becoming demanding or rude when people don't meet your expectations, you won't do well here. 

Belizeans are helpful and good-natured, but they are also proud and independent. They respond to polite people. Those who are hyper-critical of Belizeans and berate them or their country, on the other hand, find that things become more difficult and take longer. Somehow their residency paperwork gets lost a lot, for example... 

Kathleen Peddicord 

P.S. These cautions and caveats are excerpted from a new special report we're preparing called "Don't Move To Belize If..." that we intend to bundle as part of our Live and Invest in Belize Kit.

This new guide, prepared with the help of our Belize correspondents and expat friends living in the country, is in production now. If you've already purchased our new Live and Invest in Belize Kit, fear not. This additional resource will be sent to you at no additional charge the minute it flies off the virtual press. We intend to include it, retroactively, as part of the package you've already bought. 

If you're considering spending time or money in Belize and haven't yet added this important new resource to your library, here's your chance to do so now. Continue Reading:

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