For Kelly Demele, the decision to move overseas came in a flash.
“I was 58, living in Tampa, and it just hit me: I wanted to retire somewhere else,” says Kelly. “I wanted Central America because it’s close to Florida where my daughter and two grandsons live. The idea was sudden but getting down here even more so, I just said, ‘I’m goin!’”
Of course, there were a few push factors for Kelly…
“I work in telemedicine so working 1099, being single, and with inflation going crazy in Florida I decided to explore my options abroad.
“I looked at Panama, looked at Costa Rica… Then I came across Belize and discovered it was English-speaking which was a big advantage, as was being able to use U.S. Dollars and do easy exchanges on the spot as the Belize Dollar is pegged 2:1 to the U.S. Dollar.
The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) which reduces your taxable income was another appealing factor of a move out of the U.S. for Kelly who works remotely.
Belize has easy residency options, too. Kelly chose the country’s Qualified Retirement Program (QRP) based on her age—the QRP is open to applicants aged 40 and up—and desire to be free to go back and forth to the U.S.
“If you apply for permanent residency you’re locked in for a year—barring two weeks—owing to the time in country requirements,” explains Kelly. “I wanted the freedom to go back and forth to the U.S. so I opted for the QRP. To qualify, you have to show a minimum income of $2,000 per month.”
Another big benefit to the QRP is that it grants a duty exemption on shipping in all your goods to Belize.
“It’s not as difficult a process as people make out,” says Kelly. “I purchased a 20-foot container in the States, packed it up, and everything stayed in the container until I needed it. I then sold the container here—there’s easy to sell back and you can even make money on it.”
When it came to finding the perfect place in Belize to call home, Kelly knew just what she was looking for…
“I wanted someplace quiet, with no noise pollution, no light pollution, and no air pollution. Somewhere low key and peaceful.”
Kelly found everything she was after in Belize’s Cayo District, a land of rushing rivers, virgin rain forest, Mayan ruins, and wide-open spaces.
The region also boasts fertile soil, clean air, fresh water, abundant sunshine, and food-producing communities, making it one of the best places on earth to embrace a self-sufficient lifestyle.
The Cayo District is where you’ll find Santa Familia village and at its edge lies Carmelita Gardens, one of the most significant and established sustainable communities in the region.
Residents at Carmelita use solar panels to generate power with generators for back-up. They cook with propane and collect water in cisterns. Fresh fruit, vegetables, and herbs are grown in communal and personal gardens.
“Back in Tampa I was 100% on grid,” says Kelly, “But Googling around I found Carmelita Gardens and it seemed to really fit.”
Houses in Carmelita Gardens are modeled after Tennessee Williams’ home in Key West. The timber structures feature exotic hardwoods, long breezy porches, and an impressive attention to detail. They’re completely self-sufficient but comfortable, with washing machines, dryers, air conditioners, dishwashers, and high-speed internet.
Kelly made the move to Belize with her dog, Baxter.
“I really wasn’t scared,” she says. “I had done a lot of research and had all my ducks in a row. I had my bank account ready when I got here and a cottage to rent. I had my own custom home built, it’s pretty big but a lot of it is outside space—the square footage here includes that.
“I love the self-sufficient life. I don’t have to pay an electric bill, don’t have to pay a water bill, don’t have to pay a mortgage. The only downside is if it rains for a few days you can run out of solar. Some people have generators. I have a small battery back-up to run my Wi-Fi and laptop so I can still work. The internet has never been a problem here.
“I spend a lot of time outdoors. The river is so close. I’ll go down there with the dog, he loves the river. It’s wonderful to sit down there, read a book, enjoy nature. I also ride around on my bike, go kayaking… there’s all kinds of things to do.”
Another huge plus for life in Belize is how wonderfully affordable it can be.
“My cost of living has reduced big time,” says Kelly. “You can live so comfortably here on $1,500 a month—even less. I spend under $1,000.”
Sincerely,
The Editors Of Live And Invest Overseas
