Expat Community > Belize

DFil
Joined 2016
Posts: 38

Retirement Requirements or Why I shose Sittee River

8 years ago

1. I want to live in a tropical or subtropical climate. I do not want snow or cold. I can tolerate humidity and temperatures in mid 80s.
2. I want to have my retirement home on a beach. I want to wake up in the morning, have a cup of coffee and go for a dip in the warm ocean. The beach should be a Caribbean style beach with minimum surf, comfortable for relaxed swimming.
3. I want to build my house as a comfortable dwelling that has all needed amenities if I need them. The house should be 50 -70 foot from the ocean.
4. The tax on the house and any other fees should be minimal. I do not want to pay $9,000 USD a year for property taxes and school district, as I pay currently.
5. I want my house near diving, snorkeling, hiking. Mountains (does not have to be high) should be nearby. I want to go for a small boat rides hopping small islands, snorkeling and fishing within 20-30 min from my house. I want to go hiking on a trail in the jungle within 20 min drive from my house. I want to go scuba diving within 30 min boat ride from my house.
6. I do not want to learn foreign language.
7. I want to live in a community that is isolated from poor local population and big cities. I want to be able to meet people with North American or European backgrounds.
8. I want to have some bars and restaurants nearby, but I do not want it to be Key West style with lots of partying, music and noise. The restaurants should be within 10-15 min drive.
9. I want to be able to rent out a part of my property for additional income to people coming for vacation.
10. I want to be able to survive on $20,000 USD, I do not have big demands nor big retirement money. I can eat chicken, local beef, fish, rice, beans. I am not going to miss Italian salami or Greek yogurt.
11. I want to be able to have my own fishing boat and fish for food.
12. I am not planning to work or do any business until I get residency, no rush.

I realized that this cannot be achieved in the US or any other Carribean country that I've visited. So I chose Sittee River Road south of Hopkins, Belize.

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