Pros And Cons Of Living In Belize (Expat Advice)

Belize is a gorgeous Central American nation that is often forgotten when compared to some of the other beautiful nations on the continent.

It’s a fascinating, English-speaking nation that is welcoming to all expats.

It’s common to walk around Belize and immediately feel at home due to this reason. Moving to Belize as an expat is a common occurrence because people find it easy to fit in and the English-speaking culture makes it a breezy transition compared to other nations.

For those who are contemplating living in Belize as an expat, it’s essential to know the realities on the ground.

Is it a good place to live?

We will share the pros and cons of moving to Belize here.

Pros Of Living In Belize

English Is Common

English is a common language in the area.

This means anyone that’s walking around is not going to find it difficult to settle in. This is one of the greatest challenges a person can face when they are going to other places including moving to Brazil or living in Colombia.

It’s normal to want to speak in English when you are out and about, which is relatively easy when you are here.

Beautiful Landscape

It’s important to talk about the landscape in Belize.

It’s immaculate and it’s going to feel like you are in another world as you begin to walk around the outskirts of the region.

You are going to see lush areas with ample greenery and of course the beaches too. This is what people come for when they are visiting Belize or thinking about living here for years.

We find this to be a major advantage for a place such as Belize.

It has impressive beauty that is going to draw you in.

Welcoming People

Imagine moving into a new area and then realizing the people are unwelcoming.

We have noticed this in other places but that’s not going to be the case when you are in Belize. Living in Belize as an expat is a joyous experience because the people are always willing to talk to you and help out every step of the way.

This can make the transition simpler.

The welcoming nature of the people is a major reason for expats to live in Belize. This is why you are going to see expats wherever you go in this beautiful nation.

Low Cost Of Living

One thing people will notice is going to be the low cost of living.

Being in a place such as this means you are not going to be paying a lot for most items. People will tend to get by with a small amount and you are going to get good value for your money here.

For those who are coming from somewhere else, your money could go a long way in Belize.

This is important to understand whenever you are thinking about moving to Central America. A place that has a lower cost of living is going to let you get more done as soon as you settle in.

Gorgeous Beaches

Most people are going to talk about the beaches of Belize.

The beaches are exceptional and the idea of lounging in the sun during the year is common throughout Belize. People will head out to the beaches and enjoy the water for all that it has to offer.

This can be quite the experience for those who are beach lovers.

You can have a great time when you are here and it’s going to be easy to check out the wide array of beaches in Belize without having to travel too much.

Good Weather

The weather is going to be warm when you are in this part of the world and Belize is no different from its neighbors.

You are going to be looking at hot weather throughout the year.

There are going to be periods when it rains more but otherwise, you are going to deal with ample sunshine. This is ideal for those who want to make the most of the good weather and appreciate all that it has to offer in terms of having fun.

Cons Of Living In Belize

Pricey Real Estate

Let’s assume you are an expat moving to Belize.

This might be a situation where you are going to have to focus on real estate.

Some people will want to take the time to move to the region and settle in. This is going to go a long way for your transition but is it as easy as it looks?

No, you are going to notice the higher prices in Belize.

This is one aspect of the market that is higher than other nations in the region. You are going to have to pay more per square foot in this part of the world than in others.

Lots Of Bugs

To the surprise of many people in Belize, the mosquitoes are quite tough to deal with.

There are periods when it starts to rain and that is when the mosquitoes do a number on you. In areas where there is a lot of standing water, you are going to notice mosquitoes will be all around that part of town.

It’s best to wear mosquito repellent before stepping out to make sure you are not covered in bites.

High Crime Rate

This is a major negative of living in Belize.

Unfortunately, the crime rate is high in most parts of the region. This creates a situation where you are going to have to be aware of your surroundings and make sure you are locking up your valuables before leaving the place you are living in.

It’s common for people to deal with pickpockets and other types of criminals throughout the region.

However, if you take the time to prep for this, you are going to be good to go.

Average Healthcare

Healthcare should be taken seriously when you are looking at moving to a new country.

If you are not looking into the medical system, you are not going to be well prepared for a medical emergency in the future.

Our recommendation is to take the time to get health insurance when you are here. This is going to make the transition easier when you are moving to Belize and also allow you to get better access to quality healthcare in the country.

Frustrating Legal System

Whenever you are in a situation where you have to deal with the legal system, you are going to get frustrated.

It’s normal for people to be let go and the burden of proof tends to be far too high. There are also issues with corruption in some parts and that does create additional concerns for people when it comes to living in Belize.

Be prepared for this when you navigate through the legal system in Belize.

Final Thoughts

Belize is a beautiful nation and a great place to live for expats.

Expats in Belize will often talk about its natural beauty, gorgeous beaches, and of course, the welcoming people that speak English fluently.

This makes it a lot easier to move here.

We also recommend looking into our guide on the best regions in South America.