Belize is a lovely name for a lady. But recently, if you have been watching television, the location of the reality series ‘Temptation Island’ might have caught your eye. It was filmed on Belize’s Ambergris Caye and true enough, it has tempted the wanderlust of many viewers, so much so that there has been a surge for inquiries regarding Belize retirement areas.
Belize is a part of Central America and prides itself as the only one with English as its national language. It is sandwiched between Guatemala (on the west and south) and Mexico (on the north). It does not have any coastlines on the Pacific Ocean but it has the Caribbean Sea on the east.
Before you call up your real estate agent to find many enticing Belize retirement areas, you must first familiarize yourself with the requirements on moving to Belize. First, a minimum stay of 1 year is required in order for you to apply for ‘Permanent Residency’. Initially, you will be paying USD 12.50 per month for six months, after your first month of residence in the country. This for passport stamps that the immigration officials will provide you.
If it seems trivial for you why there are many people looking for Belize retirement areas, not only is it because of the attractive retirement package that the country offers. It is also because of the booming real estate industry of the country. Prime properties in Belize if a lot more affordable compared to those in the United States, Europe or other hyped Caribbean countries. Besides, the recorded economic growth of Belize has been relatively promising and investing in an emerging market such as theirs is getting more popular.
According to recent research and surveys the most popular Belize retirement areas for many expatriates are Placencia, Ambergris Caye, Caye/Coyo District, and Corozol.
Placencia is an elongated peninsula on the Caribbean side of Belize. The most famous community in the area is the Village of Placencia which is on the extreme southern tip of the island. The eastern side of Placencia is delightfully bedecked by a long expanse of white sandy beach. If the place looks and sounds familiar, that is because it was the filming location for the season finale of the reality TV series called ‘Flavor of Love 2’.
The main attractions in Ambergis Caye (pronounced as 'am-BER-gris key') are the Belize barrier reef which is the second largest next to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia and their beaches are also stunning. In Corozol District are the villages of Paraiso, Patchacan, Progresso, Pueblo, Calcutta, Chan Chen, Chunox, Cocos, Consejo, Copper Bank, Corozalito, San Joaquin, Sarteneja, Shipstern, Libertad, Little Belize, Xaibe, Nuevo, Ranchito, and Louisville.
Caye or Coyo District, which is the largest district in Belize, houses the capital city of Belmopan, the town of Benque Viejo del Carmen, Armenia, San Jose Succotz, Ontario,Camalote, Los Tambos,Armenia, More Tomorrow, the district capital of San Ignacio, Roaring Creek, Arenal, Buena Vista, Calla Creek, Esperanza, Cristo Rey, the villages of San Antonio Cayo, Valley of Peace, Unitedville, Blackman Eddy, Spanish Lookout, and St. Margaret's, Georgeville.