Is it safe to live in Belize for Americans? How is the cost of living compared to U.S.?

Question

Is it safe to live in Belize for Americans? How is the cost of living compared to U.S.?

Answer 1

It is quite safe. My wife and I (with two kids 8 and 4) moved down to Belize about 18 months ago and we have had a great experience. We have traveled in many parts of the country and have had no problems. The riskiest part of the country is Belize City but we have traveled to that city dozens of time with no problems although I would not live there - but we know dozens of people (including Americans) that do with relatively few problems.

It is a perfect place - no. You need to be careful like everywhere else and do as people here do - have burglar bars on your windows, many have dogs in the yard, create a fence around the house, etc.

This is all to say we are planning to stay for years, are enjoying our stay a great deal and feel that if you take common sense precautions things should be fine.

In terms of cost - it is much cheaper then the States.  We purchased a good house (though smaller then the one on the States) for about 1/10 the cost.  In short, if you purchase things that are easily available in Belize then it is usually much cheaper then the States.  However, those items that need to be imported and/or are in short supply can be more expensive.  If you live in a similar style of a middle class Belizean then the cost is about 50% of the States.

Come down and have a great time...

Answer 2

Belize is definately not the safest country in Latin America.  When I was traveling there is 2005 I was warned by many travelers to be very very careful or to stay out of Belize all together.  I stayed there for a week without much trouble but spent most of my time on the Cayes.  Unless you are content to spend months on end out on the Cayes I wouldn't move to Belize, there just insn't much there.  Plus, the good things that are there are just as good, if not better, in other parts of Latin America.  

The cost of living in Belize is much less than here is CA, but where isn't it.  Belize is much more expensive than any other part of Latin America, maybe with the exception of Costa Rica.

Conatct me if you have other questions.