Greetings,

 We are pondering a move to Belize.  Does anyone know of some families that are in the planning process or have recently moved there?  Can you link us up with them for information exchange?  We are also trying to find out if there is an Expat group that has formed there?  Where might that be?  Also, what are some of the reasons that are motivating others to consider a move there?

 Roger

Greetings Jason,

Our family is seriously planning to move to Belize soon.  I have 6 children from 24 down to 6.  We are trying to sell our home as that is the primary prerequisite for us to go.  We have done quite a bit of research and 2 other families from our fellowship have made trips there to search out and identify best areas.   We also have 2 Mennonite contacts who live there (we are not Mennonite)  one of them for over 19 years.

You may wish to contact the Villorias, the owners of Dem Dats Doin.  This is an older couple, originally from Hawaii,

that have done their time in Belize, and are very knowledgeable about what they know -- which is Toledo,

plants/trees and Belize in general

I wrote a post a while back, but lost it, and felt discouraged about it.  Mostly I wanted to share this email address.

Yvonne will likely answer and she only gets on the internet on Wednesdays to save $.  Be specific, and she will likely be

glad to converse with you.  She declined being on the board because of BZ internet costs for her, but she will share

on a limited basis.  There are some older posts here from me, and I suggest you read them for interest -- on the Toledo District.

 demdatsdoin@btl.net

God bless!

Shannon  

Thanks for the compliment.  I just like to write down my thoughts as I learn new things.  You know what they say, the best way to learn is to teach.  Having to explain what I am learning helps me to learn more thoroughly. I have looked all over for sites on how to put the tickers and other things on the blog.  I would love to have some of that type of stuff on there, but have not been able to figure it out (although admittedly I have not spent much time trying) Do you know of any web site that gives the basics?

Thanks for the link.  I am trying to convince my wife to take a trip down there in early spring, but being due in April is likely going to make that impossible.  I am not sure when I will be able to get down there, but my hope is soon after our 4th is born.  It's in God's timing, I just want to see what He's going to do.  In the meantime, I will learn, try to make contacts and prepare to get down there. We shall see...

hahaha...yea, no presure  I'm starting to read through your blog as well...looks great!  

I agree, a scouting trip would be essential, even for us since we haven't been down there in about six years.  

There are only a couple people we know up north and it's been many years since we talked to them.  If you go around Belmopan look up King's Children Home, http://www.kingschildrenshome.org/.  I haven't worked with them but have conversed a little via email and FaceBook.  

Just outside of Punta Gorda in Toledo district was a great home called Acres of Love.  I've been attempting to reestablish contact with them but without success.  I can give you directions if you go down that way.   

I am now officially following your blogs! (I am at www.onemorepilgrimsprogress.blogspot.com)  I am going to read a great deal of both of them.  I am interested in learning how to become well-equipped just in case.  My wife and I have also spoken about taking a short term mission trip somewhere to do some work at an orphanage.  As a matter of fact, I am considering going to Belize for a scouting/mission trip soon, and would love to minister in an orphanage.  If you know anyone in the northern area, I would love to be put in touch with them.

I am hoping to buy some land with a small home on it soon, and begin taking short trips down there making it ready for us long term, and doing some work with a local ministry while we are down there.  I think Belize is perfect for what I am looking for. I still have a great deal to learn and consider.  THe hardest thing will be leaving our family and the comforts of the US.  

I appreciate your help.  I appreciate your time and checking back to respond.  I know I am asking you questions like you are an expert but so far you are my only resource, no pressure :) 

 FYI-I found this site for realty.  The woman that owns it is a Christian and is very involved in the community.  Hope it helps- http://www.rainforestrealty.net/index.php

Thanks for the compliment on our site...we are still working to get more content since it's only been up for a few months.  

We've had a couple encounters with the medical system down there and they were both pretty positive.  One, our team lead had a severe stroke in Punta Gorda.  A couple of us ran to the doctor that we knew and he sent for an "ambulance" which was a couple guys in flip-flops in a Land Rover but they were professional.  He was flown out the next day.  The other was a spider bite treated at the hospital in Punta Gorda...the service was good and pretty speedy.  

As far as insurance...I'm looking at Christian sharing companies like Samaritan Ministries.  Some of these I think offer coverage for overseas as well.  We may also be able to use one of the missionary insurance companies.  I'm going to be looking at these this week as our insurance expires in a couple months.

Hope this helps. 

We are in the Killeen/Ft. Hood area.  We lived in League city for a number of years so we know Houston a bit.  

IF we went to Belize we'd most likely be in the Toledo District or far southern Cayo district in the Maya Mountains.  

We are also looking at Alaska, Idaho, and NM at this time.  

I haven't found a great real estate site yet.  I think getting down there and finding someone reliable face to face while renting would be the best way to move ahead.

As far as starting over...well...I still need to price shipping containers but would not take any furniture or other big items like that.  I'm still debating the vehicle situation.  It might be better to buy a diesel Hi-Lux (Toyota) 4-door, 4-wd truck once we get there.

Still planning. 

I see you are in Texas.  Are you in the Houston area? 

You say you are going to rent.  Do you have an area picked out yet?  Do you plan on selling everything you own and starting over there or are you planning on bringing some things with you?  If you are bringing things, have you figured any of that out yet?

I have seen some homes on the internet, but not much below 100,000 with a home on it, and those with very small amounts of land.  I have seen some decent deals on land only, but not knowing the area, I have no idea if they are good deals.  Do you have a website that you have found beneficial in taking a look at property?

We were going down there a lot from 2000-2003 then I joined the Army for five years, just getting out a few months ago.  I'm currently trying to reestablish some contacts in Belize.  I really need to make a trip to do it, but haven't found the time yet.  

We are still praying and seeking God's direction here as well.  I'm in school this semester and we have to sell our house so we are looking at Dec at the earliest. 

Oh, a note about the realtors: they don't have to have a license to practice in Belize so the quality varies.  I've found a lot of good info on the net but I'm planning on renting for a time or working at a children's home in exchange for housing until we can get a good local deal on some land. 

I checked the map and it seems that driving down from Houston would put me sort of hugging the coast all the way down.  I think that this would be beneficial for safety as it would be in the more populated areas of the country. 

Also, how far along are you in the decision to move?  I am feeling a little rushed to get out, and yet a little stuck here at the same time.  I would like to go down there and take a look around as well.  I think I would like to purchase some land there before I go, just to be sure that I have at least a place to start out.  Even land without a residence would do just fine to start.

I have thought about sending the family first as well and then driving down, but I would like to have some friendly faces to meet them down there.  Part of my plan right now is to get to know as many people that are already down there as possible.  Do you know any people personally that are down there already that you could put me in contact with?  I am curious if it is at all wise to contact a real estate agent of some sort down there, or just go down there and meet with someone who is familiar with the area to find some property?

 I have a lot of things running around in my head and i am a little overwhelmed.  At this point, I haven't decided if we should just move, or if we can simply make arrangements so that we can leave at a moments notice in the event it becomes necessary.  I am also concerned that by the time our worst fears are realized, we will be unable to leave.  I will be spending some time in prayer of course, and hope I feel God's leading, and see some doors opening.

Some friends of ours used to take a school bus through Mexico with a bunch 3-6K gifts for the Maya children every year.  They never had any problems but that was 2000-2003.  There's quite a bit more drug activity recently that has led to a lot more warring between the drug gangs.  I don't know how that would affect a family going down though.  I don't know if anyone on the forum has driven through since 2003.

 What I've been thinking is to get a few of us men together to drive through with two or three of our vehicles then fly our families down, or come back and fly down with them.  

 You can buy land down there without being a resident or citizen.  I know quite a few on this forum have mentioned Spanish Lookout.  Personally I've spent more time in the southern most district of Toledo.  I'd like to get some land up in the Maya mountains a bit b/c there is a lot of swamp land or low lying land in Belize that can be quickly flooded in a hurricane.  You'd definitely want to visit any potential land in the rainy season (after June) especially in the south since they get 160in per year.

Just my thoughts, 

THanks again.  I am worried about that as well, which is why I am thinking I will need some land that I can live off of if necessary. 

 Also, I live in Houston and I am curious if it is safe to drive through mexico down to Belize.  I have small children and I have heard of some bad places through Mexico with travel.  I am fine with flying, but being able to bring a vehicle would be good too.

I've heard rentals are pretty scarce, but I haven't personally checked into it.  We've had friends of ours renting down there before so I know it's possible.  

 Employment seems to be the BIG question.  I think the general consensus is that you have to make your own way.  Of course the local economy is not going to support much.  I'll try to produce a list of possibilities later today as I'm looking at it myself too. 

Thank you for the info.  Do you by any chance know about the opportunity for employment there? 

 I can get teh $10k to get there and make it the first year, but I am not sure what I will be able to do to make a living.