Finding the Best Place to Live or Retire in Belize

Summary: Guide to the delights of the different districts of Belize to help those looking for somewhere to live in Belize

Belize is a stunning country of great diversity and the first time you visit it is very hard not to be seriously impressed by the geography, terrain, flora, fauna and the amazing 360 degree views available in many parts of the nation.  As you travel from North to South you appear to travel through different worlds and it is probably this that makes it very hard for anyone thinking of starting a new life in Belize to determine where exactly to set up home.

Finding the best place to live or retire in Belize will take time and it will require you visit and explore the country more that a couple of times.  In this article we highlight some of the most popular and desirable options available to you, and depending on your own personal requirements and criteria, maybe one of the proposed locations will stand out and really appeal to you.

The more exploratory and bold the expatriate moving to Belize the more likely they are to head off the beaten track and into the wilds to discover a location which is untouched and where they can really get to know the ‘real’ Belize. 

If this sounds like you then you might want to consider the Cayo District…land is still cheap here, there are few international retirees and the landscape is quite unique in Belize with some rivers, low hills and woodland that make you forget sometimes that you’re in a tropical country! 

The Cayo District certainly offers anyone wanting an escape a place to hide away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life - and the only real downside is that it can be quite cold in winter and you need to buy high level ground and build or buy a home well away from a river’s flood plain because they do burst their banks annually in some parts of the Cayo District.

In direct contrast to the remote retreat that you could acquire relatively cheaply in the Cayo District, you might prefer a retirement property or a new home in a location where there is plenty of life, lots of other expatriates and where all amenities and facilities are on your doorstep and at your finger tips.  If this is more the sort of location that appeals to you, start off looking around the Cayes in the North of Belize with special focus on Ambergris and Caulker which are the largest islands and where the majority of international citizens living in or visiting Belize end up.

The Cayes are stunningly beautiful and front some of the best ocean in the world.  The beaches are picture postcard perfect, the diving and snorkeling are exceptional, the pace of life is sufficiently laid back not to damage the quality of life and if you’re looking for a new life in an incredibly beautiful part of the world, head North to the Cayes.  Their popularity means real estate prices are quite high nowadays, but with a bit of luck and a bit of searching hard you’ll find the right place at the right price.

If your dreams of a new home in Belize fall somewhere in between the two pictures so far painted then there’s a good chance that the district of Corozal or possibly Orange Walk would be right for you.  On the one hand life’s quite quiet in this neck of the woods, property prices are attractive and there are far fewer expats than in the Cayes…but at the same time, the proximity of Mexico and the Mexican city of Chetumal means residents here actually have easy access to a whole new world where there is fantastic shopping, great nightlife and superior amenities such as medical facilities for example.

Finally, those who see Belize as their chance to live in a tropical location where it’s never cold, where the sea is warm and beautiful all year round, the rainforests are lush and incredibly stunning, the beaches are dramatic and pristine and the natural landscape is breathtaking, the best place to go is South and check out the Southern Belize districts of Stann Creek and Toledo.  Real estate remains affordable, decent road upgrades have made the area more accessible and what’s more, when you arrive you might just feel as though you’ve arrived in paradise on earth…not that we’re biased or anything!

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