Sunday, December 11, 2011
Belize: It's quirky, English-speaking, with exotic beaches and a laid-back lifestyle
Dear Reader,
Belize isn't a remote hidden outpost. It's known as a tourist hot spot. This little nation attracts around 250,000 tourists each year. If you add in cruise ship visitors the figure tops a million. That's almost three times the country's population.
Tourists come to Belize to swim, fish, and sail on her turquoise seas. They dive and snorkel over the coral reef, the world's second-largest. They trek through her rugged rainforests, home to big cats, tapirs and a dazzling selection of exotic birds. They climb steep Mayan pyramids.
Most visitors love Belize's sparsely-populated landscape, the friendly locals, and the miles and miles of deserted sandy beaches.
But most of Belize's tourists don't come to Corozal. Corozal is a peaceful town on the shores of Chetumal Bay in Belize's northern mainland. It's a little off the beaten track. Guidebooks on Belize generally cover Corozal in a single short paragraph.
Corozal is a tiny seaside town with a population of around 10,000. It might not do much for tourists, but it packs a mighty punch as a second home and retirement location. CNBC, AARP and Kiplinger all rate it as a top retirement spot. It's not hard to see why. The cost of living is low in Corozal, and the pace of life is refreshingly relaxed.
- The AARP likes the fact that Belize's official language is English. The country's Qualified Retirement Program (QRP) offers many benefits too, including tax-free import of household goods.
According to the AARP, a couple can live comfortably in Corozal on $1500 a month. And Corozal offers a "laid-back life, with year-round outdoor play".
- CNBC says that its warm weather and fantastic beaches give it a "high pleasure factor". And it comes with a much lower price tag compared to other locations like California.
- Kiplinger figures that Corozal gives you the best of both worlds. You can enjoy the town's serene beaches and tranquility. And you can also travel to Chetumal, a city that's an hour away, for malls, museums and movie theaters.
An estimated 600-700 expats currently live in the Corozal area. That number is rising as more people catch on to the town's quiet charm. One community bringing more expats to the Corozal area is Orchid Bay.
Orchid Bay is around 15 miles outside Corozal. Wrapped around Chetumal Bay, its setting is lush: A mile and a half of coastline and 115 acres of rainforest.
Orchid Bay started 6 years ago as a dream of relaxed Caribbean living, where neighbors would gather in the tropical evenings and shoot the breeze over a cool beer. Today, the dream is becoming reality.
You'll enjoy swimming, sailing, kayaking and fishing at Orchid Bay
The beach bar and restaurant are up and running. The first residents moved in earlier this year to the 24 beachfront casitas. Ten more houses are finished or under construction. The first beach and dock are complete, with the grand opening of the first swimming pool penciled in for mid-December.
The beachfront casitas at Orchid Bay
Orchid Bay remains remarkably affordable. Home sites in the community start from $44,000. Larger lots close to the beach club start from only $79,000.
If you're considering Belize as a second home or retirement destination, Corozal is well worth a look. And an easy way to see Corozal and try it on for size is on an Orchid Bay chill weekend.
These short three-day trips give you a chance to dip your toes in the water, immerse yourself in the local lifestyle and see if this place is right for you.
You'll explore Corozal (naturally) and see the Mayan ruins nearby. You'll savor a seafood barbeque on the beach. You'll get all your questions answered about buying a property, moving here, and Belize's residency program.
You'll stay in one of Orchid Bay's charming beachfront casitas, and check out the property opportunities in the community. Of course, you'll have plenty of time to kick back on the beach, take a dip in the bay, and soak up the warm Caribbean sun...
The next Orchid Bay chill weekend runs January 13th-15th. You can find out more by clicking here.
Margaret Summerfield
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Posted Under:
belize, residency, affordable, beach
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