Two Affordable Locations That Will Make You Feel at Home

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Dear Reader,

In our continuing series on critical factors for choosing an overseas home, this week’s look is at language learning.

For many potential expats and overseas property buyers, the scariest obstacle is the thought of learning a foreign language. The very idea of it is enough to keep some people home.

In fact, most anyone can learn a foreign language, at any age. But frankly, learning a new one can be daunting. It’s a challenge that some are unwilling or unable to face. And the good news is that if you plan on sticking to English, you’ve still got some attractive choices in Central and South America.

Of the dozen or so countries in the Americas that maintain English as the official language, you’ll find some of the best property values in Belize. While English is not the first language of most Belizeans, 80% can speak English, with more than half speaking it “very well”. This is due to its former status as a British colony, British Honduras. In 1981, the colony officially became the independent nation of Belize.

Belize has many factors in its favor as a second-home destination. It’s a small country with only 310,000 inhabitants. This is postcard-perfect Caribbean, with swaying palm trees, and turquoise waters rolling up on white sand beaches. The country has a number of archaeologically important Mayan ruins, including Caracol and Altun Ha. Thick jungles hide jaguars, scarlet macaws, and howler monkeys. Almost 40% of the land in Belize is protected.

The world’s second-largest barrier reef lies offshore, teeming with exotic fish, manta rays and turtles. The famous Blue Hole attracts diving enthusiasts from all over the world.

There’s an excellent Retired Persons program, with an attractive range of benefits. This program makes it easy to relocate to Belize.

The country’s main attraction though, is its people. Belizeans have a diverse background of creoles, pirates and conquerors. A relaxed pace of life takes on a whole new dimension in Belize. The people here are incredibly laid-back and easy-going, with a quirky edge.

If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-track Caribbean destination, Belize fits the bill. It’s a tranquil tropical paradise…

An English-speaking paradise.

The downside is that this country is so small. If you’re looking for big-city entertainment, this is not the place for you.

But the northern district of Corozal in Belize is close to the Mexican border town of Chetumal, and there you’ll find modern supermarkets, large shopping malls, cinemas, and all the conveniences of a big, bustling city.

Orchid Bay is a master planned waterfront community in this area. It’s 10 miles from Chetumal and those big-city amenities, but a whole world away. Spread over 115 acres of rainforest, the development also has over a mile of oceanfront. The developer wants to build a true community—where you won’t feel isolated, and you’ll find friendly company in the clubhouse. There’s a range of real estate options, from lots to homes to condos. Home sites start at $39,000, and beachfront casitas from $159,000.

Aside from choosing a country that speaks English, the other option is choosing a location with a good-sized English-speaking expat population.

That’s not just so you’ll have someone you can talk to, but also because expat groups are a good source of information. No matter what you are trying to do—hire a plumber, set up a corporation—someone in the group will likely have done it before you and know the pitfalls. Moreover, they’ll know all the local English-speaking professionals (doctors, dentists, and accountants).

Lake Chapala in Mexico, for example, has an estimated 20,000 English-speaking expats who live there full or part time. The Lake Chapala Society has 3,700 members. They organize a range of activities: chess clubs, line dancing, lectures on a variety of topics, and meditation classes. They host Spanish classes at different levels for those interested in learning the language.

The Society library was set up in 1955, and has 25,000 books in English. Their video library has 4000 VHS/DVD movies for hire (the rental fee per movie is 10 pesos, around 80 cents). The Society offers medical services at a reduced charge—blood pressure checks, eye exams, and skin cancer screening.

Society members also take letters back to the US for posting for other members (and they usually have 2 members traveling to the US each week).

This type of comprehensive, highly organized expat community is unusual. I have heard of more of them in Mexico than anywhere else. Expat groups are not all the same. If you need the support of an expat group, make sure you choose the right one.

Properties in Chapala are affordable, too. Properties currently on the market include a country cottage-style 97 square meter (1044 square feet) house set in a landscaped garden with a pool for $119,000. A larger 3-bed 3-bath home of 300 square meters (3228 square feet), close to the boardwalk, is now $149,000 (down from $169,000)—and it comes furnished. It boasts a large rooftop mirador (viewing deck) that’s perfect for entertaining. If you want something a little more upscale, a 179 square meter (1926 square feet) home, in a private walled community of just 3 homes, is $249,000. This home is 3-bed, 4.5-bath, and the dining room has lake views. The kitchen has stainless steel appliances, quality wood cabinetry and granite countertops. There’s parking for two cars, too. For more information on these properties, contact (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

The downfall with living in an English expat community in a Spanish-speaking country is that there are still going to be times when you need to speak the local language. Here in Panama City where I live, many locals speak English. We have an English-speaking doctor and dentist. However, when I call for an appointment, I deal with the reception staff—who only speak Spanish. Likewise, I needed Spanish for setting up a bank account, cable TV, and a contract cell phone.

But you don’t need complete fluency in a foreign language to get by. Locals will help you out, and you can usually make yourself understood. Nevertheless, if English is not the official language of the country you choose, I would advise learning some local-language basics at least. It’s prudent to have the ability to call emergency services and explain what you need. Plus, even a few words of Spanish or Portuguese will go a long way in helping you make friends with the locals.

So whether you want a home in an English-speaking country or an English-speaking community in a foreign-language country, rest assured that you’ve still got a number of good overseas choices.

Margaret Summerfield

PS: Surprisingly, the list of countries where English is the official language does not include the United States, which has no official language.