By Karen Sands Zul
Many people say that you cannot possibly come to Belize and not have some kind of a big adventure. I have to agree.
My
first visit to Belize was in 1995. I vacationed for a week of scuba
diving off Glover's Reef. I met my Belizean husband, Marcos, during that
trip, and he moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico with me in 1996. I was a
practicing psychotherapist and my husband launched a small business. We
enjoyed living in Santa Fe, but were intensely busy virtually all of the
time.
We
traveled to Belize every year and explored the country in depth over
the next 17 years. We knew our hearts belonged to this small nation,
with its laidback lifestyle and friendly people. The breakneck speed at
which life had to be lived in the U.S., raising two kids and running two
businesses while maintaining a house eventually took its toll.
In
2013, we made a permanent move to San Pedro, on Ambergris Caye. The
beauty of the crystalline turquoise water, gorgeous weather, and active
and thriving English-speaking community is something I still appreciate.
Visiting
Belize many times over the years didn't prepare me for actually living
on this tiny island. When we initially moved, the first few months were a
lot like an extended vacation in an amazingly beautiful location.
However, as time went on, my focus changed, and I began to see myself as
a part of a vibrant and diverse community.
Islanders
ride their bikes or drive their golf carts and wave to everyone they
know along the way. Today, we happily drive our golf cart around too. I
love that drive into town, which happens each day...it means seeing lots
of people and making social arrangements on the road.
Rent
is our biggest expense at $1,000 a month for a new, well-designed
apartment that has all the modern amenities we need. We are a
five-minute walk from the beach and have beautiful trees and plants and a
neighborhood that has a mix of locals and expats. We have a huge
veranda, and spend lots of time outside gardening, grilling or just
relaxing with a glass of wine.
Utilities
are about one-half of what we were paying in the States, and services
of all sorts are very inexpensive. Food can be expensive (as this is an
island, things have to be imported) until you learn to shop for what is
fresh and available on any given day of the week.
Initially
I was concerned about the quality of healthcare but was surprised to
find that it's excellent, and healthcare professionals seem to actually
"care" about their patients. Belize doesn't have the level of technology
available in the States, but their medical professional's skills
combined with a caring attitude go a very long way. I have yet to visit a
healthcare professional that did not give me their personal cell phone
number...which they actually answer. Medical care costs about one-fourth
of what it costs in the States, and can be free at the local clinics.
Belize
is a country I know I will never be able to stop exploring. The
incredibly diverse population compliments the natural world of warm,
clear, turquoise Caribbean Sea, lush green rainforests, mountains,
rivers, cave systems, and Maya ruins.
Since
moving here I've taken up water aerobics, cooking, reading and made
some very good friends on the island. But my incorrigible desire to be
in business drove myself and my husband to buy a boat and set up our own
tour operation based in San Pedro. We've kept it small and intend to
continue to do so...which is the antithesis of how we operated in the
U.S.
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