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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

You came to the right blog for Belize Resources and Information.

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Expat Living – Finding a Way to Live and Work in Belize

by tacogirl 26/08/2013
written by tacogirl 26/08/2013
kayaking in hopkins

Often I get emails from people who are ready to fulfill their dreams of moving to Belize. Not everyone is in a position to make their move abroad, retire and drink  Belikin beer or rum punch on the beach all day. A husband and wife team who recently wrote me from Biloxi, Mississippi are in process of  doing their research to see if they can “make it work” and enjoy the tropical lifestyle while still making a decent living. Scott and Monique, I know you will find Tamara’s answers to my questions below helpful in putting your puzzle together. For those of you who want to do the same, Quicksilver Messenger service offers relocation services and information, helping to make your move to Belize easy. Dianne Lawrence can help you with anything from accommodation assistance and opening bank accounts to utility hook-up, land title acquisition, assistance with vehicle permits and more.

1. What made you choose a trip to Belize in the first place?
My parents first traveled to Belize and Ambergris Caye in 1976. My first visit to the island  was in 1978 when I came along with them on vacation.

2. Was it love at first sight when you got here?
Well of course! Especially back then! The town was no more than a four-block radius with power only on a few hours a night via generator. It was a sleepy fishing village, the beaches were literally crawling with lobsters and of course the people were super friendly.

3. How long after your first visit did you decide to move to Belize, what did your friends and family say when you dropped the bomb?
In 1981 my parents bought a beach house where Banana Beach Resort sits now, and I have been traveling here ever since. I first brought my husband (boyfriend at the time) Ron here in 1986. We always loved the area and hoped to find a way to eventually live and work here. In 2004 we had the opportunity to purchase The San Pedro Sun Newspaper, and we knew we were well equipped for the job and the move. My family has lived abroad before, in Venezuela and Costa Rica, so it was not a big deal for my parents and siblings when I decided to make the move. However Ron’s family were a bit hesitant about our move, but have always been supportive.

4. How many trips back before you moved and long did the process take to wrap up your old life and embrace your new one?
We traveled here twice in 2004 (March & July) to start the process and in late August made the move, with 12 duffle bags of belongings, our 13yr old son, a golden retriever and a cat. We purchased a house sight-unseen but under the recommendation of my parents who house shopped for us. After waiting for our work permits and closing on the business we officially took over The Sun in early October.

5. What did you love most about living in Belize when you first moved, how many years have you been here and do you still love it just as much?
We loved commuting on our bicycles, the warm weather and spending a lot of time in the water. Of course with owning the paper we were emerged into the community very quickly. I am not sure we love it as much now. The island has grown so much and has become very busy. Also the increase in crime (especially burglaries) has caused us a lot of heartbreak, our house has been robbed three times and it has soured us on the area. It is when I am enjoying the beaches and the water that I am reminded of why we live here, and of course the people still remain a huge plus to the area. It will be nine years this month, that we have lived here now. I would say working here takes a lot of effort, I think living here as a retired person would be perfect.

6. I know work factored into your ‘Living in Belize’ vision. How did you choose your new career path.
We had always wanted to live and work here, but wanted to be realistic about how to make that happen. Ron comes from a newspaper family and has worked in media since he has 14. I have a business and freelance writing background. Between the two of us, plus our years of travel and extended stays in Belize we felt very well equipped to not only take over the business but live abroad.

7. What were you doing back in the states before you made your move abroad?
Ron was working as the Communications and Public Relations Director for the Wyoming Education Association and I had been the Executive Director for the Wyoming Children’s Museum and Nature Center for 8 years and at the time of our move I was working as the Campaign Manager for the American Heart Association.

8. Best Piece of advice for someone who is looking to move to a new country?
Come and stay here for several months before making the move. Talk to expats who are living and working here and learn from THEIR mistakes and advise. If you do your homework right you will have a better understanding of what to expect when living here, and if possible DO NOT sell everything and spend your life savings to make the move. If you are still working take a leave of absence if possible, rent out your house if you can instead of selling it, and don’t invest everything you have here, at least not for the first year. Any expat you talk to who works here will share valuable information with you about what to expect and NOT expect. Living here and vacationing here are two very different things.

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To keep up with what is going on around town visit San Pedro Sun newspaper website and Like San Pedro Sun facebook page.

If if you are like me and enjoy kickin it old school with an actual  news paper in your hand, subscriptions are $60US for six months or $110US/year, orders can be made by emailing info@sanpedrosun.com For those of you who want to make the move to Belize eventually getting a news paper subscription in the mail is a great way to keep your dream in focus and learn more about the island/country you are looking to relocate to. For those of you who  have made your move, consider sending a news paper subscription to family or friends back home. I got one for my mom and step dad so they could keep  up with what is going on in our new home. I have also sent many papers to friend  over the years and some of them had even made the paper. My Cousin Erin and Joanne were in a volunteer vacation and we joined Elito Arceo for a mangrove conservation effort on the Seaduced by Belize boat. Joanne has also made the paper for her volunteer work at Holy Cross School.

south water caye

Tamara and Ron at South Water Caye

kayaking in hopkins

Ron and Tamara kayaking in Hopkins

 

Related

tacogirl

Laure Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

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9 comments

Deanna 15/03/2019 - 11:10 pm

GREAT!! Thanks so much. I can see how it would be useful. Have a wonderful weekend in paradise!

Reply
tacogirl 17/03/2019 - 12:39 pm

Anytime Deanna. You might want to consider checking in with local Doctors and the Poly Clinic too for assessing need.

Reply
Deanna 15/03/2019 - 4:38 pm

Hi thanks so much for the information. Im wondering if you or anyone thinks an expat nursing home would be beneficial there in Ambergris Caye? I’ve been in the business most of my life and my husband and I are planning to move there and have a business as well that will provide service to expats mainly but give work to locals. Any thoughts?

Reply
tacogirl 15/03/2019 - 9:37 pm

Nursing home has been a long talked about idea Deanna. Worth researching to see if it would be feasable.

John Carr on the mainland was going to do an assisted living facility but it never quite got off the ground.

Reply
Deborah msrtin 03/06/2015 - 2:03 pm

Am a family of five will like to live in Belize don’t anyone there and I never travel to the country before

Reply
Deborah msrtin 03/06/2015 - 2:03 pm

Am a family of five will like to live in Belize don’t anyone there and I never travel to the country before

Reply
Charlotte 27/08/2013 - 2:57 pm

I think to relocate to paradis of your choice, you’ve really got to hone in on the travel industry. For example, a teacher or nurse couldn’t move from the US and expect to make the same wages. San Pedro is so very expensive. Coming with a lump sum, zero debt and an idea to make a big investment is the only way…or win the lottery.

Reply
Karen Goodman 27/08/2013 - 8:27 am

I really appreciate your candid answers that aren’t all ‘life is great’. I would love to someday do some long term slow travel, with extended periods of time in each place or maybe become an expat somewhere. Not sure where yet, which is why the long term travel would come first.

For now, I’m working on trying to make my income more location independent by montetizing my blogs.

Someday I’ll get there!

Reply
Maureen 26/08/2013 - 9:45 am

Good read and advice. Having been to SP several times for vacation, volunteering and getting to know a lot of people in various circles and walks of life, I have realized that being in paradise won’t always be flawless. You still have to live life and by living life comes trials and tribulations (and bills of course). The island may be paradise but it is not Nirvana, although I’d like to find it. Being on the beach and by the water is the best thing for my soul I will enjoy to the best of my abilities when I am fortunate enough to be there. 🙂

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Corey Holm
Corey Holm
04:38 25 Feb 20
I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton! I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
Heidi
Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s... always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and... local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
15:58 23 Nov 19
I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do... what everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
Kimberly Robinson
18:28 03 May 19
Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
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ABOUT ME

I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation.

If you have any questions or want Belize discounts, Contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

3 childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age.Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

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