Why I moved to Belize

Why I moved To Belize?
Sharon Hiebing

Ever since I left the United States and moved to Belize permanently, people are constantly asking
me, “Why Belize?” I believe they are really asking two questions.

First, what in the world made you relocate to another country? After all, how many people do you know who have done something so drastic? Among my family and peer group, I was the first.

And second, I think they do have a genuine interest in learning more about Belize, either because
they really have never heard of it and want to learn more, or maybe they’re thinking about moving to another country and want to check it out.

So answering the question is not as straight forward as you may think. The road that led me to choosing Belize was a long one. I did not wake up one day and say to myself, “Hey, I’m gonna move to Belize!” Instead, I had a goal of moving to another country one day because I wanted a change of pace, and because I wanted to experience a different culture, before I was too old to do so.

The saying is true, “Life is Too Short!” For me, to one day wake up and look back on my life and realize I hadn’t accomplished this goal would have been unacceptable.

So I moved because I wanted to learn another language, specifically Spanish. I wanted to be in control of my destiny, something that I felt was impossible in a country so full of rules and regulations (and getting worse every day).

I wanted to live where the water was a different color blue than I was used to (I’m from the San
Francisco Bay Area). Where people looked each other in the eye and greeted one another instead of
looking away or down.

I wanted to leave behind 30 degree winters and wear tank tops every day. I wanted to shop at a local market away from the glaring lights. I wanted lobster to be as common as hamburger. I wanted to be closer to other countries that I could travel easily to.

Belize offered me all of these things and more, unlike many of the other countries I investigated.

I am an American Dream Devil who put her whole life in three suitcases and did what most people
would never dream of doing. I am an example to everyone that you truly can have anything you want. It’s useless to wish that I’d done it sooner – I’m just glad that I did.

Where do you dream of living, and are you working on making it happen?

Sharon Hiebing is an American Expat living in San Ignacio Town, Belize. She is the founder of Wealth Ships’ and offers Expat Relocation Consulting Services via email, phone and one-to-one at affordable rates. She also owns the only property management company in Western Belize, Red Roof Property Management. She wrote an e-book, writes a weekly blog, and posts tidbits daily about her life and work on Facebook. She’d love it if you came and got to know her.

[today’s pics are all about the new roadwork being done in Boca Del Rio area. The road is starting just past the turning circle and I would imagine they will make it all the way to the Bridge eventually.]

A Little Hammock Fun by Karen Brodie Photography

Dale's mechanic shop in San Juan

Creole shrimp

Dragonfly pottery Artisan Ruby hand