Relax in Belize from $1,300 a Month

Relax in Belize from $1,300 a Month
Jane and Steve’s Placencia retirement is idyllic and affordable.|©iStock/Simon Dannhauer

Fourteen years ago, my husband Steve and I spent two weeks on a beach on Ambergris Caye (pronounced "key"), an uncrowded island with a laid-back vibe. Over the course of our short stay, we fell in love with the kind, friendly Belizeans… and with Belize. Here we could wake up to the sound of the sea, drink coffee on a rooftop under a massive palapa, and watch the pelicans head out for a day of fishing. It was paradise.

When we decided to leave the US in 2021, we made a beeline for Belize. It’s the only English-speaking country in Central America, so here, we decided to replant our roots. Knowing that Ambergris had grown significantly, we chose Placencia, sight unseen.

Having sold most of our belongings, we knew we could move on if we wanted to…but we felt welcomed, made friends, and soon settled into a slower way of living.

Back in Santa Fe, New Mexico, we couldn’t afford to buy a house, there was tourism year-round, and we were worn out from the manic hurry. We’d lived in Europe for my husband’s job (for a decade we spent three months of every year in France), so we knew there were alternatives to our current way of life.

We considered Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Panama—all places we’d vacationed. Of course, we loved France, too. But we were drawn to the warm weather and blue seas of the Caribbean…

When we arrived, we decided to rent to make sure this was the town for us. We found a two-bedroom apartment on Sunset Point for $1,700 a month. We quickly realized Placencia was perfect for us, and bought our townhouse seven months later. It’s located at Placencia Point, 50 feet across the canal from Sunset Point.

Adventure and Affordability Without Compromise

Jane's beach vacation on Ambergris Caye helped her fall in love with this English-speaking Caribbean paradise.
Jane's beach vacation on Ambergris Caye helped her fall in love with this English-speaking Caribbean paradise.|©iStock/Wirestock

Belize is a small country, about the size of Massachusetts, with a population of around 400,000. The country varies from seaside to mountain jungles. You can go cave tubing, zip lining, hiking, and explore Mayan ruins. Plus, there’s kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

There’s a significant expat presence, though we enjoy being part of the local community and have made lots of Belizean friends. We didn’t want to live somewhere that could be Anywhere, USA. We wanted to be part of the "village." That’s the beauty of living abroad; you can find the kind of place that speaks to your soul.

Belize currency is based on a 2 BZD to 1 USD rate and both can be used for purchases. Though prices have risen since the pandemic, you can still live less expensively here than in the US if you choose. However, be aware that many items, such as dry goods, are imported. Canned items, crackers, cookies, toilet paper, and sodas will be more expensive in the grocery stores. Fresh food stands abound though, and you can buy anything you want to cook at a great price.

The cost of living ranges from $1,300 to $2,400, depending on how you choose to live. Dinner out can run from $10 a person in a mom-and-pop restaurant to $40 in a more upscale place. In Placencia, we have a large variety of dining options, though we eat most meals at home. Our weekly grocery bill runs around $50-$75.

Real estate has definitely gone up in the Placencia area in the last four years and is becoming more scarce, but there are still bargains to be had. A small one-bedroom prefab house can start at around $30,000 or you can build your dream home for upwards of $500,000. We bought a townhouse in the $400,000 range with a $650 monthly HOA fee.

Healthcare is getting better, but if you are on prescribed medications, you’ll want to bring plenty with you, and/or be able to return to your home country for refills. I would not recommend living in Belize if you have severe health conditions, such as heart disease or full-blown diabetes.

That being said, a visit to the health clinic costs less than $10, and you can get blood work done at a reasonable rate. There are more specialized doctors in Belize City, Belmopan (the capital), and Dangriga than in the country’s other small towns.

I’ve seen the headlines about violent crime in Belize, and they don’t concern me. The majority of this is only in certain parts of Belize City. Most crimes are petty thefts of unattended possessions. I never feel unsafe.

I love the peaceful days here that give me time to sit and write. I’ve also taken up watercolor painting. But all that goes by the wayside when I get the chance to go snorkeling. The blue sea and the variety of fish and corals are spectacular.

Belize me when I say, you too can find your happy place here.

Share