TiTTM, Sure Thailand has it's problems, but we knew all that when we decided to make the place home. Or we should have known given the age of the internet. But... Belize 'wonderful' by comparison... is hardly the reality now, is it. Everyone goes on about Thailand's gun control problems because of it's high 4 per 100,000 population gun death rate.... that's 1/10th of Belize's 41 per 100,000. Belize is a 3rd world country that is becoming an ever-increasingly popular cartel drug transhipment route into Mexico. With such a corrupt government and police force we all know this can mean only one thing for the population. Sure you can hide away from the mainland on the islands but apart from going stir crazy you have issues like being two hours away from the nearest hospital should you have an emergency.TakeitToTheMax wrote:Thailand has many many things going for it but also so many things against it. Where am I know, the home of chewing gum, Belize Central America such a wonderful place.
I hate the corruption, getting stopped by traffic police and having to hand over money.
There is way too much crime in Belize. I lived there and was "jacked" everywhere, including my home several times. Everyone has their hand out--especially the law enforcement, which is completely and utterly criminal.
I echo the sentiments of Palidan, with brutal cops who target every "White Person" for robbery, extortion. If you don't give to the criminal National police of this country they will take. source link
When purchased my home we had to bung the person in the land office money just to get the land papers
Some property purchasers in Belize complain that it can take many months or even years for the Lands Department to provide them with their Certificate of Title. source link
Hate the double pricing regime which even my own lady condoned as farangs have more money.
In Belize, especially outside resort areas, there are sometimes two prices: one price for locals and another price for foreigners. From the Belizean point of view this is perfectly kosher and reflects the reality that Americans (or Canadians or Europeans) make far more money and can well afford to pay more. As mentioned many times to people planning on coming and living in Belize as an expat, you are a target as being a rich gringo whether you have little or lots. source link
Getting ripped here off is the #1 challenge for new people in Belize. Like many others, we moved here with a pie in the sky, very naïve outlook. By my calculations we have lost about $20,000US to employees, trades-people, contractors and outright theft, it could be more. On the bright side that's only $278 a month for an education on living in Belize! I promise you every single person living in Belize knows this is true. Being "teefed" (thieved) is such a common place occurrence I almost don't resent it anymore. source link
Things are not really so cheap, cars are damned expensive and houses are overpriced for what one gets, especially with the quality one gets.
"Things cost more than we thought they would in Belize: Little is manufactured locally and shipping costs to Belize are expensive, so the prices you pay may reflect an import tax of 60 or 80%. If you come to Belize thinking everything across the board will be cheaper than back home, you'll be sorely disappointed. Every car and truck, nearly every piece of plumbing and electrical equipment, wine, cement, cornflakes, books, shoes, every pair of scissors, every bottle of aspirin is imported, and often transshipped thousands of miles from one port to another and then it's carried on a bus or under a Cessna seat somewhere else. source link
Hate the fact I cannot sell my property as the market is flooded with new development.
The pool of financially capable real estate buyers in Belize is small, leaving many sellers dependent on foreign buyers. Also, the time to sell a property may be measured in years rather than months. source link
Hate that farangs cannot get finance for property or for business.
It is difficult for a non-resident to get a mortgage loan from a bank in Belize for buying or building, so you should be prepared to pay cash. Loan interest rates are high, Belize banks were getting 10% to 18% or more on business loans and even higher on some personal loans. And the hidden fees and charges can add several percentage points to the loan. Modern consumer protection laws haven’t all made it to Belize yet. source link
There's a ton of stories on the web from disgruntled American's returning from life in Belize... a 3rd world country with a corrupt government/policeforce is a 3rd world country with a corrupt government/policeforce is a 3rd world country with a corrupt government/policeforce, IMO.
SJ