Belize
English-speaking Central American country full of outdoor flora and coral reefs, convenient to the U.S.
Locations: Ambergris Caye, Corozal, Caye Caulker, Placencia
Living Costs: Considerably less than U.S. average
Healthcare: Basic
Gaining Right to Stay: Very easy
The only Central American country with English as the official language, Belize offers retirees a warm, outdoorsy environment, including fishing and barrier reef diving. Cost of living is considerably less than U.S. average. Crime is not a problem except in Belize City. Quality healthcare can be an issue; retirees often return to the U.S.—a two-hour plane ride to Houston—for major medical needs. Hurricanes can be a problem. The politically stable country attracts retirees with a Qualified Retirement Program that offers permanent residency upon showing just $24,000 in annual income, along with a tax exemption on income from outside the country. Popular venues for retirees include Ambergris Caye, an island 35 miles northeast of Belize City; Caye Caulker, another island just off the coast; Corozal, a mainland city on the Atlantic Ocean near Mexico; and Placencia, in the south.
