We are having Rolling Black Outs here in Orange County, Southern California. Where I live and down the street the power is already out and my office where I am sitting right now is just waiting for it. There where alreadt trafic accidents today because traffic lights went out without any warning.
This Sucks for a wealthy, modern place like California. They never built enough power plants for how many people and business are here and moving here every year and than when they turned power into a privat sector it really went down the drain. Everyone just wanted to make quick $$$ and did not care about the future and now we are paying for it. And let me tell you we are paying high prices for everything just to be able to live here. I am so sick of this place!!! I want to be surrounded by nature and no more stress and freeways.

ok. move to pennsylvania! never happens here...or earthquakes, or mudslides, or brushfires.

But JANE......What about the COLD winters????????????Why not AC????

yes, for vacations, but...call me spoiled, i got two huge supermarkets within 5 minutes drive, a river across the street, acres of woods behind me, a 14 cineplex 1 mile away, 4 shopping centers with everything i need within 5 miles (at reasonable prices), and 50 restaurants close by. i can rent dvd's. my modem always works. my kids have 4 playgrounds very close by. i think you get the picture.
ok, i got the cold thing, but there aint no hurricanes. i can drink water anywhere i want & never have to think. i rarely get food poisining. my heater works well, and i got a fireplace and a 4x4. warm summers and a pool out back. spring & fall here are beautiful. ever seen the fall colors in pennsylvania?

i love AC, i would visit ever year if frank let me, but i'll live here, thank you. this view is mine and mine alone, and not intended for anything less than stating my opinion.

I've seen the fall colors in Pa... many, many times. Absolutely stunning! But the thing I miss most about Pa. are those wonderful snowstorms! Yes, 12-24 inches! Digging my car out of the parking spot... shoveling the snow and ice from the pavement!! My car sliding up and down the freeway! Kids hitting me with snowballs!! Oh gosh do I miss it! laugh

And today it's only going to 78 here in Houston... hold on while I get another margarita!

Jane..........
Don't get me wrong,I'm sure PA is beautiful
We TEXANS just seem to be spoiled too. Just in a different way..I myself hate cold weather,but different strokes for different folks..What is so nice about it is we can all make jokes about other peoples likes and dislikes....

I was born in Michigan moved to California as a teen ager, and have been living in the Houston/Clear Lake area since 1965. Can't imagine living anywhere else! Belize is good to visit/party but it's hard to beat the good old USA for living.I hated the looooong, coooold winters up north!!

Hey! Hey!!
There are lots of Texans on here today.
DITTO!!!!! I live in a dinky coastal town in Texas, but I LOVE Texas. The weather on the coast is just about perfect. Always a breeze, almost never freezes, no snow, pleasant fall and winter. The summers are hot, but the breeze makes it tolerable, as well as the fishing and water sports. The weather here today is AWESOME. Makes me want to go out and play, but I have to work...
Debbie

hi I'm new to the board but wanted to add my 2 cents worth! I lived in California for a while as a child, basicly spent all my summers in sacramento (grandparents) and also spent a year as an adult (in Fresno of all places) I HATE it now! I always felt crowded and that the people were not friendly. I now live in Wisconsin and love it here but Hate the Winters!!!! Today is the first day of spring and it finally feels warm (48 degrees) and I have spring fever like crazy! My advise to the person in california, Move to anywhere. I truely believe the quality of life is better in other parts of the country.

Debbie,
Garland (just out of Dallas) I guess is kinda "dinky" but we LOVE it. One thing they say about Texas weather.."If you don't like it wait tilltomorrow It'll be different!!!!
Today is absolutly FANTASTIC but tomorrow will be better................

ok, ok, ok! i've only seen texas from the inside of an airport, but i guess i'm outvoted toady! maybe we should ALL live in texas?

the winters here arent so bad, and not as long as wisconson or montana or michigan, where ever you guys said. and sorry, i kinda like to shovel. and it is sooo peaceful during and after a snow here. i am far away enough from the city to enjoy it. we just stare out the back window.....

yesterday we got up to 52. the crocus's are blooming and today i saw a robin & a groundhog. we take what we can get. at least it isnt CALIFORNIA!

We had rollling blackouts up here in Northern California yesterday too, which I think is B.S. I love it up here and plan to stay. Centrally located between the Bay Area and Reno and Tahoe, you cannot beat having mountains and the Bay Area. Too many people because California is a desirable place to live. The population tells the story.

HEY,I think it's great that we all love our home state .....But isn't it also great that there is places like AC to vacation!!!!!!!!!
We can hardly wait forJuly 1 !!!!!!!

Ok, I have to put my 2 cents in. I have lived in PA, in Texas, in Belize and even in Haiti-talk about black outs-how about coups, poverty, hurricanes, disease... And you know what, I am so glad I lived in all those places. They each had their positives and negatives. Isn't life what we make of it no matter where we live? My motto was when I got tired of a place and started to feel like I was in a rut, I moved on, and I am so thankful that is how I've lived my life.

Karen! I totally agree with you and I have been doing the moving thing as well. From Germany to California because I love the Beach and Sun and hubby is from here. First things where fun but after 10 years in this rat race it is not fun anymore. When you start to get a little older (I am 34 and hubby is 42) you start knowing what you want from life and California will never offer what we consider more relaxed lifestyle in a tropical place. I know what I don't like and that is bad weather most of the year like in Germany and stress and peopel around me that only care how big your house is and how much money you make. We could care less how much materialistic stuff someone has and will never give into this keeping up with the Joneses thing. It is time for a serious lifestyle change before we waisted to much of our life with this.

Jane! I do know that most other States in the US are less expensive and some even more laid back and less crowded. And many very beautiful States. Munich was a great place to grow up and live but I hated the weather and being away from the Ocean so much. I could never live with weather like that again after California.

Geez Jane....
See what you've started in yet ANOTHER posting... lol

ha denny, is it me? of course, i have an opinion on EVERYTHING!

i will say this. we got tired of the cold and almost moved to AZ a few yrs back. i'm very glad we didnt. i never liked PA so much until we moved to Bucks Co. it is WONDERFUL here. we just love it. after reading this thread, i guess i'll have to make it a point to visit texas someday, tho!

Jane,
regarding your above post.....
I'm counting on it!!!! *wink*
Debbie

JANE<
Be careful !!!! most people who visit TEXAS stay...... Native Texans are minority now.......

Actually there is more truth to that then people realize. I knew people who came on vacation 15 years ago... they loved it so much they never went home. They called their relatives, told them to see their house, etc and they've been here ever since.

I came 10 years ago for a week and never went back. I think it's something in the water... or it's all the naked chicks in Baytown... lol

[This message has been edited by Denny Shane (edited 03-21-2001).]

lots of us Texans on here...awesome day today. I am a "minority"...8th Generation Texan!!! C

So True came on a vacation to the Tip of Texas and have stayed for 24 yrs.

Maybe I need to take a trip to Texas! Do you guys like Texas better than Belize????

Munichchick,
nothing wrong with having two love as long as it"s not women!!!!! Comparing Texas to AC
is like comparing apples to oranges ....I've been in Texas all my life so I'm Biased so my vote don't count.
John

My take is, if you cannot live in Belize, then live in Texas.
But we may have to move, I found a mosquito under my desk here in Texas today biting me.
It is now 5:00pm and 82 degrees.

[This message has been edited by Chloe (edited 03-22-2001).]

Thank goodness we all don't want to live in the same place or the world would tip off its axis!
Actually I'm getting pretty ticked off about all the people who have been discovering Belize. I have 18 months before I can MOVE there (half time) and afraid all these immigrants will ruin the place for me. LOL
For the last five months before my trip in January I researched and dreamed of moving to San Pedro when I retired. I had a good plan and would not rush into anything. However, when I came home I realized how much I love my house and don't want to give it up. I am a typical American Pig!!! I want it all. And you know what -- we can have it all too. I think having it all is having the right attitude. But honesty, I'm thinking I may have to buy on Caye Caulker.

My front yard is full of Tulips which are in full bloom and the pruple Liliac on the side of the house burst forth it's first bloom today -- can the white Liliac be far behind?

America is the such a great place because all the Imigrants made it this way. Remember besides the native Indians your ancestors all came over as an Immigrant. Belize is in a way the wild west of the caribbean. Belize has been discovered a long, long time ago and this is why there is such an interesting colorful great mixture of people living there now. Just be glad you are close to retirement now. How do you think us younger people feel (34) that see every affordable nice location getting over crowded and expensive in this world? By the time I am 60 it will be very hard to find a unspoiled, affordable place to move to. That's why we are considerign doing it now and not wait until we are priced out of Belize. Just look at Cabo and Playa del Carmen than you know what I am talking about.

CHICK,
You are so right... We take at least 3 vacations a year..Been to several places we REALLY liked ,But when we go back later ,seemed as tho everything was higher..
probably was also at the places we didn't go back to also..Inflation!!! thought it had to have a stopping point, but so far it just keeps going up.. Good Luck on getting a retirement place.. I wish I had did that 25 yrs. ago but hindsite don't wear glasses!!!!!
Take my advice and do it ... One thing you won't ever see is an armoured truck in a funeral possession!!!!!!!!!!!!! JOHN

All kidding aside... according to the last demographics I saw, there are more Texans visiting and also staying permanently in Belize than from any other State in the Union. Believe it or not it has been this way since the beginning... for some reason Texans have always found a way to get to Belize and to the island. I'm slowing progressing... from Philly, to Texas to somewhere more southern...

Unfortunatly, we are still far from retirement but we are ready to give up some of the American comforts and securities for a lifestyle that makes us happy. Hey, I was very save and comfortable in Germany and gave up everything to start over in California why not do it again? If the life in Belize does not work out at least I can rest assured that we tried to follow our dreams and try to get out of the rat race. I don't want to sit the rest of my life in an office chair with so many ideas and ambitions
I can never turn into realty just because it is save. Sometimes you have to risk somthing
in order to be truly happy and we are fortunate that we don't have certain family situations that would not allow us to make a change. You never know if you will be healthy enough to start a new life in a new country as an older person. We want to do this now while we still have lots of energy and are healthy. But of course it takes a lot of research before we can make a final decission.

mc - i have not read it, but all the ex-pats and ones who try say to read a book called "dont stop the carnival". do a search on this board and you'll be able to read about it. they say it is very good research befor moving there. just trying to help.

read the book..Don't Stop The Carnival...I don't know what everybody else does for a living, but the book seemed like a picnic in the park for Rick and I!!! Good Book, though!!

I will have to get that book now. Can you order it from amazon?

Hmm! I found out the book was written in the mid 60's and is fiction. I don't know how helpful this would be. I think I rather chat with people that have made the move and listen to their advice and experiences.

talk to jesse. his email is investbelize.com or something. debbie knows.

Hey Chick... and anyone else. I too have been so interested in Belize, and I was lucky enough to come across a couple who moved from Colorado (that's where I'm freezing, I mean living right now to Caye Caulker. They have given me so much info, that if you are interested, I'd be happy to forward it to you. But, like most will say, you need to stay for at least a month.. but preferably much longer to see if this is for you. I wouldn't know, cuz unfortunately.. I HAVEN'T BEEN THERE YET!!! lol...I will get there, but not soon enuff They have been there for five years, so that is definitely a good sign. Just wanted to say mega thanx to everyone who gives their time to this board. I have learned sooo very much!! ciao for now... diann

BTW... their site addy is: http://www.belizenorth.com
If you stop by, tell them hi from Diann in brrrland!!!

After living in two foreign countries, including Belze, I must say there are both postivies and negatives. But isn't that the same anywhere. I'm glad I did it and will probably move back to the islands some day. I loved "Don't stop the carnival" I could really relate to it and I laughed at many parts of it. Other parts almost made me cry because it brought back all the struggles of mananging resorts on an island. Even though it is not a true story, it could have been. I have friends who recently re-located to San Pedro- they have had so many problems, lost part of their newly built house to Hurricane Keith was one of their worse ordeals. But they are staying... I would be glad to share with you more personally about the good and bad of living in Belize. divensea@cobweb.net

Answer me this...why are there so many Texans and Californians living in Colorado???? (It ain't THAT cold diann!!) All we need is a coastline, and this place would be paradise!

wait for the next "big one" quake, and you might just have one (a family joke, my sis is in L.A.)

Hey Pirate... I beg to differ!!!! It's freezing... like today. Sun was out, weather people said '50's.. and what does it do about 4ish?!!? Snow!!!! It didn't stick, but hey... my mind is in AC!!! Sorry, I know we have the dry climate, and I love that, but I guess I'm just meant to be in the water 24/7... and warm water may I add!! And Jane....I think after 5 years here in brrland, and off and on in Cali for 15, and going through only one quake.. I'll take the quakes!! lol...

Yes diann, I don't blame ya... I would take the ummm quakes as well... having experienced both quakes and brrr's... the brrr's can be more frigid, so to speak while the quakes can be more seductive... and I better quit typing because I have no idea where I am heading with this post... laugh

janeinPA is right...one good quake a Colorado is oceanfront property! LOL! Seriously, I'm an air force brat...born an' raised in sunny California...beautiful state, too expensive and too crowded...just like Colorado!!! HAHA!
Give it time Diann...before you know it, it'll be 100 degrees here!

Diann,
Being one that enjoys both diving and skiing, and also one that lives in Michigan, and you may color that COLD, I would much rather live in Colorado with mountains than in Michigan - which is basically flat - I would still be cold, but I could ski!

As far as diving, we will return to Belize for 2 weeks in August, and can not wait.

So, the moral of this story is ... if you have to be cold, do it in CO, not MI.

Diann! I did read the belize north web site and it is very helpfull. Thank you. They are your friends from Colorado? How cool!

Poor patrick-e, I've tried the skiing in Michigan...eeewwww. C'mon out Pat, we'll drag diann up to the high country and remind her why she lives in Paradise!!! It's hard to compete with an island paradise, but being up on the snow-covered slopes on a sunny day, tossin' back a cold one....aaahhhh, it don't get much better than that! PLUS, you can get a wicked tan!

hey partrick, remember me? you are going back huh? you went last year too, about same time i did? i am trying to convince hubby to let me go back. he promised me some time to talk this weekend......

Hi Jane,

Yes, we were supposed to go to San Pedro in October of last year, but that other guy arrived the week before we were to leave. Needless to say, we did not get to go then. Instead, we went to Playa del Carmen and had a great week. The weather and seas were a little rough, but nothing compared to what Belize experienced.

Have now rescheduled for Aug 18 - Sept 2. Now that Spring is nearly here and we can anticipate the end of Winter, August seems much closer, and we're beginning to think about going back.

Otherwise, I've been watching the board from time to time, ... following the antics of Jane, Chloe, Debbie, Dennie,and several new friends with interest and amusement. The recent discussion about sunbathing has been a hoot!

I wish you good luck in "negotiations" with Frank about your vacation trip to San Pedro in June. The idea of going to a less remote resort is good. When we visited AC in 1997, we stayed at Paradise Villa, close to town, and were able to do lots of things when we wanted.