I don't know about anybody else, but I'd jump at an opportunity to manage a "boutique", granted you have not been able to hire a Belizean.? But am computer illiterate about sending resume?? I could probably figure it out!! Or email us at frantz_rickcheri@msn.com......I'd gladly trade a Belizean my job!!! LOL....Have any locals not applied? Plus have many more questions not wanting to ask here...C

I see that people are trying to make points again.... Please avoid running with it! I think that all this thread has done is discourage someone from finding out more about this great land. If life is so terrible here then what the @#%$ are you doing here? Oh yes I forgot Susangg does not live here and she loves it so much she is selling everything and moving to Panama! What about the rest of you? Beachy I can' believe you would discourage someone from expanding their Horizons? Most of the info about Jobs is correct but, I think No wait, I know that living here is a little, I mean alot less expensive then living in Austin Unless you are living under the Lamar Street Overpass! You can easily find a rental apartment for 500USD a month or less in a nice area. Groceries are expensive but you just need to adapt and start eating different things. As for Utilities I have never had a cable bill below 50 USD in the states and Electricity unless you are using central air you should be alot less than the 200 USD or so a month in Austin for either electric in the summer and Gas during the winter months. Water bill for two persons showering twice a day should not exceed 60 BZ a month. Also I am a gringo living and working in Belize. I am glad I did not ask any of you for help when I decided to do it!

Shame on all of you!

Oh yes I forgot the whole free speech thing. There is no such thing! It was something made up by people who never wanted anything to end peacefully! (This is my way of making this thread go on and on and on.

I still don't believe anyone has answered the poor girls questions!
1- This is a beautiful friendly place to live. You will meet people here you will remain friends with for the rest of your life.
2- There are many apartments for rent on the island. A decent clean apartment will run you between $400US to $1200US and up.
3- If you are only going to be here a year or two, you probably only want to bring your necessities with you. Everything else you can acquire here. If you plan on being here longer than that, there are many shipping companies that will ship less than container fulls of personal goods. Be prepared to pay up to 30% in duties and sales taxes on their worth. If you have residency you can get a one time 'free' shipment into the country. (I think they are still doing that?)
4- The most occuring crime in Belize is petty theft. Keep your things locked up, use your head, and you won't have any problems. I haven't anyway. Violent crimes do exist, but are few and far between compared to US towns of the same size.
5- Oh yeah, Jobs. I'm sure your husband will not have a problem finding a job here as long as he has the proper papers. Just understand that he may only make about 25-50% of the wages he is making in the US.

I would suggest a good one or two week visit to check the place out.

Paradise is a word usually described for a place you visit. Once you live there, its a different story...

Hope this helps

It always amazes me when a new person inquires about moving to Belize and working there, at the responses that are given.

It is true that "Ideally", it would be nice to have Belizeans fill EVERY open position in Belize.
It is NOT true however, to say that there are no positions for foreigners. Sure there are...there are lots of foreigners working and living in Belize.

There is a right and a wrong way to find work in Belize as a foreigner and there are no guarantees that you will be doing something you like or something that makes you any money.
It's a little like job roulette.

Business owners are required to place adds for open positions in any of several mediums for at least 3 weeks running. This may include T.V., newspapers, internet, even "word of mouth" is mentioned on the work permit application. I would suggest to keep accurate records of that advertising and save it for a rainy day just in case immigration comes calling. If a Belizean applies for the position and is qualified...you are bound to hire them.
If no "qualified" Belizean applies....AND...if it is not feasible to train one for the position, then you may hire a foreigner.

From personal experience, both in finding a job and in hiring staff, there are not always qualified staff to hire for certain positions.
Unfortunately in San Pedro, there is a large portion of residents that don't speak English well even though Belize is an English speaking country. Since Ambergris Caye's primary business is tourism, it makes it difficult to fill positions unless the staff is well versed in English. Example: It's a little hard to tell the maid you need towel in room #5 when she doesn't understand a word you say.
It isn't that they aren't capable or smart...there is simply a language barrier.

I'm sure in other posts concerning this same topic I've mentioned the Belizean work ethic as well. This is not to start a fight...it is simply a known fact that Belizeans have never been brought up to work like dogs 24/7 like we in the states have. They actually relax and enjoy life a little...sometimes a little too much. They are used to their afternoon siesta and they don't sweat small stuff. This is a great way to live...but if you are a business owner, particularly one from the states that is used to holding a firm hand on your employees...you are in for a big surprise. It will be like rubbing a cat the wrong way and they will simply move on to the next job. Turn over is big. Staffing is probably the hardest part of any business on the island.

Another problem that happens on Ambergris Caye...
If you place an add in a Belize City newspaper for an open position, that person pretty much has to be prepared to move to the Caye as commuting isn't feasable or cost effective.

It probably is true that over the last 10-15 years, San Pedro has increasingly become more and more foreign in it's make up and business structure. Don't think there is a lot you can do about that now. Tourism is booming and everyone wants a piece of the pie. As long as the Government allows it...it will continue at the current rate. Government has a definate hand in certain aspects of new businesses getting started.
Those who have done it know what I mean. That's just the way it is...and probably true for most Caribbean countries.

Susangg is right about the cost of living. It's outrageous on Ambergris Caye so just get prepared for it.

Is there a reason why you are choosing to go to medical school in Belize? I'm curious about that.
Medical school is hard enough without worrying about all the hurdles that you WILL go through while living there. It is no fun walk in the park.
It will NOT be like being on vacation for sure.

I look forward to hearing your story.

Best Wishes!

Actually, St. Luke's contacted me. Several students from my University have traveled to Belize and gone to either MUA or St. Matt's. We were wanting to travel. The U.S. does have greusome medical schools. I was hoping after traveling to Belize I may find the atmosphere is less driven. We are young, without children, and relatively low financial attachments to the states hindering us from leaving. I don't in any way expect it to be a vacation. Erik and I would have to move in order to go the M.D. school anyway, so why not Belize?
Also, my philosophy on health care varies from much of the U.S. I don't believe only the wealthy should get health care, and I have a hard time being paid such enormous salaries while this occurs. I guess I'm being idealistic in the views that other countries may have the views as it do.
Thanks to everyone for all your comments. The wonderful thing about a message board is that all different point of views are brought out developing the bigger picture. :rolleyes:

To Erik and Jennifer: welcome, my wife's name is Jennifer, and I've known an actually hip dude who was a doctor AND named Erik!

and travellin man, I meant to rebut, but I've been at B.C.'s and I got nothin' but love for my homies from the south side, holmes.
anyway, listen up close ese, to what I'm dishin up:

We did it, both of us, and to laugh and say, "it was easy, G, come on down!!" is as much a lie as "It's impossible, man, don't do it!!"

plus, Things still loom large for me (AND you...)
in the states, vato, so recall that, yes, there are people on this board who spent many keystrokes recommending I not come,
some good points some bad points,
I wieghed um out, used my specific circumstances and made the call and I still came, but its good to have some balance. In fact, I wish I had some now....hehehehe hickup.
Beachy speahy done now.
Beachy_bound_for_bed signing out.
p.s. I made up that part about knowing a doctor named erik
but ya'll bought it, didn't ya
admit it. :p

E & J...
Glad to hear your philosophy...Kudos!
I too am in the medical field and my viewpoints often clash with the mainstream of the medical society.
All the best to you two and remember...

"People don't care how much you know...
till they know how much you care."

Whoa, easy there travelin' man - i still stand by my statement that to live in SP as you MAY currently be accustomed to living, i.e., air conditioning, golf-cart purchase and maintenance, modernized US style residence, dining out at nice restaurants, appliances, etc. plus entertainment, etc., does easily match the cost of Austin, Texas. I've lived both places, and it was just about the same on a monthly basis. I also mentioned that it COULD be done a lot less expensively, if one were to re-work one's requirements for day to day living. Go for it! Nothing wrong with a variety of opinions, it takes all kinds, and San Pedro is full of all kinds, thankfully. I also again encourage everybody to check it out in person, its always a treat to go for a visit-it'll take ten years off of you for at least a week thereafter!

Well Put Miss Anthropy!

I agree 100% with this post, Missanthro, certain things are more, certain are less, but I REALLY agree one must come see for oneself. Heck, its clear that it'll take years off of you, Travelin man and I both act like we're 12 most of the time now.
Economics equasion example for statesiders:
Your car payments and gas, insurance and maintenance alone are enough to keep the average San Pedro resident and his best girl eating out in local restaurants for a week, but in the morning he'll need 3x the amount you need to buy a box of cereal.

Beachy (likes Frooty Pebbles)