We have done a lot of reading on retiring in Belize. What monthly amount do you all recommend having on hand? We are not looking at anything fancy. We have 2 dogs. Will that be a problem when looking for a rental? One is a terrier and the other a basset hound. We are going to try it for 6 months or longer. We lived in Hawaii for 4 years and I miss the beach and the laid back lifestyle. Thanks. Sue

Sue - You can check out www.belizenorth.com as I mentioned in another post. They are an american couple living in Corozal (much cheaper than San Pedro) and give info about living on very litte $$ per month for retirees. I'm sure they could help you if you emailed them. Also check out info from Lan Sluder, I'm pretty sure he has info on that too. You'd have to ask around as far as pets allowed - no prob I'd think if they were "outside pets"...

Belize is like almost anywhere else in respect to money -- you can live very cheaply (well under US$1000 a month for two for a pleasant Belizean-style life ... or not (US$5000 to $7500 a month and up for a U.S.-style way of living in a high-cost area, with A/C, car, imported food and booze, lots of dining out).

It really depends on where you live -- Belize City, San Pedro and PG being the most expensive areas, anywhere rural and Corozal Town being the least expensive. It also depends on your lifestyle.

But for various reasons -- the small size and inefficiency of the local market, relatively high labor costs, high cost of imported good, among other things -- Belize is not by any means the cheapest place to live in the region.

Having dogs shouldn't pose much of a problem for rentals, unless you are looking at a condo or smal apartment in San Pedro.

--Lan Sluder