Hi there,

Don't want to bring anyone down this morning with nasty talk...but I have been offered a job in Belize City and this company will provide company housing...bla, bla bla and I have been doing alot of reading of late and am quite horrorified and alarmed by what I am reading, then again I go on these fourms and read how everything is great and I am very confused...does anyone out there have the real story on Belize city and crime, I am an American that has lived on other islands and not sure that what I am reading is the real story???

San Pedro (and indeed most of the rest of Belize) and Belize City are two different worlds.

My suggestion would be to invest a few hundred bucks in your future and, if you haven't already, visit Belize City and talk with residents, especially expats. Look at your options for housing, where you'll be working, etc.

Personally I wouldn't want to live in Belize City, but around 80,000 people do live in and around Belize City and quite a few of them seem to like it.

79,850 of those residents are super nice people!

You might have read comments about how great Belize is (or certain parts of Belize), but I doubt anyone said that Belize City was a great place. I have lived there.

Belize City is divided by a river into the North Side and the South Side. Most of the crime occurs on the South Side. I'd stay away from that area if possible, and especially at night.

So far this year, there have been 35 murders in the City (70 in the whole country), and at least that many shootings (none of the victims have been foreigners).

The North Side has some better neighbourhoods (e.g. King's Park), but while there aren't as many murders, home break-ins occur -- that explains the burglar bars on the windows, high fences with broken glass, security cameras and watchdogs.

Better neighbourhoods (Belama) are located a mile or so out along the Northern Highway.

The downtown area is generally safe in the daytime, but I wouldn't walk off down streets that look deserted.

PM me if you need to know anything more.