Hello to everyone on the Forum. I've been reading (lurking) on the forum for about a year now, and have been researching a Relocation to Ambergris Caye. I see that on the forum lots of people ask about this, and get a fair amount of feedback on what the challenges are so I'd like to just review them and address them, so that after that, maybe I can find out what I've missed, and what some of the solutions are to some of them.
About Us: Married Couple with 2 Cats and an Adventuresome spirit looking to get out of the Cold and enjoy some island time.
Things I already now:
WE CAN NOT WORK. Solution, A modest rental income from the US, Combined with a Modest internet Business. (Savings to make sure we have time to make it work)
The Internet is Expensive (relative) and Slow: I understand that, and Most of my online work is done offline and then uploaded. I also plan to use Virtual Computers in the US.
Gardening is not Really an option: Well good news for me, I haven't been able to keep a house plant alive for a week never mind get fruit from anything!
Ambergris Caye is most expensive place in Belize: Yup, it's also where the Snorkeling is, and the least crime due to it's importance as a tourist destination. So that is the Cost of being there.
Paradise is Relative: Sure everywhere looks better then where you are (it's -20 here today). I've lived in a lot of places and am aware that every place has it's up and downs. Paradise is an attitude not a destination.
Visit First: I have granted for only 2 weeks, but we understand what the island is and what it is not. We have visited several other Caribbean destination, and can say for certain the People and the Expats on AC are the friendliest we have encountered anywhere.
Rentals are more profitable as Vacation then Long Term. Yea, I get that, but there are Costs To turnover, and there are benefits to guaranteed income. My approach is to arrive at the beginning of the off season (March / April) for a 6 month lease So guaranteed income for the entire off season. If we can be on island and see it first, the possibility of all upfront exists.
WHAT I DON'T KNOW!
First off, lets start with the simple answer, I don't know what I don't know, so please fill in any blanks.
After that are the specific things I have questions about.
I don't know how to get in touch / coordinate the a place to rent. I've sent several emails to Property Managers with little success. My first option is for a moderate priced 1 month rental to get me on island to find the long term rental. I get that a lot of people don't want to wast their time with the dreamers and being on island is pretty good proof of my seriousness to the plan. So Suggestions or recommendations, or best offers to rent, would be incredibly helpful.
About what we are looking for: 1 bdr, Safe, off beach is fine, 1 mile to town, South of the bridge (seems like north of the bridge is far, and harder for walking).
How do I get all my stuff to the Island (all is small probably 5 or 6 suitcases, maybe a large Plastic Container). Tropic Air has a Freight Option, or the Ferry? But we want to fly over on the day of arrival, because we have cats and want to get them out of their carriers as soon as possible, it will be a long day for them. Can we leave the rest of the items with Tropic air for delivery later? are there other services, solutions or ideas on how to deal with this?
Any information about pets / Cats on the island, Again this falls in the Category of we don't know what we don't know.
If you made it all the way to the end of this, I appreciate your time for reading, and would be grateful for any help / information you can provide.
Thanks and Looking forward to a new Adventure:
SnorkelStuff