Why San Pedro Town & Ambergris Caye?
Belize is emerging as a premier eco-tourism destination for those desiring a unique vacation experience similar to that of Costa Rica, but closer to home and where English is the national language. Its diverse geography, flora and fauna, spectacular reefs, comfortable climate and intriguing Mayan culture make it a destination that appeals to many people seeking a reasonably priced life style that also provides the major amenities they have come to expect. Belize is easy to reach – it is a bit more than a two hour flight from major American cities such as Houston, Dallas and Miami, thus readily accessible for most North Americans. The fact that English is the primary language and the Belize dollar is tied to the US dollar provide a margin of comfort critical to many potential expats. Given the expanding tourism industry and the Belizean government’s continued commitment to tourism, an investment in Belize, a stable democratic country, presents an opportunity to buy into a strong real estate market that will continue expanding far into the future.
Why move to the island of Ambergris Caye, Belize? Read the articles listed on Islands.com and CNNMoney.com, each of which provides a strong rationale to buy and live in Ambergris Caye, Belize. In June, 2008, Islands Magazine selected Ambergris Caye as one of their top 10 favorite islands to live on. Likewise, in the January 2007 CNNMoney issue they listed “hot” locations where Americans would be buying second homes overseas during the next year. Belize was listed as one of the six projected hottest markets for 2007.
There is only so much property available on islands located on the Caribbean Sea. For anyone who has always wanted to live on or near the Caribbean Sea, Ambergris Caye offers the small island feel preferred by many of today's retirees and vacationers who are tired of living in major cities and vacationing at mega resorts. There are many diverse locations and geographies within Belize, but Ambergris Caye is the only one that combines the advantages of being on a Caribbean island within site of the barrier reef, with the many amenities/activities that one would expect from a larger town. Although primarily a laid back beach town, you can:
- Enjoy a double mocha latte at the local outdoor hangout.
- Buy a nice bottle of wine in one of several specialty liquor/wine shops.
- Surf the internet on a high speed DSL line.
- Choose from a variety of excellent and diverse restaurants.
- Take a yoga or pilates class on the beach.
- Treat oneself to massage or a luxurious spa treatment.
- Cable TV stations.
When compared to other similar Caribbean islands, the prices for properties on Ambergris Caye, and in San Pedro Town, are still relatively inexpensive. As demonstrated by the two articles referred to above, since the early 2000s this well kept secret has been “discovered” and Ambergris Caye has become an increasingly popular location for North American expats to live and invest. Despite the 2007/2008 mortgage crisis in the USA, properties under $400,000 have continued to sell briskly in Ambergris Caye and San Pedro Town at a time when the sale of high end real estate has cooled.
For those who want to live the Caribbean island lifestyle but to also be close to an active but non-pretentious town, living in or near San Pedro Town is the perfect solution. There are few remaining properties available for development near the town. Baymen Garden fills a unique market niche, providing a reasonably priced modern community with exceptional amenities, and, that is within walking distance of downtown San Pedro Town. There is a window of opportunity to purchase before prices for real estate again escalates. Undeveloped beach front property in San Pedro, in particular, has become scarce, consistently putting pricing pressure not only on the beach properties, but also the off beach properties.
In addition to the general beauty and lifestyle advantages of living in San Pedro Town, the Belizean government has also developed a program to attract qualified expats from other countries. Their unique program facilitates the transition for people wanting to move to Belize and take an early retirement. This Qualified Retirement Program (QRP) provides many benefits to expats who are interested in moving to Belize, even if only for a few months a year. Information on this program can be obtained the Belize Tourist Boards website, at www.belizeretirement.org.
