We spoke to Matt, a retired Detective Sergeant from Massachusetts. Matt and his wife moved to Belize recently. In this chat, he shares how they found a property online and purchased it from the comfort of their home. Read on to learn how the pandemic pushed them to take the leap!
Wrobel & Co: When did you move to Belize and why did you choose to move here?
Matt: My wife Donna and I made the move in October of 2020, just days after the international airport in Belize opened up after the COVID shutdown.
W & C: Where are you from originally, and what did you do there?
Matt: I’m originally from Massachusetts, my wife Donna is from Rhode Island. I spent the majority of my adult life in law enforcement, the last 9 years as a Detective Sergeant. Donna spent most of her adult life in sales, however, a few years ago she went back to school and became a nurse, working the last few years as a nurse at a couple of different prisons.
W & C: When did you move to Progresso? Tell us about your decision to move there.
Matt: The decision was somewhat of a long one. Starting in about early 2018, we began researching countries to retire to. At that time, it was much more of a long-term plan than what actually unfolded. As time went on, Belize kept jumping to the top of the list. Just before COVID hit, my wife Donna found a property online, in Progresso, that just seemed right. At that moment, we weren’t sure if we were ready to walk away from work just yet. But, as COVID and a number of other circumstances played out over the next few months, we said to each other, “let’s do this.”
W & C: What was the process like to purchase the property in Progresso?
Matt: Initially we had to do some research into owning property in Belize. Belize is so much more “expat friendly” I guess I would call it, compared to other countries, as to a non-citizen owning property. Despite the property being offered by a reputable real estate company, we thought it would be wise to hire an attorney.
W & C: Since you’ve purchased property in the US, please describe the major differences between buying real estate there and in Belize.
Matt: We’ve purchased homes numerous times in the states, pretty much every 4-6 years. I think everybody who has ever purchased property in the U.S. knows the stresses leading up to the closing. Seemingly something goes wrong (paperwork problem, a utility not getting a final reading in time, a buyer backing out at the last second, on and on) at every closing in the US. It’s almost to the point of expected. I’m thrilled to say that my experience of purchasing this property in Progresso in Belize went smoothly and easy, thanks to Wrobel & Company. FedEx’d some paperwork back and forth, some phone calls, all was so easy!
W & C: Do you recommend hiring a lawyer for real estate ventures in Belize?
Matt: From my experience, I wouldn’t think of not hiring a lawyer for a real estate transaction in Belize. Looking at the big picture, the services and expertise, as well as the quick and straightforward answers to all our questions and concerns were priceless.
W & C: Describe your life in Belize in 3 words.
Matt: Happy, peaceful, harmonious.
W & C: Tell us about the Disc Golf scene in Belize. Is Belize a great place to disc golf? (frolf?)
Matt: I had never ever heard of disc golf prior to coming to Belize. Little did I know, it’s a big thing worldwide. I was invited to play in Cerros a few months back. You go out to a golf course-like area, and use frisbees (I mean discs, they’re not frisbees!) instead of golf clubs and a golf ball. Had a great time and met a bunch of great people! I can no longer compete in athletic events like I once could (injuries, getting older, all that stuff), but had a great time playing. I’ve played a few times since, and look forward to the next opportunity.
W & C: Favourite animal in Belize?
Matt: Well, I have to answer that with our Sophia. She’s a small dog that my wife “adopted” while waiting in line to cross the New River at the Pueblo Nuevo ferry. She was one of nine dogs the family had in the car that they were giving away. Sophia has it good. Aside from our pet, we are intrigued by coatimundis. They occasionally run around our property and it’s fun to see a family crossing the road.
W & C: Favourite time of year in Belize?
Matt: So far I love it all. We both appreciate being here in January and February as opposed to Massachusetts, as the weather here is always sunny and in the 80s. I was definitely done with New England winters.
W & C: Top two favourite places in Belize?
Matt: There are still so many places we have yet to explore. Altun Ha, the Mayan ruin, a short ways outside of Belize City, was amazing. We’ve gone and hiked it twice. Second, I have to say Progresso Lagoon. My wife and I paddle board through the lagoon almost everyday. We paddle alongside sea turtles; a dolphin swam up to me, poked my board a few times, then swam next to me for a few minutes. Just amazing stuff!
W & C: Can you elaborate on your interactions with Wrobel & Co., and more specifically, our Managing Partner, Ryan Wrobel? Do you feel that our office has anything to offer your clients/guests?
Matt: Upon our decision to purchase property in Belize, we did a bunch of research on attorneys. Our research eventually led to Wrobel & Co. We finalized our decision after I had sent a few emails asking questions and my phone rang. It was Ryan Wrobel calling me from Belize. We had a great conversation and he answered every question I had! He had actually moved from the U.S. to Belize years earlier. I really that felt he wanted us to succeed. Certainly throughout the process of the purchase and the move, Ryan, as well as his employees, had to endure many questions and concerns I had! I can’t say enough good about Ryan and his team, always professional, always had an answer for me, and always there when I needed something. I’m not one to throw around compliments unearned. Ryan and his team are first class. I hate to say you won’t get anything like them in the USA.
W & C: What are some of the amazing things living in Belize has afforded you?
Matt: Wow, where to begin. We both feel like we left the “rat race” behind. A breath of fresh air, which is literally true, the air here is great, so refreshing. Of course, Belize has offered us a retirement. The cost of living here, being what it is, made it possible for us to retire here. Certainly, if we were in the US, with both of us still in our 50’s, we’d still be working at something. The people here are amazing. We’ve met so many people, both expats and locals, and everyone is friendly and great. The communities we’ve experienced, particularly Progresso, San Estevan, Orange Walk, and Corozal Town, are so welcoming. We still have so many places that we want to travel to within Belize. We’ve visited Placencia for a few days. It was beautiful. Traveled the Hummingbird Highway, beautiful. San Pedro and Ambergris Caye were a blast. We look forward to cave tubing at ATM, visiting the Belize Zoo, hiking through more of the Mayan ruins, and so much more. We had to realize that we can’t do it all in one weekend! We’re starting to adapt to Belize time, probably the most amazing thing we’ve been afforded!
Interested in retiring or relocating to Belize as Matt did? Contact Wrobel & Co, Attorneys-at-Law, and we’ll get you started on your Belize retirement or relocation journey today.
To learn more about retirement in Belize, visit our Belize Retirement FAQ page here.
This information was provided as a courtesy of Wrobel & Co. Attorneys-at-law. It is intended to inform, not to advise. No one should try to interpret or apply any law without the assistance of legal counsel. Please click here for the full disclaimer.
