Corozal in Belize named one of the Best Places to Retire Outside of the USA

by Cindy Perman of CNBC

Retiring in another country used to be a foreign concept to most Americans but it's becoming more common thanks to two main factors: the Internet and the economy.

The Internet has provided some much-needed connectivity and the economy has priced many retirees out of warm-weather cities in the U.S.

"You can live better for less in a tropical paradise," said Dan Prescher, the special projects editor for International Living magazine. "All you have to do is think outside the border."

AARP found 10 of the best places to retire outside the U.S., using five criteria: the cost of living, housing costs, health care (both quality and accessibility), cultural and recreational options and if there's already an expat community there. They include Buenos Aires, Argentina; Corozal, Belize; Le Marche, Italy; Boquete, Panama; and Cascais, Portugal, as well as five other locales.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Both scenic and sophisticated, Buenos Aires is often referred to as the "Paris of South America."

"This falls into one of those fantasy places for people," said Ken Budd, the executive editor of AARP magazine.

It's got a lot of museums and restaurants, with beautiful cathedrals and opera houses. And since the country's economic crisis in 2002, it's been a very affordable option. Rents start at $700 a month in some popular expat communities, and you can buy a nice condo for a couple hundred thousand dollars, AARP reports. Plus, it's close to the beautiful beaches of Uruguay.

And let's not forget, Buenos Aires is home of the tango. Ole!

Corozal, Belize

The convenience of Belize sets it apart — the official language is English, it's very easy to get residency status and they offer tons of special benefits to retirees.

Oh, and it's got some pretty amazing scenery — lush forests and picturesque white-sand beaches.

"It's got fantastic beaches," Budd said. "Classic warm weather, lots of great outdoor swimming, boating and biking — there's a high pleasure factor there," he said. "And you get it a lot cheaper than you would in, say, California."

One American couple built a ranch with a water view for $125,000, AARP said.

Le Marche, Italy

Le Marche has vineyards, mountains, beaches, and "some of the best fish dishes in Italy," Budd said. It's close to the Adriatic Sea, yet still close enough for a weekend trip to Florence, Milan or Venice.

Many people have been priced out of Tuscany, and Umbria was thought to be the next Tuscany, but then they made that movie and it was just as expensive as Tuscany!

"You want to stay away from those places and find the places that are under the radar… You're looking for the next Tuscany before it becomes Tuscany," he said.

And guess what that is? Ding! Le Marche. Budd said you can rent a place for as cheap as $700 a month, though that rises to $1,500 the closer you get to the coast.

Boquete, Panama

This mountain town offers a beautiful retreat, yet it's a short ride or flight to the city and beach.

The currency is pegged to the dollar, so the weak dollar isn't an issue. Plus, Panama really rolls out the red carpet for retirees: They offer 20 to 50 percent discounts to retirees on airfare, buses, trains, concerts, movies, medical bills and more, AARP reports.

It's amazingly affordable: One couple from California bought a seven-acre organic coffee farm for $135,000, AARP said.

Plus, it has a lot of the comforts of home — everything from golf courses to gated communities.

Cascais, Portugal

Portugal has everything you could want in retirement — golf, beaches and restaurants — and yet it's cheaper than most everything else in western Europe. It's one of those great off-the-radar finds if you can take advantage of it before everyone else gets there.

The nation prides itself on being laid back — the opposite of a bustling city like New York, Budd said.

Cascais is a scenic resort town on the Atlantic coast and the people are very friendly.

It's just 15 miles away from the capital but extremely affordable: One expat told AARP that she rented a huge apartment/office with a pool for $1,000 a month and that you could buy a nice home for $250,000.

Belize Qualified Retired Persons Incentive Program also known as the QRP Program

Since the inception of the Qualified Retired Persons Incentive Program also known as the QRP Program, Belize is rapidly becoming known as a prevalent retirement destination in Central America, the Caribbean and other Global Communities and was named one of the world's top ten retirement havens for 2011 by US News.

About The Program
The Retirement Program in Belize was created especially for those people who wish to live in Belize and can prove a permanent and consistent income from investment (abroad or in Belize), pension or other retirement benefits.

Who can qualify for this program?
The Retirement Program in Belize was created especially for those people who wish to live in Belize and can prove a permanent and consistent income from investment (abroad or in Belize), pension or other retirement benefits.
Our natural wealthy environment as well as our culturally diverse and hospitable people - our greatest asset - are only but a few reasons to retire in Belize.

To list even more enticing features...
• Tax Breaks
• Peaceful Nation
• English Speaking
• Good Educational System
• Sub-tropical Climate all Year Long
• Easy Access to Land for Development and Construction of Retirement Home
• Close Proximity to the US, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean
• Strong Stable Belize Dollar
• Abundance of Natural Resources
• Breathtakingly Beautiful
• Friendly People

Qualifying Process
Anyone forty-five years and older can qualify for the program. A person who qualifies can also include his or her dependents in the program. Dependents include spouses and children under the age of eighteen. However, it can include a person up to the age of twenty-three if enrolled in a university.

INCOME FROM PENSION OR OTHER SOURCE

1. Qualified Retired Persons
To be designated a Qualified Retired Person under the program, applicants must receive a monthly income of not less than US $2,000 through a pension or annuity that has been generated outside of Belize.
2. Certification
i) When a company grants a pension, that company has to prove that it has been in operation for at least 20 years by submitting proof of registration.
ii) The company that grants the pension shall certify that the pension of no less than US $2,000.00 per month will be forwarded to a reputable financial institution within Belize. This letter must be signed by the manager, president, or by a legal representative of the company.
iii) Certification by a Certified Public Accountant independent of the company:
-Stating the date the company was established
-Verifying the authenticity of the above mentioned letter
-Certifying that the obligation signed in favor of the beneficiary is not less than US $2000.00 per month.
iv) The applicant must present two (2) bank references from the company that is sending the pension.
v) The company granting the pension must present a document outlining its pension scheme.
Requirement ii, iii, iv could be omitted where the company sending the pension is considered to be a Fortune Five Hundred Company.

3. Background Check
All applications are subject to a background check to be carried out by the Ministry of National Security.

Terms &Conditions
Below is a copy of the terms and conditions form. Please review.

1. All Qualified Retired Persons must adhere to the general procedures cited by the Customs Department for the clearing of all personal and household effects including 'Mode of Transportation'.
2. Qualified Retired Persons are not allowed to seek employment or work for pay while in this program or in Belize.
3. Qualified Retired Persons within this program must inform the Belize Tourism Board regarding any changes stated on the application form. Failure to do so may result in the revocation of applicant's status.
4. Qualified Retired Persons must adhere to all existing laws of Belize, in addition to the Retired Persons (Incentives) (Amendment) Act, 2001.
5. All benefits provided by this program will be exclusively used by the Qualified Retired Persons and his or her dependents.
6. The Belize Tourism Board has the authority to carry out any investigation with respect to the validity of any document provided by the applicant under this program.
7. Participants within this program must inform the Belize Tourism Board prior to leaving the country indefinitely so that the assets purchased under this program can be liquidated.
8. All documents presented to the Belize Tourism Board become the property of the Board.
9. The applicant must not have any criminal matters with the law at the time of application.
10. Applicants must present a listing with all the necessary information with regards to his or her dependents. If the applicant has a dependent over eighteen and in school, then he or she must present a proof of enrollment from that institution.
11. Qualified Retired Persons must submit a yearly bank statement showing compliance with the financial requirements of the program.
12. Qualified Retired Persons must spend an equivalent of one month in Belize annually to maintain their status as a Retiree Resident.

Acceptance of these terms and conditions must be endorsed with the signature of the applicant in the presence of a witness.

Application Process
Each application for the Retirement Program will be processed by the Belize Tourism Board and forwarded to the Department of Immigration and Nationality. Persons interested in the program must submit completed applications to the Belize Tourism Board with the following supporting documentation:

Birth Certificate:
A copy of a certificate for the applicant and each dependant

Marriage Certificate:
(if married and spouse is a dependant)

Authentic Police Record:
An authentic police record from the applicants last place of residency issued within one month prior to this application

Passport:
Clear copies of complete passport (including all blank pages) of applicant and all dependents that have been certified by a Notary Public. The copies must have the passport number, name of principal, number of pages and the seal or stamp of the Notary Public.

Proof of Income:
(a.) An official statement from a bank or financial institution certifying that the applicant is the recipient of a pension or annuity of a minimum of Two Thousand United States Dollars (US $ 2 000) per month.

Medical Examination:
Applicants should undergo a complete medical examination including an AIDS test. A copy of the medical certificate must be attached to the application.

Photos:
Four front and four-side passport size photographs that have been taken recently of applicant and dependents.

The Application

FOR REGISTRATION AS A QUALIFIED RETIRED PERSON

IMPORTANT
Please read all the instructions carefully before completing the form.
All particulars must be fully stated in block letters.
Incorrect or incomplete statements may result in delay or refusal of the application. If any error is discovered after status has been granted the applicant status may be revoked.
Applicants may use the services of a local attorney or accountant when processing the application.

For more informatioon you can take a look at the Retirement Section of Belize Tourism Board website.

If you are looking to Retire in Caribbean you can choose to Retire in Belize.
For a list of Retirement Homes in Belize make sure to contact:
Platinum International Real Estate
Phone: +501-664-1630
Email: info@platinumrealestate.biz