{"id":45022,"date":"2021-09-17T10:17:35","date_gmt":"2021-09-17T15:17:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/?p=45022"},"modified":"2022-12-02T13:57:33","modified_gmt":"2022-12-02T18:57:33","slug":"unlock-your-inner-expat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/blog\/unlock-your-inner-expat\/","title":{"rendered":"Unlock Your Inner Expat"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our experts look forward to discussing all options you have to unlock your inner expat!\u00a0 Contact us today<\/strong><\/a> to arrange for a consultation.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you ever been to Belize?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d I stated, curious to hear what review of the destination was coming next.<\/p>\n

“It’s nothing like Cancun. It’s small. The sand isn’t nice. We were in Caye Caulker and I hated it.”<\/p>\n

My friend\u2019s comment struck a nerve. Why was she speaking with such disdain about this tiny country? I had mentioned becoming an expat and Belize was the first country to pass through my lips.<\/p>\n

“Good. I don’t want to go to Cancun. I am not looking for a 5-star resort getaway.” My statement fell on deaf ears.<\/p>\n

\u201cI felt claustrophobic. I couldn\u2019t wait to get off that island.\u201d<\/p>\n

She was assuming I had been to and liked Cancun. She was assuming she understood my travel style. Newsflash. Not all Canadians want to go to Cancun. Besides, this was not about going on a two-week vacation. This was about leaving my home country for a long time. Deciding on where to go on vacation and where to live are two different things.<\/p>\n

Opinions, Everyone has One<\/strong><\/p>\n

I have always been the see it for myself kind of gal. I will hear your opinion, digest the information, and then experience it for myself. Perception is a curious beast.<\/p>\n

Ask yourself a question. Do you want to continue to live in a country with grossly inflated money markets that are reducing your savings to pennies? If you answered yes, stop reading. If you answered no, what would be appealing to you in another country?<\/p>\n

Infrastructure? Government? Weather? Cost of living?<\/strong><\/p>\n

This past year has made it obvious that it is time to leave the country of my birth. With the continual Stage 1 lockdowns, it appears the government is never going to loosen its grip on the citizens. I do not see freedom in Canada\u2019s future\u2014and that is sad. I never foresaw myself as an economic refugee.<\/p>\n

I am tired of paying almost $2,000 a month for rent. I am tired of the skyrocketing price of groceries, gas, utilities, and eating out. The pace is murder and I want to live for another 40 years.<\/p>\n

I do; however, see a future in other countries south of the border.<\/p>\n

Dispelling Dogmatic Assertions<\/strong><\/p>\n

The year that never was and will never end became the year of expat research for me. After purchasing a reference book as a starting point, the infamous checklist of must-have items began. Enter curious perception of other countries.<\/p>\n

In Northern Belize<\/a>, a couple can comfortably live on a monthly budget of USD$1,580. Rent for an unfurnished, two-bedroom apartment runs about USD$500. This varies by location and lifestyle choices, of course. Belize has one of the lowest costs of living of any Caribbean countries. English is the official language, which is a bonus to some. Is Belize worth a visit? Definitely.<\/p>\n

My newfound needs and desires checklist kept taking me to countries I had never been to before, except for Mexico<\/a>. To make a sound decision, these countries need to be seen on more than paper. Sure, other people can say places are wonderful, but opinions differ.<\/p>\n

Yes, you can live in a country where heat and air conditioning are not imperative to survival. These places do exist and for half the price of living in Canada or the United States. Imagine going to the local open-air market. Fresh fruit and colourful vegetables picked the same morning adorn the tables. So affordable is your $10 booty you cannot carry everything you bought. In contrast, go to the grocery store in Canada and get excited when cauliflower goes on sale for $3.99 a head. Oh yes, the cauliflower is imported from the USA. How long did it sit inside the delivery truck before ending up in the grocery store?<\/p>\n

Wave a fond farewell to the money-sucking, polluting vehicles required to get from Point A to Point B\u2014a bicycle or your two feet are sufficient. Public transit in many of the cities I have investigated is excellent and affordable.<\/p>\n

Oh, and how about a government that does not want to be your mother? Yes, Toto, those countries exist, too. Remember when you were allowed to make your own decisions? What a concept.<\/p>\n

The big question I hear from Canadians that do not understand why I want to leave the Great White North is, \u201cHow is the healthcare there?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Healthcare Issue<\/p>\n

According to the WHO, Canada ranks 30th in the world on health system performance. The top 5 are:<\/p>\n