Costa Rica: Living There
The Golden Door to Retirement

BECOMING AN EXPAT: DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?
By Reverend Macarena Rose

The Expat Dream Takes Hold

Do you have what it takes to become an expat?  Part of the answer lies in you believing it – believing that you can succeed in an environment foreign to all of your life experiences. And, I’m not referring to your perfect dream or fantasy land environment; I’m talking about reality, because when you move to a new and foreign land you quickly become immersed in its reality, which believe me is 180 degrees from the place that you are leaving!

First off, you have to decide if you are a candidate to become an expat. Not everyone fits that mold, but one way to determine if you fit the profile and discover if an expat life should be part of your future is to take this little test…

The Test

1.  Have you spent days at work trying to look like you're busy and productive - when you're actually fantasizing about becoming an expat!!  (YES / NO)

2.  Are you staring at that computer screen with glazed eyes - but instead of seeing excel spread sheets, you see yourself spreading your towel out on an exotic beach and an afternoon of blissful naps and naughty novels.  (YES / NO)

3.  You think you're the next India/Indiana Jones on a mission to seek hidden relics in Mayan temples.  Instead you're seeking new markets for the company.  You give your sales pitch to the glazed eyes of potential customers -- who are busy daydreaming about their own expat adventures. And thus, don't hear a word you say!  (YES / NO)

4.  You dream about becoming a world famous botanist who will uncover new medicinal plants and new cures for mankind's ills.  Hey, that Nobel Prize might be next!  (YES / NO)

Okay, that was all in good fun, but hopefully you get the point – you must really have a passion to want to abandon your current home in order to surrender to a new way of life in a new country.
That’s exactly what happened to me and I found my passion to be Belize, which is such a unique and terrific country, and one you should take a serious look at as you evaluate the right place to make your expat dreams come true! 

Expat On Your Mind

If you find yourself checking off even one "YES" on the test, it could be you're ready to explore more of living abroad.

RELOCATION ABROAD HAS BECOME A VERY COMMON SYNDROME IN THESE FINANCIALLY INSECURE TIMES WHEN THE THOUGHT OF STRETCHING YOUR DOLLARS MAKES YOU WANT TO STRETCH YOUR LIFE, TOO….

You are not alone.  Relocation abroad has become a very common syndrome in these financially insecure times when the thought of stretching your dollars makes you to want to stretch your life, too, and seek a way out. Who doesn't dream of becoming an escape artist and leaving it all behind for a saner life; a more satisfying and less stressful lifestyle you can easily afford.  Imagine having something left over at the end of each month.

Who doesn't want that!

No Rose Colored Glasses allowed

But fantasizing about becoming an expat is one thing - actually taking the steps to become one requires that you do your part beforehand.  My recommendation is my mantra and it never changes….do your homework.

We all love our rose colored glasses and idealistic fantasies of what it is to live abroad.  It's hard to let go of those glasses.  But you must - for your own sake and well being. And believe me; you'll actually feel better when you do.

Because when you decide to make that quantum leap to another culture, to go off to find another way of living on this earth, and to find one that is also affordable – it takes a lot of homework. So get ready to dive in to your research and to become involved in networking with those who have gone before you.  

Like all potential expats, you have to research extensively and prepare yourself for not only the glorious thrills and perks of living abroad, and, yes, they are there waiting for you, but also you have to discover the down to earth realities of such a move.  In that way you can gain the knowledge, facts and figures that will greatly help ensure a better experience for you and your loved ones.  And, protect your wallet too!

You don't want any unpleasant surprises.  By doing this all important groundwork beforehand and gathering reliable information, you will be prepared for the realities of becoming an expat.

My Own Challenges and Experience

Can I tell you again how unexpected my own journey to living in Belize was!!  I wasn't even looking - it just happened, I had a chance to go for a visit, and I took it. It was done on a whim, a hunch and a sense that fate was giving me a push.  That it was where I was supposed to be.  There, Belize - it was as simple as that!

I could have ignored this opportunity.  Instead, after doing my homework (there's that hint again), I chose to jump in with all my heart.  And, included the kids and dogs as well!

Reflections of an Expat

I'm so busy and happily immersed in this great new expat life,  I don't even have time to step back and think about the life that came before.  But, though I may have felt compelled to move to Belize, you can bet I did plenty of research before I did.  That has greatly helped me adjust easily and successfully to living here and starting my own business, as a single woman yet!  (That's another article in the future)

I get asked all the time how I feel about being a genuine expat now.  I can state honestly and with all my heart that I feel truly blessed to have Belize as my home and have made wonderful friendships here.

People are very curious about what I consider my greatest reward in being an expat.  That's an easy question to answer.  I have found the most satisfaction in following my heart to live in Belize. Instead of spending years wondering about it like so many people do,  I took a chance on life,  did my homework, too,  and have never looked back.

WHAT DO I CONSIDER THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION ABOUT BECOMING AN EXPAT? LET ME SAY IT RIGHT UP FRONT – MANY FOLKS LEAVE THEIR BRAIN AT THE BORDER.

What do I consider to be the biggest misconception about becoming an expat?  Let me say it right up front - many folks leave their brain at the border.  No doubt about it.  But things are different in Belize and there are things you need to know and learn.  That learning will stand you in very good stead and provide the basis for your successful and satisfying move to Belize.
I'm always queried as to some of my favorite places here.  And, I frequently answer - I love the pyramids and the barrier reef.  There is so much to see and do in this glorious country, but those two places really grab my heart and thrill me every single time.

And if I'm not traveling about, what is a favorite form of recreation?  Oh, how I love to spend time with my friends. (And here, there is time to do it because it's a valued part of everyday life!)  Also, I am delighted to be learning the local Creole language.  

I'm asked if there are "ugly Americans" in Belize.  Yes, indeed.   Some people move abroad and then want to change what they find in their new country.  I consider this a very presumptuous attitude!  I think part of my ease in adaptation here results from loving Belize just as it is, accepting it as it is, and wanting to leave it as it is.

People who are thinking about moving to Belize ask me where most expats congregate when they get here.  Do they move all over the country or cluster in one area.  I will say that expats tend to lean towards the San Ignacio area and San Pedro Island.  Now, why would that be?  

The San Ignacio area has ancient pyramids, stunning mountains, and the river for people to explore.  San Ignacio is my home also and I love its beautiful scenery. I find it very calming. San Pedro Island is famed for its diving and fishing activities.

Of course, people want to know if expats are loners looking to leave civilization and its constraints behind, or are they joiners who want to immerse themselves in a new culture and new experiences and make new friends?  In my experience, most expats are "joiners," for sure.

Beware of Different Business Ethics Abroad

One of the first lessons of the newly arriving expat is to beware and BE AWARE that other countries do not necessarily practice business in the same way to which you are accustomed in the United States.  They are usually not looking out for your interests.  That's one of the reasons why my company has been so successful - we always looking out for the best interests of our customers.   

My Personal Mission is to Provide Guidance

After I made my leap abroad and in to the expat life I so love now, I realized that on the ground guidance would have made our life much easier and the initial settling in process so much more simple.  Nowhere do I find this assistance to be more important than when you move out of the U.S.A., make a decision to stay in a foreign country, and decide to buy property.  So after I set up Rainforest Real Estate, I made it my personal mission in Belize to provide support, and honest, ethical real estate transactions in our beautiful country.  

So no matter how I am contacted (in person, by telephone, or email) with questions and concerns, I do my absolute best to ensure top customer service.   My team and I are now known for our superb customer service and we back up that reputation with our professionalism and by being dedicated to honest ethics.
Yes, we're winning awards here in Belize and in the United States and getting lots of press attention.  We are very proud of our constant, everyday efforts to give our all to support our customers, who invariably become our friends.

ExPat Community Center

And by the way, we are here for you both BEFORE AND AFTER you make your land/home purchase in Belize – or, even if you don't.  My company serves as a meeting place, a community center for expats before, during, and after sales.  We're a friendly information exchange on many topics of concern including cultural questions and real estate issues.  

Not only do we know wonderful places to eat, we enjoy sharing our knowledge of Belize and its unique history and culture.  And we are proud to offer our extensive expertise in the field of real estate.  It is also our company's pleasure to continue our relationship with everyone we meet.

Comments From Other Expats

I am always interested in other people's experiences and how they came to be expats and how they feel now about living life in another culture.  There's a lot to be learned and gleaned from these expats.  Perhaps you too like to hear such stories and I am including several of them in my future articles in Caribbean Property and Lifestyles Magazine, so keep an eye out for those. 

Author : Macarena Rose is an Ordained Minister, Inventor of the Prop-Up Pillow and a Master in Healing Arts who, after raising 8 children in St Petersburg, Florida, picked up and moved to Belize. She has lived there for the past six years and has never looked back or regretted her decision! Currently she owns Rainforest Realty in Belize and continues with a busy personal schedule as an inspiration as to how to live a fulfilled life…her motto is Just Do It !

Email : Rev. Macarena Rose

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