The thought of moving to a Caribbean country and never seeing winter again seems like an easy decision to make and not an uncommon dream for many people. So why doesn’t everyone do it? Why not just work for forty years in Canada, get older and more tired, then pack up a few personal items and move. No cold, no more snow, and nothing to do but sit on a beach with a cold drink and ensure you aren’t getting a sunburn. It is one of those thoughts that is nice to spend time dreaming about and a great way to pass the time, especially when you are amid winter and growing tired of the cold, short, dark days. I admit that this was how I first thought of it. It was easy to use as a goal without ever giving much though to it from a practical perspective. As I grew older and started to believe that J and I could make it our reality, I had to do some serious soul searching. I had to think about what I truly wanted and what was right for our family and for me as an individual.
The following is a short list of some of the questions I had to consider:
- Why would I want to leave Canada?
- What would it mean financially?
- What would it mean for me as a person?
- What would it mean for my family; both immediate and extended?
I have listed them in a specific order. It is not in order of importance but instead they are ordered by how hard the questions were for me to answer. Before continuing, it is important to understand that most of what is about to be written is based on very limited personal knowledge. It comes mainly from what I have read and the little I have seen personally and is largely feelings and impressions. I am prepared to be proven wrong on all my ideas of Belize and what I think it might be like to move to another country. These are solely my thoughts and musings and not written to be offensive or to upset anyone.
Why would I want to leave Canada?
At first, I didn’t think this question would be difficult to answer. As it turns out, it was a little deeper than I thought and one I have been thinking about for quite some time. I love Canada and believe it is one of the best countries in the world. I was fortunate enough to have served the Government of Canada for over 21 years and I am proud of that service. I enjoy the inclusive and accepting nature that we foster here, and that serious effort is put forth to try and ensure everyone feels safe and can express themselves.
I think that our rural areas are beautiful, and we still have many wild areas that are nearly untouched, much like they were hundreds of years ago. The Rocky Mountains, rivers and lakes are some of the most breathtaking in the world and are available for everyone to explore and experience. There is a reason people travel from all over the world to experience the beautiful Canadian wilds. This is our backyard, and it is awesome.
Kinbasket Lake, BC, Canada August 2022
It seems to me that through hard work, determination, wise decisions, and perhaps a little luck, most people can have a productive and enjoyable life in Canada. I believe for the most part we have the luxury of safety and don’t have to live in fear in Canada. This can’t be said for every country in the world. So why would I want to leave such a great place? This is part of what makes the decision hard, because I love Canada and think it is great country. This is part of the cost of leaving.
In Belize, there is a whole new ecosystem for J and I to get to know and love. The nature, although different, is every bit as beautiful and the wild areas I have seen and read about in Belize, appear just as untouched and wild as those that I love in Canada. From what I have seen and read, the culture in Belize is also inclusive and embracing, allowing for individual expression and acceptance. Belize is a relatively young country, and from a government perspective, it is still maturing. The government systems that are in place appear good, but there seems to be fewer of them and they have less national oversight. Much more of the responsibility for the growth and development of the country appears to be the obligation of the individual. Along with that comes less government involvement in the lives of individuals but also less support. There is more reliance on family and local community. This will be a change for us, but I think it will be somewhat refreshing and interesting. I also think it is an appealing mix of where Canada may have been years ago, combined with modern technology and convenience.
What would it mean financially?
As I grow older, I become more invested in the financial security of my family. J and I have tried to ensure that we will be comfortable in our old age. The Boy and the Girl have worked since they were young teenagers, mostly in the typical part-time jobs that many of us had in our youth. They have heard me talk about the importance of saving and of compounding interest, as far back as they can probably remember. These are the same lessons that I heard from my father (and for the most part ignored until I started to get older). The kids are just entering the permanent work force, starting their careers, planning for families, and beginning their “prime earning years”. They are both intelligent and hard working, and except for any catastrophes, should remain self sufficient. This should not need to be a financial consideration for J and I moving forward.
The question that has plagued me for many years now is how much money we will need to retire and be able to live the lifestyle we want? This question becomes even harder when you are like J and I and can’t quite decide what that retirement lifestyle will be. The conclusion we finally came to (I say we because it was mainly J’s wisdom and patience with me that allowed me to come to peace with this) is that there is no way to know how much is enough. At some point, you just need to take a leap of faith after balancing your desire to continue earning and saving for “what if” and your desire to live your best life. I have decided that I would enjoy living a modest life beside J and be free to pursue travel and other interests, rather than continuing to earn and save for a life I may not get the chance to experience.
However, because a financial safety net is still important for my peace of mind, in addition to the adventure of moving, the warm climate, the new culture and the outdoor lifestyle, Belize also allows us some financial benefits. Economically, it is tied to the US dollar at a rate of BZD$2 to USD$1, which should help their economy remain relatively stable. And from what I understand, J and I should be able to live the lifestyle we want for about fifty to seventy percent of what it would cost us to live in Canada. For me, this is not a reason to undertake this adventure, but rather a bonus, that adds to my peace of mind.
Image by 3D Animation Production Company from Pixabay
What would it mean for me as a person?
I am hoping that in my retirement and impending old age I can continue to learn, grow and improve as a person. It would be very easy for me to stay in our wonderful little house in rural Alberta with the love of my life and be very happy. The only problem with easy is that it is often the enemy of growth. I enjoy routine and take pleasure in simplicity. I know myself and I think if I was to choose the easy path it wouldn’t be long before I had established a very enjoyable and simple rhythm that would not allow me much opportunity for personal growth. I would have to force myself to seek out learning opportunities. If J and I undertake this incredible adventure together and move to another country, I won’t have to seek out opportunities to grow and learn, I will encounter them every day.
I am hoping to go and adapt to the new environment and culture; I have no interest in moving to a new country and attempting to recreate the life I live here. I want both J and I to experience the world around us, learn more about ourselves, continue to grow, and love the new versions of us even more. I understand that growing old is inevitable and I am looking forward to it. I am hoping to one day be the wise old guy, sitting on the porch, slicing pieces of an apple with a pocketknife and dispensing advise that is meaningful and worth listening to. For this to happen, I need to keep learning and keep growing.
Image by Jim Cooper from Pixabay
What would it mean for my family; both immediate and extended?
Without hesitation, I can say that the time spent away from friends and family is the biggest cost of moving. Almost any concerns I have had throughout this entire process have come from the thought of missing them. I enjoy getting together with the Boy and the Girl when we can; having them come to the house on a weekend and share a meal, followed by some cards or a board game. (That will almost always result in someone [usually me] at some point threatening to “flip the table”! But I really do enjoy it!) I like being in the city to pick up groceries and being able to take the Girl out for lunch to a great little restaurant that J and I have found. I am fearful of what will happen when we start having grandkids, will I be able to live away? Will Facetime and visits a few times a year be enough? I don’t know what will happen. J and I have discussed this and decided that we will undertake this adventure and then see what changes we need to make as things progress.
There will be a high price paid by me for going away, much of that cost is in the form of guilt. As a parent of adults, it is tough to define the relationship with your children. I want them to be independent and self sufficient. I don’t want to worry about them. I want to be confident that they have been prepared for everything coming their way, but it is also nice as a parent to be needed and valued. What if we move away and one of the kids needs something? Worse yet, what if they don’t need us? I know this is ridiculous, but it is an example of the things I worry about. Trying to balance being a good parent but not smothering my children and allowing them to grow.
I have maintained very few friendships in my life; I have many associates but very few good friends. For the friendships I do have, I cherish and worry about continuing them while we start this next chapter. J and I are hoping that once we get settled, we will be able to have a house with at least one spare bedroom. We also want to develop an enjoyable outdoor space with a pool. Our goal is that there will always be room for guests and a house that is welcoming, laid back, full of noise and laughter. Perhaps the Boy and the Girl will come down regularly for cheap holidays. As their families grow and their children get older, they may be able to come stay with Grandma and Grandpa for prolonged periods of time. Our friends and extended family can come down and explore Belize while having a safe comfortable place to stay. They can strike out on their own or we can show them around. I don’t have a specific vision other than I want a home in Belize that is welcoming, and that visiting it is an enrichment to the lives of those who make the journey.
Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic January 2022
J and I will do our best to live this adventure to the fullest, if the cost ever becomes more than we are willing to pay, we can always come back. Or better yet, move on to another adventure! Only time will tell!