How to Retire Comfortably for Under $1,500 a Month

Jason and Elizabeth Pearce moved from Canada to Belize three yearsago. They bought a piece of property on the sea. A year later, theybuilt a house. Today, they live in a beautiful Santa Fe adobe-stylehome with gardens all around.
[See 10 Places to Reinvent Your Life in Retirement .]
Thepair lives very comfortably, without wants or financial worries.They've had no trouble making friends in their new community becausethe folks in Belize speak English. They eat out three or four times aweek. They barbecue lobster and filet mignon at home. They havereliable Internet to keep them connected to the outside world. Bychoice, they do not have a television. "I used to think that the newswas important," Jason explains. "But not anymore." The retired couplehas a maid and a gardener, each of whom visit once a week.
Andhere's the best part. Jason and his wife are living on their SocialSecurity income alone. In fact, they're living on Jason's SocialSecurity income alone. Elizabeth's Social Security check goes intosavings each month.
[See 7 Affordable Places to Retire Abroad.]
Everyone'sspending habits are different, but here's a sample monthly budget for acouple living a comfortable expatriate lifestyle in Belize:
--Rent: $300
--Utilities, telephone, and Internet: $500 (Your biggest expense in this country.)
--Groceries: $150
--Health insurance: $50
--Entertainment: $100
--Car expenses: $300
Oneof the most appealing things about Belize as an overseas retirementchoice is that it can make sense even if you're nowhere nearconventional retirement age. Through Belize's Qualified Retired Personsprogram you can establish foreign residency as young as age 40.
Belizeis a beautiful little country. It's a peaceful, eco-tourist retreathome to more than 540 species of birds, 4,000 species of floweringplants, and 700 kinds of trees. Nearly 40 percent of the country isprotected as parkland and natural preserves. Belize boasts thesecond-largest barrier reef in the world. This incredible underwaterresource teems with colorful fish, coral, and unusual marine life,making the waters off this country's coast a fisherman's and diver'sparadise.
[See 6 Reasons to Retire Overseas.]
Despiteall these natural attractions, Belize has managed to remain largely offthe world's radar. It's a small country of about 350,000 people. It'salso a young country, having gained independence from Great Britain in1981. There are a lot of market niches waiting to be filled. Livinghere, you'll discover that life can be not only super affordable,comfortable, and adventure-filled, but also full of potential.
Retireesin Belize are finding many interesting and sometimes lucrative ways tofill their days. Lara Lennon moved to Belize from Philadelphia in 2006and developed a luxury swimwear line, Lemon Crush Belize."Sitting on a friend's porch in San Pedro chatting about this and thatin our tropical lives, I realized something: There existed nowhere inBelize a place to shop for dress bathing suits, the kind glamorousenough for a beach wedding or special enough for a honeymoon," Lennonsays.
Lara's swimwear is now featured in luxury boutiques inBelize and internationally. Starting a business takes drive anddetermination, Lara admits, but she has found the experience in Belizerewarding. "Best of all, I'm right where I want to be--with my friendson a Caribbean island, enjoying life," Lennon says. "Only now in betterbathing suits."