You Really Can Run Away
Downsizing, letting go, and finding freedom in a new life by the sea in Belize.
Hey, hey (local greeting from Belize), do you ever feel like running away?
Maybe you read Eat, Pray, Love and dreamed of your own escape, trying on different places to see what fits. Or you’ve been looking at other countries with lust in your eyes. The desire for a fresh start can be powerful, especially if “struggle” has been your first name for too long. Or maybe you’re just disillusioned with how things are going in your home country (not naming names here). You want something new.
Well, my friend, put those sneakers on and tie them up, because you can run away to so many places. My husband and I did just that four years ago, trading Santa Fe, NM, for Belize.
Why Run? Why Belize?
Before we get too far, let’s be honest about something: changing locations won’t fix everything. It won’t get rid of your problems or bring about miracles. It won’t change who you are. So if you’re running for that reason, let’s hit pause and work on that part first.
Not to get all psychological on you, but it’s important to be clear about your motivations for moving. Then again, maybe all you want is to live somewhere you can have fresh fish every day—or croissants, or perhaps tapas—where you can see mountains, plains, or the ocean. There are so many options to choose from, and so many places to go.
We chose Belize because it ticked several boxes: close enough to our boys and their families in the U.S., laidback beachy vibes, and—bonus—the primary language is English.
What the Brochures Don’t Say
There’s no sugar-coating it—life in a new country can be both exhilarating and daunting. Learning a new language, adapting to a different culture, and managing the move itself are all complex, often challenging processes.
The beautiful thing is, you don’t have to go it alone. International Living is here to help. We’ve got the inside scoop on destinations around the world. Browse through our pages and you’ll find in-depth information on countries in Central and South America, Europe, Asia, and beyond.
Each destination has its own unique flavor, from the landscape and local culture to—my personal favorite—the food.
The Emotional Weight of Packing Up
When my husband and I started thinking about moving, I began taking notes and writing down tips I learned through research. I listed questions I wanted answered. I also started taking inventory of our home and deciding which items needed to go and which we wanted to keep for the move.
Running away is a much bigger process than most people realize, because parting with the accumulation of years can be difficult. My grandma gave me that teapot. I’ve had that table since I was a kid. I love the crazy painting Aunt Willa gave me. But then you realize the memories are in you, and with you to stay. Holding onto things holds you back in many ways.
Yes, you can fill a storage shed with all these items and spend upwards of $300 a month holding on. Or you can put that money into your life in the here and now, and let things go. Let them go.
We went through and chose our favorite art, books, dishes, cutlery, and the sentimental items we truly didn’t want to give up. Truth be told, I was the only one with sentimental items, but I kept them to a minimum.
One thing we discovered, and something most of my friends complain about, is that our kids don’t want our stuff. They don’t want our furniture. They don’t want grandma’s teapot. We’ve trained them to believe that new is better, and that’s what they want. And that’s their decision to make.
What Life Looks Like Now
Once we were ready to go, we said goodbye to Santa Fe and put our treasured items into storage until we knew what we’d need. Over the next year, after buying our townhome and settling in, we started bringing down what we wanted. By the end of that first year, we had shipped the remainder of our “must-haves” and donated the rest to Goodwill.
As you do your due diligence—deciding on the country, the kind of home, and the lifestyle you desire and can afford—know that the excitement of starting a new life will lighten the burden of what has to be accomplished to move. Before you know it, you’ll be sitting in a new place, learning how things are done locally, meeting new people, and settling into your community.
For me, that has meant sitting on the rooftop each morning with my coffee, not owning a car, and being able to go snorkeling whenever we choose.
Though maybe a cliché, life really is what you make it. And for me, it’s all good.
— Jane Thompson Hasenmueller, IL Belize Correspondent
Editor’s Note: Discover how Jane and her husband built a peaceful, affordable life in Placencia, Belize—where ocean views, vibrant community, and a laid-back lifestyle start at just $1,300 a month. Read her full story here.
Thinking about making the move to Belize? Whether you’re curious about everyday life, want to understand the costs, or need help planning your relocation, we’ve got you covered. Explore our Belize resources:
Take the next step toward your dream life in the Caribbean.