Belizeans

Right.

Focused on changing the lives of Belizeans.

Right.

That's, that's the most overwhelming, divine responsibility that I've ever had other than raising my daughter- Mm-hmm ... who's here with me, by the way.

Latino refers more to persons or communities of Latin American origin.

So while there is a significant overlap between the groups, Latinos includes Haitians and Belizeans and everybody in Central America and the Caribbean.

There is not one country in Latin America, including Mexico and Colombia, that don't have Black people because of, well, Slavery.

So for example, Brazilians are Latino, but they are not Hispanic.

I, I interject a, a lot of humor just to, [laughs] to make it not as dry.

Um, but I, um, I do hope that at some point it can be, uh, turned into a movie so other people in the world can see what Belize and Belizean culture, Garifuna culture is about.

You know, it's the, us, um...

There are two indigenous, indigenous groups in, um, Belize.

Individual incomes vary widely.

Some Belizeans earn much more, many earn less.

Income inequality exists.

But 7,500 US dollars per capita gives you a sense of average economic wellbeing and purchasing power.

How does this affect the local housing market?

It determines what Belizeans can afford.

If average income is 7,500 US dollars annually, that's about 625 US dollars per month.

Housing typically shouldn't exceed 30% of income, so that's about 190 US dollars per month for housing.

How do remittances factor in?

Remittances from Belizeans working abroad, primarily in the US, are significant.

They might be 5 to 10% of GDP.

This money flows into local communities, supporting consumption and housing.

Agricultural exports remain solid.

Foreign direct investment in real estate and tourism infrastructure, remittances from Belizeans abroad, and increasingly the digital economy, remote workers, online businesses, tech services.

Multiple growth drivers are better than dependence on one sector.

How does government debt factor in?

Investors pay more for properties with higher income potential, so tourism growth directly drives up values for tourism-related real estate.

What about residential property for Belizeans?

Economic growth means more Belizeans can afford to buy homes.

Rising incomes increase purchasing power.

This creates demand for middle-class housing.

These infrastructure improvements are funded by economic growth and drive property appreciation.

How do wages and employment affect real estate?

Higher wages mean more Belizeans can afford rent or mortgages.

Yeah

... whatever you wanna call them, Belizeans.

Yeah.

Hondurans, whatever.

Some fishing is better, and honestly, experiencing local culture is easier when you're not surrounded by other tourists.

You interact more with Belizeans and get a more authentic feel for the country.

What are the real downsides?

Rain is the main one.

What about the role of faith in Belizean culture?

Faith is important to most Belizeans.

It shapes values, guides behavior, and provides meaning.

This doesn't mean everyone is devout, but religious identity and practice are normal parts of life.

What about secular expats?

Belize welcomes them too.

The 15% of Belizeans who identify as having no religion shows their space for secular perspectives.

You're not required to be religious to fit in.