Back in the USA!

[emily_in_nc]

As some of you know, we had been living in Belize for the past year and a half. We just made our way back to the US on Sunday. Thought some of you might be interested in our blog posting about this:

http://bebelize.weebly.com/1/post/2013/03/bye-bye-beautiful-belize.html

We're very excited about all the adventures ahead. Can't wait to get back to our road bikes, which are at my mother's in NC. We'll be visiting there on April 1 for several weeks. I hope I remember how to ride on the road -- and hills. :eek: :D :cool:

[goldfinch]

Welcome home!

[Blueberry]

Congratulations, Emily! I'm so happy that everything worked out for you. I'm sure you'll have many more adventures in the next few years (and the riding will come back - just give it a little time:)).

[indysteel]

Glad to have you back!!!

[jobob]

Cheers! :)

[OakLeaf]

Welcome back!

[Artista]

I think you are brave to try living in a land so very different from ours. And wise to take action when you figured out that it wasn't working out the way you envisioned. I hope you have lots of happy memories of your adventure. Welcome home!

[IBrakeforPastry]

Welcome home, and happy road riding!

[ny biker]

Welcome back!!

[Anelia]

Welcome back and thanks for sharing your experience and feelings. It was interesting ti read!

[Catrin]

Welcome home, and thanks for sharing with us!

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks everyone!

As the blog post said, we have no regrets. We took a risk and stepped out of our comfort zone by becoming expats for awhile. We had a great time learning about a new culture, traveling around on our own, seeing amazing birds and wildlife, and riding our beach cruisers on the beach. Ultimately, it wasn't enough for us -- we need to do more and see more while we're still able. So now we move forward! And I haven't even met my new steed -- the Trek Pilot 5.0 I ordered off ebay right around Christmas. She's been sitting in my mom's garage waiting patiently for me to come home!

[Crankin]

Happy riding!

[Triskeliongirl]

Welcome home Emily!! Drop my a email if you ever feel like catching up!

[lph]

Woo! Welcome :)

[Irulan]

Welcome home from me too. I have a question, and if its been asked and answered before I apologize; I don't read every thread. We travel a lot in the Caribbean, and talk to ex pats and retirees and so on. We've heard pretty consistently to live where you think you want to move to for at least three to six months before committing. Did you guys do this and it still just didn't work out the way you expected? I don't think the island life would be for me either....but I was just wondering.

[maillotpois]

Welcome home!!

[emily_in_nc]

Welcome home from me too. I have a question, and if its been asked and answered before I apologize; I don't read every thread. We travel a lot in the Caribbean, and talk to ex pats and retirees and so on. We've heard pretty consistently to live where you think you want to move to for at least three to six months before committing. Did you guys do this and it still just didn't work out the way you expected? I don't think the island life would be for me either....but I was just wondering.

Nope, we didn't, but that is excellent advice! We had an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a new condo building being built in an established, very well-regarded resort, right on the beach. We had looked at other condos on the island but never found anything that suited us (especially my DH), and finding a place to rent with a dog is much harder than if you're pet-free. So we pulled the trigger and bought. If we could have found a place to rent and stayed a year, that would have been preferable for sure.

Believe it or not (or should I say Belize it or not?!) we met people living there who had never even visited the island before moving down. They just researched it online, packed their suitcases, and came down. Though most rented rather than bought property. In our case, we'd visited several times by the time we moved down. But vacationing and living in a place are so very different! Still, as I said in the blog in the very first post of this thread, we have no regrets. The experiences we had we'll never forget and would never change.

[Aggie_Ama]

Welcome back! Thanks for sharing your adventure with us.

[murielalex]

Welcome back! I hope you have an easy time settling back in.

[Red Rock]

Emily, welcome back. I didn't start reading your blog until 2-3 months ago. I missed out on all of your fun. However, I see some of your pics when you went to Mexico. Gosh what an adventure. My family, including both brothers & families along with my dad, have been down to Akumal many times for Christmas. So your pics of Tulum were great to see and reminded me of what was so neat about the area.

If you are ever out West in the Southern Utah region, near Zion and St. George, give us a pm. Not sure any of the local fare will ever be as great as what you all had when you were on the island. Your pics of everything were great.

Happy adjusting to your other new life.

Red Rock

[solobiker]

Welcome back!! Let me know when you come to visit Colorado.

[aka_kim]

Welcome back! I look forward to reading about your future adventures.

[shootingstar]

What do you 2 plan to do over long term? Stay in SC. Or choose to live elsewhere in the US?

[emily_in_nc]

What do you 2 plan to do over long term? Stay in SC. Or choose to live elsewhere in the US?

SC? Not us! We're from NC -- there's a big rivalry between our states! :D

We're going to be nomadic and travel the US. We have a house-sitting gig in Kansas starting in May but will not buying another home for at least several years. Probably a motorhome instead. Eventually we may end up back in NC, but ya never know.

[tealtreak]

welcome home!

[TrekDianna]

Yes, as everyone has said, Welcome home. Let me know if you find yourself in Oregon

[missjean]

Welcome back. It sounds like your next adventure will be very interesting too!

[Koronin]

Welcome home!

[AppleTree]

Ditto all the welcome homes! I have loved reading your posts and adventures. Happy travels wherever you find yourselves.

[redrhodie]

Welcome home, Emily! I hope you don't miss the fruit too much!

[Jo-n-NY]

Welcome Back Emily!!!!! Remember the saying, like riding a bike, you never forget :)

[GLC1968]

Wow, Emily, I don't know how I missed this thread! I knew you were coming back but I didn't realize it was so soon. Glad to have you back and that your adventure was worthwhile.

If you make it all the way to Oregon, please look us up!