RE: My top pick thus far is Belize.
How is crime rate ( peace and order ) there compared to the USA?
The crime rate is very low. Of course you wouldn’t want to live in Belize city. Inland around San Ignacio in the Cayo district seems to be the place to be.
Belize has the sixth highest murder rate in the world. (Drugs, gangs, etc.)
In 2011, 125 murders were recorded in Belize, giving the country a homicide rate of 39 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, the sixth highest in the world.[32] Compared to the other districts in Belize, Belize District (containing Belize City, specifically the southern area of Belize City) had the most murders by far compared to all the other districts. In 2007, 54% of the murders occurred in the Belize District.[31] This increase in violence in the south of Belize City is largely due to gang warfare.
Sounds like my neighborhood now!