They are many better options out there to live than the DR especially, with 5K, It's not only about living expenses the DR is not a very cheap country to import cars and electronics Etc. No reliable electricity and running water just to name a few...
Perhaps. There is no where in the Caribbean that is cheaper than here, I do not think, perhaps Trinidad but none of the little islands, and they are all sand spits compared to here and all will have the same issues with water and electricity sometimes
Plus there are other considerations such as whether or not one feels at home here. I do, I did not in Mexico, which would be my second choice. Or Costa Rico, my third. But this place is much closer to American than those.. I feel closer to home, as if I am in a barrio of Nuevo York.
Yes, the rent is the big think that is cheaper. But there is also the maid, the plumber, the electrician and all the doctors, and the pharmeceuticals which are available without prescription. Food, except the imported beef and cereal and peanut butter, I find about the same. But I have been gone for ten years now.
And then there is the weather.., of course, perhaps not so much different from Florida where the OP is. But in the Trades which Central America does not have.
I spent a few months in Mexico, ditto Costa Rico and Guatemala, Australia, and even Tahiti, but you cannot stay there unless you are French and wow is THAT expensive.. and even Australia, plus a year in Grenada and Puerto Rico,, all in planning my exit strategy from the US,, and I came here.
Any place that is cheap.. is cheap for a reason, usually from lack of state services.
So perhaps there are better options for 5k.. I just do not know where. And the OP did ask about here, right?