I was looking for a local neighborhood with as less foreigners as possible, as long as the place is nice and safe enough, non-gated comunity...
I think it?s important to remember that just because you want to live in the Dominican Republic that doesn?t mean you need to become Dominican. Basic comforts like 24/7 water, electricity and security are services you can ill afford to be without.
Many come here and believe they can 'live the dream? by spending $30k-$50k on a house in a non ex-pat area and lead a ?simple? life. Remember the simple rule when buying a real-estate, Location, Location, Location. I heard one such fellow suggest that (despite not being able to speak a single word of Spanish) when he moved to the barrio Dominicans would ?look up to him?. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The Dominican Republic isn?t for everyone, try not to let your home comforts be altered too much, for some ex-pats life in the Dominican Republic is harder than life in their Motherland, particularly should they need a wage to get them through month by month.
Consider your ?dream? very carefully before committing fully.