Newcomer looking for info

romano

New member
Feb 20, 2012
3
0
0
Hi all,

A quick introduction: I am a french national actually living in Italy with my wife and a 1y-old kid. We have decided to leave for good somewhere in a endless-summer place and the DR is really attracting us. We have never been there yet but we plan to go there for some weeks and see by ourselves how it looks like.

Although I never visited DR, I have made my homework and read extensively about this country, what to expect, the good sides and the bad sides.

I would need information and advices from you people, especially about the northern coast: Las Terrenas, Rio San Juan, two small cities with french schools, which would be perfect for us.

BUT I have read really scary stories about people being robbed at gunpoint or worse, especially in Las Terrenas, which sounds less and less like a place where we can grow our child, but maybe I'm wrong.

I would like to know if Rio San Juan is also a place crippled with crime like LT sounds to be.
We don't plan to go to the casino, find cheap chicas, get hammered on the sidewalk or buy drugs, just for you to know.


Hope to hear from you soon.

Romano.
 

LTSteve

Gold
Jul 9, 2010
5,449
23
38
Hi:
Romano, my wife and I live in Las Terrenas. It is probably one of the best places for Europeans to live in the DR. To back up a little. Rio San Juan is in the middle of nowhere. Very small town with not much happening. In Las Terrenas you have over 3000 French citizens and many people from all over Europe. I am from the US. There have been a few crime issues lately, however those will happen from time to time, especially if people do not take pre cautions. I live at Residence Don Cesar. It would be a great starting point for you. It is a gated condo complex with 24/7 security and a family atmosphere. They rent apartments here for around $800us per month. Check out Noticias - Las Terrenas Live ! - Actualidades, V?deos e Informaciones de Las Terrenas en Rep?blica Dominicana. for more info on this area. If you have additional questions send me a private message. Good luck.

S
 

romano

New member
Feb 20, 2012
3
0
0
Hi:
Romano, my wife and I live in Las Terrenas. It is probably one of the best places for Europeans to live in the DR. To back up a little. Rio San Juan is in the middle of nowhere. Very small town with not much happening. In Las Terrenas you have over 3000 French citizens and many people from all over Europe. I am from the US. There have been a few crime issues lately, however those will happen from time to time, especially if people do not take pre cautions. I live at Residence Don Cesar. It would be a great starting point for you. It is a gated condo complex with 24/7 security and a family atmosphere. They rent apartments here for around $800us per month. Check out Noticias - Las Terrenas Live ! - Actualidades, V?deos e Informaciones de Las Terrenas en Rep?blica Dominicana. for more info on this area. If you have additional questions send me a private message. Good luck.

S

Thanks a lot for replying Steve.

To go more into the details about LT, what kind of precautions would you recommend ? I can understand that I should not display expensive outfits or rolls of banknotes, but carrying a gun or have dogs in the garden seems unreasonable to me.

In this post for instance http://www.dr1.com/forums/living/120980-frenchman-killed-las-terrenas-3.html

#10 says
rubio_hugey said:
Almost every night late at night/ early morning hours there is huge dog barking on the streets of the sector where I live and which is one of the more up-scale ones here. Also, sometimes warning gun shots are heard late into the night.

I don't think that is a nice environment for a family. But again, I don't know if it is the exception or the norm.
 

La Rubia

Bronze
Jan 1, 2010
1,336
28
0
I understand that I should not display expensive outfits or rolls of banknotes, but carrying a gun or have dogs in the garden seems unreasonable to me.

It's not unusual for Dominicans to have dogs, and I think it's reasonable for an ex-pat with a family to choose a dog as a pet that can double as an alarm. You don't necessarily have to have big breed "security dogs", they can be small dogs that bark. Being integrated into the community (know your neighbors, buy from street sellers, have a regular shoe shine boy, etc.) is better than isolating yourself from it.

It's not necessary to have a gun, and certainly wouldn't recommend one to someone who is not comfortable with them. I would open a separate thread on that issue, as guns are one of those topics that bring out the passion in people.

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised when you visit. While it's good to go research and ask questions, there's nothing like going and seeing for yourself.

Good luck to you, welcome to DR1.
 

pi2

Banned
Oct 12, 2011
961
0
0
I do not think that LT is any different for crime than any other cities in N. America or elsewhere. Conspicuous wealth is not good : if you live in a residence a gun or dog is not, in my opinion, required. If you choose to live in the country security, maybe a full time guard, is desirable for a up-scale residence. If you have few material possessions you can live like many other people who have little to steal.

If you are prepared to make friends with neighbors they will look out for you. Like other countries and parts of the US it is not a good ideal to travel alone at night in isolated places. Tourist areas are well policed in general; this includes bars, restaurants, discos etc.

pi2
 

windeguy

Platinum
Jul 10, 2004
42,211
5,966
113
Where ever you end up, please rent there first for at least 6 months before you decide to purchase anything.
 

LTSteve

Gold
Jul 9, 2010
5,449
23
38
Romano:
If you end up moving here it will take you time to assimilate and understand the way things work here. Despite its' progress this is, after all, still a 3rd world country. I was simply suggesting you start out in a safe, family environment and then after you get your feet under you, you will be able to make informed decisions. Security should be a top priority here. There are many secure places to live, in Las Terrenas, where you don't have a gun or dogs but unfortunately that is a way of life here for many people that own private houses. It is a big step to move a family here. Many have but you have to possess a little different mind set here than you would in Europe. Having a large French and Italian population would be a big plus for you.

S
 

Chip

Platinum
Jul 25, 2007
16,772
429
0
Santiago
I would opt for Santiago. It has a lot more than any of the coastal areas on the North can offer, including Las Terranas, is cheaper to live, less crime and good schools. We are also at 650 ft above sea level and the weather is a little dryer here.
 

windeguy

Platinum
Jul 10, 2004
42,211
5,966
113
I would opt for Santiago. It has a lot more than any of the coastal areas on the North can offer, including Las Terranas, is cheaper to live, less crime and good schools. We are also at 650 ft above sea level and the weather is a little dryer here.

If you would like to live on tropical island and need to take an entire day just to travel to the shore and back ( I exaggerate slightly on the time needed for effect) this would be an option. Santiago is the "nicest" city on the island, be that as it may.
 

pi2

Banned
Oct 12, 2011
961
0
0
Romano:
If you end up moving here it will take you time to assimilate and understand the way things work here. Despite its' progress this is, after all, still a 3rd world country. I was simply suggesting you start out in a safe, family environment and then after you get your feet under you, you will be able to make informed decisions. Security should be a top priority here. There are many secure places to live, in Las Terrenas, where you don't have a gun or dogs but unfortunately that is a way of life here for many people that own private houses. It is a big step to move a family here. Many have but you have to possess a little different mind set here than you would in Europe. Having a large French and Italian population would be a big plus for you.

S


Definitely not a 3rd world country. Dogs are popular. By all means buy - prices have been rising for good developments. Crime may not be an issure in central areas: as in many towns in the US research the area you buy in carefully. Private schools are good with low teacher pupil ratios. Also there are superb sports.

pi2
 

siegs

Member
May 9, 2006
241
18
18
I would opt for Santiago. It has a lot more than any of the coastal areas on the North can offer, including Las Terranas, is cheaper to live, less crime and good schools. We are also at 650 ft above sea level and the weather is a little dryer here.

And only allow yourself one beer a week while wearing long pants???
Sounds like the OP has done some decent research and likes the idea of being near the water...
And that's OK.
Jeez.
Ignore button is looking mighty tasty.
 

Chip

Platinum
Jul 25, 2007
16,772
429
0
Santiago
And only allow yourself one beer a week while wearing long pants???
Sounds like the OP has done some decent research and likes the idea of being near the water...
And that's OK.
Jeez.
Ignore button is looking mighty tasty.

Payaso, that's one beer a day. Where is that ignore button...
:)
 

La Rubia

Bronze
Jan 1, 2010
1,336
28
0
Definitely not a 3rd world country. Dogs are popular. By all means buy - prices have been rising for good developments. Crime may not be an issure in central areas: as in many towns in the US research the area you buy in carefully. Private schools are good with low teacher pupil ratios. Also there are superb sports.
pi2

Call it what you will, it is still developing. Basic services, electricity, water, sewage etc. not uniformally available. Public schools not funded enough to provide quality education to the masses. Police and fire protection not standard for most communities, and then there's the justice system or lack there of. Underemployment is the norm. That's what sets it apart from a US/European standard.

OP stated he's French, living in Italy, why keep referencing the US?

Problem with "ignore" feature is you have to be logged in to use it. **Sigh**