Sweet dream but only sweet dream
And the quality of healthcare might subtract 10.
Once there is decent medical service that's either highly affordable or covered by one's home country social services/insurance, perhaps the north coast can be considered a retirement haven.
Until then, dream on. It's only for those in good health and/or those willing to risk dying from something that would have been treatable in a first world country.
Some groups including mine have looked into the matter thoroughly, and the main setback is bureaucracy in the countries of origin as well as in the Dominican Republic.
Example of setbacks in the countries of origin: won't certify the DR retirement homes without due diligence (read wine and dine at the expense of the promoter), without personnel trained and licensed in country of origin, will cancel medicare after 6 months of residence in DR, won't reimburse the meds and so on and so forth.
Setbacks in DR: over and above the regular corruption related issues, won't let foreign professionals provide services, will force the residents to get a cedula and residency every 2,3 or 4 years, and won't license the facilities without wining and, oh sorry, due diligence.
So, indeed, if you're rich and in good health, buy a condo near a clinic.
If average Joe with health issues, your rear-end will keep getting frozen 5 months out of the year.
It'd be easier founding a new country on some island and get recognition.
