For me there's no other option in DR to live than SD. Children in a school going age, my work is 99% in the city, our social circle as well. I'm sure SD is not the best DR has to offer. (Last week I was in Constanza and I must say I think I'd become crazy of boredom in a village like that...)
I've said it many times, raising several children is not the easiest in SD, because of cost, mess, traffic, education, opportunities for them (leisure , sports). The Netherlands (and Europe as a whole) has its challenges but on a micro level I expect it to be better for us.