Is there such an animal?

Why don't you come on down and rent in Juan Dolio before making up your mind. Mail rmallen@codetel.net.do or r.mallen@codetel.net.do (not sure if with the dot or without).
She has just remodelled her beach house in Guayacanes (fronting the beach) and recently told me she would be renting for the winter months. Then you can make up your mind of the area is right for you.

There are several beach houses in JD for sale!

I'll take a walk down the road tomorrow and email you eith brokers names and phone # altho' the best thing for you to do would be to come on down and have a look.
Have you thought of buying a place in Metro Golf and Country club?
It really is a short distance to the public beach in JD.

My friend whose house I referred to above is single with a little four year old daughter. She spends her weekends at the Guayacanes house alone with her daughter, so I would assume violent crime is not a major problem, although prevention is always the best way to avoid crime.

If you do not keep cash or major valuables in the house, you will not lure crime. Most crime is the result of insider information. For example, you may have a maid who innocently comments to a friend of hers that she works at the house of a foreigner who keeps cash in the house. Then that friend may comment to another and before you know it, someone may attempt to break in. If it is known that there is nothing worth breaking in for, no one is likely to bother you. Also, once you are there you should network with the neighbors and the people in the area so that they become your friends and interested in your well being. Again, our suggestion is that you first rent and get to know the area.

As I sit looking at the beach from my balcony....

I must agree with Dolores........

Yes tourism is way down. Also the smaller hotels at this end of JD are all closed at the moment (are they going to re-open????). However we like this end because there is more contact with the locals, less people at the beaches,less noise and it's very relaxing. Only a short bike ride or long walk to either Guyacanes or the new part of Juan Dolio.

We also advise anyone who is interested in buying a place here either for winters only like us or who are planning on moving permanently to come down, rent, travel around and then decide.

Good luck and stay in touch....we're leaving for home this week but will be back in Nov. Maybe we'll see you around......

PS I'll email those real estate #'s a little later......just drinking my coffee!!

Jaun Dolio is extremely slow right now and I don't think it will pick up to where it used to be. The reason I think it will not pick up is because now the tourists are going to East instead. I was there for the month's of Feburary and March to see if I wanted to move back to the area. Most stores and resturants are for sale because the streets are empty. Last year there were several phone/internet centers and all but 2 of them are closed from lack of business. I still like the area very much because of the small town atmosphere. It is also close enough to the capitol and San Pedro to travel to make purchases. Crime in the area is on the increase because of the lack of employment but this trend can be said of any depressed area of any country. It is possible to live there safely by learning from others who live there how to protect your property . It is true that there are many properties for sale or rent in the area but I feel that the prices are too high for the area now. Guaycanes sounds like a good choice for you to go and spend some time to see if in fact you want to buy something in the Jaun Dolio area. If you have any personal questions please feel free to contact me via e-mail. I can give you some names of people who live and own businesses there who will give you an honest opinion and advice. Good Luck

The old JD......

as opposed to the "new" JD in the Metro/Villas del Mar area.
Actually we live in the very "center" of JD at the crossroads to Playa Juan Dolio and Los Conucos.
We like it here.....yes it has been VERY dead this year however it suits us as we "live" here as opposed to being tourists. There are still three good restaurants this end and a bar and a gym for workouts. The beach is great!! and the street quiet for bike rides,walking etc. (just not at night.....!) There is little crime except for "purse and jewellry " snatching but if you don't wear or carry any you're ok!
It's a very convenient area, close to the golf club,buses to SP or SD, taxi stand right across the street, two mini-markets plus the local colmados across the highway.
We have a car which makes it easier to get around but it really isn't necessary (more of a want than a need). We like to go with one of the area dive shops to Catalina and Saona a few times each year.
One question for you Golfer......you said you want to get a place to "winter". Isn't it kinda late this year to be looking? You really need to come down when it is winter to see what it's like.
There are a couple of condo's in our building that are rental units (mainly long term rentals) and from the tone of your posts I gather you're looking for a place that is fairly "Upscale" as opposed to middle of the road. This would be one of the places where you would feel more comfortable.
Yes prices are high in the area but I believe that is due to the fact that it IS a desirable area to be in. I've heard lots or things about other areas and that is one of the reasons we bought here (been here 12/13 yrs now).
The gov't has plans to revitalize the area (when is anyones guess-hopefully the PLD will be re-elected as it was their plan) however at present it looks like we'll soon have "Potable" water and they are in the proces of installing sewer lines also (when the sewer will function remains to be seen but water should be established in the next few weeks).
If you like I can give you phone # of rental units and you can call if your interested.

Remax....seems to be the one!

At least they have the most signs up around here. The Santo Domingo # is 809-686-2020. There are several different agents but all list this number.
There are a few Century 21 signs further down both ways on the street but I didn't go that far today to get the number for you, however the nearest Century 21 office to you will have an internationaql listing for the Santo Domingo office (also on their website).
Hope this helps......
I also spoke to two of the owners that have rental units in the complex I am in. One has no vacancy until after June 15th and the other has nothing until sometime in July.
Did you want to contact them???
Let me know on this thread and I'll email you with their names and #'s.

Some babbling and a couple of ideas...

I, of course, am a proponent of the North Shore. Better golf being the operative thing here. guavaberry will be magnificent, no doubt, but you will have to pay thru the nose for that Gary Player name plate..

And we have better beaches. Problem is you really have to look for them. they are there.

Have absolutely nothing against the South, especially since my partner and lots of friends are down there. And I don't like hot and muggy. I prefer hot and breezy.

Now all that and RD$2.00 will buy you a good cuppa coffee. Do take MommC's advice, as well as Dolores', and do a rent, visit all over the place and maybe you will find a sport that is perfect for you that none of us has even thought about.

Since you are a golfer, I would be happy to host part of your visit to our half of the island and hand you over to some of the north Shore folks....

And, just for you:



The Golf Widow



Tired of being a golf widow, a woman took up the game and
wound up playing with her husband on a country course one
day. He hit his drive way off
into the rough, behind a barn. She came over to take a look,
surveyed the situation, and suggested that if he opened both barn
doors he could hit his ball straight through the barn to the green.

He saw this as an excellent idea, complimented her for her
suggestion, then opened the doors and stepped up to the ball. He
made a swing and great contact. Unfortunately, the ball was off
line, careened off the door frame, hit the wife in the head and
killed her.

Years went by, the man finally remarried, and this time found himself
a golfer for a wife. Incredibly, the same situation occurs. The man
is in the rough behind the same barn. His new wife took a look at
his ball and suggested that he could make the green if he opened both
barn doors and hit through the barn.

"No way," he says. "I can't do that."

"Why not?" she asks.

"The last time I did that something terrible happened."

"What?" she asked.

"I got a double bogey."


HB, chucklin'.....

Sent you an email......

Hope things work out......
Take your time and don't rush into anything........
email me or post any questions you have BEFORE you buy and I'm sure myself, HB or Bushbaby will give you honest answers.
Maybe even Golo and Criss will add their .02
Enjoy!!