Paradise or Nightmare!??

Marianna

*** Sin Bin ***
Sep 8, 2003
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I too am new to DR1, and I too would like to move there, but recently read the figures on the numer of Americans living in the DR.......the last figure was about 100,000 persons. Now, that is just Americans, it did not include the number of Europeons. The competition would be unreal in terms of available jobs, reasonably priced housing etc. If one takes the time to do some research this site provides some excellent feedback, from a great group of individuals, as well as an informative archive. I hope that I can plan my owrk and "work my plan" because once I make a move I don't want to come back to Toronto with my tail between my legs. :)

Thanks to all who have contributed to my education on the DR.

Marianna
 

ecarignan

New member
Jan 9, 2003
302
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www.commtech.ca
Mariana,

I'm also from Canada (Ottawa) and have a villa in the DR. Let me explain how I see it although I'm fairly new to the DR and you should consider more the info provided by the locals but here's an outsider's point of view.

First, I think it's very hard to make a living in the DR compared to Canada (ie. jobs pay nothing or fraction of what you're used to), cost of living is comparable to Canada when you factor in the income taxes, GST, PST and so on, so there is no savings there. Some stuff is cheaper, hydro is about 20 times more expensive. Real estate for one is much cheaper than TO. I would think (and that's not a fact but a tought) that most exp-pats in the DR are not there to make a living actively but rather enjoying their retirement or are close to retirement. Again, I'm sure some are making a living, running businesses, investing in the DR. If one is looking to start over his career and increase their buying power, one would move to the US, Europe and other developped country.

The level of service that we're used to with banks, stores, utility folks, phone companies, is totally different in the DR. Do not expect to get the same level of service and response time than here in Canada.

On the bright side (and that's what I like), the weather is perfect with sunshine all the times, beautifull, unspoiled and unpopulated beaches (expect a few), great friendly people, much safer than most areas of Toronto. The most important factor is the pace of life, one should not worry about stress in the DR. In Canada, stress and pace of life is a big concern.

Locals, pls correct me where I'm wrong, but these are my observations from a 32 year with wife and family visiting and enjoying very much the DR.

In conclusion to your question, the DR is not a paradise nor a nightmare, it just depends on what you're looking for but the sun is also out, unlike Canada.

Good luck in your research.
 

Escott

Gold
Jan 14, 2002
7,716
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www.escottinsosua.blogspot.com
Wow, 100,000 Americans? You knock me off my feet. I would never have imagined that many. Where I stay in the DR, the north coast, I have been seeing more Americans lately but would never have guessed at 100k living there.

It is a big country for a caribean island. I do a lot of traveling but see more of the Island all the time. Most of the Island is undeveloped or underdeveloped. There is PLENTY of room for growth. I don't think competition amoung Ex-pats should be what you should be concentrating on.

Eric makes good valid points regarding "Work" in the DR. Even friends who are professionals, expats, well spoken in Spanish, good personalities, intelligent and a lot more going for them struggle in the DR. It has a lot more to do with the economic conditions there more than the competition. There is simply not enough money to go around for the people unless you are in a elected office. Those seem to be able to find the dollars/pesos quite easily.

I would NOT choose to live in the DR if I had to make a living. I find it difficult under the best of times even before 9-11 which caused a downturn worldwide and directly to the DR because of less Tourism, remittences and you can go right down the pike to the prostitutes in the street making less. They cant spend more if they make less. Then when you consider governments lack of fiscal responsibility, borrowing more money than they can repay, graft and payoffs for doing normal business there it is a very tough place to get ahead.

When I returned to the States for 9 days after Easter the guy that stamps my passport asked for a propina (tip). I never heard such stupidity before. I told him he should give ME a propina to leave because I didn't want to. He laughed and waved me on.

I know I have rambled but you may want to consider what I have said in making your decisions.
 

AnnaC

Gold
Jan 2, 2002
16,050
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Many wise people on this board have suggested to live in the DR for al least six months if you can before burning your bridges behind you.
 

Conchman

Silver
Jul 3, 2002
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www.oceanworld.net
I don't think competiton between ex-pats is an issue. The DR has a big advantage in that its easy to work legally or without immigration repercussions that you see in many other Caribbean countries.

Of course the pay will be way lower here, it will be hard to afford a decent (what you are used to probably) place to live on salary alone. I think its better if you can cover your rent and car from saved or outside income and then have your living expenses paid by any salary. Otherwise you will find it hard to live on meager salary unless you are set up with a nice job somewhere.
 

Jim Hinsch

Bronze
Jan 1, 2002
669
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geocities.com
100,000 Americans must include Dominican-Americans holding USA passports because ...

100,000 Americans must include Dominican-Americans who clearly would be identified as Dominicans by most Dominican Citizens rather than Americans. Even if Santo Domingo and Santiago held 3/4 of them, I could not conceive of 25 cities with 1000 Americans that would tend to be immediately identifiable as more American than Dominican.

I realize one can be both and provide a myriad of definitions for American or Dominican or Dominican-American. In this context, I refer to the definition that I think the original poster had in mind as to which are which.

Jim Hinsch
<a href="http://www.bocachicabeach.net/index_english.html"><IMG SRC="http://www.bocachicabeach.net/images/people_bar.jpg" width="600"></a>
 

Robert

Stay Frosty!
Jan 2, 1999
20,574
341
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dr1.com
Jim's right, American passport holders. It's the same as the tourist numbers. They count the Dominicans coming back over as US tourists.
 

Marianna

*** Sin Bin ***
Sep 8, 2003
22
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No Specifics on How the Poll was done

There were no specifics on how the poll was done, but I have also read that US citizens account for only 15% of DR citizens, the rest being Europeons. It would be interesting to note what the true figues are.
ALSO: Is the unemployment rate really at 15%? With 2.3 million peole employed??? Man, that is high!!
 

Ken

Platinum
Jan 1, 2002
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Yes, the unemployment rate is very high. The 15% figure sounds low to me.