For some reason, Santo Domingo seems to be a comfortable fit for me. I have only stayed in the Gazcue area and find it middleclass and somewhat safe. I understand this was the " upperclass" neighborhood many year ago. Can anyone tell me if my information is correct, and if so, why did it change? With the exception of street pimps, I haven't had any problems any time of day. The area could use a good street cleaning though.
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Gazcue
For some reason, Santo Domingo seems to be a comfortable fit for me. I have only stayed in the Gazcue area and find it middleclass and somewhat safe. I understand this was the " upperclass" neighborhood many year ago. Can anyone tell me if my information is correct, and if so, why did it change? With the exception of street pimps, I haven't had any problems any time of day. The area could use a good street cleaning though.
I'm wondering why i didn't get any feedback on this post? Perhaps not an ex-pat neighborhood.
last year on my trip to DR I stayed in the Gazcue area, i actually liked it but agree with you there are too many street pimps and or working women that roam around at night. but it seems like a very decent neighborhood. i dont know it well enough to tell you how it has changed from upper class to what it is now. avenida independencia could use a good street cleaning, agreed!
I think that as cars became more prevalent in the 50's and 60's, that allowed the wealthy who lived in Gazcue to move to larger homes with lots more property in the Arroyo Hondo neighborhood, and that sort of lead to a decline in Gazcue a bit. There are still lots of nice streets and houses in Gazcue, but traffic wise and noise wise, it is much busier with a more city-like atmosphere then Arroyo Hondo, which is much quieter, with a more suburban feel. I love walking around Gazcue though, and have always loved its central location to everything - one direction is the Zona Colonial, one direction is the University, one direction is the Malecon, one direction is the Museum and National Theater, all within walking distance (at least for a walker like me).
There is a wondeful book called 'An Architectural Guide to Santo Domingo' (Guia de Arquitectura Santo Domingo) that is in English/Spanish, loaded with pictures, maps, history, history of various architectural styles, and facts about all the areas of Santo Domingo, including Gazcue, that I highly recommend for any lover of the city or of architecture in general. I purchased my copy at Liberia Cuesta at Lincoln and Ave. Feb. 27. I will try to take a few pictures of the book so that folks get a general idea of what it is like and post those pics later!
There is a wondeful book called 'An Architectural Guide to Santo Domingo' (Guia de Arquitectura Santo Domingo) that is in English/Spanish, loaded with pictures, maps, history, history of various architectural styles, and facts about all the areas of Santo Domingo, including Gazcue, that I highly recommend for any lover of the city or of architecture in general. I purchased my copy at Liberia Cuesta at Lincoln and Ave. Feb. 27. I will try to take a few pictures of the book so that folks get a general idea of what it is like and post those pics later!
OK, I have given up trying to figure out how to attach pics to this post. Have read the FAQs for Forums, and it says that there is a 'Manage Attachments' button under here, but there isn't and the 'Insert Image' only seems to let me insert images from the web, but I can't figure how to upload a pic from my computer to this post. If anyone has better instructions on how to accomplish this, let me know, if not, sorry I can't post the pics of this book!
I have lived in gazcue for about 4 years now. I really like it. It is quiet and "upscale" enough for me but still feels "dominican'. I can walk to the colonial zone, the malecon, big casinos. There are a few restaurants nearby such as Train Steakhouse, Reina De Espana, El Conuco, as well as suchi places, italian joints, lower end places like Villar Hermanos.
I currently do not have a car and that may have something to do with why I prefer gazcue. I have been thinking about buying a car and who knows that may prompt me to try another neighborhood, but for now I am digging gazcue.
I currently do not have a car and that may have something to do with why I prefer gazcue. I have been thinking about buying a car and who knows that may prompt me to try another neighborhood, but for now I am digging gazcue.
Book and pics
The book sounds like a must for me as I would like to discover more about Santo Domingo. Thanks!
OK, I have given up trying to figure out how to attach pics to this post. Have read the FAQs for Forums, and it says that there is a 'Manage Attachments' button under here, but there isn't and the 'Insert Image' only seems to let me insert images from the web, but I can't figure how to upload a pic from my computer to this post. If anyone has better instructions on how to accomplish this, let me know, if not, sorry I can't post the pics of this book!
The book sounds like a must for me as I would like to discover more about Santo Domingo. Thanks!
I have lived in gazcue for about 4 years now. I really like it. It is quiet and "upscale" enough for me but still feels "dominican'. I can walk to the colonial zone, the malecon, big casinos. There are a few restaurants nearby such as Train Steakhouse, Reina De Espana, El Conuco, as well as suchi places, italian joints, lower end places like Villar Hermanos.
I currently do not have a car and that may have something to do with why I prefer gazcue. I have been thinking about buying a car and who knows that may prompt me to try another neighborhood, but for now I am digging gazcue.
Do you know any of the barrio's history? It seems pretty safe if you keep your ears and and eyes open. It's a great location for walking too. Are there any/many Americans living there?
I have lived in Gazcue for four years and could not imagine living anywhere else in the City. I guess it is the trees and the architecture and the funny little streets. It has the English speaking library and good restaurants, delis, etc.
Mostly - it is great for walking and has the feel of a neighborhood, something I do not get in other sections of the city.
Mostly - it is great for walking and has the feel of a neighborhood, something I do not get in other sections of the city.
Guess it reminds me of Greenwich Village in NYC where I grew up. How many of us here at DR1 are now in Gazcue?
I live in Gazcue
I have lived in Gazcue for approximately 6 months now, originally from NY. I love it down here, before moving down to Santo Domingo I lived on the north coast in Sosua (about 13 months), in a condo, but I much prefer it down here. I think the neighborhood is very safe, and I too am a walker and love walking around the neighborhood and other neighborhoods that are close for example the Zona Colonial.
I do have a question and would greatly appreciate an answer if the answers are known. I noticed in one of the earlier posts in this thread that someone mentioned an English language library is that accurate and if so exactly where would that be. Also I am having a problem finding a good bookstore with English language books, currently I order books on line and have them sent to friend's homes in NY and have them bring them down for me on their visits. It would be much more convenient to be able to find a good bookstore down here to satisfy my need of an occasional good book.
I have lived in Gazcue for approximately 6 months now, originally from NY. I love it down here, before moving down to Santo Domingo I lived on the north coast in Sosua (about 13 months), in a condo, but I much prefer it down here. I think the neighborhood is very safe, and I too am a walker and love walking around the neighborhood and other neighborhoods that are close for example the Zona Colonial.
I do have a question and would greatly appreciate an answer if the answers are known. I noticed in one of the earlier posts in this thread that someone mentioned an English language library is that accurate and if so exactly where would that be. Also I am having a problem finding a good bookstore with English language books, currently I order books on line and have them sent to friend's homes in NY and have them bring them down for me on their visits. It would be much more convenient to be able to find a good bookstore down here to satisfy my need of an occasional good book.
library
I have lived in Gazcue, part-time for 6 years. I agree its a great place for walking during the day, though I usually take a taxi after dark, and convenient for someone without a car. There is a library in the back of the Anglican chuch on Independencia near Dr Delgado, I think it costs 300 pesos to join and they have a good selection, almost all books in English, and a book sale every saturday.
Let me add, compared to some of the barrios I pass through on the way to work, the streets of Gazcue are fairly well maintained.
I have lived in Gazcue, part-time for 6 years. I agree its a great place for walking during the day, though I usually take a taxi after dark, and convenient for someone without a car. There is a library in the back of the Anglican chuch on Independencia near Dr Delgado, I think it costs 300 pesos to join and they have a good selection, almost all books in English, and a book sale every saturday.
Let me add, compared to some of the barrios I pass through on the way to work, the streets of Gazcue are fairly well maintained.
oops- library
Sorry the library is closer to Independencia con Salcedo, 1.5 block before Delgado, walk down the driveway for the church and its in the back- and also if they still are doing the used book sales, I think its the first saturday of the month.
As for English language book stores, Libreria Cuesta and Thesaurus have a few English books, but really I found much more I was interested in at the library. As I go back to the states every 2 months, i stock up on used books there and bring a suitcase-full back here with me.
Sorry the library is closer to Independencia con Salcedo, 1.5 block before Delgado, walk down the driveway for the church and its in the back- and also if they still are doing the used book sales, I think its the first saturday of the month.
As for English language book stores, Libreria Cuesta and Thesaurus have a few English books, but really I found much more I was interested in at the library. As I go back to the states every 2 months, i stock up on used books there and bring a suitcase-full back here with me.
Thank you for your posts, I don't live far at all from the intersection of Dr. Delgado and Independencia, I don't recall a church but then again I wasn't looking for one either. Later today I will take a walk, because the first Saturday will be here before you know it, and see if I can locate it.
Once again thank you for your posts on this matter.
Yayow
Once again thank you for your posts on this matter.
Yayow
Landmarks for finding the church - it is opposite the Fuerza de la Revoluci?n (former Communist party) HQ - difficult to miss - and a large shop selling lamps. It is also next to La Casona Dorada Hotel, on Ave. Independencia just before esq. Danae. I think the membership fee is closer to RD$500 now.
Thanks I found it
Thanks to all, with the directions I was able to find it quite easily only about 6 or 7 blocks from where I live, and have passed the area often but never paid attention to it.
It is a library that is open about 3 - 4 hrs a day staffed by volunteers. They also sell used English language books, very cheaply I may add. As far as the fees for membership, no fee to just walk in and buy a book. For use of their small library there is a 400rd fee for singles and a 600rd fee for a family.
Thanks to all, with the directions I was able to find it quite easily only about 6 or 7 blocks from where I live, and have passed the area often but never paid attention to it.
It is a library that is open about 3 - 4 hrs a day staffed by volunteers. They also sell used English language books, very cheaply I may add. As far as the fees for membership, no fee to just walk in and buy a book. For use of their small library there is a 400rd fee for singles and a 600rd fee for a family.