Rosey,
The closest and only real practical airport for Cabarete is POP Puerto Plata. Travel in and out of it is pricey.. would expect same for private.
Well, not sure about your financial status but buying or renting a home here is certainly cheaper. Operating it - may not be - electricity, water operations, maintenance(salt spray etc). Some food and entertainment are less others are not.
Interest rates on CD's here are certainly higher than the US but remember you are in a 2nd world country with its own economic risks. You will find some international banks here that are good - ScotiaBank for an example.
It is a great, unique, fun, frustrating, infuriating, outrageous and adventurous place to live 97.896% of the time.
Ask anything you want. Will try to help. Midwesterner here as well...