I'm with you JD! No power or water on the NC. Motos coming at you from all directions. Incompetent maintenance workers. Need I go on? The NC is a hellhole!
- Thread starter Calos G-Diaz
- Start date
Moving back to DR (north coast) when I retire: do or don't
So, I feel like maybe I've stepped into the middle of a debate about the North Coast that I am completely unaware of. Fill me in
Background: I was born in Santo Domingo, lived there until I was 4 or so, and also lived in Bonao (Bario de los Gringos lol), VillaAltagrcia and a couple of other places. I have connections to Sosua and Puerto Plata (used to go there during the summers, great memories of that). I like it better than the South Coast, for strictly personal reasons, but what do I know? I haven't lived there for the majority of my life. I have about 10-15 years before I retire (really looking forward to it) but it's never too early to start planning.
< you are much better served in Cabarete
Yes, Cabarete is one of the places that I'm looking at, but apparently, the north coast is full of Dominican hicks. I've lived in Bonao, where my family owns houses and a large cattle ranch (used to be at least, that was long ago). I have lived in cities, and I have lived on finca. I like the country.
Muchas gracias a todos por la ayuda.
I don't think it's that much of a debate, just that understandably some members have may have experienced also negative things in various locations on the North Coast. I agree, there are locations we as a family would never step into (Sosua for example, aside from the gated communities like Hispaniola or Casa Linda), but that does not mean that the whole coast is bad... Also, a very respected member on this board, William Webster, who unfortunately passed away recently, was promoting Cabrera for a long time, as he lived there and seemed to enjoy the location. Obviously, some hick-ups there as well but nothing that significant.So, I feel like maybe I've stepped into the middle of a debate about the North Coast that I am completely unaware of. Fill me in
Background: I was born in Santo Domingo, lived there until I was 4 or so, and also lived in Bonao (Bario de los Gringos lol), VillaAltagrcia and a couple of other places. I have connections to Sosua and Puerto Plata (used to go there during the summers, great memories of that). I like it better than the South Coast, for strictly personal reasons, but what do I know? I haven't lived there for the majority of my life. I have about 10-15 years before I retire (really looking forward to it) but it's never too early to start planning.
< you are much better served in Cabarete
Yes, Cabarete is one of the places that I'm looking at, but apparently, the north coast is full of Dominican hicks. I've lived in Bonao, where my family owns houses and a large cattle ranch (used to be at least, that was long ago). I have lived in cities, and I have lived on finca. I like the country.
Muchas gracias a todos por la ayuda.
I have to admit, I will always defend the city of Puerto Plata (not the province, just the city), as that is our home base in the DR (my wife, born in the capital, raised and went to school in POP). Everyone close to use live there, and I aside from the traffic and occasional damaged streets, I have no complaints of the place and we have also lived there for 7 years. Many people say that POP is just a huge slum, but I disagree. It has many very nice areas. The only thing I don't miss from there are the motorcycles. I could live without those but I know the economy of POP could not, so have to live with it...
Aside from POP, the only other place important for us is Cabarete for the restaurants and the beach. You can even spend time everywhere there as a family. I wouldn't mind living there, if there was something for all of us...
I often recommend future expats to try a few places before making a choice.
Meaning, rent a place in NC, stay a month or 2.. Then try the Capital, Santiago or other parts of the Country. Make it a fun experience, explore a little and only then should you make your decision.
Meaning, rent a place in NC, stay a month or 2.. Then try the Capital, Santiago or other parts of the Country. Make it a fun experience, explore a little and only then should you make your decision.
North Coast is a nice place to visit for a day or two.
That area of the country has a long a way to go before I'd ever consider living up there again.
That area of the country has a long a way to go before I'd ever consider living up there again.
Some truth but where are there less motos than mosquitoes en DR?
I've lived in POP for several years. The power occasionally goes out for a few hours (maybe every other week?), but not often enough to complain about. Never a problem for water, but I know other towns have that issue. Motos? Yes, but when I went to SD last month for residency renewal, I thought the traffic and the motos weaving in and out was terrible too. Can't lump the entire NC into a hellhole category.
Appalachian Bob?
Any of your kinfolks in "Deliverance"?
According to Tom Petty and the HB,
Ned Beatty
Had the hardest part
Many well-intentioned posters have given you feedback on your post. However, you have to ask yourself where are you most comfortableSo, I feel like maybe I've stepped into the middle of a debate about the North Coast that I am completely unaware of. Fill me in
Background: I was born in Santo Domingo, lived there until I was 4 or so, and also lived in Bonao (Bario de los Gringos lol), VillaAltagrcia and a couple of other places. I have connections to Sosua and Puerto Plata (used to go there during the summers, great memories of that). I like it better than the South Coast, for strictly personal reasons, but what do I know? I haven't lived there for the majority of my life. I have about 10-15 years before I retire (really looking forward to it) but it's never too early to start planning.
< you are much better served in Cabarete
Yes, Cabarete is one of the places that I'm looking at, but apparently, the north coast is full of Dominican hicks. I've lived in Bonao, where my family owns houses and a large cattle ranch (used to be at least, that was long ago). I have lived in cities, and I have lived on finca. I like the country.
Muchas gracias a todos por la ayuda.
Many good people have replied to your post. Thanks to them. It seems you're waffling about where to go to settle down. The simple solution is to ask yourself is what place you have been most comfortable? You have to make your decision. A good idea is to decide to try a conditional location for a period of time. If it does not fit your comfort zone after a while... move.
Regards,
PJT