- Thread starter SherryLewis
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New Member with lots of Questions!
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Do not buy property. Pay the over stay tax. Cheaper and is quite possible you will not even want to back after a long stay. I am Canadian and I truly hate, even dispise winter. It is still however one of the best countries to LIVE in the whole world. Have you even visited the DR before?
Sherry it is not that cheap to live here and I believe your monthly living expensive will be at least 5,000US and that I think is low for a family of 4.
Before you buy anything even a $5000 land or house LIVE here for at least 6 months!!
Before you buy anything even a $5000 land or house LIVE here for at least 6 months!!
The very cheap piece of land you buy needs to be where you want to live. You will find that West of SD property is cheaper. There will, however, be fewer people who speak English. The DR has mountains, beaches, deserts and swamps. What it lacks is snow, sleet and ice.
When it comes to the land, I am not looking to do anything with it, just as a means to get residency. Doesn't matter its location and you don't have to live near it, or on it. Just own it. In regards to living down there for 6 months, that would be great, but unfortunately impossible unless you have a temp. residency card. Nothing is finalized as this is something we are planning for. Like I mentioned, we will be coming down and visiting for a while to see if that is where we really want to move. If we do really like it, we are prepared to have the money to purchase a very cheap piece of land to get our foot in the door. Worse case scenario, we don't like after we move, my husband still has his work in Canada and we relocate back.
Sllloooooowwwwww Down please! Just so you know, even if you don't head the advise not to purchase property and do ot anyway, you won't get title right away. That process takes time, even when there are no issues. If you think getting a visa is a land mine, buying property on your first visit is a disaster waiting to happen. Just take a trip, pay the over stay fee and see how things go.
In regards to my children... we don't live near any family as it is so that is not an issue. My son (16) is Autistic and his way of communication at this present moment with the friends he has is via Skype. He sits at a computer most of the time and having an environment that allows us to pull him away from this (like the ocean, water sports, ziplining, etc.) would do him a lot of good! My daughter.. well she's a social butterfly and makes friends with child her age no matter where we go. Yes, she will be able to see her friends nearly as often, but we do plan on visiting everyone annually. We have discussed this with our kids and yes they are happy and sad at the same time.
First, welcome to DR1!
You've gotten some very good advice thus far, some of it from folks who were in your shoes not too long ago.
My advice would be: take a deep breath, and slow down.
Lots of people are super excited when they decide to move someplace new, but as this decision will affect your entire family, it's best to consider a few things:
Do you really want to move there? I mean, DR in particular, vs. some general spot in the caribbean? The only way to make sure is to travel there and stay for a while. And NOT as a tourist, rent a apartment and stay put for, say, the summer. DR is great, but you should go into any major life choice with your eyes wide open.
Residency is something you should start discussing with your local consulate AFTER you've spent time in-country, and have made the decision.
There are many places to choose from in DR, ranging from ultra-touristy to never seeing another gringo again. The cost of living is frequently directly proportionate to the emphasis the area places on tourism.
Keep in mind that purchasing real estate is almost laughably easy. Selling it is an altogether different matter.
You've got one kid in high school, another knocking on the door. The public schools are pretty poor across the board, although many areas have at least one decent private school. While a fraction of the cost of NA, you're still looking at $1,000 per month, per student.
A suggestion: as you've got a kid who has almost graduated high school, consider spending the next few summers in DR. Try a few different areas (Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, La Romana, Las Terrenas, Santiago, Cabrera and Cabarete/Sosua are all great options), and take it all in. In two years, your oldest will have graduated, which will save oodles of money, and you'll hopefully know the area and language well enough to make some realistic decisions.
So take your time, learn the country, and gradually ease in. Best of luck!
You've gotten some very good advice thus far, some of it from folks who were in your shoes not too long ago.
My advice would be: take a deep breath, and slow down.
Lots of people are super excited when they decide to move someplace new, but as this decision will affect your entire family, it's best to consider a few things:
Do you really want to move there? I mean, DR in particular, vs. some general spot in the caribbean? The only way to make sure is to travel there and stay for a while. And NOT as a tourist, rent a apartment and stay put for, say, the summer. DR is great, but you should go into any major life choice with your eyes wide open.
Residency is something you should start discussing with your local consulate AFTER you've spent time in-country, and have made the decision.
There are many places to choose from in DR, ranging from ultra-touristy to never seeing another gringo again. The cost of living is frequently directly proportionate to the emphasis the area places on tourism.
Keep in mind that purchasing real estate is almost laughably easy. Selling it is an altogether different matter.
You've got one kid in high school, another knocking on the door. The public schools are pretty poor across the board, although many areas have at least one decent private school. While a fraction of the cost of NA, you're still looking at $1,000 per month, per student.
A suggestion: as you've got a kid who has almost graduated high school, consider spending the next few summers in DR. Try a few different areas (Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, La Romana, Las Terrenas, Santiago, Cabrera and Cabarete/Sosua are all great options), and take it all in. In two years, your oldest will have graduated, which will save oodles of money, and you'll hopefully know the area and language well enough to make some realistic decisions.
So take your time, learn the country, and gradually ease in. Best of luck!
I didn't know anything this morning when I woke up and posted... through some of the great posts and suggestions, I used those to help further my search. Where I found out more information along the way and posted in case anyone in the future finds themselves in the same situation as I am now. Thanks
Yes and ensure all mental health problems being treated and mood stabilizer rx compliance
e (if applicable) before shelling out thousands of $
Okay.... I'm breathing... and yes listening! Okay, maybe you guys are starting to persuade me just a little. Maybe I will go down there with my husband in July for a week then take my kids and stay out there for a couple of months, then make a decision.
I heard from other people living down there that it is much cheaper.. is this not so?
I heard from other people living down there that it is much cheaper.. is this not so?
All the internet surfing and questions are still not worth anything until boots on the ground living here. You have not even visited here do not speak the language. The DR is a complete 180 to Canada things that are simple and straightforward in Canada are difficult and time consuming here.
I understand you're excited you want to live in the Caribbean Paradise in my years of living here I have seen many excited and gun hoe like you to move here but within 6 months of the move they are back in their country upset and pockets not as full as before or empty.
Please bring your family here and experience the place before you even think of investing 1 US dollar (because Cdn dollar aint worth crap here no offense) The DR is awesome but very difficult for newbies at the same time. Nobody is trying to discourage you we are just trying to tell you proceed with caution and learn from real life experience.
I understand you're excited you want to live in the Caribbean Paradise in my years of living here I have seen many excited and gun hoe like you to move here but within 6 months of the move they are back in their country upset and pockets not as full as before or empty.
Please bring your family here and experience the place before you even think of investing 1 US dollar (because Cdn dollar aint worth crap here no offense) The DR is awesome but very difficult for newbies at the same time. Nobody is trying to discourage you we are just trying to tell you proceed with caution and learn from real life experience.
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