Living Costs in the Dominican Republic

[pi2]

Make ( not consume ) hay while the sun shines.

There is a lot of sun in the DR!

We search for a symbiotic relationship with Nature, DR, its people; avoiding excessive consumption and aiming to replenish anything we take away.

How are your orchids growing?

pi2

Well, the ultimate trick is to stop living, much cheaper.



Yesterday I watched somebody assemble a relatively large solar cooker in a Las Terrenas shop; the main shop is in Sos?a (so says the leaflet).
The thing looked expensive to me; let's see how many we shall see in the Dominican patios and barrios...

donP

 

[pi2]

Conspicuous Consumption makes me uncomfortable- - it promotes greed, envy; with it crime and many social problems.
Payback time - many have fallen for get rich quick scemes. A payback time of 3 -10 years is just fine by me.
I think if you cook rice and veg in a rice cooker run from electric it works out cheaper than cooking with two burners via propane. If it is a hot day it does not heat up the room so much either.

pi2

The "Pay Back Time" on your suggestions is not worth the investments.
Besides,"Conspicuous Consumption" makes me comfortable.
I sleep under a blanket every night!
Cooking rice on a propane burner is cheaper than electric,doesn't lose power halfway through the cooking proces,and MOST important,which you don't understand living alone without Dominicans in the house,rice cookers don't make "ConCon"!
And you call your 38 inch TV "small"???????
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[Criss Colon]

Thanks pi2Yanadu,I like to start my day with a good laugh,and you never fail to give me one!
Especially the part about the "Coconut oil".
I got so cold last night,I had to put the "Air" on the "Fan Only" setting,FOR A WHILE!
See,I'm doing my part to help the environment!
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[MikeFisher]

Make ( not consume ) hay while the sun shines.

There is a lot of sun in the DR!

We search for a symbiotic relationship with Nature, DR, its people; avoiding excessive consumption and aiming to replenish anything we take away.

How are your orchids growing?

pi2

you are mistaken about the caribbean daily sunshine hours, and they are the only what counts when it comes to the use of a Solar system.
central Europe has all summer long a bunch more daylight hours than we have here o the Caribbean Island, if taken the AVERAGE for all year around central europe has much more/significantly more daylight hours than the DR has, and that's what a Solar System needs to charge, DAYLIGHT.
if it is simple daylight or Full Hot Humid Sunshine, that doesn't matter as much as you seem to think.

and aside of LESS Daylight hours the Caribbean Island here has more disadvantages:
for example, specially when living near the Coast, or worst, right on a Beach, it is the SALT in the Air.
even the high humidity itself is a killer for a Solar Systems Lifetime Span, but SALT, that is a Killer after just a Fraction of the estimated Lifetime for such System. it lays down on the Panels and can not be cleaned away by simply Wiping da thingy clean. but that's the Experience You will get after a while, then you will know it prooved by yourself, no need to listen to people who used such before and found out that it is a big and expensive uneffective failure.
hey,
even that all Solar System Imports to the DR are completely Import Tax Free, the Max a Gubmint can do for such stuff, but even with that it is rarely used.
don't You think there is a real REASON why???

Happy Rice cooking

Mike

 

[MikeFisher]

Conspicuous Consumption makes me uncomfortable- - it promotes greed, envy; with it crime and many social problems.
Payback time - many have fallen for get rich quick scemes. A payback time of 3 -10 years is just fine by me.
I think if you cook rice and veg in a rice cooker run from electric it works out cheaper than cooking with two burners via propane. If it is a hot day it does not heat up the room so much either.

pi2

greed, envy, crime and many sozial problems may come with your way, cooking Rice and beans on daily bases without having any debt at the local propane gas Provider, but it sure would never occure to you that poor neighbours of your frugal Swimming Pool Lifestyle would see You and Your Lifetsyle that way, wouldn't it?

Mike

 

[MikeFisher]

why isn't there a Mod with the Balls to make a simple Decision:
** this is a Topic about reasonable Living Costs in the DR
*** send all the crap to a Newly to form Topic named "Living $hit of $hit on a Caribbean Paradise Island
**** and start in an other Bordsection a Topic about Solar Systems and their Prooved Failures/Awards in the DR

as simple as that

Mike

 

[Squat]

For a bit of saving, first, and then I started enjoying the process... I started shaving with a safety-razor (double-edge)... It takes a bit to get used to it, but once you have the right technique, you actually have a nicer shave than with the Mach3 & Fusion...

I bought a Chinese clone for 6O pesos, and a pack of "Gilette" Blades (as a matter of fact they are made by Bic, but folks here will call them Gilette anyway) for 20 pesos, a pack of 5 blades.

But I still aim to get one of those fancy Merkur razor such as this one: Safety Razors, Safety Razors & Blades, Merkur Safety Razors - ClassicShaving.com

 

[pi2]

I do not have a solar radiation map for the DR. The data is only available in tabular form I think.

One might expect parts of DR to be similar to Florida.

http://www.builditsolar.com/SiteSurvey/US Sol Rad Map.pdf


Many of the windows that have been in use for a long time have no salt / acid corrosion. I think solar panels are no different.

Heavy rain keeps most surfaces clean.

Solar prices are reducing and within a year or two I can envisage getting 90% of my energy usage from solar.

Also power an electric bike.

Refrigerators that only need one solar panel are becoming widely available.

Solar Powered Refrigeration


It is entirely possible that a small household could run everthing with a $2000 investment in the solar system plus a solar cooker, efficient fridge, electric bike etc.


pi2

you are mistaken about the caribbean daily sunshine hours, and they are the only what counts when it comes to the use of a Solar system.
central Europe has all summer long a bunch more daylight hours than we have here o the Caribbean Island, if taken the AVERAGE for all year around central europe has much more/significantly more daylight hours than the DR has, and that's what a Solar System needs to charge, DAYLIGHT.
if it is simple daylight or Full Hot Humid Sunshine, that doesn't matter as much as you seem to think.

and aside of LESS Daylight hours the Caribbean Island here has more disadvantages:
for example, specially when living near the Coast, or worst, right on a Beach, it is the SALT in the Air.
even the high humidity itself is a killer for a Solar Systems Lifetime Span, but SALT, that is a Killer after just a Fraction of the estimated Lifetime for such System. it lays down on the Panels and can not be cleaned away by simply Wiping da thingy clean. but that's the Experience You will get after a while, then you will know it prooved by yourself, no need to listen to people who used such before and found out that it is a big and expensive uneffective failure.
hey,
even that all Solar System Imports to the DR are completely Import Tax Free, the Max a Gubmint can do for such stuff, but even with that it is rarely used.
don't You think there is a real REASON why???

Happy Rice cooking

Mike

 

[Criss Colon]

You get those,"Heavy Rains" all year long where you live?
Just saw a piece on TV about the "phasing out" of the incandesant lightbulb in the USA.It's the law now!
Problem is,for the poor it is not always possible to go "Hallogen,Flourescent,or better still,but 20 to 30 times the cost of incandescent,...the "LED" bulb.
You have been touting the solar panel here forever!
Not in your lifetime!!
Or MINE!
To costly.
Show me where I can get low cost pannels,HERE,in the DR.
NOT,on some "WebSite"!
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[pi2]

Normally heverything is green due to the rainfall - mostly at night.

There was an agent in Sosua for panels but I imported mine from the US. People who really want the cheapest import just the wafers via e-bay and build their own panel. I may try it.

My panels were imported from USA via an Amazon order.

LED bulbs last a very long time and are very efficient. Prices have halved in the last year.

120 dollars can buy 4 and they will save $$$ over incandescent over their 15 year life

Amazon.com: Philips 409904 Dimmable AmbientLED 12.5-Watt A19 Light Bulb: Home Improvement

pi2

You get those,"Heavy Rains" all year long where you live?
Just saw a piece on TV about the "phasing out" of the incandesant lightbulb in the USA.It's the law now!
Problem is,for the poor it is not always possible to go "Hallogen,Flourescent,or better still,but 20 to 30 times the cost of incandescent,...the "LED" bulb.
You have been touting the solar panel here forever!
Not in your lifetime!!
Or MINE!
To costly.
Show me where I can get low cost pannels,HERE,in the DR.
NOT,on some "WebSite"!
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[greydread]

The entire "go green" thing has to be taken with a block of salt.

All the rushing to "go green" with yuppies buying electric vehicles led to a few rushes in the production costs and now people's Chevy Volt batteries are catching fir and blowing up to the point of a 100% voluntary recall with the company offering to buy the things back.

I mean nobody wants to spew carbon monoxide into the air but did anybody take the time to ponder the risk of changing exhaust byproduct from carbon monoxide to HYDROGEN? That's what's in those electrolyte bubbles when you exercise batteries.

Common sense beats "green" every time.

 

[Criss Colon]

The problem remains,with most "GREEN"money saving devices,is the initial cost,and the "Break Even" point.
Those who need the money saving advantage of :green",can't,won't make the initial investment.
They are popular with those who's main concern is not to save money,but to save the environment.
Those willing to lose money,to save the planet.
Not much chance of thet in the DR,or any developing country.
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[MikeFisher]

The problem remains,with most "GREEN"money saving devices,is the initial cost,and the "Break Even" point.
Those who need the money saving advantage of :green",can't,won't make the initial investment.
They are popular with those who's main concern is not to save money,but to save the environment.
Those willing to lose money,to save the planet.
Not much chance of thet in the DR,or any developing country.
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100% correct.
that's why modern and rich countries such as for example the USA
are the biggest polluters of the Atmosphere, opening the big Holes over the Poles wider and wider,
they would be some of the Countries who are able to Pay for Going Green,
but they would need to convince their Citicens about such in their commercials for the next Presidential Elections.
it will never happen as long as the simple Consumers can efford to purchase the polluting Products,
and as those Porducts are produced in Masses relatively effectively/cheap, the Solar and other Alternative Energy/Gases Producing/Polluting Variations will not have a big enough of a Market to produce their Products Competitively Rateswise.
that's a Matter of economical Fact since Decades, WORLDWIDE,
or why do rich Countries such as for example Germany still run on Nuclear Powers?

because very most of their Citizens are not willing to invest in a Solar Rice Cooker to prepare the Beans for the Seaweed salad independend of the Big Powerplants, and they Do Use Solar and Windpower to produce Energy aside of others since long Times, but it does not produce enough to suit the Needs of the Citizenship, and They are the ones givng their Votes on the next Election.

the Use of Alternative Energy Producing Green Systems have nothing to do with a cheap Lifestyle,
the Opposite,
only a few can efford to run their used to Lifestyle by producing the needed Energy with such Sources.

so when mentioning such Energy Producing Tecnologies, they should be mentioned in Topics like
"what kinda Living Standard can I expect with $15.000.-US per Month of Income for 2 Persons when moving to the DR"

Mike

 

[pi2]

The entire "go green" thing has to be taken with a block of salt.

All the rushing to "go green" with yuppies buying electric vehicles led to a few rushes in the production costs and now people's Chevy Volt batteries are catching fir and blowing up to the point of a 100% voluntary recall with the company offering to buy the things back.

I mean nobody wants to spew carbon monoxide into the air but did anybody take the time to ponder the risk of changing exhaust byproduct from carbon monoxide to HYDROGEN? That's what's in those electrolyte bubbles when you exercise batteries.

Common sense beats "green" every time.

Only the type of battery used in cheaper golf carts have a battery that gives off hydrogen. Cars use another technology.

Details on Nissan Leaf battery pack, including how recharging speed affects battery life

pi2

 

[DRob]

Still an off-track thread?

What, realistically, do solar panel rice cookers and (non-existent) personal nuclear reactors have to do with a general thread about LIVING COSTS IN THE DR?

What would be nice is a summary of costs (and level of lifestyle) from those who live in/frequent various parts of the country.

For example, Chip was pretty good at giving us a realistic idea of how far 1,000USD goes in Santiago for a small family if your housing and transportation is paid for. We've gotten lots of good information, why not keep it going, and ignore pi2/Yannadu for the troll (or OCD-obsessive survivalist, whichever you prefer) that he is?

That's a helluva lot more useful than some esoteric conversation about geothermally-driven seaweed steamers.

 

[pi2]

Up to 25% of voters in Germany vote for Green party and polices of reducing energy consumptions, renewables, ending nuclear power, carbon taxes, local self sufficiency etc. Green party votes are climbing all over Europe as people realize their responsibilites. I dont see why the cost of living in the DR increases much if any with some green products. Eco-tourism, eco-lifestyles are growing Worldwide.
DR is adeally placed to benefit. In many parts ofthe country a simple 25 watt fan suffices in place of expensive to run and install a/c and heating. Local food is reasonably priced and veg, fruit etc. are available year round. It doesnt involve freezing, transport, wasteful supermarkets, processing etc. Even major hotel groups have solar water heating, thermal curtains, room insulation and numerous other energy saving ideas. These features make cost of living cheaper with short payback periods.
By the way I have had problems with DVDs and CDs in the DR. One solution is a player such O!Play linked to a hard disk. Copy onto the hard disk with the laptop and I think the energy consumption is much less than a DVD player too.

pi2.

100% correct.
that's why modern and rich countries such as for example the USA
are the biggest polluters of the Atmosphere, opening the big Holes over the Poles wider and wider,
they would be some of the Countries who are able to Pay for Going Green,
but they would need to convince their Citicens about such in their commercials for the next Presidential Elections.
it will never happen as long as the simple Consumers can efford to purchase the polluting Products,
and as those Porducts are produced in Masses relatively effectively/cheap, the Solar and other Alternative Energy/Gases Producing/Polluting Variations will not have a big enough of a Market to produce their Products Competitively Rateswise.
that's a Matter of economical Fact since Decades, WORLDWIDE,
or why do rich Countries such as for example Germany still run on Nuclear Powers?

because very most of their Citizens are not willing to invest in a Solar Rice Cooker to prepare the Beans for the Seaweed salad independend of the Big Powerplants, and they Do Use Solar and Windpower to produce Energy aside of others since long Times, but it does not produce enough to suit the Needs of the Citizenship, and They are the ones givng their Votes on the next Election.

the Use of Alternative Energy Producing Green Systems have nothing to do with a cheap Lifestyle,
the Opposite,
only a few can efford to run their used to Lifestyle by producing the needed Energy with such Sources.

so when mentioning such Energy Producing Tecnologies, they should be mentioned in Topics like
"what kinda Living Standard can I expect with $15.000.-US per Month of Income for 2 Persons when moving to the DR"

Mike

 

[Criss Colon]

"Irrelevant to the cost of living in the DR!"
From the "Resident Master of Mis-Invormation"!
Energy costs of a DVD player,come on!
Get relevant,or get gone!
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[Criss Colon]

"Irrelevant to the cost of living in the DR!"
From the "Resident Master of Mis-Information"!
Energy costs of a DVD player,come on!
Get relevant,or get gone!
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC

 

[waytogo]

Up to 25% of voters in Germany vote for Green party and polices of reducing energy consumptions, renewables, ending nuclear power, carbon taxes, local self sufficiency etc. Green party votes are climbing all over Europe as people realize their responsibilites. I dont see why the cost of living in the DR increases much if any with some green products. Eco-tourism, eco-lifestyles are growing Worldwide.
DR is adeally placed to benefit. In many parts ofthe country a simple 25 watt fan suffices in place of expensive to run and install a/c and heating. Local food is reasonably priced and veg, fruit etc. are available year round. It doesnt involve freezing, transport, wasteful supermarkets, processing etc. Even major hotel groups have solar water heating, thermal curtains, room insulation and numerous other energy saving ideas. These features make cost of living cheaper with short payback periods.
By the way I have had problems with DVDs and CDs in the DR. One solution is a player such O!Play linked to a hard disk. Copy onto the hard disk with the laptop and I think the energy consumption is much less than a DVD player too.

pi2.

You are really sounding like a broken record....how do you fix that

B in Santiago

 

[pi2]

The google ad for www.sunlec.com is showing solar panels as low as 78 cents a watt.

Another factor in the cost of living is hobbies. eco-friendly hobbies such as kite flying and building are becoming popular.
Kite festivals can atttract large crowds.

KiteBuilder.Com - Your source for kite building plans, kites, information, and kite making supplies

Birdwatching :

Where do you want to go birding in Dominican Republic today?

20 + species are visible in gardens.

Snorkeling is also not a great contributor to the cost of living.


Punta Cana Snorkeling - Punta Cana Reef

The extensive range of free or nearly free activities available all year round in the DR certainly contribute to the low cost of living.


No commercial connnection with any of these links.

pi2