Living Costs in the Dominican Republic

[Criss Colon]

I know one thing, it's VERY "PC" to "Talk The GREEN TALK, but few actually "Walk the GREEN Walk!!!!!"
The vast majority live a meager life, simply because that's all they can afford!!!
My older sister being an exception.
She is rich, yet recycles all her yogurt containers, and EVERYTHING Else Too!
She is a "vegetarian", and a really good citizen of the EARTH!
She gives to a slew of "Green" organization, and helps the "Less Fortunate".
She recfieves "Awards" from local and State governments.
I can respect her lifestyle, because she "chooses" to live as she does, she is not forced to because of not being able to afford much more.
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[yapask1]

I try through this media to share ideas and information leading to a greener lifestyle here in the DR. In my case this lifestyle is not through necessity although of course I have empathy with those less fortunate than myself who adopt these and other green ideas and find a better quality of life.
There is some humour thrown in ; but there again there was a BBC tv program about a successful start up of a seaweed business in the North of Ireland. Yes, I commend your sister.

yapask1

I know one thing, it's VERY "PC" to "Talk The GREEN TALK, but few actually "Walk the GREEN Walk!!!!!"
The vast majority live a meager life, simply because that's all they can afford!!!
My older sister being an exception.
She is rich, yet recycles all her yogurt containers, and EVERYTHING Else Too!
She is a "vegetarian", and a really good citizen of the EARTH!
She gives to a slew of "Green" organization, and helps the "Less Fortunate".
She recfieves "Awards" from local and State governments.
I can respect her lifestyle, because she "chooses" to live as she does, she is not forced to because of not being able to afford much more.
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[belgiank]

Mie Fisher: if you know the little butcher next to Ocean Village, between Sosua and Cabarete, he actually has nice blutwurst. He only makes it once or twice a week (I think Thursday), and yes, it is not cheap compared to the local stuff. And he imports a fantastic pepper salami from Germany as well.

BelgianK

 

[IamZon]

To focus the dialog a little ... are the general costs of living about the same throughout the island? I think there are some Luxury areas that are more expensive in many different pockets.

And, again, general above average living (nice apartment; restaurants; yoga /gym) ... in a nice area of Santa Domingo, is about the same as an average city in USA. I would say about 1:1 using Tampa, Florida as a comparison. More expensive for luxuries.

Is that about right?

 

[Criss Colon]

That sounds pretty good to me!
Many people falsely believe, until they get here, that everything must be cheap.
NOT SO!
Electricity, gasoline,housing( In a nice/safer area),and costs to buy and maintain a newer vehicle, are very high.
Some posters here on DR1 choose to tell us that you can live here for a few hundred US dollars a month.
That Is True"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You can live in Tokyo,Paris, or London on a few hundred US dollars a month!
IF, you like to sleep in a cardboard box, and eat out of garbage cans!
But would anyone really enjoy THAT existence?
Not I, OR MY Family!
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[DRob]

In fairness, Yappy has been able to pull it off. He owns his place, has a bike or pasola, and relies on solar energy sources. So rent, transportation, and energy costs are either nil or extremely low. He also has no kids, and I'd be shocked to learn there was a Mrs. Yappy out there, so no costs as well.

And, his primary source of entertainment seems to be figuring out ways to pinch a peso to death.

The problem is, most people's lives look nothing like that. Folks who are arriving in DR usually have to rent or buy, are in need of transportation, have kids and elderly parents and bills, and like to be able to prepare meals after sunset. For these folks, and for those reasons, his advice is bad bordering on dangerous. That's why I'm so critical of his posts.

Again, I'd advise folks who are considering a move to research the posts by Criss, Hillbilly, dv8, Cobraboy, Chirimoya, Mountainannie, MikeFisher and the scores of reasonable-minded folks who have contributed to this thread. Their budgets (generally between 2k for a single person up to 5k+ for the village that Criss is taking care of) is a solid range AFTER YOUR FIRST YEAR HERE.

Everything will be more expensive as you make the usual mistakes during your first year, so take their estimates and double them. If you have money left over, then good for you, but it is far better to have money and not need it than the other way around.

 

[belgiank]

That sounds pretty good to me!
Many people falsely believe, until they get here, that everything must be cheap.
NOT SO!
Electricity, gasoline,housing( In a nice/safer area),and costs to buy and maintain a newer vehicle, are very high.
Some posters here on DR1 choose to tell us that you can live here for a few hundred US dollars a month.
That Is True"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You can live in Tokyo,Paris, or London on a few hundred US dollars a month!
IF, you like to sleep in a cardboard box, and eat out of garbage cans!
But would anyone really enjoy THAT existence?
Not I, OR MY Family!
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And the problem with sleeping in a cardboard box here, is, that if it rains, they will pinch it to use it as rear mudguard on their moto's

BelgianK

 

[Criss Colon]

"Rain, Rain, Go Away!"

The USA could "Re-Cycle" all it's unwanted plastic grocery bags!
Donate them to the women of the DR to pull over their head when it rains so they wont die! :dead::dead::dead:
There "Yappi", how about my "Green" idea?????????????????????????
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[bob saunders]

In fairness, Yappy has been able to pull it off. He owns his place, has a bike or pasola, and relies on solar energy sources. So rent, transportation, and energy costs are either nil or extremely low. He also has no kids, and I'd be shocked to learn there was a Mrs. Yappy out there, so no costs as well.

And, his primary source of entertainment seems to be figuring out ways to pinch a peso to death.

The problem is, most people's lives look nothing like that. Folks who are arriving in DR usually have to rent or buy, are in need of transportation, have kids and elderly parents and bills, and like to be able to prepare meals after sunset. For these folks, and for those reasons, his advice is bad bordering on dangerous. That's why I'm so critical of his posts.

Again, I'd advise folks who are considering a move to research the posts by Criss, Hillbilly, dv8, Cobraboy, Chirimoya, Mountainannie, MikeFisher and the scores of reasonable-minded folks who have contributed to this thread. Their budgets (generally between 2k for a single person up to 5k+ for the village that Criss is taking care of) is a solid range AFTER YOUR FIRST YEAR HERE.

Everything will be more expensive as you make the usual mistakes during your first year, so take their estimates and double them. If you have money left over, then good for you, but it is far better to have money and not need it than the other way around.

Our costs I believe are quite a bit less than average because my wife is Tacana. We have two computers, an LED TV, electric hot water,a large fridge, a floor fan and a bedroom ceiling fan, plus 3 multi-bulb units in living room, dining room, and kitchen. Our electric bill averages about 600 pesos per month, our food bill around 10-12000 pesos per month and that's for two households. My mother-in-law goes through two tanks of gas per month - 2000 pesos. Beer is cheap and we don't drink much. My in laws are non drinkers. Car- a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe cost 16,000 US, and full insurance -BHD Mafre was 37,000 pesos for the year, I spend about 2500 monthy on gas. Water bill is under 500 pesos per month and we go through one 5 gal every 7-8 days - 25 pesos. Medical insurance -ARS Palic - 2700 PESOS PER MONTH FOR 3.
No rent as we own. Cell phone is 995 pesos, and we use majicjack or skype for all all distance calls. We have internet and cable - 2400 monthly. We spend approx a $1000 US per month on average. I do agree with those that say you need more than that though, for rainy days, emergencies...etc.

 

[DRob]

Our costs I believe are quite a bit less than average because my wife is Tacana. We have two computers, an LED TV, electric hot water,a large fridge, a floor fan and a bedroom ceiling fan, plus 3 multi-bulb units in living room, dining room, and kitchen. Our electric bill averages about 600 pesos per month, our food bill around 10-12000 pesos per month and that's for two households. My mother-in-law goes through two tanks of gas per month - 2000 pesos. Beer is cheap and we don't drink much. My in laws are non drinkers. Car- a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe cost 16,000 US, and full insurance -BHD Mafre was 37,000 pesos for the year, I spend about 2500 monthy on gas. Water bill is under 500 pesos per month and we go through one 5 gal every 7-8 days - 25 pesos. Medical insurance -ARS Palic - 2700 PESOS PER MONTH FOR 3.
No rent as we own. Cell phone is 995 pesos, and we use majicjack or skype for all all distance calls. We have internet and cable - 2400 monthly. We spend approx a $1000 US per month on average. I do agree with those that say you need more than that though, for rainy days, emergencies...etc.

Bob, where are you, and can you describe your place (e.g., 3br/2ba house), and what you'd expect to pay (or receive) in rent?

 

[bob saunders]

Bob, where are you, and can you describe your place (e.g., 3br/2ba house), and what you'd expect to pay (or receive) in rent?

I live in Jarabacoa in an area considered commercial but it's really a mix of commercial, apartments, poor houses and some villas. I own the building which is 3 bdrm 2 ba downstairs, which I rent out for 9000 to a nice lady Architect, live on the second floor which is the same, 3 br/2 bath and then we have a two br/1 ba apartment above us that is rented for 6500 to a young Vet and his wife.
My mother-in-law lives right across the road and most of the neighbors have lived on the street for many years. It's a very busy street as it's a short cut past all the one way streets in the area. A number of people feel safe enough to park their cars overnight on the street. We have very loyal, and vocal street dogs that anouce the presence of strangers at night.

 

[IamZon]

In fairness, Yappy has been able to pull it off.

For me, and for most people I think ... the objective is not to "pull it off" There is no virtue in getting away with a trick. I do not want to watch my pennies for the privilege of living in a 3rd world country! It is true that there exist a assumption that living in the DR is cheap - but, only if you begin to live as a Dominican. That is not the clear-minded objective of most people.

I was in the DR for a 1.5 months 2 years ago, I remember always remarking to myself - DAMN that was expensive. I did this because i had some fantasy in my head, that living was cheap. Again... it is pretty much dollar for dollar US prices - more for luxury. Or, has something changed?

 

[Dark_Scorpion]

Here's a link to a thread I started a while back:

http://www.dr1.com/forums/living/102930-living-dr-cheap.html

Since then we are living on even less believe it or not as we aren't eating out as much and are eating less meat and more platano(as opposed to sandwhiches at night). Come to think of it this is actually healthier too.

You sound like me. My diet is becoming "mostly vegetarian." It isn't because I don't like meat, it is just that I want to lower my grocery bill even more. Having said that, here is what I spent on groceries last week here in the DR:

$683.05 Dominican Pesos(roughly $17.15 American)

The amount I spent above is for a bachelor; couples with kids will obviously spend more. I'm extremely skilled at saving money on food, and my grocery bill in the USA was about the same. To spend this much on groceries in the DR, your list of foods must mostly be plant based. I'm talking arroz, zanahorias, patatas. I buy a little meat but not much. For fellow potato lovers, I'm sad to say that potatoes in the DR, at least where I live, are more expensive than the USA. In the USA I can get a 10 pound bag for 97 cents. Here, you get a really small bag that will barely last a week for like a $1.92. You won't save much money on potatoes here. Cereal, on the other hand, I got a box for 70 pesos, which is lower that the lowest cereal boxes I found at home.

Rent

I pay about $450 USD for a 2 bedroom(two much space for me but it was all that is available). I want to let fellow bachelors know that you can find a place much lower than $450 per month IF you get a studio apartment, which I've seen going for $300 a month. Studio apartments are in high demand in the DR and when I looked few were available. 2 bedrooms are less in demand likely because of the higher price tag. I pay the same rent in the DR that I paid in America, the difference being the apartment is three times bigger, furnished, and better designed with polished stone floors(you don't want to slip and fall).

 

[Dark_Scorpion]

For me, and for most people I think ... the objective is not to "pull it off" There is no virtue in getting away with a trick. I do not want to watch my pennies for the privilege of living in a 3rd world country! It is true that there exist a assumption that living in the DR is cheap - but, only if you begin to live as a Dominican. That is not the clear-minded objective of most people.

I was in the DR for a 1.5 months 2 years ago, I remember always remarking to myself - DAMN that was expensive. I did this because i had some fantasy in my head, that living was cheap. Again... it is pretty much dollar for dollar US prices - more for luxury. Or, has something changed?

I agree with you in a sense. I came to the DR to increase my standard of living, which I've done. As I said in my previous post, I pay the exact same price for rent here in the DR that I paid in the states. The difference is, in the states, I got a small studio apartment, but here, I get a massive 2 bedroom, that is furnished and frankly better designed. It is no secret to those of us who know whats going on that American living standards are going down, rather than up. My strategy was to relocate to a place where the dollar still goes much further. In America, inflation works against you. In the DR, it works for you.

I recently talked to my mom in the states, and I told her that I got a pair of pants and shirt here in the DR for 450 pesos(about $11 USD). My mom agreed that it was virtually impossible to get those prices in the USA. But let me give all of you "expats" a warning about the USD/Pesos situation. It may not last forever. The reason you guys get to enjoy the DR so much is because the US dollar is stronger than the peso. If you moved to Germany or France, on the other hand, you'd get eaten alive because the Euro is stronger than the American dollar. I did some international business in Europe over a year ago, and I got paid in Euros and it was always nice converting into dollars. What I"m saying is that you have to know how to play the game, and to do this successfully, you must understand that the rules can and will change.

The USD is currently the world reserve currency. As a result, expats like us who relocate to the DR, and are willing to get out of the American shell, learn Spanish, and mix with the locals have got it made. But be forewarned, China, Russia, Iran, and India are making moves to END the dollar's status as world reserve currency. In the future I believe the American dollar with collapse, just as the German deuschemark did after WW1. The reason for the USD collapse will likely be a major war, which may be with Russia or China. If the USD collapses, all you expats will lose your wonderful lifestyle in the DR UNLESS you have DIVERSIFIED AWAY from the dollar. I've been moving my money out of dollars and into gold, silver, and foreign currencies for at least three years. I will continue to do so in the future.

 

[DRob]

Thanks, Bob.

 

[Criss Colon]

I go to the "Supermarket" here in the DR almost everyday.(9 people, plus "Guests" can eat a LOT!)
I have been doing the shopping here for many,many years.
I know the prices for almost everything, both domestic,and imported.
I just came back from spending over a month in Boston, Ma.(Not exactly a "Cheap" place to buy "Groceries"!!!!
I can tell you one thing for sure, "It's Cheaper In Boston!!!!!!"
Not just for stuff made in the USA, but for imported "Tropical Produce" as well!
Plantains were 4 for a dollar, that's 25 cents each.
They are over 10 pesos (25 cents) here, and much smaller.
I shopped at "Walmart", "Sam's Club", BJ's Wholesale Club", and "PriceMart", and "Ocean State Job Lots" and "Big Lots"!!!!
WOW!!!!!!!!!!
I wanted to rent a shipping container and fill it up!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I ate "GOOD" there, we eat "GOOD" here.
It would be a LOT cheaper there!
"Pork" imported from Iowa, costs less here than "Dominican raised".
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I'll stay with US Dollars!!!
Spend ALL YOU WANT, THEY CAN JUST "PRINT" MORE!!!!
IF THE US DOLLAR COLLAPSES, we will all be on the next "Yola" to Miami!!!!!
People will be killing each other for "Beans & Rice" here.
The DR can just print more pesos too, trouble is, Nobody Wants Dominican Pesos!!!
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[DRob]

I agree with you in a sense. I came to the DR to increase my standard of living, which I've done. As I said in my previous post, I pay the exact same price for rent here in the DR that I paid in the states. The difference is, in the states, I got a small studio apartment, but here, I get a massive 2 bedroom, that is furnished and frankly better designed. It is no secret to those of us who know whats going on that American living standards are going down, rather than up. My strategy was to relocate to a place where the dollar still goes much further. In America, inflation works against you. In the DR, it works for you.

I recently talked to my mom in the states, and I told her that I got a pair of pants and shirt here in the DR for 450 pesos(about $11 USD). My mom agreed that it was virtually impossible to get those prices in the USA. But let me give all of you "expats" a warning about the USD/Pesos situation. It may not last forever. The reason you guys get to enjoy the DR so much is because the US dollar is stronger than the peso. If you moved to Germany or France, on the other hand, you'd get eaten alive because the Euro is stronger than the American dollar. I did some international business in Europe over a year ago, and I got paid in Euros and it was always nice converting into dollars. What I"m saying is that you have to know how to play the game, and to do this successfully, you must understand that the rules can and will change.

The USD is currently the world reserve currency. As a result, expats like us who relocate to the DR, and are willing to get out of the American shell, learn Spanish, and mix with the locals have got it made. But be forewarned, China, Russia, Iran, and India are making moves to END the dollar's status as world reserve currency. In the future I believe the American dollar with collapse, just as the German deuschemark did after WW1. The reason for the USD collapse will likely be a major war, which may be with Russia or China. If the USD collapses, all you expats will lose your wonderful lifestyle in the DR UNLESS you have DIVERSIFIED AWAY from the dollar. I've been moving my money out of dollars and into gold, silver, and foreign currencies for at least three years. I will continue to do so in the future.

Thanks for the perspective.

While I agree that the dollar has had periods of substantial weakness (2.20 to the pound and 1.60 to the Euro, along with parity to the Canadian Dollar in 2008), it has been recovering slowly (1.60 to the pound and down to 1.30 to the Euro as of this morning).

My point here is simple - never count the USA out. In the interests of full disclosure, I love my country dearly, but the argument can be made on strictly rational terms as well.

I think the major global players have come to realize they can achieve their objectives via economic competition a lot more effectively than dropping bombs on each other. So, I expect as many global conflicts as we've had since, say, 1946. Regional conflicts/proxy wars are the norm now.

To that end, much of our financial problems will be solved when we finally get a handle on the budget. Part of me thinks that "sequestration" (the deep cuts that will come if the "fiscal cliff" issue isn't resolved) won't be such a bad thing. Even the generals think we spend entirely too much on defense.

But that said, I'll keep my dollars in dollars, and invest my time, energy and money into this country. Even at our worst (usually right around an election), we're still pretty good. Maybe that's American Exceptionalism, but I'm actually ok with that. I would expect folks from other countries to root for their home team, as well.

 

[IamZon]

good conversation. So, would most of you agree with this statement -

"Living "WELL" in the DR is as expensive as living "WELL-LITE " in the USA ... all things considered. In other words, you still are going to spend 3,000 - 3,500 a month - but, you get a higher (mas rico) quality of life."

 

[Criss Colon]

"Zon", You have a good take on both the DR, and the USA!!!!!
Very rare commodity on DR1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
See What happens when someone without an "Agenda" posts????????????
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[curious29]

800-1200 USD monthly makes good living here for young single male, without car, but with motorbike...travelling a little or staying mostly in one place. perfectly doable