422 = Rent (3bedrm/2 bath, maid rm, security, covered parking, etc)
115 = Electricty
300 = Groceries
130 = Gas (Civic)
10 = Propane
84 = Internet (2mbs)/Cable (superior plan)/Phone (700min) (tricom)
60 = 2 Cell phones blackberry 200min /regular 100min (orange)
120 = Education
30 = Salon/Barber
50 = Restrutants (Rare)
1191 = Total (and this is on the high side)
I stay in SD Este, so its a little less expensive. I don't buy clothes in DR, way to expensive, I buy when I'm in Miami, same goes for electronics. Yes the cost of living is high in DR depending what you want.
Thanks, now I can go and compare this to my projected expense sheet .Me and the wife.
Thanks.
1. Low income: USD$527 to 922 to live like 30.6% of these households
2. Low middle class: USD$922 to 1,186 to live like 13% of these households
3. Middle class: USD$1,186 to 4,216 to live like 26% of these households
4. Upper middle class: USD$ 4,216 to 6,588 to live like 13% of these households
5. Upper class: USD$6,588 to 26,351 to live like 5% of these households
6. Rich/wealthy: USD$26,351 + to live like 2% of these households
You're living a "Middle Class" level in the DR as your post details...
Visit here to get some data and some added B.S. from others as well:
http://www.dr1.com/forums/dr-debates/117194-middle-class-dr.html
I'm just sharing this data for other 'westerners' who don't want to 'rough it' to consider before coming here. Truth is we don't live in opulence. We still have rats on our street (I can see them out the window rummaging in the garbage). Our apartment is 3 bedroom - 1 home office for each of us and one bedroom. True we could save 1000$ on rent, but as I'm home alone as a woman a lot, we didn't want to compromise on security, or cleanliness - again things that a 'typical' westerner coming here on assignment should consider before factoring in their calculations.
Truth is, most Westerners moving here can't handle NOT having AC at night. A fan is just not enough if you're from anywhere north of Miami and not used to the humidity between Feb - Nov. Remember people from NYC fly here in Dec for a 'hot' break, and they think it's humid and hot, while we think it's 'cold'.
The salon is not 1800 pesos per visit, it's ~18$ per trip, including tip. Most places in the capital are 300-500 pesos.
CHIP -- I don't think it's fair to call NACO 'one of the most expensive places in the country'. Or to suggest our quality of living outside the country would be more expensive. Just start from the groceries -- it's all more expensive here than it was State side.
We don't actually drive so much. My husband drives 30 minutes to work. I drive to class in evenings. We go to art gallery or to the mall here and there. Truth is, much of the gas on the car (2008 nissan) is probably wasted sitting in tapon to and from work.
CHIP -- I don't think it's fair to call NACO 'one of the most expensive places in the country'. Or to suggest our quality of living outside the country would be more expensive. Just start from the groceries -- it's all more expensive here than it was State side.
OK, I get it now. But what about health insurance? A good policy with Universal or Humano would be not much more that US$1000 per year for both of you.kimbjorkland said:The salon is not 1800 pesos per visit, it's ~18$ per trip, including tip. Most places in the capital are 300-500 pesos.
You guys better stop posting your monthly living expenses or you'll get Chip started. :bunny:
NotLurking
not Chip, yanadu!!!!!!!!
I agree. I live in Long Island, and my wife, daugther and I went to a really nice restaurant, PJ Changs. Two dishes (My 3 year old ate what we ate) + 2 coca colas bill was for $58US + 20% tip = $70US or about $2,680RD. Comparing this to DR, we went to an Italian restaurant while there last summer and spend $6000RD pesos....but that was for 10 people!! So about $600RD per person, and it included wine.OK...not denying Santo Domingo is expensive, cause it is, but you cannot compare your life in NYC and Santo Domingo. It's not apples to apples. Someone asked what your expenses were in NYC by comparison...I bet they were much higher if you did some of the same things you're doing in The DR. We all know what 1800 USD a month will get you in a nice area of NYC house wise. How about parking in NYC?...and of course maid, salon and education. I'm not even convinced you're going to the same quality restaurants in The DR as you were in NYC...from my experience you can easily spend 100+ a meal for two at any decent / run of the mill restaurant in NYC as the drinks alone have crazy prices (12-15 USD per drink)...Granted in NYC you have a lot more choices.
Thanks for posting your expenses BTW.
not Chip, yanadu!!!!!!!!