santiago vs santo domingo

Anastacio

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Feb 22, 2010
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I'm contemplating moving to santiago. What will this place ofer me over SD. SD seems to be getting more and more expensive for the simplest and most basic of accomodation, and general shopping is just rediculous. Work oportunities are crap and very low pay (call centre). Can anyone sell me this move?
 
Nov 25, 2008
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well traffic is easier in Santiago, I myself hate going to SD
and basically SAntiago has everything that SD has but with less hassle and cheaper
 

Anastacio

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Feb 22, 2010
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wages, better or worse or is it always going to be a struggle with a dead end call centre job?
 

bachata

Aprendiz de todo profesional de nada
Aug 18, 2007
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Santiago es Santiago, la ciudad corazon....

JJ
 

Robert

Stay Frosty!
Jan 2, 1999
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wages, better or worse or is it always going to be a struggle with a dead end call centre job?

What makes you think Santiago will be any different?

If you cannot cut it in Santo Domingo that offers lots of opportunities, why would a small city offer any more or better wages?

The question is, what do you have to offer?
 

Anastacio

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Feb 22, 2010
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My main problem here in SD is apartment prices, seems since I've been trying to get better for my money is the only thing that is sending these thoughts into my mind. Although I must admit, I'd prefer to be in the smoke as I have made a massive Dominican friendship base who do go out of their way to help me out without the want for any reward, that is something I've not come across anywhere else I've lived in the republic.
Now I have my confidence to live in the lesser desirable areas (cheaper) I can't help but think why it is I'm climbing down the ladder rather than up. Oportunity dooesn't seem to come my way here and it isn't for lack of socialising, it is my lack of trust with those offering me these options. It's a bit confusing really. How to step up rathe than down.
 

Anastacio

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Feb 22, 2010
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I'm a guy who will work for free for a certain length of time to show I've worth my salt. Still, doesn't seem to be that option anywhere.
 

Anastacio

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Feb 22, 2010
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give me a chance and I know I can make the life I want to make here.
Show me an open door and I will make it work, even if I've got to start at the bottom, just am not getting that break, anywhere.
 

NALs

Economist by Profession
Jan 20, 2003
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give me a chance and I know I can make the life I want to make here.
Show me an open door and I will make it work, even if I've got to start at the bottom, just am not getting that break, anywhere.
That's your problem. Sometimes you have to open the doors yourself.
 

Anastacio

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Feb 22, 2010
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I tried, I did some work for a dominican guy. He refused to pay me after 55 hours work. Yes it got heavy only after I spoke to others I know who know him about the price a new paint job would cost on such a lovely new vehicle. Obviously I would never take it that far, but it worked and it isn't my style. I am happy to negotiate is someone isn't happy, but my work is probably the best I've ome across anywhere in the entire city, so he couldn't have had any quarms other than lets push this gringos buttons and see how far we go. I can't dealing with that, an hounest days graft for an hounest days wages, that is how I've been brought up and how I've always had such a good reputation.
Dominicans shminicans, I'll never take on another without some money up front and maybe even a contract in future.
 

Robert

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Jan 2, 1999
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I tried, I did some work for a dominican guy. He refused to pay me after 55 hours work. Yes it got heavy only after I spoke to others I know who know him about the price a new paint job would cost on such a lovely new vehicle. Obviously I would never take it that far, but it worked and it isn't my style. I am happy to negotiate is someone isn't happy, but my work is probably the best I've ome across anywhere in the entire city, so he couldn't have had any quarms other than lets push this gringos buttons and see how far we go. I can't dealing with that, an hounest days graft for an hounest days wages, that is how I've been brought up and how I've always had such a good reputation.
Dominicans shminicans, I'll never take on another without some money up front and maybe even a contract in future.

The Dominican Republic is not easy, most fail or come here with enough resources to survive or do ok.

So back to my original question.

What exactly do you have to offer?

Can you type? Do you weld? Bake cakes?
 

Anastacio

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Feb 22, 2010
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I'm actually an Arborist, yes, absolutely no use in the republic. Yes I can wirl around a keyboard all day, but I'm happiest renovating property which I've been doing for years whenever I have a bit of extra cash to put into a project. I'm a good persons person, I can talk the back end off a donkey and sell ie to eskimos, as long as it is good quality ice:glasses:

Being in the republic is a new start, I need a new start at something that will give me a chance to shine. As of yet I've still searching, but I can't kp searching forever, money only last so long, and I really can't be leaving my little girl here while I fly off to find ventures new.
 

puryear270

Bronze
Aug 26, 2009
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Wouldn't an English-speaking U.S.-educated arborist not be beneficial to an NGO working on reforestations projects in the DR and along the border with Haiti?

Also, there are Dominican companies that work with landscaping that might want someone to help manage.

If it were me, I'd start with Directorio de Repblica Dominicana. Livio.com Portal Dominicano, and look at jardinerias. Then, a google search of reforestation projects in the DR and in Haiti. Finally, with resume in hand, I'd visit each of these companies and bug the heck out of them until I found someone willing to give me a chance.

If you've already tried this approach and had no luck, then let's see what other dr1 members can suggest.
 

Anastacio

Banned
Feb 22, 2010
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A great plan, English speaking and English educated though:glasses:

Sometimes it just takes things like this to be put into your head once you feel exhausted.

Thankyou and I shall definately look into it very seriously.
Thanks again!
 

pedrochemical

Silver
Aug 22, 2008
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The D.R. is no a place to start at the bottom.
Life is hard enough that way for the locals - imagine trying to progress from square one without the advantages of native language and family history.
If you aspire to having more than the average Dominican bloke then why exactly?
Having a degree is fine but a trade is better. Wages are low even for people with education.

All the people I know who do well here either do well in spite of the D.R. or would have done well anywhere.
Having no financial pressure helps.
The expats I know in the D.R. who earn a decent salary (and there are few of them) were all hired outside the D.R. so their package reflects the going rates in their country of origin plus recompense for living abroad and usually a great deal on housing and transportation.

There are stories of people starting out working for humble wages, doing a good job and eventually building a nice life here but it ain't glamorous. I beleive Mike Fisher knows a carpenter who did this. But generally in the D.R. if you do not have some special skill or knowledge that the locals do not then ask yourself why would you ever progress further than the locals? A small house with possibly a small car - no foreign travel and 500US$ per month to feed your family. Little to no savings and little prospect of ever becoming wealthy - especially as the Military, Police and Politics are not easy options for you.


Foreigners get paid far more in Haiti than the D.R.
This is because in the D.R. they can do everything the foreigners can do. (Apart from chiropractors, possibly ;) )
In Haiti - not so much. There is a lot less competition.
Think about Haiti - Get in touch with NGOs.
If you own a computer with internet access and have enough gumption to actually make it work you will figure out how.


Good luck.
 

AZB

Platinum
Jan 2, 2002
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Like Nal says, one has to open up their own doors. What OP has to offer, any dominican can do it cheaper. This is it, if people come here without skill, plan and money, they will be bankrupt in months. In order to survive in santiago or capital, one has to speak spanish, in order to interact with the locals to work for/with them. Now if your money is coming from out of the country, then don't even bother with learning spanish but if you have to survive working here, then you better have a valuable skill that pays well and must be smart enough to know how to make money from it. I used to be this way, giving away my services for free. No matter what I charged, people complained and wanted to pay less. The worst place to try to make money (in my case) is in expat community. They are the people who don't spend as compared to dominicans. expats are generally more calculative to cheap when it comes to spending money. The dominicans are the kings, they pay what you ask for.
So if you are still young and strong, I suggest, go back to usa or europe (where you are from) and make some money and then come back with a plan.
AZB