clueless newb needs sum help re: moving to dr

enter

New member
Oct 24, 2010
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Hey guys,

Just started browsing the forum, looks like an awesome resource.

I'm currently looking into moving to the DR for a couple of months, maybe longer. I've been to the country in '99, stayed in Sosua and made trips all over the country. Loved everything, but I realize living there is not the same as being a tourist for two weeks. So I'd appreciate if you could help me out with this. I'm flexible as to the location, but need certain things.

I work over the Internet, so I need to open a bank account. First, can I even open a bank account as a non-resident whilst there and receive funds? I'm an euro, btw.

Second, I need at least two Internet connections, so I'm thinking DSL + cellular. Doable? Experiences? Power outages were pretty common when I stayed there, does the DSL go down when the power is out?

And third, I'd like to be close to a decent beach and some normal nightlife wouldn't hurt. Not interested in prostitutes or w/e the term is.

Yeah, saw some condo's listing for like $300/mo, furnished, community pool, is that achievable? Seems too good to be true... I've budgeted like $1.5K/mo for rent and living expenses. I'm single, I cook and don't have any other needs aside from coffee, cigarettes and beer. Doable?

So basically, what part of the country would best suit my needs? Appreciate your input.
 

enter

New member
Oct 24, 2010
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yeah, forgot to mention my spanish amounts to "dos cervezas por favor", so that's probably an issue. plan to work on it, though.
 

blackrainbow

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Dec 26, 2009
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probablly changed a lot since 9T9.

Cabarete sounds like a perfect match though.

cigarettes, beer and coffee = doable. drink as much coffee as you want- its almost free.

forgot to mention:
if you know french/creole that will work just fine, especially with the influx of haitians and french canadians

BlackRainbow
 
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Hillbilly

Moderator
Jan 1, 2002
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I work over the Internet, so I need to open a bank account. First, can I even open a bank account as a non-resident whilst there and receive funds? I'm an euro, btw.

Second, I need at least two Internet connections, so I'm thinking DSL + cellular. Doable? Experiences? Power outages were pretty common when I stayed there, does the DSL go down when the power is out?

And third, I'd like to be close to a decent beach and some normal nightlife wouldn't hurt. Not interested in prostitutes or w/e the term is.


I suppose others will suggest something similar, but depending on how important #3 is you will have to make a couple of decisions.

Great DSL and WIFI as well as personal comfort depend a lot on electricity which, the further you are from population centers like Santo Domingo and Santiago seems to deteriorate. This means that the beach areas have spottier electricity than the major cities of Santo Domingo and Santiago.

Both of these cities offer lodging such as you describe and are affordable. Beaches are a different thing.

From Santo Domingo you have to go east or west to find nice beaches.
From Santiago you have to go north.

Santo Domingo will have hellish traffic situations for the next two years and is uncomfortable to mover around in. Santiago is easier, by far (until now!)

I would suggest you do an exploritory trip to check out this assessment.

HB
 

MikeFisher

The Fisherman/Weather Mod
Feb 28, 2006
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Punta Cana/DR
www.mikefisher.fun
the only exception of the usual Power Outages in the Beach Areas is the east Coast/Punta Cana of course. here 24/7 electricity is the Norm.
a highspeed internet connection when coming over just for a few months may be a bit of a hassle, you would need to rent a place where such connection is already installed, to get a new one installed some time will pass by before they get it done and you also would need to sign a contract, usual is 18 months contracts on such connections, the same if you want a mobile plan as for a IPod etc if you meant such with "2 connections".

basically, with 1.5K per month for 1 person cokking home and for rent you should be fine.

1st place coming in mind to recommend would be Santiago, yes, it depends how important a Beach in front of the Door is for you.

good luck
and welcome to DR1

Mike
 

enter

New member
Oct 24, 2010
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awesome replies everyone, thanks a bunch. so, punta cana sounds like the sweet spot then. I'm not into big cities, have enough of those back home.

yeah I meant I need to have two connections in order to have a backup if one dies, like DSL plus some prepaid 3G card. I don't need some super download speeds, like 2Mbps is just fine, I just need it 24/7.

from what google translate told me, orange has prepaid 3G modem packets, you're saying I need them 18 month contracts for those as well?

anyone can help me with the bank info?
 

champ

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Dec 2, 2006
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playa cofresi

in playa cofresi,3 km's from puerto plata and thanks to Ocean World Casino/Adventure Park and Marina, we have great internet and electricity and we're on the beach,great local community for happy hour/socializing and politur and private security throughout the neighborhood,,great small community
 

blackrainbow

New member
Dec 26, 2009
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Postiveness!

Listen to Hillbilly, dont make the move til your sure, goodluck on your "mini" adventure of locating to the DR.and definately dont listen to ANY negative comments on the board.its all rumours and speculation ;-)


:confused:

BlackRainbow