SPM is an average sized Dominican town. You will find good medical services as there are several private clinics, one american type supermarket - Jumbo, and several Dominican ones. You can buy almost everything you need there. There is even a MacDonalds. Transport services are good - motoconchos everywhere and frequent bus services to the capital (an hour) and all places in between - Boca Chica and Juan Dolio. There are also frequesnt services to the east - La Romana and Higuey. Housing is reasonably priced varying from more luxury areas which are behind Jumbo and behind the University where electricity supply is better, to all the other barrios where it is cheaper. Living costs are really no different from any other Dominican town. SPM has the advantage of having a malecon which is full of bars clubs and restaurants and comes to life at the weekends and festival days. The large student presence means that it is a pretty lively place. At weekends many american students especially head to the beach at Juan Dolio which is only 10 to 15 minutes away. That is more touristy with bars showing american sports games and a beautiful beach. There are several on line newspapers such as
http://www.macorisdelmar.com/ which can give you a flavour of the place.
Matilda