I've been warned that this topic will shake the hornets nest. Please help me grasp what it means to be middle class (lower, middle, and upper) in the Dominican Republic. The intent is to be enlightened, not to be provocative.
Why do people care so much about titles of middle class etc?!!??
Thanks AlterEgo for the links, I went through them, very interesting. I just wanted to share my impressions with Matem?tico, coming from the place as he does, I have many family members who would consider themselves middle class, my madrina works in the presidential palace and told me that to live good I will need to bring in about RD$50,000 per month. She lives in gascue, owns a duplex, 2 cars, travels 2-3 times per year, and generally lives a good life, better than me for sure. Then I know a lawyer and a dentist, and when I visit their homes I cannot envision myself living in these conditions and I think to myself why are these professionals living like this, and it struck me that they have to take care of so many people, from parents to kids, nephews, etc..
Then there's the case of my sister, married to a rich guy, they have a mansion in a place called Alameda, now let me tell you they gave me the keys to stay at this place when I go and I respectfully declined - Yea is a mansion, pool, jacuzzi, theater room, but when you step outside the walls of this 'urbanisacion', the ghettoest of ghettos... I mean people living in shacks, crime rampant...
With that said, every situation is different, and it does not only depend on how much you get paid, but your own unique expectations and situation. If you were on your own, I'd say take the plunge, but with a family and all, I would consider it a risky move, unless you have the means and connections to stay afloat while you adjust.
Did you read the links provided for you? Take the time to read them and learn. Then come back with more questions. Certainly after reading them you will have more questions. Opinions vary a lot between the members. The more you ask. They more they write. The more confused you get. One answer does not fit all. Try and combine the answers to find a suitable answer for your family.Clearly those of you who are veterans of this forum have been there before. I was simply hoping for some current guideline as to a working definition by contributors to this exchange of ideas and opinions. Not an academic or personal slant, simply a conglomerate of contributions in terms of what defines middle class status in the DR. Indicators such as educational level, occupation, income level (2-income family of 4 members), accumulation of material goods, ability to save for the future, etc....
I would not attempt to compare definitions in a developed country with that of an emerging, much less a so called third world economy. The social sciences, especially sociology (cultural norms, religious belief systems, class strata, etc...), are fascinating to me. Please forgive my na?vet? when I dare ask again for us to embark on such endeavor. Any engagement is valued.
Rd$50,000 per month to live the good life??? That's my supermarket bill and fuel for one of two vehicles. When I moved back again to DR an aunt of my wife told us with rd$80,000 we should be doing fine. What a joke. If is be earning that I'm booking my flight back today.
If you don't have around 200,000 / month steady income and preferably the USD equivalent, living in the capital with children, you won't live middle class life.
I'm with "Mauricio" 100% on his figure!
That's about what we spend, and I own my house, and vehicles.
I have 4 kids in school, from 4th. & 5th. grades through university.
"Math", I look forward to meeting you and your family, when/if you come to SD!
I can show you, by our example, what 5K a month will get you here in SD.
You can live on less, because you have fewer children, which is our biggest,...... "INVESTMENT"!
It's nice to see a well educated "Dominicano" who wants to come back to his "Roots"!
You may love it here, or you may say, "WTF" were we THINKING??????
But no matter which it is, the experience will be good for you AND your family!
You know, the "OLD",..."If It Doesn't Kill You, It will Make You Stronger"!!!!
"Do It"!!!!!
Providing you can come up with that 4K every month!
You must have money here, because there are no government benefit programs to provide a "Safety Net"!
"Families" are your only "Safety Net" here!
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