A question for expats

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Hedonist

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Aug 23, 2018
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Hi everybody!
New here, just registered and have a question. I am planning to move to DR in a close future. Been there various times and liked it. I was searching info about which is the safest place to live in PC area, and all fingers point at Cocotal. Is that still a reality? My second concern is my love for sports cars. Would it be a trouble driving around in a 200k+ car and if so, what kind of troubles.
Thanks in advance!
 
drstock

drstock

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Sorry, I can't give advice on the PC area, but wouldn't advise driving such an expensive sports car. Firstly it marks you out as wealthy which can be dangerous, secondly the standard of driving and parking is not so great here so damage is more likely, thirdly a low sports car is not so good outside of town, where many roads have deep holes which can cause damage.
 
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cavok

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You'll stick out like a sore thumb. Might as well pin a sign on you back that says - I'm a rich gringo - rob me!

There are way too many roads here that a low to the ground sports cars can traverse and there are too many potholes in many areas just waiting to bust your expensive rims with those low profile tires and a lot of excessively high speed bumps that you will have a hard time passing over.
 
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windeguy

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Jul 10, 2004
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Completely agree that an expensive sport car will make you a mark here. And a potentially short lived mark.

And such a vehicle is totally impractical for so many other reasons from bad roads to lack of parts and knowledgeable mechanics. And just getting such a car onto this island if you already own it. A really bad idea from every perspective.

Can't help you will living arrangements there. I never considered that part of the island as a place to live.
 
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Hedonist

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Aug 23, 2018
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I've rented a car while there and yes, there are roads that a low sports car cant traverse, but not all of them, I can deal with that, knowing where to drive. On the ''rob me'' thing, I've seen a huge number of very expensive cars in Santo Domingo. It is just because I'm a gringo? If that is so, it would be a deal breaker for me, I'm too much of an enthusiast. Thanks a lot guys, much appreciated!
 
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the gorgon

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Sep 16, 2010
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Hedonist said:
I've rented a car while there and yes, there are roads that a low sports car cant traverse, but not all of them, I can deal with that, knowing where to drive. On the ''rob me'' thing, I've seen a huge number of very expensive cars in Santo Domingo. It is just because I'm a gringo? If that is so, it would be a deal breaker for me, I'm too much of an enthusiast. Thanks a lot guys, much appreciated!
Click to expand...

those cars that you see in Santo Domingo are usually driven by guys with surnames like Ramos, Lama, and Bournigal. they get to pack serious heat.

i do not think you are one of those..
 
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KateP

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May 28, 2004
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The Punta Cana / Bavaro area doesn't have that many potholes but it does have a lot of speed bumps and reductors (or coconuts as I call them). As for Cocotal, it remains one of the best residential areas, all depends on what you're looking for exactly.
 
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william webster

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Jan 16, 2009
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There is a serious club in Sto Dom with all those slick vehicles...F's , anything you want.
They race and get killed sometimes.

I saw a Maserati on the north coast last week.... second or third one I've seen in a few years.
Big Bentley coupe blew by me on the Moca hill once...without a care in the world for the curve he passed on

They are here.... whether you'd have fun is the question
 
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cavok

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Hedonist said:
I've rented a car while there and yes, there are roads that a low sports car cant traverse, but not all of them, I can deal with that, knowing where to drive. On the ''rob me'' thing, I've seen a huge number of very expensive cars in Santo Domingo. It is just because I'm a gringo? If that is so, it would be a deal breaker for me, I'm too much of an enthusiast. Thanks a lot guys, much appreciated!
Click to expand...

The rich Dominicans in SD with the expensive sports cars only take those out when they want to impress people with how rich they are and they know that they will only be on good roads. Otherwise, if they're going out and about travelling anywhere, they get in their almost as expensive luxury SUV's.
 
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the gorgon

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cavok said:
The rich Dominicans in SD with the expensive sports cars only take those out when they want to impress people with how rich they are and they know that they will only be on good roads. Otherwise, if they're going out and about travelling anywhere, they get in their almost as expensive luxury SUV's.
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their kids use them to cruise the SD malecon on weekend nights. a guy in SD has an Enzo...
 
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frank12

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Sep 6, 2011
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My cousin just bought a brand new Porsche Cayenne. I saw it yesterday. It's cool. It's fast. It sits high off the ground. I see the logic of it. He doesn't have to worry about Pot Holes and Speed Bumps. Seems to have a lot of suspension. I think the fast SUV's is the way to go on this island.
 
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Hedonist

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Aug 23, 2018
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KateP said:
The Punta Cana / Bavaro area doesn't have that many potholes but it does have a lot of speed bumps and reductors (or coconuts as I call them). As for Cocotal, it remains one of the best residential areas, all depends on what you're looking for exactly.
Click to expand...

Thanks Kate, I will be looking for a house or build one myself.
 
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ROLLOUT

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Jan 30, 2012
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I would not be concerned about safety in the PC area, as long as you don't act the stupid gringo. Its been my experience that the roads in the PC/bavaro area are pretty well maintained.
They do, however, have numerous "speedbumps" which can catch you off guard if you are not paying attention.
 
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cavok

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Yeah, a lot of those speed bumps aren't painted and it seems just when you take your eyes off the road to look at something - bang! - you're flying over one. It would definitely rip off the spoilers on a sports car. Even in my Toyota Corolla, some of them are so high that I have to come to a complete stop and go over at a 30 degree angle, one wheel at a time, or I bottom out.
 
Peterj

Peterj

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Oct 7, 2002
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Hedonist said:
Hi everybody!
New here, just registered and have a question. I am planning to move to DR in a close future. Been there various times and liked it. I was searching info about which is the safest place to live in PC area, and all fingers point at Cocotal. Is that still a reality? My second concern is my love for sports cars. Would it be a trouble driving around in a 200k+ car and if so, what kind of troubles.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

You want to share what the brand and model is of that car?
btw Cocotal is a good choice for a safe place, but always look your doors and windows...everywhere
 
NALs

NALs

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Jan 20, 2003
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About three months ago Mercedes-Benz opened its third showroom in the DR. The first one is in Santo Domingo, the second one in Santiago, and the newest one in P-U-N-T-A C-A-N-A.

DR is the only country in the Caribbean and Central America with more than one showroom, let alone three.

[video=youtube;S5SgLkoREmo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5SgLkoREmo[/video]

Just saying... vroom, vroom!!!


If they do reasonably well out there in PC, expect the rest of the luxury gang to open shop too.
 
Cdn_Gringo

Cdn_Gringo

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Apr 29, 2014
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If you have the money, you can drive whatever you want here. Obviously some vehicles are more practical than others.

If it ain't sold here, expect to have to import your own parts. You may have to buy your mechanic a Spanish version of the appropriate Chilton Repair Guide. If the OP isn't yet an expert at fixing his car, I suspect he soon will be. He'll be horrified at what the locals will do to his precious when he's not looking.
 
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