Starry-eyed dreamer from Philly contemplating retirement in DR

RaggedPhilosoph

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Nov 10, 2002
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Who knows where I get these crazy ideas? Probably a defense mechanism against despair. Around 10 yrs ago I worked with a bricklayer who claimed he had spent several winters in DR. Sounded almost too good to be true. He was middle aged, single never married, no kids, and restless. He told me he could work throughout the year and spend winters in DR for very little money. He planned to retire there. Although I have lived overseas twice before, in France, as a student in 1969-70 and again in college at Grenoble in 1973; when I decided to learn Spanish I went to Colombia in summer of 1974 and was SO ill-prepared for the experience I left after only one month. Looking back I realize it was not so much the vast cultural difference (I naively assumed that since I had already successfully acclimated to France...therefore I had this foreign thing down pat), but the fact that I was truly a stranger in a strange land...with no "sponsorship" or direction.
Anyway....lately I have become disillusioned with "livin' in the U S AAAaaaaaAA"! (or maybe it is just "livin"), that I have begun to fashion an escape scheme.
I am 50. No wife no kids and nothing tying me down. I went to college but never really benefited financially from it. I had the ridiculous notion that college was a place to LEARN, so I studied philosophy and did all the crazy things college students did in the '70s. Now I have no savings and no safety net, BUT I have a dream. Working as a bricklayer, if I discipline myself to become strictly an EARNING MACHINE for the next five years, I can realistically count on saving $100,000 USD.
My request is for some feedback concerning the viability of retiring in DR, or perhaps elsewhere, on the interest supplemented by a meager Social Security check. My wants and needs (barring a catastrophic health concern...knock on wood) are VERY modest. I could be happy with a warm sunny climate (not stifling), access to books and internet and intelligent caring friends, 2-3 times per week of eating out, local simple fare, and renting a small apartment with reliable and affordable amenities, being able to spend days at a pleasant beach reading.
I have read many threads in the last few days in this forum, and I feel I already know some of you a little bit from the tone and content of your posts. Therefore I expect responses from the sublime to the ridiculous.
So please advise me regarding the plausibility of my notion to retire in DR OR suggestions for elsewhere. Language, especially Spanish, will not present an insurmountable challenge. It mostly boils down to money and a simple life with not too many hardships.
I will be grateful for all responses, from cautious encouragement to abrupt declarations that I am out of my mind.
Most especially, I would be grateful for specific advice as to how much yearly income I would need and specific places where I may pursue my search (e.g. North shore vs. South, city vs. mountains, OR maybe I should look elsewhere, Panama, Costa Rica, Croatia (just kidding...I think).
Thanks in advance for your feedback, and congratulations on a very fine forum with lots of passionate, well informed, and funny people. If I could swing this, I already feel that the people whose posts I have read are a VERY EXCEPTIONAL group that I would love to meet and get to know.
Sincerely, John:bunny: :bunny:
 

earosemena

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Aug 18, 2002
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Your post is so nice and heartfelt. I have the same dream and I'm still learning. I get frustated and upset when the reality of making it happen hits me in the face, but I say to myself that persistence is the key to everything. You may want to visit the DR. I'm on my fourth trip this year and continue to uncover the layers necessary to bring my plan into fruition. Good luck to you and don't forget to follow your dream where ever it may take you.
 

Hillbilly

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Jan 1, 2002
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First, do an archive search on this

In short, yes, it can be done.

However 100K in US$ may or may not give you the nestegg you need. To avoid the Colombia scene all over, come down for a vacation and try and meet some of the people that have done it. Bush Baby in POP is a good starting point and perhaps Robert of this BB will assist. There are lots of them...

Like we say in the hills, "Thar's a lot o' ways to skin a squirel."

HB
 

RaggedPhilosoph

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Nov 10, 2002
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Thanks for replies

Although I'm brand new to this forum, actually this is the first "forum" I've ever participated in, didn't even know how to operate the controls, I am taking the tiny risk to reach out.
I just want to say thanks to earosemana and Hillbilly for graciously responding to me, and so soon, and once more demonstrating to me how tight this community is.
You all seem to be on to something bigger than yourselves. I can see by the passion that this is not just something to do to stave off boredom. There's something going on here that I need to find out more about. I can't recall seeing so much commitment to a "cause" or a theme in quite a while.
I don't want to change the subject of the thread, so I'll just say that I hope to learn more about the feasibility of emigrating to DR from, in particular, North America.
As money seems to be the most universal and basic way to discuss the viability of the issue (much as I wish it were not so), I hope to hear more about specific recommendations re: where and what's available.
Once again, many of you have experienced and researched other options, such as other countries, so if you advise looking elsewhere I'll appreciate that as well. My interest in DR is not yet so strong that I will not consider other places. It seems like THE place to begin to find out more about in earnest based on what little research I have done so far.
Thanks again, John
 

Ken

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Jan 1, 2002
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It can be done, especially if your needs are, as you say, modest. My wife and I have been doing it for a number of years.

I agree with Hillbilly that you should come for a visit before you make a final decision. Make a list of the things important to you, e.g., nice easily accessible beach, availability of affordable rental apartments, etc., then check out various areas to see what suits you the best. The Sosua/Cabarete is one area that I recommend you consider. I'm sure others will recommend areas they think suitable.

Since your budget won't permit owning a car (no big problem, I don't own one, either), you'll be making use of the variety of public transportation options. This has many implications, including managing your grocery shopping. Also getting to the doctor, dentist, farmacia, etc. You will want to be living where you can either walk to these places or easily reach them by public transportation. When you come to look around, keep that in mind.

Also, since you will be making this your retirement home, consider how close you will be to suitable health professionals. As you get older, you will have increased need for these services.

So when you come for a visit, keep in mind that you will be without a car and will be at least 5 years older than you are now--with many years of retirement ahead.
 

MommC

On Vacation!
Mar 2, 2002
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You may even want to consider doing what we do.
Hubby's "job" is mainly a summer thing (much like a bricklayer) so we winter in the DR and spend summers at home. This way there is a reliable income stream during the summer to fund our spending during the winter without having to dip into our savings.
You might want to give it a try for a winter and take the time to get to know the island and the people. This way you would be able to scope out the different areas of the island as to living accomodations, costs for food,eating out, entertainment etc.
There are lots of ppl on the board who would be more than happy to meet you and assist you in your quest.
It can be done!!
 

JOHNNY HONDA

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Sep 25, 2002
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Its all relative to what your needs are 100k savings can go a long way if your careful and live frugally.I know many peole who survived very well on a lot less than that in this country for many years,depends on what you want or need,by your posts you seem to have fairly simple and inexpensive needs,reading,intelligent conversations,beach all are basicly free,though i must admit intelligent conversation can be at a premium sometimes.Go for it.:bandit:
 

Robert

Stay Frosty!
Jan 2, 1999
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If you not sure about the country, take a look here: http://www.escapeartist.com
By far the best resource on the web for people trying to escape from the USA.

Once you have thoroughly researched your options, then you can drill it down to country specific web sites like DR1.

We are here to help and if we haven't got the answers on the DR, then I doubt they exist...
 

Escott

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Jan 14, 2002
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www.escottinsosua.blogspot.com
100k will give you the ability to live basic. 200k will give you the ability to live decently.

I would take what Mommc says to heart and look at that as a great start. I would start downsizing now so in a few years you can be able to spend the cold months in the DR while keeping your income flow till you get a better handle on this.

I am about the same age with about the same destination as you. I have an 87 year old dad still in good health and a 11 year old daughter that is keeping me from making the move right now. For me the money is not the problem since I have that together but I can't leave permantly till my dad passes so I remain in the States. I figure that my daughter can always get on a plane and visa versa.

Good luck and if you have any specific questions that you haven't found answers to in the archives or questions to validity of the answers ask away.

I wish you the best of luck in what ever and however you do it.

Kindest regards,
Scott
 

RaggedPhilosoph

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Nov 10, 2002
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HOW DO I ACTIVATE PM AND E-MAIL BUTTONS? Also, I occasionally come here and many features are "invisible" , is this site occasionally only working at half capacity? ( Reason I ask is I've seen enough threads discussing power outages etc.) Right now I cannot see the hyperlink or e-mail address that Robert has apparently included in his response for researching "escape from USA". Also I have tried and failed to send several PMs.
Thank you all again for being so helpful and inviting to a total stranger. WHAT A COMMUNITY!
 

Ken

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Jan 1, 2002
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To activate the PM and Email buttons, click on "user cp" button at top of this page. Then click on "edit options". Scroll down the list and click appropriate places to allow PMs and emails.

To send a message to another poster, click on the PM or Email button under his post, then fill in the blanks, just as though you were sending any email message.

With respect to you not seeing the hyperlink, that must be due to a setting on your computer. I can see it; clicked on it an got the site. Perhaps Robert or someone can tell you exactly what you must have activated on your computer in order to be able to see the links. But this is the first time that problem has been mentioned on this board to my knowledge.

If you don't allow PMs then you won't be able to send them, either. If that is the problem, once you indicate that you will allow PMs to be sent to you, you should be able to send them yourself. I had that same problem when the present format of the board was introduced.
 

Larry

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Mar 22, 2002
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Firstly..like was stated before..visit the country.If you like what you see and you can realistically save $100,000 in 5 years then get to work and do it.If you are really "tired of "livin"" in the US..then doing this will give you a goal and something to look forward to.Better to get started saving and feel a sense of accomplishment than let any more time go by unhappy.If all goes right..when you are 55 you will have the 100k saved and you can come down there and start your new life.I think if you lead the kind of lifestyle you described your 100k will go a long way.If..after some time..you feel you have made a mistake....you can always go back to the US and the money you saved will still be yours.You will now have quenched your thirst to try a new life in DR and will have a nice chunk of change saved.Better to have lived out this senairio than to wonder what could have been.On the other hand...all might go perfectly and you might find happiness in the DR..and then being "tired of livin" will be history.Either way..I hope you give it a shot and I hope you find your Pot of Gold at the end of the rainbow.
Best Wishes,
Larry
 

Golo100

Bronze
Jan 5, 2002
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Here's a 90 day plan for you

Assuming that you will have US$100,000 dollars available, transfer that amount to a bank account in DR and come down for a 90 day visit. Exchange your dollars to pesos. That will give you RD$2,000,000 pesos at present rate. Maybe slightly more. Take your $2M pesos to COTISA or any major bank and get yourself a 90 day commercial paper certificate. It will pay you 24% a year. That will give you about $40,000 pesos a month, or $120,000 for the 90 days in Santo Domingo. Bring an extra US$2000 for carry on money until you get your first monthly payment. Payments are made by check or direct deposit to your account or credit card.

Go to a resort nearby in Juan Dolio and negotiate a 30 day all-inclusive package. Try to bring it down to about $500 pesos a day. You will not need anything else but transportation, medical insurance or expenses and transportation. Your food and maid service will be provided. Bring enough light clothes you can wash by hand in your room and use some money for dry cleaning. Your chances of getting lower fees will be in the Puerto Plata area. Some Bavaro hotels like Villas Bavaro might go down that much.

At about $15,000 a month for living expenses, you will have $25,000 left for all your other expenses. Since transportation is the most difficult thing, you will have to be an adventurer and learn DR Transportation101. If you learn the basics you should be able to get around easily at a low cost. Avoid late night travel to unknown areas and be sure to have your schedules down pat, so that you don't miss the last bus to anywhere.

You will have to be frugal. While on the road stick to ham and cheese sandwiches prepared at a colmado for about $12 pesos. Buy a natural juice like Avena, Pera pi?a, or chinola for about $7 pesos. Get the free newspapers to stay with the news. We have 4 excellent free newspapers. No need to buy.You can buy internet time a local hangouts and read your e-mail and stay in touch with family and even make some friends here thru DR1.But you will enjoy things. After the 90 days are over and your research on DR has been done, go back home and meditate things and see if you really can handle DR. When your 90 days is over buy back your dollars. You may tale a slight loss, but if you save every month a contingent amount to cover this loss, you may come out even. Or, you may get lucky and the rate would have risen and you may end up with more dollars. It's a gamble. The investment is quite safe for the short term program. Companies that issue these commercial paper have been in business quite long and will not carry a risk in such short time. Don't sell your dollars on the streets or to banks(banks don't pay well) ever!!Go to Vimenca, the best place to do business in DR. Their rates are excellent and place is safe to do business.

When you arrive, check with us immediately thru this board to give you last minute advice, to be sure. It should be free advice. Don't let anybody con you into fees or deals. Free quality information is available in DR so you can do things alone without anybody trying to separate you from your hard earned cash. It is not necessary to meet anybody personally for this either. It's up to you and the person you communicate with.

The best investment for your money in DR are women. It's guaranteed pleasure. Just protect yourself and watch out for the snakes. Just read threads about Dominican women in this board to learn the basics. Dominican women are like drugs, once you try them you might get hooked for life. But it's the best way to die.

TW
 

RaggedPhilosoph

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Nov 10, 2002
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Thanks golo. Not only have you convinced me this is do-able, but you've given me specific referrals to agencies and locations, and detailed advice for managing my money. As you can see by my posts, I am not looking for an endless vacation but instead a reasonably comfortable place to live. Some of the hardships that are described in this forum are aspects that I'll have to take in stride. Once I'm up and running I'll learn how to plan for disruptions in electric service etc. What alarms me more are the possibilities of having the savings just disappear, or the electric bill skyrocketing arbitrarily from one month to the next, and apparently no assurances that service will predictably reflect the cost. Please correct me if I have the wrong impression: it seems as if DR authorities and bureaucrats have a slight case of "the inmates running the asylum".
Thanks again golo, John
 

ShoortyLov

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Nov 15, 2002
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I love the Dominican Republic!

This is the first time I post a reply on this site...but I just had to respond.

I'm a 21 year old single mother, and I live in Massachussetts in the US. I have lived here since I was 5 yrs old, I used to go to DR for vacation once a year for summer with my parents until I fell in love with Santo Domingo in 99. I made plans to leave early 2000, but became pregnant and had to change my plans, but deep inside, I knew that it wasn't going to take long until I was going to able to reach my goal.

I've been trying to get laid off from my job since December of last year, but my efforts have not been successfull. I work for a chemical company as a customer service rep, and I make decent money. My salary is around $35,000.00 which is not bad for a opening position, and for the actual work that I do. But, unfortunately I have not been successfull in training anyone to cover my position.

To prepare for my relocation, I have completed a cosmetology course, and am now attending a desktop support/microsoft engineer master certificate. I have a friend who is working for a private company in Santo Domingo as a desktop support specialist and is now making DOP$27,000.00/monthly.

I do not plan on leaving to DR until I have purchased my house (at least have a down payment) and have purchased a car in Santo Domingo.

I believe the Dominican Republic is one of the countries, where you can live decently and enjoy live without the fast paced routine of the US. The DR also gives you as a tourist more opportunties to progress. (e.g. starting a small successfull business)

I loved Golo's 90-day plan, I might just take it into consideration!!

I apologize in advance if my ideas do not seem in alignment, I'm actually at school at this moment and trying to listen to my instructor's lecture. :paranoid: :tired: :knockedou :devious: ;) :cool: all
 

Martin

New member
Mar 8, 2002
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yeh, me too...

I can sympathesize with all of you. I too fell in love with the DR and planning on living there (actually, I just got back from a five day trip!)

I am going to Santo Domingo, and will start by renting an apartment then looking for long term housing. I'm convinced I can do this, and I am willing to give it a try. Thank you all for your support and encouragment, sometimes it seems like an impossible move to make!

I will keep in contact here on the DR forum, talk to you all later.

Martin

MartinSchoonover@hotmail.com
 

Robert

Stay Frosty!
Jan 2, 1999
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ShoortyLov - How's your Spanish?

As I have said a million times before. The reality of living here is so very different to visiting or reading about living here on a message board.

Maybe we should set up an orientation program :) Then again...
 

ShoortyLov

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Nov 15, 2002
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What's the REALITY?



Robert...Spanish is actually my primary/native language...or at least it is supposed to be. Right now I just call myself confused. :confused: ;) lol since, I speak both spanish and english all mixed together 90% of the time.

Its funny that you state that reality becomes different when you live in the Dominican Republic versus leaving here in the US....Well it goes both ways...you guys down there in DR do not realize all the "not so great" issues which we need to go through here in the US...for example...I do not remember the last time that I was able to sit down at noon to be able to enjoy my lunch...without it being a "working or business lunch".

That's what I have been focused on...I'm just completely exhausted of the "American routine" ....You work for someone else for as long as you can remember....owe a morgatage on a house for 30 years and then when you finish paying that...you still pay almost the same amount on taxes for the home a year....The only mail you get...is Bills, Bills and more Bills...(Not like this is not a global issue...but my DR just have other things that compensate those small issues)...You are soo stressed from the same routine....that you end up just eating your way out of your problems...the fast and easy way....FAST FOOD RESTUARANTS.....that's another aspect right there....FOOD....Food is soo important to me (I'm not overweight..actully in pretty good shape lol ;) ) lol Any type of food in the Dominican Republic...just tastes 200 times better than here....My country...is just amazingly the best...:cool:

By the way...I'm actually going back for my fourth time this year (maybe that's why i'm sooo broke lol) on December 25th....already counting the days, and could almost taste my delicious Dominican foods...specially that CHIMICHURRI ;) :laugh:

I would love for you guys to always keep in touch...since I rarely have time to post replies on these forums...

email: shoortylov@hotmail.com , shoortylov33@yahoo.com
 

Hillbilly

Moderator
Jan 1, 2002
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Are you out of your freaking mind???? 35000 vs 27,000DOP???

Do you know that US$35000 is RD$700,000 pesos and RD$27,000 a month is half as much? No services, such as police, fire, or elcectricity or water.

Get real girl! Cosmetologists are a dime(that is RD$2.10!!) a dozen here, and so are hairdressers.

Hb , absolutely amazed....