Jazz,
There are some $400,000 plus houses on the peninsula, too with one being about 100 yds away from me and it has a $250,000 house next to it. And in the Colorado Bay project over near Playa Rincon none of the homes there are under $300,000. I also have a friend who's developing two large properties with plans for a very upscale hotel (rooms at $1,000 per night and up) and million dollar homes. There are several other big players involved in the Samana area but nothing has gelled to the point that they want to talk about their projects except maybe Shakira and Juan Luis Guerra.
My point was not that homes here are more or less expensive than Sosua even though there are now more and more homes here above $150,000 as the peninsula grows in popularity. And in fact I said that oceanfront land here was cheap compared to Sosua or Cabarete. Despite what some detractors say, Samana is still very much affordable for the average buyer. You need to come out here, spend the day with me and take a look around.
You're absolutely right about Las Terrenas! When I have to spend the day over there on business I can feel the displeasure oozing from many of those European expats knowing I'm an American, who's also getting fat and ugly. However I must admit that some of the Europeans I deal with are very nice people and our business relationship has extended into true friendship. Usually, I can't wait to get out of there at the end of the day and return to the solitude of Las Galeras.