Why I'm here:
#1: weather
back 'home', I had 9 months/year cold, rain, mud, snow, ice. I was sick with a flue most times. I hate to be freezing, I love hot weather, and sun, sun, sun.
#2: beaches and palm trees
back 'home' I saved every penny and worked overhrs to be able to afford 2 vacations/year, to spend at a nice place with beaches and palm trees. I collected postcards and pictures of nice beaches, I even had a huge sunset beach scene on the wall of my bedroom. Now I have one of the most beautiful beaches right at my door all year. And even after so long time living here, it still feels soooo good to take a walk with family/dogs on the beach after work - even if it's only for 10 minutes.
#3: people
back 'home' 90% of all people are always grumpy, you don't see any smiles, nobody has time to talk.
People here smile, laugh, have fun all day, going shopping here takes me at least douple the time than back 'home', since people who you barely know stop you to talk about live, how you're doing, anything...
Back home I had to learn to change a flat tire by myselft, because nobody would stop to help. Here, I count the seconds until a Dominican stops and changes my tire. (The longest I had to wait for someone to stop was 23 Seconds).
#4: freedom
like PJT mentioned: here I can do what I want, no silly rules of city halls or neighborhood. I can hear loud music after 8 pm, if I want to, I can hang out my laundry to dry on a sunday. And best, I don't need to have my driveway free of snow by latest 7 am
#5: family
my daughter is growing up here in paradise. She has a great personallity, which she probably got from the freedom she has here.
Dominicans love children, they stop with whatever they are doing, if a child talks to them and they start imediately to play. Dominicans never would scream at children to be quite, because they play too loud outside.
#6: easy to get residency and work permit:
Maybe DR is not the only country, which had the climate I like and friendly people, but it is one of the (if not THE) easiest to start legally a new life here. I don't need to be a big investor or trying to get an US-greencard. Even 'normal' midclass people can easily get here their legal residence permissions, without spending a fortune on it.
This are the reasons which come immediately in my mind. I'm sure, I would find many more.
quaqualita, 10 years and counting