I have decided to quit my boring office job and take a break from the same old routine and go traveling for a year. My spoken Spanish is quite good so I've decided to go south of the border. One place I would I like to live for a while is Santo Domingo, how long will depend on living expenses. While I'm there I would also want to attend a university course to improve my Spanish.
I have read a lot of the threads and I must say on the most part they have convinced me that life in DR would be a great adventure and a life changing experience. Can anyone please help me try and avoid some of the pit falls foreigners face when moving to a new country and culture?
First the MONEY issue.
Most of the threads about this issue were aimed at people wanting to retire and not for singles in there mid 20s who just want to chill for a year. How much does it currently cost to:
?Rent an apartment in a safe part of Santo Domingo with good living space for one. I don?t want all the luxuries just safe, clean and comfortable.
?Does the rent usually cover utility bills or do I need to make allowances for that.
?How much is food. I'm not much of a cook more of a fast food kinda guy. Is eating fast food safe or should I stick to restaurants.
?Is the night life expensive i.e. cost at the door and drinking
?Does anyone know how much a Spanish course costs at the local universities?
Next the PEOPLE, one of the main reasons for considering living in DR are the Dominican reputation of having a hospitable and friendly population. However, when reading some of the threads it seems most of the Dominicans who get involved with foreigners are only interested in money and it would be hard to form genuine relationships, it this true? I really don?t want to live in a country always feeling like a tourist is the DR a place where a foreigner can become part of the culture.
GIRLS and I'm not talking about pros, it has been made clear that there is a large sex tourist industry in DR. Obviously meeting girls is going to be my number one past times there however I don?t want to always go around with a girl who's only interested in the size of my wallet. Are most girls there economists when closing boyfriends or are girls who are just looking for fun as common as the hookers.
SAFETY, the Dominican Republic like most Latino countries are going through hard economic times, is Santo Domingo still a safe place to live.
It would really be helpful if anyone has any answers to these questions especially about money and any other useful advice about living in DR. Thanks in advanced?.
I have read a lot of the threads and I must say on the most part they have convinced me that life in DR would be a great adventure and a life changing experience. Can anyone please help me try and avoid some of the pit falls foreigners face when moving to a new country and culture?
First the MONEY issue.
Most of the threads about this issue were aimed at people wanting to retire and not for singles in there mid 20s who just want to chill for a year. How much does it currently cost to:
?Rent an apartment in a safe part of Santo Domingo with good living space for one. I don?t want all the luxuries just safe, clean and comfortable.
?Does the rent usually cover utility bills or do I need to make allowances for that.
?How much is food. I'm not much of a cook more of a fast food kinda guy. Is eating fast food safe or should I stick to restaurants.
?Is the night life expensive i.e. cost at the door and drinking
?Does anyone know how much a Spanish course costs at the local universities?
Next the PEOPLE, one of the main reasons for considering living in DR are the Dominican reputation of having a hospitable and friendly population. However, when reading some of the threads it seems most of the Dominicans who get involved with foreigners are only interested in money and it would be hard to form genuine relationships, it this true? I really don?t want to live in a country always feeling like a tourist is the DR a place where a foreigner can become part of the culture.
GIRLS and I'm not talking about pros, it has been made clear that there is a large sex tourist industry in DR. Obviously meeting girls is going to be my number one past times there however I don?t want to always go around with a girl who's only interested in the size of my wallet. Are most girls there economists when closing boyfriends or are girls who are just looking for fun as common as the hookers.
SAFETY, the Dominican Republic like most Latino countries are going through hard economic times, is Santo Domingo still a safe place to live.
It would really be helpful if anyone has any answers to these questions especially about money and any other useful advice about living in DR. Thanks in advanced?.