What are the best section of Santo Domigo?

LSimone

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Jan 21, 2004
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I am trying to rnt an apartmn- moving o th DR next month. And I really need advice on what are the best sectons in SD??? I do NOT want to live in a touristy part like Zona Colonial, but I DO want to live in a safe neighborhoods among Dominicans. And why does everyon keep commenting on how hard it is to rent an apt in the DR?
 

franco

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Nov 5, 2003
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LSimone said:
I am trying to rnt an apartmn- moving o th DR next month. And I really need advice on what are the best sectons in SD??? I do NOT want to live in a touristy part like Zona Colonial, but I DO want to live in a safe neighborhoods among Dominicans. And why does everyon keep commenting on how hard it is to rent an apt in the DR?

Hi!

The best is Bellavista and Los Cacicazgos. But you can try also Piantini, Naco, Arroyo Hondo and La Esperilla.
 

juancarlos

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Sep 28, 2003
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What about Gazcue?

franco said:
Hi!

The best is Bellavista and Los Cacicazgos. But you can try also Piantini, Naco, Arroyo Hondo and La Esperilla.

[B]Is that a nice area too? Is it close to everything? [/B]
 

franco

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juancarlos said:
[B]Is that a nice area too? Is it close to everything? [/B]

Yes, Gazcue is a nice area too, it's all the same, but Arroyo Hondo is not very close to everything. It is a strange place, there is villas for more than US$1M, but it is very close to the poor area...
 

quejeyoke

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Jun 20, 2004
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apartment hunting? who you gonna call!?

I would try to find an apt. in these areas in the following order...1)Piantini 2) Naco 3)Bellavista and 4)Cacicazgos. All these spots are all great to move to. It all depends where you want to be on the map.
 

juancarlos

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Sep 28, 2003
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Very interesting

quejeyoke said:
I would try to find an apt. in these areas in the following order...1)Piantini 2) Naco 3)Bellavista and 4)Cacicazgos. All these spots are all great to move to. It all depends where you want to be on the map.

What makes those neighborhoods so desirable? Obviously, I have never visited Sto. Domingo, therefore I need as much reliable info as I can so that when I finally visit, I would know something about the places I see.
 

Pib

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Jan 1, 2002
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Let's see:

Bella Vista, Cacicazgos and Mirador Sur: These are the upper-middle class and high class neighborhoods in front of Parque Mirador Sur. They have some of the most expensive places in town. They are close to the center but aren't commercial areas, therefore there is relatively low traffic and noise. They also look very nice.

La Castellana: Small but very beautiful neighborhood. The problem is that to get out you will have to get through some crowded streets. It is close to the center.

Gazcue: old and charming neighborhood slowly but steadily been destroyed by new developments. Must have the higher percentage of doctors per square meter in the world. It is a commecial centre and therefore has a lot of traffic and noise.

Arroyo Hondo and Los Rios: A mixture between expensive houses and slums in some places. Arroyo Hondo is a very big neighborhood so your street could be nice and quiet or it could be like sleeping under a train station.

La Esperilla: Very quiet and rather expensive neighborhood.

Naco and Piantini: Where it seems every business in town is located. Expensive but way too crowded and traffic is a killer.

Los Prados and Urbanizaci?n Fern?ndez: Mostly residential but businesses are moving it at and incredible rate. They are mostly middle class neighborhoods and rather quiet in some parts.

There are many more other places to live that are decent and confortable. Deciding where to move by what you are told in a message board is a BAD idea. Better to come here and check for a couple of weeks. A bad choice will mean more headaches than you could take.
 

ERICKXSON

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Dec 24, 2002
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It seems like evrybody forgot about my neighborhood (EL MILLON) MIXTURE of Middle and upper class or i just don't know i see alot of mercedes and other expensive cars and SUV's all day long, the place is very quiet and nice lot's of beautiful homes and condos.
 

juancarlos

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Sep 28, 2003
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Very good info, Pib and Erickxson

Those are probably very good places to live. However rents must be very high there as well as what you would pay to buy an apt. in those areas. And, Badpiece 33, why do u prefer El Millon and Los Prados?
 

ustelephone

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Mar 31, 2004
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Gascuez

I've lived here 6 months and I love it. $12K pesos/mo, 1bdrm, furnished. I'm 2 blocks away from the Jaragua Casino and 1 block from the Malecon. There is a 24 hour resturant behind the Jaragua called Manolo's, decent food. I can also walk three blocks to everything else one could need; supermarket, bank, tele & elec co, etc. The colonial zone/El Conde is about 1 mile away. All of the malls and other areas that people like, Bella Vista, Arroyo Hondo, are 5-10 minutes away by car. The main reason I am really happy here on Independencia is becuase the lights never go out. There is a 24 plant here in my building, but it has only turned on around 5 times THIS YEAR. Compared to my other friends who live in the other upper end areas, this is a miracle. Even here in Gascuez there are daily blackouts, but never on this street. I suppose the reason is the 3 high-end hotels here, but I really don't care why. Also, I walk those 2 blocks to Jaragua every night, sometimes very late, and never had or seen a problem. The other areas offer nicer housing, but apartments here are great. Also, if you really feel like spending, there are some new buildings on the Malecon west of Jaragua that are incredible.
 
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El Million and Los Prados are quiet neighborhoods right in the heart of the city but not so close to everything where you have to deal with all the gongestion of the city, but yet you can get most anywhere in the city in 20 minutes. You can also get out of city to go north in about 5 to 10 minutes if you know the side streets avoiding Nunez Caceras. Overall I like these areas because of the quality of your neighbors also. I think some of those other areas are great also, just these 2 are my favorites.
Badpiece
 

KateP

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May 28, 2004
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Los Cacicazgos

I can personally recommend los Cacicazgos. I live less than 2 blocks from Mirador Sur park which is huge, plus I've got 1 supermarket 3 blocks away, several restaurants, hairdressers, a bakery, just about anything I need. Plus Bella Vista mall is 3 minutes away and the best is that it's very, very quiet. I rent a 1 bdroom apartment which isn't very big but it's enough for me and I pay RD$6,825/month (no generator but with security). You can find apartments around here starting around that price all the way to easily US$5000/month on Av. Anacaona. But you do have to hunt quite a bit to find the cheap ones...

Good luck!
 

frank alvarez

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Apr 13, 2004
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Any others like yours?

KateP said:
I can personally recommend los Cacicazgos. I live less than 2 blocks from Mirador Sur park which is huge, plus I've got 1 supermarket 3 blocks away, several restaurants, hairdressers, a bakery, just about anything I need. Plus Bella Vista mall is 3 minutes away and the best is that it's very, very quiet. I rent a 1 bdroom apartment which isn't very big but it's enough for me and I pay RD$6,825/month (no generator but with security). You can find apartments around here starting around that price all the way to easily US$5000/month on Av. Anacaona. But you do have to hunt quite a bit to find the cheap ones...

Good luck!

KateP....I'm looking for something like what you have, right in that area, so I can go to work in the Bani and Hato Nuevo Free Zones on alternating days and so I can enjoy the park. Any others like yours available by any chance?
 

KateP

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May 28, 2004
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frank alvarez said:
KateP....I'm looking for something like what you have, right in that area, so I can go to work in the Bani and Hato Nuevo Free Zones on alternating days and so I can enjoy the park. Any others like yours available by any chance?

Right now there isn't but if I can get something in Punta Cana mine'll be available...
 

Jon S.

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Jan 25, 2003
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badpiece33 said:
I prefer El Million and Los Prados personally.
Badpiece

Well, right next to those nice neighborhoods you have El Milloncito and Los Praditos, pretty rough areas if you ask me. Las Praderas is decent but the apartments are overrated. Just look around, I think Evaristo Morales is decent but too close to major traffic. Los Cacicazgos is great but go with some money. Anyways, look around before making a decision.
 

Freemo

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May 26, 2003
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Gazcue Apto

LSimone said:
I am trying to rnt an apartmn- moving o th DR next month. And I really need advice on what are the best sectons in SD??? I do NOT want to live in a touristy part like Zona Colonial, but I DO want to live in a safe neighborhoods among Dominicans. And why does everyon keep commenting on how hard it is to rent an apt in the DR?

Hi LSimone

I have a beautiful 3 bed apto in Gazcue, . Nice quiet road, 24hr security.
if you are interested PM me

Paul
 

harlan

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May 12, 2004
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few month rental available?

ustelephone said:
I've lived here 6 months and I love it. $12K pesos/mo, 1bdrm, furnished. I'm 2 blocks away from the Jaragua Casino and 1 block from the Malecon. There is a 24 hour resturant behind the Jaragua called Manolo's, decent food. I can also walk three blocks to everything else one could need; supermarket, bank, tele & elec co, etc. The colonial zone/El Conde is about 1 mile away. All of the malls and other areas that people like, Bella Vista, Arroyo Hondo, are 5-10 minutes away by car. The main reason I am really happy here on Independencia is becuase the lights never go out. There is a 24 plant here in my building, but it has only turned on around 5 times THIS YEAR. Compared to my other friends who live in the other upper end areas, this is a miracle. Even here in Gascuez there are daily blackouts, but never on this street. I suppose the reason is the 3 high-end hotels here, but I really don't care why. Also, I walk those 2 blocks to Jaragua every night, sometimes very late, and never had or seen a problem. The other areas offer nicer housing, but apartments here are great. Also, if you really feel like spending, there are some new buildings on the Malecon west of Jaragua that are incredible.

USTelephone,

Like what you say about where you live and am wondering if perhaps the apartments are available for a two month stay. If so would you have the contact information to try to rent a place.
My wife and I stayed at Jaragua a while back on her first visit back since leaving Mao for the US 40 years ago. Too expensive, but we are anxious to xome back to the same area. We ate 3 meals each day at a bakery-restaurant called something liked Villars a block down toward town out the back entrance of the Jaragua. It was very very good. Went with four of her uncles from SD to el Cacique restuarant which was fun because of the bottle
dancing. Next visit we will try the restaurant you mention though it would be hard to beat Villar's. Via con dios from Pedro Martinez country.
 

quejeyoke

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Jun 20, 2004
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The Key to having more-or-less steady electricity in DR is by strategically moving to an area close to where there is some very important infrastructure erected. For Example: by Balaguer's House, he died though, so am not sure if there is any other important figure in the area keeping electricity steady. Also By El Palacio Nacional where the president lives at and around any major hotels, among others. You definitly want to be hooked up to any of those grids because if you aren't, you're just going to have to make your own electricity. Nothing wrong with that!...
 

ustelephone

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Mar 31, 2004
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Sending you a PM about a 3 bedroom here on Independencia in Gasquez.

It is not difficult to rent an apartment here. There are for rent signs everywhere around my apartment. The only challenege I had was that I had to pay 6 months in advance because of not being a resident.

The previous poster who mention electric to you is absolutely correct. I don't know why the lights here on Independencia never go out. I was told it is because the jefes at the light company live here. Others have said it is because of the 3 major hotels that are between Indep. & The Malecon. I really don't care why, I just thank my lucky stars. All of my friends in other areas tell me about 20 hour blackouts. We lost our light for 2 hours last week and our plant didn't start. I was loosing my mind after 2 hours because we just don't experience any blackouts here.

Good luck.