Cost of Utilities

TCIDR · Jul 3, 2004

The cost of utilities in the DR confused me.
I've read somewhere that the cost of electricity is somewhere around $0.14/kw/hr, Cable & water I don't recall anything for those.

The Colonial Hotel in Santiago is coming into my mind, and also Puerta Plata Beach Resort & Casino.
The accommodation for these places cost $15 and $20 respectively.

The amenities of the colonial are cable tv, AC, Refridgerator in room, phone, parking , back up generator and running water.
And the same for POP beach resort & casino...as well as full size kitchen, living, security and swimming pool.

I am assuming that one can live in these complex cheaper than in an apartment complex or small house. Am I correct in my assumptions?

To do the calculation, ones living expense excluding food, travel and or entertertainment, or whatever else your base is $450 -600/mth (without worries of utilities)

If one were to live in an apartment using the AC everynight, and have similar amenties of the above stated accomodations, how much difference in prices will be? It will be higher indeed, wouldn't it?

Does the electrical companies give these guys a break, or electricity is more expensive for certain types of properties?

Can one get similar all inclusive living expenses for similar prices or even at a cheaper base?

I would like if possible for the members living is different cities of the DR to comment on the cost of utilites using similar services for their private use

Lambada · Jul 3, 2004

Puerto Plata Beach Resort

The most recent price I know of for this hotel is in fact $27 per room, per night, although you may be able to negotiate down if you are long stay. They also were in the habit of turning the power OFF in the daytime, from about 7.30 am to 5.30 pm. This bore no relation to whether the town power was off, since my house is on the same circuit & PPBR was without power when we were not. Just a heads up in case you're thinking of going there!

Jerry K · Jul 3, 2004

Utility rates

I pay about 11 cents kwh (50$US for a 3 bedroom/ 2 bath house) compared to 32 cents in Grand Turk. We cook with gas, 25 pesos a gallon of propane. Cable here breaks down to about 8$US a month. Phone with the Verizon VIP/DSL package is about 45$US a month. It cost 2.13 pesos to call the states a minute and 13 pesos to call the Turks. Cable & Wireless must be getting a cut.
Building cost are a lot cheaper, poppies here can only dream of making what they do in the Turks. All suitable home construction is cement block, both interior and exterior walls.
We pay about 6$US for water but it only comes every couple days so we put in a 10k tank and maybe buy a truck load of water twice a month to augment the city water. At 250 pesos for a load of water, you can't beat it.
Hope this helps.

TCIDR · Jul 4, 2004

thanks

No doubt it is cheaper in DR in comparison with Turks.
Do you have problems with your electrical bill being jacked up to compensate for those whom are not paying...or do you keep record of your meter readings?
My electrical bill comes up to $221 average per month for my just my wife and I. I would certainly like to reduce this significantly....and my water $145(can't understand why my wife need to wash 2 times a week)

A couple friends of mines own property in santiago and puerta plata and I too will be buying something real soon hopefully (vacant land, as I don't intend to build right away)...Would like to take advantage of labor - see poppies heehe

Your post gave me a good idea of what to expect in respect to the base expense in full time living.
I awaiting in expectation to leave Provo. Its a good place to do business, but boring....and grand turks even the more.

Riu · Jul 8, 2004

expenses

jerry, thank you for the information on expenses. I am not familiar with the DR living expenses. I will be moving there very soon. I am budgeting RD150,000/mthly. Is this enough for a family of 5, house of 700 sq meters, food for 5, and a maid. None of us would stay in the house much during the day, so I guess utilities should not be that high. But as a added feature to the house I will be adding a Solar panel array which should keep electricity bill down. Is the amount in my bugdet enough? Just give me your thoughts on that. Thank you.

Jerry K · Jul 8, 2004

High on the hog

Couple questions, do you own, buying or renting?
Own a SUV?
Those are the two biggest expenses. Unless it's in a SD highrise rent wounldn't be that bad.
Your maid shouldn't cost you more than 3-4k pesos a month. Eat local and food cost drop like a rock, buying only imported items from the states etc will add up. No matter what 150k should be more than ample.

Riu · Jul 9, 2004

Thanks Jerry

Jerry K said:
Couple questions, do you own, buying or renting?
Own a SUV?
Those are the two biggest expenses. Unless it's in a SD highrise rent wounldn't be that bad.
Your maid shouldn't cost you more than 3-4k pesos a month. Eat local and food cost drop like a rock, buying only imported items from the states etc will add up. No matter what 150k should be more than ample.

We have 2 SUVs. One is a full size SUV (Escalade), one is small (RAV4) and full size car (E300). We do not use these autos all the time though. I do not mind eating local, in fact I rather eat local cuisine, I find it extremely tasteful. Are maid salaries so low? We will own the home. I always believed that renting is a waste of money. In the budget I have included expeses for such things as entertainment as well. My wife is looking at the Arroyo Hondo area, I do not know where that is, but is that a nice area? She is looking but the final decision will come down to the area (quite, security) and price. Thanks for your input Jerry.

Lambada · Jul 9, 2004

150,000 RD$ will certainly cover you, particularly if you are not paying rent. The one thing I did not factor in is whether you will be paying for children's schooling? This can be pricey, depending on which school & how many children.

Riu · Jul 9, 2004

Schooling

Schooling expenses are on a different budget. I budgeted the expenses for day to day excluding shcooling expenses.

Do you have information on healthcare insurance? How expensive is it for a good policy and care? Also vehicle insurance, a friend sent me to a web site to get quotes but I do no think they are right, www.super-carros.com.

premadonna · Jul 9, 2004

are you talking about dollars as in American Dollars or peso dollars. I want to move to the Dominican but don't know what to convert my money to.

Riu · Jul 9, 2004

Premadona

I am quoting in dominican dollars or pesos.

gringo in dr · Jul 9, 2004

The prices on super carros are correct.

You should live here for at least 6 months while renting an apartment. Moving here and trying to buy a house right away is not a good idea. I would suggest renting for a year while you look around, but at the very least 6 months.

Lambada · Jul 10, 2004

Riu said:
Schooling expenses are on a different budget. I budgeted the expenses for day to day excluding shcooling expenses.

Do you have information on healthcare insurance? How expensive is it for a good policy and care? Also vehicle insurance, a friend sent me to a web site to get quotes but I do no think they are right, www.super-carros.com.

I choose to maintain a health policy in my country of origin, not here in the DR. I have my reasons.....! If I need something medical here, then I pay cash. But larger, planned & tricky diagnostic stuff will be done in my country of origin. La Monumental de Seguros is one company which does health, vehicle & house insurance. There are many others (just make sure you don't sign on with a company which has already gone down, like those associated with Baninter!)

ERICKXSON · Jul 10, 2004

Hey guys prices on Super Carros.com are jacked up! just a word of advice!

gringo in dr · Jul 10, 2004

ERICKXSON said:
Hey guys prices on Super Carros.com are jacked up! just a word of advice!

Not any more so than the asking and selling price at any dealership. For example, if you see a car with a price of 635,000, it's a safe bet they will take 600,000 for it.

TCIDR · Jul 10, 2004

that is not alot of room from negotiation

if a car is listed at 635, and 600 is accepted, then that is a discount of under 6%.
I read somewhere $50K was the rule.....but didn't get which price list you are to use the 50 deduction.
So can it be said to deduct 6%. Would someone be consider extremely bold if they offer 20% less....or atleast to start for vehicles
And where real estate is concern 40 - 50% less. I think that is the collective posting for discount.

Ladybird · Jul 11, 2004

TCIDR said:
No doubt it is cheaper in DR in comparison with Turks.
Do you have problems with your electrical bill being jacked up to compensate for those whom are not paying...or do you keep record of your meter readings?
My electrical bill comes up to $221 average per month for my just my wife and I. I would certainly like to reduce this significantly....and my water $145(can't understand why my wife need to wash 2 times a week)

A couple friends of mines own property in santiago and puerta plata and I too will be buying something real soon hopefully (vacant land, as I don't intend to build right away)...Would like to take advantage of labor - see poppies heehe

Your post gave me a good idea of what to expect in respect to the base expense in full time living.
I awaiting in expectation to leave Provo. Its a good place to do business, but boring....and grand turks even the more.

I agree with you, apart from it being a lot cheaper to live here in DR, I found there was an unpleasant undercurrent when dealing with the people on Turks & Caicos, couldnt wait to leave so chartered a small plane to get here, and have stayed ever since.

Riu · Jul 12, 2004

Thanks Gringo

I think you are right about renting for a while. Thanks. Good advise.

Riu · Jul 12, 2004

Real estate

Guys, I also see the real estate market as being overpriced. Is it safe to say that sellers would be eager to deal down from their advertised prices? Or are most sellers set on their prices as an average?

Lambada · Jul 12, 2004

Just about EVERYTHING is negotiable here, I'm sure you know that from your brother in law.

Cost of Utilities

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