If you are looking for cheap housing on the north coast, you may want to take a look at the large apartment complex in Union, near the POP airport. I didn't realize until this morning when I met a European who has been living there with his Dominican wife for 14 years that a large number of foreigners live there. The attraction is the price. He said you can buy an apartment for US$10-15,000, spend a few thousand more to tile the floor, if it needs it, buy a water tank (tinaka) to mount on the roof and an inverter. Your investment would be less than US$20,000.
He told me that he has his own 400 gal water tank and that when there is water, the pressure is strong enough to push the water up to the roof and fill the tank. When there isn't, he has his 400 gallons. The invereter provides his basic electrical needs when there is no power. He said it is usually pretty good at night, so the refrigerator gets cold enough to keep the food from spoiling during the day. Public transport is plentiful and is always passing by on the highway in front of the complex. Easy to get to Sosua or Puerto Plata for about RD$10/one way.
It is not luxury living in Union, but it appears that you would not be the only foreigner if you lived there. One neighbor in his building is a European and another is an American.
He recommended that if you look there you should take your time, but that there are almost always apartments available.
He told me that he has his own 400 gal water tank and that when there is water, the pressure is strong enough to push the water up to the roof and fill the tank. When there isn't, he has his 400 gallons. The invereter provides his basic electrical needs when there is no power. He said it is usually pretty good at night, so the refrigerator gets cold enough to keep the food from spoiling during the day. Public transport is plentiful and is always passing by on the highway in front of the complex. Easy to get to Sosua or Puerto Plata for about RD$10/one way.
It is not luxury living in Union, but it appears that you would not be the only foreigner if you lived there. One neighbor in his building is a European and another is an American.
He recommended that if you look there you should take your time, but that there are almost always apartments available.