Es-pat communities are great, however, what's the use of moving to another country if all you're going to do is hang out with people in the same boat as you. Yes, they are all a great help and can offer much needed advice, however, isn't this the reason all of us, expecially in California, get fed up with the Mexican population...because they don't want to become part of us, they don't want to learn the language, etc?
Yes, find the expats...but also find dominicans whom you can trust. But don't wait to find them when you get there....talk to some while you are here. If you get to know them here, they are more than happy to share their families with you in the Dominican Republic, and they can be very loyal.
I was fortunate enough to find my wife here in Modesto when she was in college, so her family welcomed me with opened arms...as long as I treated their daughter right, I was just as good as their own son. And her friends have done the same....except for the one who tried to hit on me and I told her to go away. Now she doesn't even come to visit my wife anymore.
I assume that since you are an entrepeneur that you have a business that will continue generating american dollars for you while you are here, so worrying about money will not be a problem.
The best thing I can tell you is this...don't come and just be a spectator. Get involved. Learn the language, join a church, volunteer somewhere...even teaching the local children English is a huge help...Learn to live without water for a shower at times or electricity to watch television. You have a family, so learn to enjoy just spending time together.
I have a house in Dajabon, in fact, my wife just made the first payment on it yesterday of 7,000 DP - this is roughly $233, and the normal rent will be 2,000 DP per month ($66 USD). It has three bedrooms, a kitchen, living room, indoor plumbing and a water tank. My friend, Jose Rivas, who works in conjunction with the "Add Your Light" Foundation out of Canada, will install a water filter in a couple of days, so we will be all set up. When I go back in December, I will bring several battery powered alarms with motion sensors. Beleive me, they are very effective. As long as your neighbors know that you have it, and you have demonstrated the sound for them, when they hear it, they come running with machetes in hand! This already has happened once in my in-laws house, just two houses away. A Hatian man tried to break in and the alarm went off. All the neighbors from inside, on the side and behind the house came running and captured the man. After administering the usual beating, they walked him down the road to the local police station.
It's not like here where alarms go off all them time, so people really pay attention. And the Dominican men, and women, seem to take pleasure in helping out, especially when it comes to beating ladrones.
Get used to not having as much meat to eat, more platanos than you know what to do with, and agua de coco. If you like spicy food, forget about it. They think spicy means that it has an extra sprig of celantro or a sprinkle of pepper.
Oh...and I ordered tacos in Santiago once....bad move! Imagine basically tasteless meat with lettuce, sour cream, and yes, mustard and ketchup!
If you can't handle loud noises, stay in California. In the Dominican Republic, expecially if you live in a barrio with many other dominicanos, the music will play all night at the highest setting available, even if the speakers can't handle it.
Good luck! Come to Dajabon when you get here and look me up. I'll be just about the only white guy running around. Just ask for Padre Roberto or Madre Laura...they will point the way. Besides, everyone has to come to see the market at least once! Every Monday and Friday.