Mexico vs. DR
Hi, Jim and all, my husband and I opted to live in Mexico. After almost a lifetime with the heat and humidity of Houston, we needed a big change--boy, did we ever get it!
I have spent a total of only two months in la Republica Dominicana spread over two visits, and while I adore almost everything about it, we found the available housing in central Mexico cheaper and the restaurant scene cheaper, too. Perhaps I did not know where to search in the DR for the best buys. Another factor in our relocation here is that we have a grandchild in Houston and wanted to be conveniently situated. We are less than two hours away on a non-stop flight to Houston whereas the route from the DR is more circuitous and costlier.
I think a person could be quite happy in either country; it depends, of course, if one prefers more varity in climate or proximity to the U.S. I will never forget the graciousness and helpfulness of the people I met in Santiago--especially Hillbilly and his lovely wife!!
My suggestion to you is to visit each country, after narrowing your research down to a particular region, for a few weeks prior to making a permanent move. Only by actually being there, can you check out the lifestyle and see what has been exaggerated (or de-emphasized) by the guide book gurus. Even then, you will not get the true picture. Only by moving to a place, I think, do you begin to understand it with all its complexities. Sometimes I think we should have leased a house for six months prior to buying, but at our advanced age, we felt we did not have time to diddle!! You can torture yourself with "grass is always greener" thoughts anyway. Once you decide, don't look back. You can always choose the "losing" country for wonderful holidays!
Buena suerte,
Nancy Bell
P.S. If you are a novice, struggling speaker of espanol (as I have been for at least a decade!), I think you will find the Spanish is spoken more slowly in Mexico, or at least in our city of Guanajuato. To me it is almost musical, very lilting.