I lived mostly full time in Sosua for two years (05-07). For the past 15 months I have been back in the States (elderly parent with health problems). The ?pull? to return to my former lifestyle is strong and I am planning on returning sometime between November and early January unless I incur more problems.
Though I am looking forward to returning, I do want to make some lifestyle changes.
I mostly lived downtown in Sosua or close enough that downtown was quite accessible. It was great. Made lots of friends, met lots of girls, got scammed a lot, etc. etc. You know the drill.
I also spent a lot of time in the barrios, worked hard on my Spanish, made quite a few Dominican friends. I enjoyed learning about a culture different from my own and had a lot of fun experiences.
Perhaps I have moved on to another stage, but this time I would like a very quiet existence away from the noise and confusion. Up here I am a country guy, perhaps a bit of a hermit and I enjoy a quiet retirement.
The truth is I could be happy about anywhere on the north coast from POP down to Rio San Juan I suppose, but am thinking of trying to find a furnished house to rent in Puerto Plata.
I wrote to Ginnie B She was nice enough to recommend a realtor whom I contacted and they seemed to think, when the time comes, they could find something in my price range ($500 or less, furnished, full time/long term).
Though I have been in and out of POP many times, it was always to go to dinner, or walk on the Malecon or go to Casa Nelson etc. I know very little about actually living in that city.
It is a long time until time for me to go. I?m certainly not pressed for time. But it is fun to research, gather information and make plans.
I have a lot of questions about living in POP but will just ask a couple right now and see if I get any responses.
Would someone tell me about the various residencial neighborhoods in Puerto Plata; which ones are affordable, which are safest to live in, where to avoid. Plusses and minuses of different locations would be interesting.
I have no problem living in a Dominican neighborhood, in fact I would welcome it. I also realize that no place is totally safe and secure but some places are better than others. I?m just looking for a quiet street, a simple two-bedroom house, needs to be furnished etc etc.
Second and last question. I have never had transportation when I have lived down there. This time I would like to try and buy a car to get around town in, perhaps a trip now and then to Santiago, Sosua or Cabarete.
I know I can go to Moca and get a quite good used car in the $8000 to $12000 range but truthfully I can be happy with less.
As an example, there is a guy I know in Sosua who drives a 99 Dodge Stratus He picked it up for not much. It is the very same car I drive up here even the same color. My car here has 140,000 miles on it, I take care of it, don?t go on long trips with it. I know one day it will quit on me but so far it is running well and saving me a big car payment. That is the type of vehicle I will be looking for down there. How do I find it?
Any other tidbits of advice about living in POP would be welcomed.
Sorry to be so wordy. I have lurked on this site for years, though not extensively, but this is the first time I have posted.
Though I am looking forward to returning, I do want to make some lifestyle changes.
I mostly lived downtown in Sosua or close enough that downtown was quite accessible. It was great. Made lots of friends, met lots of girls, got scammed a lot, etc. etc. You know the drill.
I also spent a lot of time in the barrios, worked hard on my Spanish, made quite a few Dominican friends. I enjoyed learning about a culture different from my own and had a lot of fun experiences.
Perhaps I have moved on to another stage, but this time I would like a very quiet existence away from the noise and confusion. Up here I am a country guy, perhaps a bit of a hermit and I enjoy a quiet retirement.
The truth is I could be happy about anywhere on the north coast from POP down to Rio San Juan I suppose, but am thinking of trying to find a furnished house to rent in Puerto Plata.
I wrote to Ginnie B She was nice enough to recommend a realtor whom I contacted and they seemed to think, when the time comes, they could find something in my price range ($500 or less, furnished, full time/long term).
Though I have been in and out of POP many times, it was always to go to dinner, or walk on the Malecon or go to Casa Nelson etc. I know very little about actually living in that city.
It is a long time until time for me to go. I?m certainly not pressed for time. But it is fun to research, gather information and make plans.
I have a lot of questions about living in POP but will just ask a couple right now and see if I get any responses.
Would someone tell me about the various residencial neighborhoods in Puerto Plata; which ones are affordable, which are safest to live in, where to avoid. Plusses and minuses of different locations would be interesting.
I have no problem living in a Dominican neighborhood, in fact I would welcome it. I also realize that no place is totally safe and secure but some places are better than others. I?m just looking for a quiet street, a simple two-bedroom house, needs to be furnished etc etc.
Second and last question. I have never had transportation when I have lived down there. This time I would like to try and buy a car to get around town in, perhaps a trip now and then to Santiago, Sosua or Cabarete.
I know I can go to Moca and get a quite good used car in the $8000 to $12000 range but truthfully I can be happy with less.
As an example, there is a guy I know in Sosua who drives a 99 Dodge Stratus He picked it up for not much. It is the very same car I drive up here even the same color. My car here has 140,000 miles on it, I take care of it, don?t go on long trips with it. I know one day it will quit on me but so far it is running well and saving me a big car payment. That is the type of vehicle I will be looking for down there. How do I find it?
Any other tidbits of advice about living in POP would be welcomed.
Sorry to be so wordy. I have lurked on this site for years, though not extensively, but this is the first time I have posted.