Preamble: I have done a search for safety and Sosua, and Sosua safety prior to writing this thread.
I am currently in the process of researching the DR for a potential home 5 yrs from now. I would like to know a couple of things specifically that I have not read yet in my searches on these forums. Forgive me if I had missed this information many times.
1. What would you say is the percentage of expats being robbed or having their homes invaded? I get the sense from my reading that it is 90%, with multiple home invasions throughout years living there being a normal thing.
2. What about in Sosua? Is this area hit harder because it is sort of more wealthy? Or is it held more secure with $$ than other parts of the DR? Are there more secure parts of Sosua than other parts of Sosua? I assume yes, but I just have to ask.
I am looking to buy a ~$350,000 USD home in Sosua, and everything looks very nice, but I'm still wondering the probabilities of being robbed or invaded in a neighborhood with houses priced in that range (higher or lower probability?). I know if I were a thief I'd look to the rich sections to rob, not in my home streets. So if I were to guess, these are the areas that are hit hard by criminals, but then again, I would also guess that $$ could buy protection in the form of private security...but again I've read that these guards can often be in on the criminal side of things as well...
Also, if you have any suggestions about comparative island living, let me know. For instance do you know of islands that are significantly safer than the DR, perhaps they are more expensive too?
P.S. some background info: I've lived in ghettos and in mansions, and in mansions close to ghettos etc, really experienced the whole range of poor to rich living. I've also been robbed / burglarized, and I've also defended my property with a sledgehammer, as it was the only thing on hand at the moment. I am safety conscious and enjoy setting up a secure home etc.
I am currently in the process of researching the DR for a potential home 5 yrs from now. I would like to know a couple of things specifically that I have not read yet in my searches on these forums. Forgive me if I had missed this information many times.
1. What would you say is the percentage of expats being robbed or having their homes invaded? I get the sense from my reading that it is 90%, with multiple home invasions throughout years living there being a normal thing.
2. What about in Sosua? Is this area hit harder because it is sort of more wealthy? Or is it held more secure with $$ than other parts of the DR? Are there more secure parts of Sosua than other parts of Sosua? I assume yes, but I just have to ask.
I am looking to buy a ~$350,000 USD home in Sosua, and everything looks very nice, but I'm still wondering the probabilities of being robbed or invaded in a neighborhood with houses priced in that range (higher or lower probability?). I know if I were a thief I'd look to the rich sections to rob, not in my home streets. So if I were to guess, these are the areas that are hit hard by criminals, but then again, I would also guess that $$ could buy protection in the form of private security...but again I've read that these guards can often be in on the criminal side of things as well...
Also, if you have any suggestions about comparative island living, let me know. For instance do you know of islands that are significantly safer than the DR, perhaps they are more expensive too?
P.S. some background info: I've lived in ghettos and in mansions, and in mansions close to ghettos etc, really experienced the whole range of poor to rich living. I've also been robbed / burglarized, and I've also defended my property with a sledgehammer, as it was the only thing on hand at the moment. I am safety conscious and enjoy setting up a secure home etc.