Voyager, I understand you completely. Don't let yourself get discouraged from moving to DR. Just don't be so eager to part with a lifetime of hard work and sacrifice -> YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY!!!
I know you need to settle down/in once here and you would like it to be ASAP but why the rush? Even if you are here for the long haul you need not be IN A RUSH! Stop and smell the roses or carbon monoxide but in either case j u s t - s l o w - d o w n. I can't say it or stress it enough! It doesn't matter what you decide to do or where you choose to move to, you need to give yourself time to make the right decision. You said:
You have to be right the first time and can't afford a mistake by your own admission. Why put yourself at risk by rushing into things?
John:- frugal may means the difference between having good quality of life or being miserable. The degree of frugalness (made up word?) you chose to adhere to is your choice but some discretion in spending needs to be adopted to enjoy a continuation of joy here in DR
If after all is said and analyzed, you decide you'll venture to the Philippines. Remember that sometimes things are not how they appear to be. For instance, you quoted RD$500k for a house in the country side in the Philippines but did you know that you can get a house under same conditions here - country side in DR is 'el campo'. In fact, you can get a house even cheaper than that in some 'campos' in the DR. There are houses in the city for RD$500k but you probably wouldn't want to own'em or live in'em. Well, what I'm trying to say is, do as you please, just do it slow.
GOOD LUCK John.
NotLurking