After several days of immersing myself in DR1 (and other) forums I have decided to post one regarding my possible plan of moving to the DR from Miami. I have read many threads and have a grasp, be it ever so small, of some of the hardships I will be facing.
Although I have lived in the out-islands of the Bahamas prior to this I have not yet visited the DR. I will be there at the end of November and staying with some old friends for a few weeks. I don?t speak Spanish as of now. The friends that I have will no longer be in the area after the first of the year, so when I do relocate I will be very much alone. All very negative I understand.
Now for what I feel may be somewhat the positives of my relocation. I have a chance to purchase an established, working and mildly profitable bar on the North Coast. The purchase price will include the bar, all equipment, all existing stock, and even has a 2 BR apt included upstairs for my use. This deal includes a small car, and 1-2 months of transitional management. It is small enough for one or 2 persons to run, and I do have US bartending/management experience, although not yet as an owner. Buying any type of bar or resturant is much too expensive here in Miami (a liquor license alone is over $100K US). The total cost of this bar will put only a slight dent in my savings, I will still have well over $50-75K in US banks, not including my untouchable retirement fund.
I am 43yrs old, completely tired of the US, its politics, and the extreme stress of the day to day rat race here, never having even the time to enjoy the bunch of meaningless crap I have been working to buy. I am looking to enjoy a more laid back, relaxed way of live and can willingly forgo having 24hrs of guaranteed electricity, although hot water might be missed a bit.
Now everyone can tell me how completely insane I am for thinking about this move, and tell me in no uncertain terms to stay put. I will listen to everyone?s advice, comments, and suggestions ? I have not committed any money to this venture as of yet, but the possibilities seem better than what most expats bring to the DR.
Although I have lived in the out-islands of the Bahamas prior to this I have not yet visited the DR. I will be there at the end of November and staying with some old friends for a few weeks. I don?t speak Spanish as of now. The friends that I have will no longer be in the area after the first of the year, so when I do relocate I will be very much alone. All very negative I understand.
Now for what I feel may be somewhat the positives of my relocation. I have a chance to purchase an established, working and mildly profitable bar on the North Coast. The purchase price will include the bar, all equipment, all existing stock, and even has a 2 BR apt included upstairs for my use. This deal includes a small car, and 1-2 months of transitional management. It is small enough for one or 2 persons to run, and I do have US bartending/management experience, although not yet as an owner. Buying any type of bar or resturant is much too expensive here in Miami (a liquor license alone is over $100K US). The total cost of this bar will put only a slight dent in my savings, I will still have well over $50-75K in US banks, not including my untouchable retirement fund.
I am 43yrs old, completely tired of the US, its politics, and the extreme stress of the day to day rat race here, never having even the time to enjoy the bunch of meaningless crap I have been working to buy. I am looking to enjoy a more laid back, relaxed way of live and can willingly forgo having 24hrs of guaranteed electricity, although hot water might be missed a bit.
Now everyone can tell me how completely insane I am for thinking about this move, and tell me in no uncertain terms to stay put. I will listen to everyone?s advice, comments, and suggestions ? I have not committed any money to this venture as of yet, but the possibilities seem better than what most expats bring to the DR.
