Thank you! As of right now... I have no immediate plans to leave. The big thing mentioned a couple posts above holds me back: money.
I realize I need to have this available to me I just want to be prepared before I go. Tho, if I could leave tomorrow, I would. I want to experience the culture... the country, see how I can survive in a new environment different from what I'm used to. Dominican is beautiful, weather is lovely, beaches of course are gorgeous... I want to see more of the country, possibly do some 'volunteer' work here & there?? I dunno, so many ideas... but I want to be real about it all. I'm not naive to the realities that are out there, that I've read about & hear about. But I have a LOT to learn. Including the language... and have been in contact with a private tutor for spanish lessons.
I've tried to contemplate how much money I would need per month. I am Canadian. Someone told me at least $2,000 Canadian/US ~ I'm not familiar with the conversions yet either... as I said, I have a LOT to learn. But I can't take the next step til I learn, right?? And I guess I just need to know... what exactly should I learn first & foremost, aside of the language & understanding the currency.
When I go... I plan to stay at LEAST a month. Two if I'm able... and then decide after that if I want to go back for longer... and go from there. As for WHERE in Dominican?? I've been told the East & North Coast is lovely... but still, there are so many places to choose from. I've been reading a lot about various cities. Is there a specific place on the forum to find the most expensive places to live? (obviously I want to pay less than the most expensive, lol, just want to know where to not bother looking & why) I realize too that the least expensive places may be more dangerous or sketchy... I want to avoid this as well. I know as mentioned a lot of it is personal choice/opinion, but I've only travelled to Punta Cana on vacation & while it's gorgeous there, I assume it would cost a fortune to live there??
I'll read more I guess & go from there. Just if anyone does have any good pointers or things I should read up on FOR SURE... please let me know. Thanks.