Cost of living- breakdown

[Cheryl**]

hi,

First- mike, thanks so much for the breakdown- it's by far the most informative post so far- together with the other poster's advice, I'm getting ther, so thank you all very much.

I dont think I was clear about my initial game plan, Mike. To be clear:

I am starting a 3 year degree in English language and linguistics with literature this September.

1.) Go to apartment/hotel for a hol in Easter to suss out the volunteer organisations to work for in the coming summmer- i.e. Heard enough stories of people getting there to volunteer, and being ripped off.
2.) Go to DR for the summer TO VOLUNTEER for 3 months. Whilst I'm there, try to visit schools to assess my suitability for employment- ie their needs, etc.
3.) if successful, begin working for school, commencing the end of volunteer time- (mid august/september?)... And defer my second year of university... If not successful, return to UK for my second year of uni, and volunteer again the following summer and meet schools again.

DonP- you're absolutely right- I do not want to be 'the European to avoid' which is why I want a fairly accurate idea of how/whether I can do it alone- before, not during the move to the DR.

Both donP and Mike are right re needing further info regarding my personal minimum req's and conditions, so here goes:

1.) I am happy with a 1 bed apt/studio. It would need to be furnished, with white goods and preferably not in an area where going to get broken into every time I go out... Or while I'm in. I am a single woman.
2.) locality is difficult given it depends on where school is, but not bothered about beachfront property... Would be nice not to be ina very busy area or ontop of main road, so can sleep.
3.) food preferences. I used to work as a chef, so like cooking for myself. Most meals at home, experimenting with local foods. If I can, I'd like to go out for a meal once a week/twice a month if I can afford it, but not a priority.
4.) the only insurance I feel is a necessity, is a good medical plan.
5.)no car- way too expensive to purchase- may get moped, but would depend on initial outlay/ insurance... So to start, use buses- no long distances- just to work in local town, and local driving for an odd beer.
6.) on that point, at the moment, I drink very little- wouldnt be bothered if I didnt have a drink for 3months (!)... Having said that, people seem to socialise by having a bevvy, President was quite nice, and I did like a few coubelibres (sorry re spelling) when I went to the DR... So go out for a beer/friends over for a beer once/twice a week?... But I probably wont be drinking very much!
7.) social-life. I'm not really a typical girl, so not high maintenence re clothing- so not a big shopper, but I am particular re makeup brands, personal hygeine products, so would prefer to buy my cosmetics/ clothes, etc in UK, and pay excess baggage. May buy odd bits here and there.
8.)communication is important, esp since dad died and mum alone, so would need a mobile I could arrange for her to call me on... Does this cost the recipient, as I used to call someone and they were not well off, but never worried about the call-length?? I would like to text friends. It would also be good to have internet, for locating teaching materials/ keeping in touch with friends, etc...
9.) I love horses and would be great to ride frequently, but I can understand that's very much a luxury.

I know its hard to give me figures of cost, when I havent been clear enough about my needs, so I hope the above gives you the info you require to work from.

Thanks again everyone. I appreciate your insight and experience.

Cheryl

 

[tink23]

Hi Cheryl,

I have just completed my uni degree and also my teaching degree. I knew when I was in teacher's college that there would be an opportunity for me to do an international placement. It was in October and November I began e-mailing schools in the area I knew I wanted to be (Puerto Plata) and let them know what a placement with them would entail. So by November I had narrowed the school I wanted to go to and they arranged a class for me to do my placement in. They knew that I coming into it was hoping to obtain a teaching job for the following school year if I enjoyed the school and they thought I would do a good job with a teaching position. By the time I was finished my 3 week placement there (basically a 3 week interview with them observing my teaching) they said that they would be happy to offer me a position.

Now, I assume since your degree is in English Linguistics that you would simply want to teach English and not actually be a full time teacher teaching math, science, language arts, history/geography, etc. But I think it would be good for you to begin contacting schools in the next few months, just to touch base with them and secure a volunteer position, rather than waiting until you're in DR on vacation. Also, many, if not most positions will already be taken if you wait until the summer to try and secure a position. I could be wrong, maybe it's different for people who want to teach English... I'm not sure. Just thought I'd let you know about my experience.

Good luck with everything. I hope you are successful in finding what you are looking for. PM me if you would like to hear more about my teaching placement experience.

 

[MikeFisher]

great sharing of own experience tink 23,
that's exactly what is needed on such subject.
i am not teaching myself,
so i try to fill in other points to get them completed/corrected by others who live down here. of course rates do on several points vary by regions, but not the big deal i guess.

1.) I am happy with a 1 bed apt/studio. It would need to be furnished, with white goods and preferably not in an area where going to get broken into every time I go out... Or while I'm in. I am a single woman.$250-$400.-
2.) locality is difficult given it depends on where school is, but not bothered about beachfront property... Would be nice not to be ina very busy area or ontop of main road, so can sleep.
3.) food preferences. I used to work as a chef, so like cooking for myself. Most meals at home, experimenting with local foods. If I can, I'd like to go out for a meal once a week/twice a month if I can afford it, but not a priority.single person, homecooked food with average quality products, i would guess $200-$250.- per month shopping at the supermarket, no alcoholics or such included, just food
4.) the only insurance I feel is a necessity, is a good medical plan.ARS humano which i have as the Platinium Plan runs around $75.- per month, they have many different coverage levels avalable, the cheapest coverages start at around $20-$25.- per month
5.)no car- way too expensive to purchase- may get moped, but would depend on initial outlay/ insurance... So to start, use buses- no long distances- just to work in local town, and local driving for an odd beer.scooters and mopeds are not cheap stuff down here. public transportation by bus or motoconcho for the shortest rides would be the way to go. finding a appartment as close and easy to travel as possible to the working place is essential on this of course, then it can be hold down cheap on maybe $70-$80.- per month
6.) on that point, at the moment, I drink very little- wouldnt be bothered if I didnt have a drink for 3months (!)... Having said that, people seem to socialise by having a bevvy, President was quite nice, and I did like a few coubelibres (sorry re spelling) when I went to the DR... So go out for a beer/friends over for a beer once/twice a week?... But I probably wont be drinking very much!can not give a monthly count, b/c i don't know how many cuba libres or presidentes you may finally consume per month, lol. a small 330cc presidente is depending on cheap colado or at often a bit more expensive expat socializing spots between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 US$ per bottle, cuba libre $3.-(to be corrected, i am in no way rum drinker)
7.) social-life. I'm not really a typical girl, so not high maintenence re clothing- so not a big shopper, but I am particular re makeup brands, personal hygeine products, so would prefer to buy my cosmetics/ clothes, etc in UK, and pay excess baggage. May buy odd bits here and there.agree, bring that stuff from home, much cheaper on many products and specific brands are not everywhere always available
8.)communication is important, esp since dad died and mum alone, so would need a mobile I could arrange for her to call me on... Does this cost the recipient, as I used to call someone and they were not well off, but never worried about the call-length?? I would like to text friends. It would also be good to have internet, for locating teaching materials/ keeping in touch with friends, etc...take a local movile with prepaid cards, unless you stay here for a longer time period a fix postpaid plan with it's cheaper minutes will not be worth it. a slower but good for e-mail internet connection should be around $35.- - $40.- per month, the cellphone often you can get offers with an average machine for free just by bying the first prepaid card at the store. otherwise you always find for $15.- a new cellphone mostly with the first 100 pesos($3.-) loaded included. monthly costs depend purely on phoned minutes
9.) I love horses and would be great to ride frequently, but I can understand that's very much a luxury.i am a horselover myself, the first thing you see when entering the house here is on the veranda the western saddle before you enter the door, ha ha. of course a bit depending where you finally will stay, it is usually no problem to find a place with good horses nearby, such you will find out by socializing in the 'hood once arrived

Mike

 

[Cheryl**]

hello everyone,

Mike...
You're a star! Thankyou so much.... And nice to meet a fellow horse-lover! One of my A levels was Equine management and I used to have my own, so I really do miss it- great way to keep in shape, too! (mainly the mucking out, not the riding, lol)... On that, is it normal, possible to ride at a stable, without paying tourist prices, (when I move?) I can understand, its not exactly a priority for Dominicans, given 40% below minimum food basket... I understand also, it will depend on the area, but is there a rough amount you would expect to pay for an hour, etc? I just thought I'd ask, since you might ride yourself?!

Re the mobiles- great advice for the 3month volunteer program- will expect have to pay around ?1.50 per minute for calls back to the UK. Can stump that for a short period- will save up in advance, as I may call quite a lot to check on mum.

For longer term, I mentioned I used to call someone in the DR. (I was in the UK)... I think it cant have costed him, because he was poor and we were on the phone for hours? Does anyone know anything about this? Also, for budgeting, is it better to get a pay as you go mobile, in which case, can you unlock a mobile from the UK and use it inthe DR with their top-ups, or do you need to purchase one out there? I'm also a bit worried re contract phones- running up a huge phonebill, being conned and direct debits coming out of my account/ giving out my bank details?

On that, is it difficult to set up a bank account in the DR? Do you need certain papers? In England, you need proof of address, separate photo ID and sometimes, proof of income?

Tink123, as you know, I've PMed you, but just to say on here, thanks for all your advice- great to meet a fellow teacher, and "here's to many a debate about education standards and funding"!! lol

Thanks again everyone... If you have anything to add regarding costs, I'd love to hear them.

Cheryl

Oh, and Mike, I'd probably have 1 bottle of Presidente per outing, twice a week... At a guess! lol... And buy the cuba libre at a supermarket! lol

 

[tink23]

Dominican cell phones are free incoming calls so it would be much cheaper to have someone from the UK to call you on your Dominican number than for you to call them. Texting is cheap. I'm not sure about the UK but when I texted to Canada on my Dominican cell it was only 4 pesos/text, so you could always send a text and then have whomever call you back.

You can bring a cell from the UK and have it unlocked in DR. From what I understand it has to be a gsm phone (they use the sim cards) and a quad band. There are stores that will unlock and give you a sim card for something like 400 pesos. However, the cheaper way to go (unless you already have a cell that you can bring to be unlocked) is to buy a phone there. They have some cheap phones, that work fine. I bought an alcatel phone including sim card and 100 pesos of talk and text for under 600 pesos from Orange.

 

[MikeFisher]

Dominican cell phones are free incoming calls so it would be much cheaper to have someone from the UK to call you on your Dominican number than for you to call them. Texting is cheap. I'm not sure about the UK but when I texted to Canada on my Dominican cell it was only 4 pesos/text, so you could always send a text and then have whomever call you back.

You can bring a cell from the UK and have it unlocked in DR. From what I understand it has to be a gsm phone (they use the sim cards) and a quad band. There are stores that will unlock and give you a sim card for something like 400 pesos. However, the cheaper way to go (unless you already have a cell that you can bring to be unlocked) is to buy a phone there. They have some cheap phones, that work fine. I bought an alcatel phone including sim card and 100 pesos of talk and text for under 600 pesos from Orange.

yeap, tink23,
and you even can get that Alcatel for less, even that your mentioned rate is anyways just 15US$ with a 100 pesos card included and with the chip included.
down here at my place in cabeza de Toro they sell the Alcatel with the same 100 pesos card included for 350 pesos on regular rates, during mother days week(last week of May) we got at the Supermercado Caribe here in Bavaro due to purchase of goods (i guess the limit been to shop for 1500+ pesos that week) a FREE alcatel with chip included, the lil """trick""" been to pay 100 pesos, for that a 100 pesos a phone card been included, so it finally been a free phone, connected with it's chip aso aso. phones do not cost a thing, it is the 'contract', the same system like you know it from home.
and that reminds me that we will be on dominican father's day in 10 minutes, """CHEERS""".
incoming phone calls on the cell here in DR are free for the receiver, yeap.
on outgoing calls i can not comment on the UK, i do not run much calls to there per year, but when i call from my cellphone here in the DR a phone number in germany, landline based or cellphone doesn't matter, i pay actually around 14 pesos plus tax pe minute, around 35 cents of a US$?
no big deal.
for messaging i can not comment, i am not a big friend of typing the small keybord of a cellphone,
yes, ole man needs reading glasses, so what???
ha ha
but you can not compare the cots to european connections to Canada.
Canada and the USA and Puerto Rico are for our dominican phones "local phone calls".
i pay the same fee when calling a buddy in Canada than when calling my wife 30 meters down the beach, they are all area "1".
in case the Mom wanna call from the UK to here you have to check the UK intl line providers, others on the bord may fit that in.
i know from my parents in germany that they dial a specific provider's number ahead of my phone number and call me for just 1.5-5 eurocents per minute, so you can talk for hours for peanuts.
i could not even tell you the appropriate numbers to dial from germany, heck, i dial the other way, lol.
if the Mom has a computer you may also think about one of those numerous internet calling systems like skype and such, but i don't know details, i do not use any of them myself.
just friends always wanna convince me to several of them, but that's me, ole fashioned, i wanna call means i grab my phone and dial the darn number and hopefully on the other end somebody is still awake.
Mike

 

[MikeFisher]

hello everyone,

Mike...
You're a star! Thankyou so much.... And nice to meet a fellow horse-lover! One of my A levels was Equine management and I used to have my own, so I really do miss it- great way to keep in shape, too! (mainly the mucking out, not the riding, lol)... On that, is it normal, possible to ride at a stable, without paying tourist prices, (when I move?) I can understand, its not exactly a priority for Dominicans, given 40% below minimum food basket... I understand also, it will depend on the area, but is there a rough amount you would expect to pay for an hour, etc? I just thought I'd ask, since you might ride yourself?!there are many planets between what is offered in tourism and real horses, ha ha. i can not speak about every area of the island, but down here on the east we have several great ""brands"", specially the Paso Higueyano. i have also some good breeds on the ranch up in the mountains. the way to go is to get connections in the area where you live, when you arrived. don't even think to ask a beach vendor about 'the best stable in town' or such, lol

Re the mobiles- great advice for the 3month volunteer program- will expect have to pay around ?1.50 per minute for calls back to the UK. Can stump that for a short period- will save up in advance, as I may call quite a lot to check on mum.i pay from my cell around 35 cents of US$ per minute to germany. i don't know UK rates, but i would place them nearby, mine is a 'factura line', a contract where i pay the minutes the month after i consumed them, not by prepaid card

For longer term, I mentioned I used to call someone in the DR. (I was in the UK)... I think it cant have costed him, because he was poor and we were on the phone for hours? Does anyone know anything about this? Also, for budgeting, is it better to get a pay as you go mobile, in which case, can you unlock a mobile from the UK and use it inthe DR with their top-ups, or do you need to purchase one out there? I'm also a bit worried re contract phones- running up a huge phonebill, being conned and direct debits coming out of my account/ giving out my bank details?

On that, is it difficult to set up a bank account in the DR? Do you need certain papers? In England, you need proof of address, separate photo ID and sometimes, proof of income?there are several requirements like statement from an other bank/homebank/passport of course/recommending person down here aso, but it is finally all just BS. if you know somebody down here just go with that person to his/her bank with your passport or cedula or residency card and all will be fine.
to do it alone produces very different outcomes. some have no problem, others get spammed with a bunch of papers to fil in.
a lil hint: if you have a home account with a 'good backup', bring the record with ya and you get any account at what ever branch you want to

Tink123, as you know, I've PMed you, but just to say on here, thanks for all your advice- great to meet a fellow teacher, and "here's to many a debate about education standards and funding"!! lol

Thanks again everyone... If you have anything to add regarding costs, I'd love to hear them.there are extra costs, YES.
since right now, midnight here, we are on Father's Day.
i still have no clue how i will explain the 'after breakfast' upcoming extra costs to the MRS, but heck, who need to know it all???

Cheryl

Oh, and Mike, I'd probably have 1 bottle of Presidente per outing, twice a week... At a guess! lol... And buy the cuba libre at a supermarket! lol

one presidente per outing???
darn Lady,
what the heck is a outing???
if a outing lasts 1 presidente i would say """by own experience""" a outing is 3 minutes stop somewhere on the road, wooohahahah.
o.k.,
of course i know whatya meant with a 'outing'.
different worlds,
we are all good
cheers
Mike

(((on the 5th outing since 11PM)))

 

[Cheryl**]

he, he Mike...

Yes, I dont drink much! lol. Methinks you could "drink me under the table" he, he... Will have to look up threads re DR customs.

Thanks re info on mobiles... Just to add, incase anyone wants to know... Uk calls to DR can be very expensive- ?1.50 per minute plus! It was costing me a fortune, then I asked about international calling with TMobile, (network provider). This made calls to DR mobile 4p per minute... But only cos they class DR as USA?! I'm now with "3 mobile" but they dont do int calling options for DR- just flat rate of 50p per min to DR as not a popular country to call. A lot cheaper to call via landline.

Does any DR mobile provider do skype calls for free via their mobile? It's all very new to me- old fashioned like you, Mike- despite my age! lol I much prefer to talk. I only have internet on my mobile at the mo, so takes ages to write on here! lol

The reason I asked re Skype being free on any DR mobile (?) is b/c 3mobile have just started doing this- unlimited free skype anywhere in the world...?

Cheers for everyone's help so far,

Cheryl

 

[SKing]

Honey, take what you think is the lowest you could live on and then multiply it by 4...that is how much you will spend
Truthfully, I know!!!
SHALENA

 

[BushBaby]

Honey, take what you think is the lowest you could live on and then multiply it by 4...that is how much you will spend
Truthfully, I know!!!
SHALENA

Forgive me for saying Shalena but your experience & 'What you Know' has manifested itself in many a previous post.

Living expenses depend upon area & lifestyle requirement. Cheryl** has indicated her ability to 'cut a few ends' to make things work AND her ability to mix in & listen to others ............. so I am confident she will plan accordingly & survive well here (after the initial 3 or 4 month breaking in period! :cheeky: !).

Cheryl**,
Skype is free (Computer to computer) in the DR. A 20 minute call to a standard telephone number in the UK works out at around 0.50 Euro!! My Mother refuses to get a computer into her house so I use my skype connection (Euro 10.00 purchased in advance) & normally have excellent voice contact!!
(I think your e-mail has just arrived so will get round to looking at that now!).

~ Grahame.

 

[Cheryl**]

Ha, ha SKing... Consider yourself reprimanded! lol. I appreciate your effort to put a post on here, and understand you may have underestimated the cost of living and just looking out for other people who are the newbies of today... this thread is about cost of living in DR and so a variety of examples of costs greatly appreciated- especially if anyone had any particular probs re: budgeting...?

That said, SKing, have to say, I especially trust Grahame, Mike and Tinkerbell's (teehee!) opinions and advice. They have all put in a lot of effort to impart knowledge and advice.

Rest assured... I'll try to sort some savings before I arrive, as a backup, though!

Regards,

Cheryl

 

[MikeFisher]

right Cheryl,
when dialing from europe to DR counts like a US call.
at least from germany, i am in no way familiar with UK phone connections/rules/dialings.
to call the DR or the US or Canada or Puerto Rico from Germany all require the same intl code, '001' in front of the phone number.
that's why when dialing from the DR to the US/Canada/Puerto Rico we do not need to dial a intl code, we just dial '1' ahead of the number, the same like dialing from a landline phone to a local cellphone, same rates apply.
Mike

 

[Cheryl**]

as ever, Mike, thanks for your input... Its odd in the UK, cos my old network provider, (T mobile) classed the DR as USA, which is why it was only 4p per minute... But 3 mobile, you can get free calls to popular countries, such as USA, Australia, canada, germany, etc... But have to pay standard charge, (50p per min) to DR... Go figure! I think I'll try and get mum onto SKPE and hotmail/MSN... Although, clearly I'm rubbish with technology, so it may be the blind leading the blind! lol

I'm still quite concerned re cost of living, as it seems you do need a minimum of US $1000 to survive... And since my chances of getting into an Intl school that will pay this salary, I may be having to look at surviving on HALF that amount! Oh dear...

Is it impossible? If I can only get a job teaching in a 'normal' school, is it a case of needing to save the difference before I arrive? Bear in mind, that I am unqualified, in terms of degree/ teaching cert, and have only my Cambridge University certificate in TESOL,TEFL and CELTA...

What do you think?

Warm regards,

Cheryl

 

[BushBaby]

In MY humble opinion, coming to the DR with less than US $4,000 (?2,500) would be almost suicidal EVEN if you had a job paying US $800 per month.

Have your annual holiday here, do some volunteer work, get to know the people & who, what, where to associate with & stay in the UK to get your qualifications 'beyond reproach'! Save up some ?3,000 over the next two years & THEN come to live here for 6 months as a trial - to see if you can make it on US &1,000 per month!

I promise you, failing a nuclear war worldwide (& will UK survive such a war?) the Dominican Republic will still be here in 3 or 4 years time! :ermm: :cheeky: ~ Grahame.

 

[Cheryl**]

oh Grahame, I feel like crying! Thanks for your help- even if its not what I want to hear! Four years is a long time to wait...
I know its far more sensible to sort quals, but what if I saved the ?3k for the next academic year, (2010)?? Grahame- you've got my email address- could you message me back on there please?

Warm regards,

Cheryl.

 

[SKing]

I forgot... I know nothing....
SHALENA

 

[DRob]

Cheryl,

Be careful you don't only take the advice you want to hear.

Here's the thing: you should never even begin to consider making a move like the one you're contemplating until you have gotten answers to all these questions through your own personal experience.

Frankly, you shouldn't consider this until you have answers to questions you haven't even asked yet.

Question: Of all the towns in all of D.R., why the most touristy of them all? Why the one with the fewest options for a teacher, that also happens to have higher than average rents?

Is there a guy? If the answer is "yes," then - without regard to how much control you think you have, take your budget and multiply it several times over.

If the answer is "no," then ask yourself what you're really looking for. Living in Sosua is a fundamentally different experience than vacationing there.

Regardless of the answer, my advice is to tread lightly. Save your money. Visit for lengthy periods (no less than a month at a time). Get to know the lay of the land. If you're chasing some guy, have an intense and enjoyable relationship, get it out of your system, and then, only when you're thinking clearly again, consider making a permanent move.

 

[london777]

I am not well qualified to advise on the cost of living or on likely incomes, but I do note that Cheryl has the right attitude to survive in the DR (or anywhere else). She has an open mind, she asks sensible questions, she has modest requirements, she listens, she deflects criticism gracefully, and she politely thanks those who try to help her. I wish my fellow Brit well if and when she arrives in the DR.

 

[Cheryl**]

hey everyone...

First, I dont want anyone to take offense, including YOU, SKing! As I said, everyone's comments are valuable and certainly anyone living in theDR has more knowledge than myself, so I will listen. I was merely pointing out that I have had a lot of into, both on the forum and by PM from bushbaby and tink and a LOT of help on here from Mike. More importantly, their advice/ views have been QUALIFIED by examples, experiences, facts, etc.
For example, SKing, why did you find that you needed 4 x's your estimate, if that was the case for you? You're still in the DR and have experiences which you could share to help us newbies, and expand on your advice? That would be really helpful, if you could?

Rob, you mention a few times in your post re: romantic involvement, so...
I GUARANTEE I am not coming here for romance. (For further info on motivations for emmigrating... and educational/volunteer questions/ points, please see thread entitled 'educational standards') I did meet a sankie, and if anything has put me off romance in the DR!... But I'll say here, what I told him, (he was a tad surprised!)
1.) I am NOT some desperate woman, and if I wanted romance I'd stay in UK- re: visas, assumption of wealth, general deceit, husbands having girlfriends, etc...
2.) I am coming to DR because I think its the right thing for ME to do, re career, strength of personality, the country!
3.) I am not anti-men as a result of sankie experience- I could get all bitter, twisted and angry at the injustice, but I'd rather focus on the motivation for WHY some may choose deceit for cash... Poverty, in some instances, and lack of options/support to get out of it. So, I'd like to volunteer to help adults... Well, those who want to help themselves! Hmmm... And whilst not anti-men, its certainly not my motivation for such a huge life choice!

ROB... You ask a very good question re: location, though. I've only ever been to Puerto Plata, so the only place I know. I'm a little worried about crime in the capital, (if this is completely wrong, PLEASE CORRECT me- just stories I've heards)

So, which town has the most option for teachimg. (Is it the capital, or elsewhere?) Remember I will be a first year teacher.

Warm regards,

Cheryl

 

[MikeFisher]

also a good place may be Santiago.
Hillbitty and Cobraboy are up there and sure have more details about possibilities.
hey,
with the Sankie experience behind ya you have managed the first step into real life, ha ha.
Go Girl.
Mike