Hello everyone, sorry it's taken a bit to post back, but I sent a reply via the internet on my mobile, and it disconnected whilst sending, so had to wait til had time to post again... sorry.
First, a correction from my previous post. I miscalculated the exchange rate for my friend's apartment. We worked out that it cost around ?150 per month sterling; I doubled and removed the zero's the wrong way round-so it equates to approx: RSD$8,000 per month, incl. elec, water, furnishing, etc. This is why I'd made the point of saving ?1500 in advance, for 10 months accademic year's accommodation paid in adbance. Sorry for any confusion caused.
A few comments to some posters: As per usual, thanks to Manzana, (especially your last post- very informative-detail below) Mike Fisher, Grahame and Tink23... And the others tht have provided constructive, sound advice, be it what I 'want to hear, or not' I appreciate your cander.
Manzana- Great post! You seem to understand my individuality, and I appreciate you not stereotyping me with other newbies, that naively expect a small budget to allow them to live like a king- or Queen in my case! I'm pleased that you've taken note of my previous postings, so thankyou.
(SKing take notice- your 'digs' are getting tiresome- in order to give good advice, you must first listen to the OP's circumstances, character and individual requirements, instead of trying to turn the OP into the person you want them to be- a naive, ignorant, complacent newbie you can have a go at. Believe me, your comments on this, and other threads says more about your character than mine. Grahame mentioned this attitude earlier, I think.)
Back to Manzana. At the moment, I'm having some pretty horrid issues with my current house-mate in the UK and I've known her for years, (she's behaving like a sankie, minus the cash, if you know what I mean!) so I am quite reluctant to share my space EVER AGAIN at the moment! However, I think your suggestion to start a new thread, discussing available rooms to share is a very good idea. I dont want to do it hypothetically as I dont want to mess people around, but once I've made firm decisions of when I want to come out, I'll do that a few months in advance. If there are no replies, I can always stay in the apartment my friend has just moved into, as I will have budgeted for this in advance. I can then continue to look for suitable sharers once there. I have been thinking about what you saud regrding who to share with, and you make some valid points regarding integration and sharing a deeper culture, (staying with a Dominican family) varying levels of privacy, and the security aspect of sharing as well as having a place to yourself. If anything, I'm steering more towards looking for a retired couple/ older couple, either ex-pat or Dominican, owing to the lack of need to party at home and their possible tastes. Its always hard finding a suitable house share and not something to be entered into lightly. I will give it a lot of thought.
Thanks also for giving a guide as to how Dominicans try to work within their budget. I am happy to for-go many of the material luxuries we have here in the Uk in order to live a simple life out in the UK. I used to be a chef, so would actually enjoy buying a bag of beans and rice, (to have on-hand) and experiement with adding a couple of ingredients to 'make a dish'. Its amazing how good a meal can be, with very little money spent- been there, done that!
It was also interesting, what you mentioned with regards to Dominicans building theselves a house. Although not applicable to my current situation, I'll look into that in the distant future, if I make it that far!
Again, thanks for your post.
ExtremeR Regarding:
"Originally Posted by Cheryl**
Manzana... Are you testing my strength of character?!
To ponder, there's many an answer!... Dominicans get through it and smile, why cant I? Truth: I sincerely dislike not being able to sleep at night. Solution? Get to sleep FIRST!... as I can pretty much sleep through anything!... That, or choose a different solution regarding accommodation in the first place! lol
Warm regards,
Cheryl
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ExtremeR
Cheryl, you are up to a rude awakening, do you think Dominicans are happy to live a below middle class lifestyle?? They smile because they can do nothing about it, complaining won't raise their salaries or won't get them a better job, they just accept it because they have no choice. Besides those Dominicans who live in that quality of life as stated by Manzana (the conejo thing cracked me up LOL) are accustomed to it, because they have lived that way since they were born. I don't believe that's the case with you. I am a middle-class Dominican and I certainly couldn't live in a barrio for 1 week, I go and visit my friends who live in a barrio, have a good time but that's it, there is no way I'm going to get that quality of life just because "I have a strong character".
I am afraid my comment was said 'tongue in cheek' regarding Dominicans smiling... sorry you didnt get that. I have been to Albania, which is similar to the DR, minus the tourism impact. I am well aware that people suffering extreme poverty, (36% below the minimum food basket) will smile as this is the only thing they can do! I understand the frustration of not wanting to leave your home country, but not even being able to, and so having to deal with a (pretty foul) hand life has dealt to you. I have experienced the sankie behaviour, and rather than judge this behaviour by standards only applicable to a different class/ culture, I am interested in the WHY they do it. For SOME, (not all) the reason is poverty, then whilst not approving of their principals, I can understand their reasoning.
so ExtremeR, your comment....
"We are just telling you beforehand that it is hard to live on a small budget in the DR, but I believe that is NOT what you want to hear, but anyway at least we tried. "
Is a misjudgement of my character and shows you have not read many of the previous posts made by me and others on this thread. It has been made clear that I DO listen to various advice.
Nevermind.
I'm going to have a think about the varying advice given... Everyone is different and I need to look at the most suitable method of moving to the DR for my personal circumstances, goals, etc. I started off wanting to begin by voluntering. Grahame has suggested I do this once settled. I have the option to come out a few times to gain more experience, etc which would be wise. I have the option to approach various schools regarding work, and come out initially for a year, provided I can bring with me the savings mentioned before. I also have the option, (as a friend mentioned to me privately) to come out to the DR for a decent stretch- maybe 4-6 months, and purely live there on savings and take it from there. This option would allow me to continue working towards my degree in England during term-time and then come out to the DR at the end of each accademic year in May, for four months, provided I can save the money. Again, it was Grahame who suggeted I complete my degree first. This final option, would allow me to come out, with little arrangement in terms of employment, stay in different areas to get a truer 'feel' to the different ways of living- from tourist areas, to the capital, to the rural village, to the town inland. I would also be able to 'help out' different schools on an informal, unpaid basis to better prepare for when I move permanently. Although 4 years seems a long time- (a long-term plan) if I can incorporate a more lengthy visit WHILST finishing my degree, it wont feel so long, as I'll spend up to a 3rd of the year in the DR anyway!
We'll see how the savings go. When I was doing my second set of A levels, (fast track in one year as opposed to two) my course was 9am-4.30pm and as very low on exams, was primarily based on a lot of coursework, whoch throughout the year, was very time-consuming. I was still able to support myself through working 20-30 hours per week. Others prefered to go clubbing. I am fairly certain, that with planning and dedication, I can do the same thing, as my degree course is only 6-9 hours per week, with a similar heavy coursework based program. The idea, then, is to save my student grants. We'll see how it goes and I'll let you all know, of course as this method may help others in the future.
Any comments regarding either this plan, what I've said. SKing and ExtremeR are welcome to reply, but I'll politely ask you to try not to turn this thread into a slanging match please. The focus of this thread is the cost of living in the DR, bearing in mind my personal circumstances and individuality. Does anyone have any thought to this proposed plan? Any further comments regarding keeping costs down and the implications of that move; I.E. Points made by Manzana regarding diet, privacy, sharing, etc.
Warm regards,
Cheryl
