Cost of Living in the Dominican Republic 2011

[mountainannie]

Mountainannie, you sound real happy about the gas prices in DR.

Last I heard it cost about $5.80 per gallon.

Almost double what I pay here in Atlanta, GA. But, like I said earlier in the post, I won't be driving that much so it will balance out to be about the same. I just checked on some cars in the DR and WOW! Man, they are ripping people off! Are those expat prices or what?

I am so surprised that the DR has car that are that expensive. I guess you can't blame those prices on the area where you buy it from, now can you? (I am kinda getting discourage.)

no, you see the INTEREST rates are so high that even though the cars are about `150% of the cost of the car in the US,. what they REALLY cost the owner was about 400% of that so they are really really really going to let it just sit there in the parking area and wait for the market to meet the price..

only the government and the very rich and the dealers are buying the new cars and by dealers.. i am not talking car dealers....

and

the public buses are great and cheap
Gracias a Dios

so having a car is a real lujo.....

and those are indeed the prices

 

[bob saunders]

<a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z415/Dominicanbob/Costa%20Rica/?action=view&current=COSTARICA736.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z415/Dominicanbob/Costa%20Rica/COSTARICA736.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

A little off topic, but just got back from a trip to Grecia Costa Rica. Great farmers market - 500 Colones to the american dollar.

<a href="http://s1188.photobucket.com/albums/z415/Dominicanbob/Costa%20Rica/?action=view&current=COSTARICA733.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z415/Dominicanbob/Costa%20Rica/COSTARICA733.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

So clean and organized, comparied to the DR.

 

[dv8]

omg, it looks beautiful, makes my mouth water!

 

[bob saunders]

Ticos like to say a little piece of Europe in Centro America. Very friendly people. The people we were visiting were Dominicans 3 generations ago. My wife was pleasantly suprised how many relatives she has in Costa Rica.

 

[nyc dad]

Mr.Colon,are you happy with the private institutions that your kids are presently attending?can you tell me the good,the bad and ugly on private schooling in DR?where would you prefer your kids to attend if you are not happy.I'm sure they are top notch schools but also overrated as far as price go

Not ONLY that,but all private schools charge less for "Primario" age kids,than "Segundario" kids,
"High School". Usually goes up several thousands of pesos.
I am in Boston Ma. this month. I shop for food almost everyday in the DR,I have nine family members to feed,plus one obese maid who eats for two,or more. I am AMAZED at how much LESS everything in the supermarket costs in Boston,compared to Santo Domingo!
I have also bought all my four kids school supplies,(Utiles) here,mostly at "STAPLES",and "WALMART",and "TARGET".The "Stuff" costs about 25% of what I
would pay in
SD. Want to "CRY" oll of you parents in the DR?Go "on line",to "Staples.com" and check out this week's "Circular".See
all the "FREE" stuff"?
I shipped a box to SD 3 days after I arrived here!
Went to "TARGET",had a Net Book computer on sale,an ACER,regularly $349,sale price $249,AND,you get a $50 TARGET gift card.Think I bought one???? :bunny::bunny::cheeky::classic:
Tomorrow,If I get my "Entitlement" checks from "UNCLE SAM"??????? I will go back to Staples to "Top Off" my school supplies purchases,FOR NEXT YEAR!!!!!!!!!
NYC,take it from me,someone who has raised children in Boston,and the DR,and who has four children in private schools in SD now,from grade 3 to highschool,to university,everything costs a LOT more in the DR!!!! A LOT MORE!!!I am not someone here just "Talking The Talk",when it comes to really knowing what it costs to raise a family in the DR.I am "Walking The Walk"!
In the DR,like most things,you pay a lot more,for a lot less!

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[nyc dad]

no,its more like 600$us

Can we have a conversation about education? I would be really worried if my kids went to school here. Maybe you can put my fears to rest. Having experienced schools here, well it seems the kids are never told to 'shut up'. The classes are so LOUD. how can anyone focus? I know it's a cultural thing, but still.... one of my girlfriends told me that Carol Morgan school costs almost $2KUSD per month. Is that true? Seems more expensive than a private school back home!

 

[EverythingJeff]

why do you prefer the capital? amenities,things are close buy,etc?

We would live different lives I'm 27 and have nothing "tying me down" so to speak.

I like the hustle and bustle, the convenience, the "real" people (as opposed to those Dominicans that only know "tourists").

I like walking to big supermarkets, living across from Blue Mall and walking distance to Acropolis. I like having friends that can relate to me in terms of lifestyle.

I like the diversity of people, the fact that there is always something new happening.

It's not for everyone, that's for sure!

 

[nyc dad]

Ny?

sounds like nyc

We would live different lives I'm 27 and have nothing "tying me down" so to speak.

I like the hustle and bustle, the convenience, the "real" people (as opposed to those Dominicans that only know "tourists").

I like walking to big supermarkets, living across from Blue Mall and walking distance to Acropolis. I like having friends that can relate to me in terms of lifestyle.

I like the diversity of people, the fact that there is always something new happening.

It's not for everyone, that's for sure!

 

[dv8]

one difference: in SD no one walks. ever. you will see virtually NO people on the streets. they are all inside cars

 

[UmSulaiman]

Mr. Colon, who do you use to ship and how long does it take? Im in Philly going back to Bavaro at the end of the month...

 

[keepcoming]

As CCCCCCCCC I have always bought school supplies in the US. Even before I had school age children I was buying for sabrinas and sabrinos. And yes I even bought for the year ahead. Target, Wal-Mart, Staples are your best friends around school time. The price in DR for even the basic supplies is outrageous. Multiply that x 3 and well you have the picture. Plus I still buy for extended family when I am in the US. One (if you have children) should always budget for school supplies. For the OP well with your stated budget you should do just fine. With what you are looking for (comfortable) you should be able to fine. You will have a learning curve at the beginning but once you settle in you should be ok. I have 1 daughter (12 yrs) in Colegio Santo Domingo, 1 daughter just 8 mos and oh yes son who just graduated high school. Ya before the comments 8 month old was a surprise but ever so loved. My budget, well as you can tell is all over.

 

[AlterEgo]

Mr. Colon, who do you use to ship and how long does it take? Im in Philly going back to Bavaro at the end of the month...

I'm in South Jersey, and we use Bella Vista, never a problem. They pick up all over SJ [I think they have an office in Camden] and I think in Philly too. Their big boxes [they supply them] are $75 door to door, 3 for $200. You can also send cooking oil and rice separately outside the boxes for no extra charge, we just sent a 3 gallon jug of oil and 20 pounds of rice along with ours.

Their main office around here is in the Bronx, give them a call and ask where they pick up near you.

Embarque Bella Vista Envios Inc

(718) 378-5252

AE

 

[UmSulaiman]

Thanks so much! Will do.

 

[gbeckler]

Cost of living in Guayaquil Ecuador

Hi Elvis,

Are you still living in Guayaquil? How much are the same apartments mentioned below going for now? I was in Guayaquil a few years ago and had a great time.

Gary

Yanundu,

I agree with Robert as well. I've traveled several times to DR and have lived the local and tourist life. It's very expensive !! Yes, many people live on less than 500 dollars a month, but for them it's quite hard - specially when someone gets sick and always they ask for assistance or to borrow money.

I live in Ecuador, which is much cheaper than DR. Things are way cheaper here than the US. In Guayaquil, I rent a 2 br apart for $360 in a nice neighborhood. You can get a suite for about less than $150 in the downtown area. A lunch/dinner plate consisting of soup (only during lunch), main dish and juice will cost US$1.50-2.00. Gas for cooking is $2 (it's subsized). Water in large bottles is 1.75. Public transportation is 25 cents. If I wanted to I could eat 2 meals a day at 1.75 (3.50 a day) and live ok within 500-600 a month. I know several people who do this.

But I don't do this ! I would be in a tight budget, never going out and most likely not be able to travel outside Guayaquil or abroad. It would be impossible !!

My average to live a moderate lifestyle and be able to go out and spend some time in the beach is about 1,000-1600 (have room to save and for medical problems)- here in Ecuador. I would say it's much higher in DR.