We live in Santiago - in a weird "no-name" area between Los Cerritos and Los Llanos de Gurabo. I guess, technically its Gurabo al Medio - but who knows?
And, really, you CAN live here on less than 1,000 pesos a month comfortably. My husband and I do it on a publicschool teachers salary and my part-time teaching income. AND my brother in law lives with us. And my son. And we really can't complain.
Rent of a nice three bedroom apartment: We pay $6,000 RD
Cost of power per household: About $600RD a month, but we don't have ac.
Cost of cellular: I've got pre-paid. But we pay about 1,800 for our house phone
Cost of Internet dial-up service: We've got wireless that we share with 2 other neighbors - i think it's like 1,500 a month divided between us
Cost of water: $350
Cost of a taxi: I never pay more than $180 - and that's from one end of the city to the next.
Cost of lunch/dinner at a restaurant: comedor $100-$150, restaurant - well, that depends.
Cost of household help: My neighbor has a full-time nanny who lives out, and cleans and washes the clothes for $4,750 a month - and apparently that's really good.
Cost of a full time chauffeur: My "aunt" pays 8,000 a month - but he's at her beck-and-call
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Cable TV: $500
Haircut: I go to the salon once a week to get washed and blown-out for $170. When I get a cut, it's about $300
Motoconcho ride: $30(regular) - $50(larger distance)
Internet cafe: $30/hour
Shoe Shine $10 (But I usually give the boys at least 20)