NO! Don?t click the ?back? button! This IS what you were looking for, I?ve just been a clever bunny by putting in the phrase you put in the search engine because that?s what I put in some time ago!
Yes, you will find sites that will have tons of houses for sale, others with all the legal mumbo jumbo you need to know and others still which will tell you about all the things you can?t get here (like Heinz Baked Beans!!!!!) but THIS is the site to truly find out what this place is all about ? trust me, I?ve worked my little pinkies to the bone going through all the toot on the World-Wide Web and this really is the site you need to explore.
Search through the forums and you will find answers to just about every question you can think to ask and then some! Here you will find the answers to the REALLY important questions you?ve been secretly fretting about like ?How much does beer TRULY cost??, ?Am I going to be raped in my bed at night?? (wishful thinking for some, I know?.) and ?Where can I buy a loaf of bread that hasn?t got 40kilos of sugar in it?? ? all this and MORE on DR1
And if you?re really, REALLY weird (like wot I is!) and want to ask questions which haven?t been thought of yet or if, like me, you?re a member of MULES (Most Unique Lot Ever Seen) and believe you have your own problems that no one else has, then look no further! Just post a question on the appropriate forum and Vwo-la! (Please notice that I am fast becoming multi-lingual!).
So you?ve read through all the postings that you?re interested in and asked the question which you think no one else has ever thought of (Pah!) and now you?re starting to get answers. Yes, you will get answers to even the most bizarre and mundane enquiry ? I know, because I speaka from da personal experienceo!!! What do you make of the answers? Are they reliable? Can they be believed? Or are they just the rantings of some onion-munching French-person (if you?re English), Canook (if you?re American) or smelly Belgian (if you?re French)? Funny how we all need to look down on someone, isn?t it? Don?t worry ? if you do come to live out here, you?ll have the Haitians!
Anyway, the answer is probably ? although I?ve forgotten the question now?.. The thing is, the forum I have had most to do with ? wanting to live in the North of the island ? has been this one and this one is moderated by a guy called Roger. Roger is the moderator equivalent of a Rottweiler with a bad attitude, a massive hangover and piles! Don?t get me wrong, he seems a lovely bloke but he tolerates no nonsense on his forum so you can ask away, secure in the knowledge that Roger will make sure that no one gives you a hard time! That said, this place is simply a corner of the world and as such, it takes all sorts to make it ? if you catch my metaphor??? Unfortunately, there are some very sad people who look at this site who?s only pleasure in life seems to be to write cynical and snotty comments on other people?s posts (questions). But even these few plonkers serve a purpose ? you?ll soon come to recognise them as they tend to be the ones who want to correct your spelling, tell you in colourful language what a fool you are and quote large sections of your post in their ?replies? but they do give you the chance to practice your inner sympathy?. Feel sorry for them that in this island paradise (and although it does have it?s drawbacks, it IS an island and compared to the parts of the UK I hail from, it IS Paradise), they have still been unable to get a life?
Cretins apart ? and they are, thankfully, few and far between ? you will be ASTONISHED at the depth of kindness and support you get from this forum. Out here, there is an abundance of sun, sea, sand and that as well, yet people remember? They remember what it was like for them when they first, tentatively, broached the subject with their other ?alf about moving abroad. How they finally managed to convince them they were serious! How they overcame all the standard objections ? ?What about me footy/ball-game (which I THINK means Baseball, or Rounders to civilised people)/legalised GBH (also known as Ice Hockey)/Petanque (see, I don?t leave le French persons out!)/Rugby (for people who like funny shaped balls and cauliflower ears)/TELLY???? ? by the simple expedient of mentioning the cheap booze. They remember the sleepless nights wondering if they were doing the ?right? thing by even considering the Dom Rep (or DR to us experienced folk who, like me, have been here a whole month!). Most of all, they remember the endless, potentially stupid and therefore seemingly embarrassing questions. Well, on this site, you will get real, genuine people who will treat you with respect and understanding, who will take the time to answer the most mundane enquiry and who will willingly guide you through the inevitable pitfalls, misunderstandings and (potentially) expensive mistakes that we all make, with no thought of personal reward, save for the knowledge that they have truly helped.
In my quest to overcome naivety, I have encountered many, many such good and helpful souls (and my share of plonkers!) who are far too numerous to mention but ask a question ? any question ? and you?ll see what I mean for yourself. That said, there are two posters (contributors to this forum) who I really MUST mention. ANYTHING you get from them has already had just the right amount of salt added to it to make it ?taste right? (so you don?t have to add a further ?pinch?). They will tell it like it really is, warts and all, but they will be helpful and constructive in their replies and if you?re ever fortunate enough to meet them, you will very soon take to them to the extent that you will want to have an affair with them, adopt them, have them adopt you or at the very least, steal several of their wonderful dogs (and Shakka and Rosie are MINE so hand?s off!) depending on your age, versatility or inclination!!!.
I am talking about Nikki Simon and Whirleybird. First Nikki ? she actually took two hours (!) off work just to come out and talk to us. She was not in the least phased by the list of questions I had brought with me in my folder (bible) nor at the fact I was perspiring a trifle?. (sweating like a pig!) in the heat! Instead, she just answered everything I put to her as calm as an English rose and then tried to pay for her own coffee! She made what I thought was a fatal mistake by saying she would welcome any other questions I might have as she left, but although I have written to her many, many times since, she has always found the time to reply and never once suggesting me the nuisance I thought I must surely be becoming. Unfortunately, she is married to a hulking great diving instructor but what a wonderful person she is!
That leaves Whirleybird. My only criticism of this fantastic lady is that first, she will suck you in by introducing you to her wonderful collection of dogs (9 at the moment but this is down from 13 and her husband ? the Hard Man ? has said categorically ?NO MORE? but is the one who keeps bringing back the strays?.). She will then tell you that one of them in particular has an intense disliking for Blacks/Whites/Yellows/Browns of whatever colour you happen to be and you?ll find that the blasted animal won?t leave you alone ? following you around, demanding a fuss from JUST you, staring at you with adoring, gentle eyes until, despite yourself, you begin to become hopelessly attached to the wretched mongrel AND THEN she?ll tell you she couldn?t possibly part with it, BUT?..she does HAPPEN to know of a dog (or 17) that would be ?just right? for you?.. Seriously though, we met with this lady and her husband for a ?quick lunch? which lasted four hours (!), got invited to their fantastic farm to ?finish off the conversation? and ended up staying for two days (which would probably have been longer but for the fact her husband had an urgent hospital appointment) topped off by being served the best spare ribs you have ever tasted in your life!!! When we were first coming out here, I posted a question asking if anyone knew somewhere to stay for a few days whilst we found a place to rent longer term (DO NOT EVER STAY at the Hotel Kaoba ? take it from me!!!!! <- yes five exclamation marks) and she replied she would be glad to have us but we?d never find her place unaided. ?Yea, right!? I thought to myself but she wasn?t kidding on either count ? no one WOULD ever find her place without help and I now know it wasn?t just a line ? not even having met us, this wonderful lady and her fantastic old man would gladly have put us up ? ANYTHING to help, and that just sums them up.
So, in summary, yes, I want to move out here to write a book (surprise, surprise), DR1 is the BEST site for information on moving to or living in the Dom Rep, ignore the cynics ? you get the poor little darlings everywhere ? post your questions, no matter how seemingly inane, don?t be nasty to other posters or incur the wrath of the Roger and bask in the astonishing kindness and help you will receive from all the genuine contributors to this site, especially the lovely Nikki and the fantastic Whirleybird and her one-day-soon-but-not-too-soon-damn-I-promised-I-wouldn?t-mention-it-again-but-blast-I?ve-come-this-far-so-I?d-better-finish-it-now husband-to-be (sorry Charlie). Bookmark this site now and do think seriously about coming here to live ? the good far outweighs the bad, believe me, not least of which because of the great friends you will soon make out here
Best wishes,
Colin, his missus and Juan and Pedro (as in ?One Pedro Mendes? who should never have left the Mighty Spurs ? nothing to do with the clowns in San Antonio! - the two house lizards we?ve adopted so far!)
Yes, you will find sites that will have tons of houses for sale, others with all the legal mumbo jumbo you need to know and others still which will tell you about all the things you can?t get here (like Heinz Baked Beans!!!!!) but THIS is the site to truly find out what this place is all about ? trust me, I?ve worked my little pinkies to the bone going through all the toot on the World-Wide Web and this really is the site you need to explore.
Search through the forums and you will find answers to just about every question you can think to ask and then some! Here you will find the answers to the REALLY important questions you?ve been secretly fretting about like ?How much does beer TRULY cost??, ?Am I going to be raped in my bed at night?? (wishful thinking for some, I know?.) and ?Where can I buy a loaf of bread that hasn?t got 40kilos of sugar in it?? ? all this and MORE on DR1
And if you?re really, REALLY weird (like wot I is!) and want to ask questions which haven?t been thought of yet or if, like me, you?re a member of MULES (Most Unique Lot Ever Seen) and believe you have your own problems that no one else has, then look no further! Just post a question on the appropriate forum and Vwo-la! (Please notice that I am fast becoming multi-lingual!).
So you?ve read through all the postings that you?re interested in and asked the question which you think no one else has ever thought of (Pah!) and now you?re starting to get answers. Yes, you will get answers to even the most bizarre and mundane enquiry ? I know, because I speaka from da personal experienceo!!! What do you make of the answers? Are they reliable? Can they be believed? Or are they just the rantings of some onion-munching French-person (if you?re English), Canook (if you?re American) or smelly Belgian (if you?re French)? Funny how we all need to look down on someone, isn?t it? Don?t worry ? if you do come to live out here, you?ll have the Haitians!
Anyway, the answer is probably ? although I?ve forgotten the question now?.. The thing is, the forum I have had most to do with ? wanting to live in the North of the island ? has been this one and this one is moderated by a guy called Roger. Roger is the moderator equivalent of a Rottweiler with a bad attitude, a massive hangover and piles! Don?t get me wrong, he seems a lovely bloke but he tolerates no nonsense on his forum so you can ask away, secure in the knowledge that Roger will make sure that no one gives you a hard time! That said, this place is simply a corner of the world and as such, it takes all sorts to make it ? if you catch my metaphor??? Unfortunately, there are some very sad people who look at this site who?s only pleasure in life seems to be to write cynical and snotty comments on other people?s posts (questions). But even these few plonkers serve a purpose ? you?ll soon come to recognise them as they tend to be the ones who want to correct your spelling, tell you in colourful language what a fool you are and quote large sections of your post in their ?replies? but they do give you the chance to practice your inner sympathy?. Feel sorry for them that in this island paradise (and although it does have it?s drawbacks, it IS an island and compared to the parts of the UK I hail from, it IS Paradise), they have still been unable to get a life?
Cretins apart ? and they are, thankfully, few and far between ? you will be ASTONISHED at the depth of kindness and support you get from this forum. Out here, there is an abundance of sun, sea, sand and that as well, yet people remember? They remember what it was like for them when they first, tentatively, broached the subject with their other ?alf about moving abroad. How they finally managed to convince them they were serious! How they overcame all the standard objections ? ?What about me footy/ball-game (which I THINK means Baseball, or Rounders to civilised people)/legalised GBH (also known as Ice Hockey)/Petanque (see, I don?t leave le French persons out!)/Rugby (for people who like funny shaped balls and cauliflower ears)/TELLY???? ? by the simple expedient of mentioning the cheap booze. They remember the sleepless nights wondering if they were doing the ?right? thing by even considering the Dom Rep (or DR to us experienced folk who, like me, have been here a whole month!). Most of all, they remember the endless, potentially stupid and therefore seemingly embarrassing questions. Well, on this site, you will get real, genuine people who will treat you with respect and understanding, who will take the time to answer the most mundane enquiry and who will willingly guide you through the inevitable pitfalls, misunderstandings and (potentially) expensive mistakes that we all make, with no thought of personal reward, save for the knowledge that they have truly helped.
In my quest to overcome naivety, I have encountered many, many such good and helpful souls (and my share of plonkers!) who are far too numerous to mention but ask a question ? any question ? and you?ll see what I mean for yourself. That said, there are two posters (contributors to this forum) who I really MUST mention. ANYTHING you get from them has already had just the right amount of salt added to it to make it ?taste right? (so you don?t have to add a further ?pinch?). They will tell it like it really is, warts and all, but they will be helpful and constructive in their replies and if you?re ever fortunate enough to meet them, you will very soon take to them to the extent that you will want to have an affair with them, adopt them, have them adopt you or at the very least, steal several of their wonderful dogs (and Shakka and Rosie are MINE so hand?s off!) depending on your age, versatility or inclination!!!.
I am talking about Nikki Simon and Whirleybird. First Nikki ? she actually took two hours (!) off work just to come out and talk to us. She was not in the least phased by the list of questions I had brought with me in my folder (bible) nor at the fact I was perspiring a trifle?. (sweating like a pig!) in the heat! Instead, she just answered everything I put to her as calm as an English rose and then tried to pay for her own coffee! She made what I thought was a fatal mistake by saying she would welcome any other questions I might have as she left, but although I have written to her many, many times since, she has always found the time to reply and never once suggesting me the nuisance I thought I must surely be becoming. Unfortunately, she is married to a hulking great diving instructor but what a wonderful person she is!
That leaves Whirleybird. My only criticism of this fantastic lady is that first, she will suck you in by introducing you to her wonderful collection of dogs (9 at the moment but this is down from 13 and her husband ? the Hard Man ? has said categorically ?NO MORE? but is the one who keeps bringing back the strays?.). She will then tell you that one of them in particular has an intense disliking for Blacks/Whites/Yellows/Browns of whatever colour you happen to be and you?ll find that the blasted animal won?t leave you alone ? following you around, demanding a fuss from JUST you, staring at you with adoring, gentle eyes until, despite yourself, you begin to become hopelessly attached to the wretched mongrel AND THEN she?ll tell you she couldn?t possibly part with it, BUT?..she does HAPPEN to know of a dog (or 17) that would be ?just right? for you?.. Seriously though, we met with this lady and her husband for a ?quick lunch? which lasted four hours (!), got invited to their fantastic farm to ?finish off the conversation? and ended up staying for two days (which would probably have been longer but for the fact her husband had an urgent hospital appointment) topped off by being served the best spare ribs you have ever tasted in your life!!! When we were first coming out here, I posted a question asking if anyone knew somewhere to stay for a few days whilst we found a place to rent longer term (DO NOT EVER STAY at the Hotel Kaoba ? take it from me!!!!! <- yes five exclamation marks) and she replied she would be glad to have us but we?d never find her place unaided. ?Yea, right!? I thought to myself but she wasn?t kidding on either count ? no one WOULD ever find her place without help and I now know it wasn?t just a line ? not even having met us, this wonderful lady and her fantastic old man would gladly have put us up ? ANYTHING to help, and that just sums them up.
So, in summary, yes, I want to move out here to write a book (surprise, surprise), DR1 is the BEST site for information on moving to or living in the Dom Rep, ignore the cynics ? you get the poor little darlings everywhere ? post your questions, no matter how seemingly inane, don?t be nasty to other posters or incur the wrath of the Roger and bask in the astonishing kindness and help you will receive from all the genuine contributors to this site, especially the lovely Nikki and the fantastic Whirleybird and her one-day-soon-but-not-too-soon-damn-I-promised-I-wouldn?t-mention-it-again-but-blast-I?ve-come-this-far-so-I?d-better-finish-it-now husband-to-be (sorry Charlie). Bookmark this site now and do think seriously about coming here to live ? the good far outweighs the bad, believe me, not least of which because of the great friends you will soon make out here
Best wishes,
Colin, his missus and Juan and Pedro (as in ?One Pedro Mendes? who should never have left the Mighty Spurs ? nothing to do with the clowns in San Antonio! - the two house lizards we?ve adopted so far!)