Coastal Mistake
A typical and common mistake, which in most cases is regretted afterwards.
donP
A typical and common mistake, which in most cases is regretted afterwards.
donP
- Thread starter gcgipson
- Start date
Finding an apartment in the DR
it is possible to live in DR on 600-800 dollars a month budget. basic dominican life: an apartment in a barrio, moto as a transport, dominican food, basic bills covered. but a simple life like that wears you out, i guess. and it does not allow contingency for emergencies like sickness or travel home.
Exactly this plus what Derfish mentioned earlier about his house. There was this another thread about housing expenses in here, and it has been pointed out several times that the houses that cost hundreds or 1000+ USD per month are not the only option. But you won?t (well actually you do, but not that efficiently, once source here: olx.com.do) find those online, but only by going out, and most likely you need to get out of touristic areas, or areas what are considered expat-areas.
What I consider a valid point though, is that it is not always the case, that the more expensive and "nicer" areas are also safer, but can be quite the opposite. The key thing is that you need to know what you are doing, otherwise you?ll be eaten alive in the wrong place.
I know personally many houses in decent areas exactly in the price range Derfish mentioned, but again, mostly not in areas that are promoted to expats or tourists.
the reason cheap areas are not promoted to expats and tourist is that no one with a sound mind would really want to live there. it often means patchy power and water, constant noise, plus trash and vermin. i've only lived in area like that for a year and i will take gated community and splendid isolation any day. but to each their own. some may enjoy the taste of barrio life.
in all, life on the cheap is doable but life with more money is way better. if OP decides to move to DR i suggest getting health insurance and having a 1000 dollars put away just in case. i am pretty sure there are few posters here who live on that much or even less.
in all, life on the cheap is doable but life with more money is way better. if OP decides to move to DR i suggest getting health insurance and having a 1000 dollars put away just in case. i am pretty sure there are few posters here who live on that much or even less.
but of course it is possible to find "cheap" housing - but you really have to look for it. I live in Santo Domingo (Colonial Zone)....3 Bedroom, 3rd floor apartment, unfurnished. I pay $300 / month (which is cheap I think) but not the "normal". Inherited mine from older Gringo that had to return to US. Most likely market rate would be in the $600-800 / month range here in the Zone. I'm keeping my place FOREVER ......
This is your typical apartment in the PI at $180 a month.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y70cKqChGk
I guess something like this in the DR would probably go fro $400 - $600 a month.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y70cKqChGk
I guess something like this in the DR would probably go fro $400 - $600 a month.
i doubt it. it looks like it's out in the campo, no furniture, basic living arrangements. even in DR it would be cheap.
Make sure the apartment has a Tinaco!!! I live in a nice apartment, in a nice area with a great ocean view, but guess what.. because of the water shortage and not having a Tinaco my activity for the day revolves around when the water is going to be on. Didn't think about that when I rented. Without a Tinaco you are at the mercy of how much water your neighbor uses. For this to be an Island with limited resources you would think people would conserve more.
If you want to live comfortably you need the following:
Tinaco (water tank)
Inversor (power inverter)
Those two things will make your life much easier. You'll probably have to get the inversor yourself if the apartment doesn't already have one. We have a 1.5kw inversor with two Trojan rojos 2 year warranty on all parts and labor, cost was RD$22,000 installed if I remember correctly.
That will power your computers, tvs, and basic electronics. Don't hook up your fridge, microwave, or large electronic items to the inverter, they will ruin it or it will ruin them.
Tinaco (water tank)
Inversor (power inverter)
Those two things will make your life much easier. You'll probably have to get the inversor yourself if the apartment doesn't already have one. We have a 1.5kw inversor with two Trojan rojos 2 year warranty on all parts and labor, cost was RD$22,000 installed if I remember correctly.
That will power your computers, tvs, and basic electronics. Don't hook up your fridge, microwave, or large electronic items to the inverter, they will ruin it or it will ruin them.
RG84, we have a full size GE refrigerator/freezer operating on an inverter. We have a separate inverter for the rest of the house.
we have big ass amana fridge/freezer connected to the inversor. our inversor is 3.5 kw with 8 batteries. no need for separate connections.
Believe it or not, it's still not hooked up. First we needed a new control panel, and then when that was installed there was an explosion when the propane was turned on, and it blew off a cover. Since that happened 3 days before we were leaving, we didn't have time to get the part. We'll buy it up here and bring it down next trip.
RG84, go buy a "Tinaco"!!!!!!!
I too have a 3.6 invertor with a big fridge hooked up, no problems.
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I too have a 3.6 invertor with a big fridge hooked up, no problems.
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That was a nice looking place, well maintained and constructed. You may be able to find something like that or similar in in abundance in smaller cities. Maybe San Cristobal or Nagua for a beach town... But surely you can find something suitable in a mountain village or a tiny trading port pueblo.
Ahhhh you come and get the condo association to give me (or really the owner) permission to install one.
What's up with the all the !!! no need for that ish.