Now if you're coming in as a
volunteer, that's very different. I've rarely heard of volunteers having bad experiences. Crossroads is a great organisation, run by Dr. Bob (the vet) & Jana Amelingmeier. Christian based, they work in the poorest of the bateys mainly with Haitian families. Dr. Bob provides medical services to people who otherwise would not be able to afford health care -given your social services & HIV work you might want to find out more from Dr. Bob about the medical mission.
We came in from UK 15 years ago with very little money - we set ourselves the task of living off Dominican salaries. It wasn't easy but there were huge non-financial gains (I wrote about it in the book Chirimoya refers to). The difference back then was a) it was easier to find work b) cost of living was much cheaper back then c)crime level was much lower & very few drug associated problems d) there were far fewer expats on north coast then than now so those people looking to scam foreigners weren't drawn to certain areas as they are now and e) I came with my significant other and he is a person I can rely on 110% in any situation, so unlike you, I didn't arrive alone. There were 2 of us, the equivalent of ?1500 and a cavalier king charles spaniel...........and we're still here although Merengue died & we have had other dogs since.
We had no plans of buying property at that time, not until we discovered if the country was for us. We gave ourselves 6 months to make that decision (& made it in 3). We burned few bridges back in UK (there was still a house, bank account and I could probably have returned to my career). We had both lived in other countries before the DR and I had lived out in the open in the Sahara desert; we had other languages between us but not Spanish. Few expats here then meant we had to learn the language quickly. Working from Dominican salaries meant we experienced what life is like for the average Dominican and that is a lesson I have never forgotten.
Maybe there is something in this which will help you, I don't know. I deliberately haven't commented on your personal relationship because, as an adult, you should be able to work that one out for yourself. But don't take on financial committments you may not be able to meet (like a property). It is more important to find out IF this country is for you (& it isn't for everyone) first. Everything else follows on. If you look on it as a time of exploration & discovery (including about the self) then there is no such thing as failure.
Good luck, whatever you decide.
