We have family members who gave up the opportunity to live in the US. They too are not rich. For your serious minded Dominican (hard worker, etc,,) some find life in the US is not what they thought it would be. That is the mistake many make thinking that life in the US will be easier. Or they work long enough to have money saved to return to live in the DR. Most I think if given the opportunity would like to visit but not live. However then you have the other side of the coin, those who come to the US and get money by any means necessary, illegally. Those that figure they can turn to US government for help, welfare, etc... Those that don't care if they live 10 to an apartment and are just concerned about having enough money saved to come back for Navidad with all their knock-off designer cr*p.