Living Costs in the Dominican Republic

[MikeFisher]

CCCCCCCCC,
your mentioning of no Tax on the pastas in a prior posting made me curious, i have to admit that i never paid special attention on it.
to me it matters what I have to take out of pocket to get a item into my fridge, how much of it is tax or whatsoever doesnt matter much.
but right, none of the pastas are taxed, as fact most of the items i purchase today at the Super, been without taxes.
it was a small quick shopping for some things running out at the kittchen,
total price been RD$4,502.76.- Pesos, and that sum included only RD$ 255.80.- pesos taxes(plus 100.- pesos for the guys/packer bringing the stuff to my car).
Tax Free products been
* Princesa Pastas---------- today as special, just 26.- pesos per lbs, many different kinds available
* Milk Tetra Packs--------- todays as special 10% discounted, 45.- pesos per Liter
* Brunswick Sardines----- 50.- per Can, but today discounted to 42.- pesos per Can
* Ajo------------------------ 104.95.- per lbs
* Onions-------------------- 39.- pesos per lbs
* Carrotts------------------- 24.- per lbs
* Pate de Higado----------- 105.- pesos per lbs
* Aji Morron Rojo----------- 49.- pesos per lbs
* Eggs------------------------ 99.- pesos for the Dozen, i missed the eggs truck in town on friday, they are 100.- for 2 dozen
* Sandwhich Bred----------- 35.95.- pesos for 3(3 half lengths ones, not the full length buggett bred)
* Sausages------------------- 329.- pesos for pack of 30 hot dog sausages from Induveca
* whole Chicken------------- 62.- per lbs, on tuesdays they are 25% discounted, but i am too lazy to shedule by the different discount days for different items like different meats and veggies , fruits etc, so i buy what i need at the one day i go

the only taxed items been
* Coca Cola 2.5lts------------ 74.95.- per 2.5 liters bottle, today discounted to 59.- pesos per 2.5 liters bottle
* Brugal A?ejo 1/2 Gallon--- 919.- pesos per 1/2 Gallon, FUKC, that includes 140.19.- Tax, Danilo is having several traguitos with me as a invitee it seems
* Cloro 1 Gallon--------------- 97.- pesos per gallon
* Nesquick Choco------------- 129.- for 400 gram Can
* Nesquick Fresa-------------- 129.- pesos for 400 gram Can
* Napkins---------------------- 99.95.- pesos for pack of 500
* Cafe-------------------------- 209.- pesos, 16oz/1lbs Cafe Santo Domingo

Mike

 

[MikeFisher]

Yes, it depends on where you want to live... I may rent at first, but at $50K for a condo with $100/month fees for a place in walking distance of Cabarete, I don't think I'd get too hurt if I sell down the road.

Another factor of course is financing. If the properties can't increase with the cost of a loan, you're screwed.

50K for a condominium fully finished at a beach is of course a Non-Brainer, "un regalito".
hard to get a 1-2 bedroom condo for such some kilometers away from the beach here on the East.
friend of mine baought 9 years ago a 1 bedroom, 2 bathroom one at White Sands, 10 minutes walk to the beach, view on a today wrecked GolfCourse. he paid 135K, heck of mainteance fees, heck of troubles for the title due Mafia Sellers who own the area, he offers it since a while for just 50K just to get rid of the "dolor de cabeza", because for his several times per year visits he could have rented a condominium at the Fishing Lodge in Cap Cana iwth all services included for cheaper, without headaches, and would have had money left for many more multiple visit years to come.
he will be back now early July, with appointment at the Landcourt to get still papers done to the end, and hopes he can sell it then for the cheapy of just 50K. a shame, he's a great guys and wants nothing more than fishing and golfing 3-4 times a year fo a few weeks at a time. I told him 9 years ago not to buy, but to him the 135K been a cheapy, a great Deal, well, he believes me todays. he will stay at the fishing lodge on this coming visit, tired of fixing the again broken A/C again before the whole mess is sorted out.
50K for a whole condo near a beach as yours, well done for the own living. to sell may be possible quickly and could also become a matter of years before someone shovels over cash on da table.
I prefer my $7.200.- yearly rental, right on da Beach, your $1.200.- yearly maintenance is already included in that, so it costs me just $6K per year more. for those 6K i don't have to worry about any broken waterpump, not take care about gardening, watchy, roof damage, painting of the building and i will never have any troubles if i would decide to move elsewhere.

honestly, if the owner would offer me our 3 bedroom condo for 50K to be purchased, I would not take the offer. that would still be 8 years of rental PLUS i would be responsible for anything of repairs/maintenance of cistern, waterpump, building refurbishes etc etc, it would not be worth it to Me, and it would tie me up to the place.

Mike

 

[PeterInBrat]

But you'd get much of that back when you sold it..

 

[rfp]

The moral of this story is that you do not want to buy real estate dependent on tourism. If you buy in SD Santiago or SFM you have a relatively decent investment if its well located because you have a large pool of Dominicans to buy it from you. If I lived in Punta Cana I would rent, it has worked out ok in Santo Domingo for us to own.

 

[MikeFisher]

The moral of this story is that you do not want to buy real estate dependent on tourism. If you buy in SD Santiago or SFM you have a relatively decent investment if its well located because you have a large pool of Dominicans to buy it from you. If I lived in Punta Cana I would rent, it has worked out ok in Santo Domingo for us to own.

yes, that is one of the important points, location matters a lot for above mentioned reasons.

Mike

 

[Cdn_Gringo]

The moral of this story is that you do not want to buy real estate dependent on tourism.

I think that is a very salient point.

 

[Criss Colon]

American tourists will soon be flocking to CUBA anyway.
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[Serge1960]

From Janets in Cabarete 26 June

Rica Naranja 1/2 gallon 84.00 rd / 12.81 ITBIS
Jugos CEPY Fruit Juice -Gallon 85.00 rd / 12.97 ITBIS
Yogood Fresa 1/2 gallon 191.00 /21.97 ITBIS
Huevos ENOY 18 ct 98.00rd / no tax
Cebolla Rojas-Bag about 12-15 58rd/ no tax
Presidente Peq 6 Pack Bottles 350.00 rd/53.39 ITBIS
Plantano Maduro -3 pieces 33 rd / no tax
Indiana Canela - Package - 15 rd/ no tax
Dasani Agua - 5 Litres 72 rd/ no tax
Tomatoe Barcel? - 4 package 19.50 rd/ no tax

 

[MikeFisher]

American tourists will soon be flocking to CUBA anyway.
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they are waiting for that since many many Decades, to do so without the use of a Backdoor, lol.
til now, it's beuatiful and empty.
sadly it's neg destin is already set in it's GPS of future way, it will become americanized, hopefully it takes some more decades before the Miami Skyscrappers styled buildings will devastade the beautiful beachfronts.
for the next decades it may become the prime destin for all those who would not get a permanent viasa for a living/long term stays elsewhere in the caribbean, maybe their commie past tought them some stricter requirements as the relaxed stuff the DR had for too long. they have great people, cheap chics 'n'Rum, beautiful beaches, living costs are..., let's say, stil not determined, as of now they are cheap, but for stuff which is mostly anyways not available??, lol.
they will have their Wendy's and McD's up and running all around, soon.
an other Paradise gooone.
hey, Las Gardines de las Reynas will still have their spots where most boats do not dare to enter, a piece of Paradise which will stay Paradise for some time longer.
a more open Cuba will bring the very nearby neighbours from Haiti well closer to the Florida Keys, da promised honeyland. I bet that da boat business will run very well over there. they have since ever a large number of very experienced Skippers for some very harsh waters.
Livng Costs in DR will be considered expensive/too americanized, compared to Cuba for the next Decade, they will both run very fine aside each others, serving as competitors the many different pieces of that very large and still fast growing market of cheapy all inclusive tourism. my guess is that Mexico will suffer again very hard under that growing competition.

shyt,
i hope the Mod will excuse me for answering CCCCC, even that we are "slightly" off topic.
but we sure care about the DR Living Costs, and keep an eye on upcoming markets for ole farts to live maybe even cheaper than in DR.

Mike

 

[Criss Colon]

From Janets in Cabarete 26 June

Rica Naranja 1/2 gallon 84.00 rd / 12.81 ITBIS
Jugos CEPY Fruit Juice -Gallon 85.00 rd / 12.97 ITBIS
Yogood Fresa 1/2 gallon 191.00 /21.97 ITBIS
Huevos ENOY 18 ct 98.00rd / no tax
Cebolla Rojas-Bag about 12-15 58rd/ no tax
Presidente Peq 6 Pack Bottles 350.00 rd/53.39 ITBIS
Plantano Maduro -3 pieces 33 rd / no tax
Indiana Canela - Package - 15 rd/ no tax
Dasani Agua - 5 Litres 72 rd/ no tax
Tomatoe Barcel? - 4 package 19.50 rd/ no tax

Are you SURE that Rica naranja is not a quart?????
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[bob saunders]

Tropicana Pure premium 64 onzas - 240

 

[dv8]

CCCCCCCCC,
your mentioning of no Tax on the pastas in a prior posting made me curious, i have to admit that i never paid special attention on it.
to me it matters what I have to take out of pocket to get a item into my fridge, how much of it is tax or whatsoever doesnt matter much.
but right, none of the pastas are taxed, as fact most of the items i purchase today at the Super, been without taxes.

i normally don't pay special attention to prices and taxes. i know roughly what is taxed (imported, packaged, ready made and so on) but it is largely irrelevant. and it's not because i have money but rather simply because i would buy eggs or coffee anyways, at 20 pesos lessor more, no matter. i look at the prices of "treats" and often choose to buy even if they are costly. i'm a sucker for nice food.

 

[Criss Colon]

Tropicana Pure premium 64 onzas - 240

He posted about "Rica Naranja' Not Tropicana, it's ALWAYS on sale at National.

CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC

 

[MikeFisher]

He posted about "Rica Naranja' Not Tropicana, it's ALWAYS on sale at National.

CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC

anyways sick behavior when living in a tropical climate full of all nice fruits.
buy fruits, let the Mrs do sugar free juice of 'em, drink healthy, don't worry about taxes or all that stuff added to keep the juices "fresh" in those tetra packs.
it also save's on Living Costs in DR.
yes, you need to invest in a Liquadora, but i guess such is in use at any household anyways already.

Mike

 

[PeterInBrat]

On my list to bring down. Frozen batidas at the touch of a button.. Oh look, some rum got in there...

[video=youtube;XnS_XSDNMo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnS_XSDNMo[/video]

 

[MikeFisher]

On my list to bring down. Frozen batidas at the touch of a button.. Oh look, some rum got in there...

[video=youtube;XnS_XSDNMo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnS_XSDNMo[/video]

Peter,
whats in da video??
when i click on it i get the message "a error occurred, please try again later"

Mike

 

[Criss Colon]

anyways sick behavior when living in a tropical climate full of all nice fruits.
buy fruits, let the Mrs do sugar free juice of 'em, drink healthy, don't worry about taxes or all that stuff added to keep the juices "fresh" in those tetra packs.
it also save's on Living Costs in DR.
yes, you need to invest in a Liquadora, but i guess such is in use at any household anyways already.

Mike

WE MAKE ALL KINDS OF FRESH FRUIT DRINKS here everyday.
But, just like a pound of bacon make every vegetarian dish better, a cup of sugar, and a can of "Leche Carnation" ,makes every fruit juice better!!!!!

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[MikeFisher]

WE MAKE ALL KINDS OF FRESH FRUIT DRINKS here everyday.
But, just like a pound of bacon make every vegetarian dish better, a cup of sugar, and a can of "Leche Carnation" ,makes every fruit juice better!!!!!

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guacala,
that's personal taste i guess, CCCCC.
Leche de carnacion is prohibited in my house,
i do not use sugar not even in my coffee, i would shoot the Maid if i find sugar in a fresh natural juice.
I love Veggies,
But YES, a pound of good southern german Bacon makes every veggie dish just a WAYYYY Better Dish, lol.

under the line, i could agree with you,
IF you just would take that Leche Carnacion comment out of da Line.
it is like:
I found a perfect body and perfect face cafe con leche beauty,
and then You bring some makeup to make her look more Leche.

Mike

 

[Contango]

The other day they had a sale on Mangos at the Iberia cerca de Friusa for 6 Pesos each! TheY were the big ones.. I bought 10 and each one is juicy and full of fiber... mmmmmm mangosss... delicious..

 

[PeterInBrat]

Peter,
whats in da video??
when i click on it i get the message "a error occurred, please try again later"

Mike

Margaritaville Frozen Drink Machine:

http://www.amazon.com/Margaritaville-Bahamas-Frozen-Concoction-No-Brainer/dp/B00CUJVWDS

I worked at a place with an Island Oasis Machine, which is a commercial version of this and runs about $600. They got $7/drink and sold up to 200 drinks a day with it and more on big weekend. It was enough of a money maker that we'd go through two full ice machines and then go to the local supermarket to get another couple hundred pounds of ice.

I could never understand why no one does frozen drinks. At 200 pesos a pop, they'd make a ton of money,