Living Costs in the Dominican Republic

[DMV123]

DMV .. where do you live and are there are comparable apartments for rent now for that price? (for instance I know that my neighbor pays a lot less than I do but she has been here a lot longer)..

Can you tell us more about the medical insurance plan for expats?


As far as I know, there is only one medical insurance policy here that will cover you after the age of 70 and that is ARS Universal.

And your electric is impressively low.. really.. (I am just going to check and see if I may have left a light on somewhere)

I live in Puerto Plata and yes there are other apartments in this building, one like mine at the same price and a 3 bedroom at 9,500RD monthly.

Yes the group insurance does have a cut off age, but I am not any where near old enough to know what it is..... and that's my story.

The electric - just me, a laptop, a tv, fan, electric hot water tank that I turn on for only 15 minutes when the water is too cold to shower and I am a fanatic about turning off the bloody lights when not in use.

 

[DMV123]

I will say it again, it CAN be done but it PROBABLY won't be done by a newbie or a rookie!!!! After a year or two you really start to learn the ins and outs of living here. Then you learn what is important and you cut back where you choose to!

In my opinion a single person needs close to US 1,000 per month to live decent. A couple needs a starting point of US 1,500 per month. Anything above that is lifestyle choices!!!!!!

 

[mountainannie]

thanks.. I am in SD and that rent is what I would call sorta "barrio low" but it is good to know that good decent places can be found in Puerto Plata for that price.

The cut off for applying for the local health insurance is age 64.. by that I mean that you must buy it before you are 64...

my electric is much higher..almost triple yours.. but I started running the AC in the office this month!

I agree that you can do it reasonably comfortably on $1000 a month.. depending on where and what you rent.. BUT I would not advise any newbie who had ONLY that amount to come here because it does not allow for any wiggle room... for a real emergency, for a ticket home, for dental work, for a vacation, for a kindle and books, for a drop in the exchange rate.

Folks don't really take that into account.. when I planned to come here the peso was at 50 to one dollar and every thing looked really cheap but when I got here, it plunged to 25 to a dollar and it was a different reality.. I was figuring today that on $1000 I made $12500 pesos more a month with the rise in the dollar. And, of course, that can go both ways...

 

[Major448]

Forgot to mention ... No, I do not own a boat. My example was purely hypothetical!

 

[Chicagoan]

I believe that my prior posts were misinterpreted. I did not say that I have $1700 per month to live on in Chicago, but that I do spend that amount. I put more than 25% of my gross income into savings and investments. I also did not say that I would only have $1000 USD to live on, only wanted to know if that was a reasonable amount to expect to be spending, considering that I am a frugal person by nature. I know that I will spend more on such things as air conditioning living in the Dominican Republic, but then, I will not need to pay for heat or expensive winter clothing. And living without a car will be a tremendous savings.

When I read some of the posts that tell what other people are spending, and I figure my needs, I think I will actually come in under $1000. Of course, I am not figuring in rent, because, after a trial period, if I decide to stay, I will buy a place.

 

[Major448]

... When I read some of the posts that tell what other people are spending, and I figure my needs, I think I will actually come in under $1000. ....

Great!!! All I would add is --- understand that "what other people are spending" MAY be based on such things as:
--- their knowledge of Spanish
--- their having lived in country for a few years, and the cost savings that come after a year or two of "boots on the ground"
--- their living outside of an area like Sosua
--- their "connections with the locasl, which gives them a unique price structure/budget opportunity

If you feel confident that you know what you need to have ... go for it, and best of luck with your retirement. I'm sure that there are others who posted on this thread that will feel really good to have provided you with the valuable/accurate information that you need to succeed.

 

[keepcoming]

No small towns are not boring (depending where) but there are disadvantages at times. My in-laws live outside of San Francisco which has been hit by a large amount of rain lately. Roads into "campos" are not that passable. For me to sum it up is that for some yes you can live on $500 per month but with limited means. Is there any give or take on that budget? Maybe one month it may be $500 but the next $625. Prices for electricity can vary month to month as per many previous posts. Some of it will depend on your comfort level. Sometimes we are at the mercy of the "political" aspects here were as opposed to the US for example where much is regulated. Ok I give you can do it on $500 per month in some areas but please tell me what kind of lifestyle will you have. I do not want to lay my head on my pillow at night and wonder can I make it tomorrow. I realize that in the US or other areas this does happen but I (whoever) did not come for that. They came for a "island lifestyle" which they thought was obtainable. Who came here to spend once a month sitting at the table trying to "crunch the numbers". Again not everyone thinks the same. This post is a general idea of what it would cost you to live here. The advice that everyone has given here is worth its weight in gold (ok gas) We each have given a piece of our experiences. We all have opinions but to me we all have concluded that price will depend on the needs and wants of the person and most important above all have your backup plan in place. And of course welcome, bienviendo....

 

[Mauricio]

Our cost of living (family of 5, 3 small children):
Rent 30,000 (SD)
Supermarket 25,000
Diesel 12,000
Health insurance 6,500
Maid 10,000
Phone Internet TV 4,000
Cell phones (2) 4,000
Electricity 5,000

I find SD to be rather expensive to live, if you want to leave against European standards. Supermarkets are very expensive compared to Europe, eating out used to be affordable but not so much anymore. Even labour is not that affordable when talking about professional services (plumbing, painting, etc). In 2001 I would give 10 pesos to the guy who cleaned my shoes, now he looks bad if I give him 50, getting my 5 year old a haircut costs 350 pesos in reasonable places, that's what we paid in Holland too.

All in all, before we came back beginning 2010 we calculated that we would need 80,000 pesos a month to live normal but we have been spending more than 110,000 every month and without any excessive luxury.

 

[keepcoming]

I wish my electric was that cheap. I pay almost 4x that amount but then again I have that problem of my own personal "summers". (40+)

 

[keepcoming]

Sorry not to confuse my electric runs about $7200-$9000 depending on my "personal" summers. They seem to come and go..lol

 

[mountainannie]

Our cost of living (family of 5, 3 small children):
Rent 30,000 (SD)
Supermarket 25,000
Diesel 12,000
Health insurance 6,500
Maid 10,000
Phone Internet TV 4,000
Cell phones (2) 4,000
Electricity 5,000

I find SD to be rather expensive to live, if you want to leave against European standards. Supermarkets are very expensive compared to Europe, eating out used to be affordable but not so much anymore. Even labour is not that affordable when talking about professional services (plumbing, painting, etc). In 2001 I would give 10 pesos to the guy who cleaned my shoes, now he looks bad if I give him 50, getting my 5 year old a haircut costs 350 pesos in reasonable places, that's what we paid in Holland too.

All in all, before we came back beginning 2010 we calculated that we would need 80,000 pesos a month to live normal but we have been spending more than 110,000 every month and without any excessive luxury.

Well I don't know about Holland but a family of five is at the lower end of the middle class in the US at $35,119 a year... which is $10k below the median income. So.. the money that you are spending.. for what sounds like a nice apartment, with full time help is probably better than anything that you would find in the US.

No medical insurance?

I agree about eating out. I find it very expensive and not very good .. except for a few restaurants. I think food has gone up a lot in the six years that I have been here but I really do not know how it compares against the States any more.

I don't know why we should expect it to be so much cheaper than the States, for instance... or Europe.. all the other island countries are MUCH more expensive, I think...

The only break that I really see is the rent, which is much lower than I would ever find.. and the MAID..may her name be praised...

 

[keepcoming]

My own experience is that when I eat in a "chain" restaurant such as Fridays, Tony Roma's etc..it seems a bit more than the US. Could be because here they do not seem to have the specials/coupons like they have in the US. With that said I have gone to local places and have had a great meal and it was well below what I would pay in the US.

 

[RacerX]

Thanks Racer ... but this is NOT for me. I have a handle on the budget.

I just think that it's tough for "others" who read these posts to get good info. It's one thing for someone familiar with the DR to say that one can live on $500 per month. I do agree that it can be done. BUT ... those who do it successfully are generally NOT the people who will be asking about budgets on this board.

For the sake of accuracy (and full disclosure) someone unfamiliar with the DR, and reading this thread should know that THEY will probably not live in the DR on $500 per month. That is my only point. I do not say it's not possible. Just not probable for a non-Spanish speaking newbie with no local connections and who wants to live in a location like Sosua.

I could put it this way (only a hypothetical) ....

There are six of us traveling to the DR together for a 1-2 week visit. The total cost of our travel will NOT be more than $200 USD. That will include the trip, all food and water, utilities, and a comfortable place to stay. Only $200 total for six people!! (Not including entertainment.)

If someone gets the idea that they can do it too, they would need to know that we are coming on a large, fully stocked luxury sailboat ... with plans to anchor out and stay aboard (except for "entertainment" runs). Ooops ... a minor detail that was missed.

Yes.... someone can do it IF they have the same resources, and live the same lifestyle. But, without that extra little detail, it probably ain't gonna happen.

Thanks again, Racer.

I wasnt offering anything but just to clarify that DMV gave quotes for her life in POP. I find POP hot, too hot, noisy and boring. I like the big cities. Big cities have more neighborhoods(hopefully in the middle class range). In Santiago, AZB gave me heads up that where I wanted Villa Olga those people were nuts with what they wanted and told me to look out there on the Don Pedro area en route to Tamboril. I had liked those kinds of houses, almost all of them less than 10 years old, but it was too far from the center of the city for me. I had to find a medium that worked for me and what I was comfortable with in the past(in the US). The common denominator was that I had to be within 20 minutes walking distance of an American style supermarket. Another win for Santiago over other smaller cities in the Central Region.

I did like DMVs reference to the affordable health insurance, do share.

 

[RacerX]

My own experience is that when I eat in a "chain" restaurant such as Fridays, Tony Roma's etc..it seems a bit more than the US. Could be because here they do not seem to have the specials/coupons like they have in the US. With that said I have gone to local places and have had a great meal and it was well below what I would pay in the US.

This is the old Cadillac Rule in effect here, you know? If you can afford to drive a Cadillac then you are not worried about the fuel economy. If you can afford to go to Tony Romas, Chilis or TGIFridays or any other US mid-marque franchise restaurant then you can afford to pay what it costs. I think its ok, the prices are the same for the food. What gets you is the 26% tax added to the bill. I tell you one thing and I will get confirmation from others here on this subject, in NY I wouldnt pay $18 for a tiny-ass pizza like I do from Pizza Hut.

And MA, I do think groceries are more expensive than in the US even for locally produced stuff. There may be another less dignified brand than Rica but in La Nacional Supermarket the apple juice, 1/2 gallon=89pesos; 1 gallon in the US=$1. I dont know if I should be comparing traditional domestic foods? Because there are foods that are not traditional but are domestically produced, dairy products, like yogurt, where a 6 pack of 6 oz cups was about 180 pesos which likewise would be .60cents a cup in the US.

 

[Mauricio]

Well I don't know about Holland but a family of five is at the lower end of the middle class in the US at $35,119 a year... which is $10k below the median income. So.. the money that you are spending.. for what sounds like a nice apartment, with full time help is probably better than anything that you would find in the US.

No medical insurance?

I agree about eating out. I find it very expensive and not very good .. except for a few restaurants. I think food has gone up a lot in the six years that I have been here but I really do not know how it compares against the States any more.

I don't know why we should expect it to be so much cheaper than the States, for instance... or Europe.. all the other island countries are MUCH more expensive, I think...

The only break that I really see is the rent, which is much lower than I would ever find.. and the MAID..may her name be praised...

Yes, medical insurance I put 6,500, but it's actually a little over 10,000. Doesn't include medicines and with three little ones that might be an additional 2,500 on average per month. I left out education other than Hilda care, cause we are not paying that due to my inlaws owning the school, but that might be another 20,000 monthly extra for two kids for a reasonable school.

Back in Europe we budgeted our monthly regular cost of living to 2,400 euros, about 3,500 dollars. More or less what we are spending here, but living far more luxury. Before we decided to come back we realized life would be less luxury, but we thought that would be due to an income cut and not due to higher cost of living.

Ofcourse for people that come to retire, don't have to take care of young children and don't need to live in SD the picture is totally different.

 

[mountainannie]

My bad, Mauricio, you did indeed have the health insurance right there. I was posting past my bedtime....

So you are saying that you find SD MORE expensive than Holland for LESS luxury? (I find it the opposite)

And Racer,, you may be right.. but the DR does not grow apples so how would the apple juice be cheaper? and all the milk here is made with a portion of powdered milk.... but for the basics, eggs..chickens. bread... don't know.. I will post my next shopping basket.

Maybe it is the 26% on top of the bill that makes eating out such a drag.. even though I was used to tipping 20% tip on top a 6% tax so it was not so different (although I ususally tip over the 26%).. it is also that the food is just not that interesting.. the cooking is not that good,, except at Cappucinos.. which is the only place that I continue to go back to..(suggestions welcome.. particularly for ethnic food... Thai????? Indian???)

 

[Mauricio]

My bad, Mauricio, you did indeed have the health insurance right there. I was posting past my bedtime....

So you are saying that you find SD MORE expensive than Holland for LESS luxury?

Yes, but my hometown in Holland is kind of in a rural area, and cost of living is lower there than in Amsterdam or other big cities. Maybe also a role plays that in Holland we lived on a certain budget and saved the rest while here we basically need to spend what comes in, it feels more like not being able to make ends meet at the end of the month

 

[jorgesarduysousa]

To make this "simple"
single person can get by with about $1,000us a month, all depends how much you like to party,
family of 4 paying for schools, rent, ...the whole nine yards; your looking at $3000 US
of course if you plan in living in a cave and have NO outside communication, not getting sick....the price will vary, but honestly its about 3K

 

[Mauricio]

To make this "simple"
single person can get by with about $1,000us a month, all depends how much you like to party,
family of 4 paying for schools, rent, ...the whole nine yards; your looking at $3000 US
of course if you plan in living in a cave and have NO outside communication, not getting sick....the price will vary, but honestly its about 3K

I agree, but that doesn't cover for unforeseen costs as high medicine bills, car repair, and wouldn't allow us to save for a trip once in a few years visiting Europe.

 

[DRob]

If I was moving down there, I'd set a goal of around 1,500 to 2,000, after a few years down there. In the meantime, I'd expect my learning curve (and the initial Gringo Tax) to drive my budget up to around 3,000.

As I figure my way around, tighten up my Spanish, and meet some nice locals, I'd imagine the budget would decline a bit. But I certainly wouldn't expect to have an instantly comfortable lifestyle at a low budget point. It takes time, especially in a society as different as the ones most folks on this board seem to come from.

Go easy, take your time. Hope for the best, plan for the worst, and expect to come out somewhere in between. Don't think it'll all just magically "come together," and at dirt-rate prices. That's just a fantasy waiting to explode in your face (and finances.)