- Thread starter Robert
- Start date
Living Costs in the Dominican Republic
Pichardo, thanks for your thread also.
I'm just trying to get the skinny on apartments in Santiago.
It's difficult because there are no websites that I can find that give you "Dominican Prices". It's always Expat prices. TOO Expensive!
I'm just trying to get the skinny on apartments in Santiago.
It's difficult because there are no websites that I can find that give you "Dominican Prices". It's always Expat prices. TOO Expensive!
Welcome to DR1!
Yannadu was banned some time ago, so I wouldn't expect a response from that address. He has recently appeared as pi2, however. I'd read through the entire thread, as it becomes apparent who knows what they're talking about, and who doesn't. PM them for more information.
Read your post - 60,000 dollars is probably a bit high for purchasing a Studio - staring at 30,000 dollars is maybe better. in LasTerrenas a local US estate agent is offering at 35 / 50k. Other parts of the country are cheaper.
pi2
so you trust a real estate agent due the fact he/she is from the US???
the first stepm to bancrupcy before really arriving on the Isle, lol, and that's said by 17 years of real life experience on the Isle watching around myself how the americans scam the americans and the germans scam the germans and the russians scam the russians and the brits scam the brits and the Stupids still believe their Speechs.
how do you come up with such specific Rates/Prices for a studio/Appartment/Property etc ???
I would guess there's a big difference in prices between purchasing such on Samana somewhere on a Hill where no elec and water is provided or a gated community with 24/7 elec/water/real security and a nearby supermarket elsewhere, isn't it?
it all depends what someone needs/is looking for, there are all price ranges and quality levels available on the Isle.
60K for a apptmt on Samana???
Where on Samana is the question that makes the real difference between a great deal or a full Rip Off.
location on a Beach, near a beach or somewhere where you need a 4x4 for a 1hrs drive to the next real Super?
that's like telling people that it is possible to survive on the Isle with 5 Bucks per Day.
is it possible??
YES, It IS!!!
but who wanna live that Way???
Yanadu, enjoy your solar systems and cheaply pressed Coconut Sauces, if that makes You happy I am all for it and congrat you that you are one of the few persons who found their place running in their way and effordable,
but please do not try to tell people such is the usual way for every Ex McDonalds worker to retire after a few years at McD's.
wish ya all the best
Mike
I assume you are replying to me pi2 not Yanandu.
If you look at advertisers on this site in business for a long time on the North Coast you will find studios starting at 42k$
Of course one should take care in purchase.
And yes I am not describing an exotic lifestyle - but a pleasant one among excellent people with opportunites for sports, recreation and much good food available at very affordable prices.
5 dollars a day doesnt not suit everyone.
Generally people on a budget have a bicycle or small motor bike not an SUV and it is possible to reach many great places with this mode of transport.
I guess with the US and other stockmarkets not increasing in value rapidly a small solar installation for under 1000 dollars can make sense for many people.
I happen to like food made from fresh coconut. Many people do - many recipies from Sri Lankca, Thailand etc. use fresh pressed coconut milk.
The idea of this discussion is to give a range of options - and I do not object at all if some options are $1000, $2000 etc dollars a month with far more expensive property.
Life is very easy in the DR. Obviously some people will find the little adjustment required easier than others regardless whether they have previously worked in mcDonalds.
All the best.......
pi2
Real Estate properties | John Kornbluth Dominican Republic Real Estate
( advertiser on this site ).
If you look at advertisers on this site in business for a long time on the North Coast you will find studios starting at 42k$
Of course one should take care in purchase.
And yes I am not describing an exotic lifestyle - but a pleasant one among excellent people with opportunites for sports, recreation and much good food available at very affordable prices.
5 dollars a day doesnt not suit everyone.
Generally people on a budget have a bicycle or small motor bike not an SUV and it is possible to reach many great places with this mode of transport.
I guess with the US and other stockmarkets not increasing in value rapidly a small solar installation for under 1000 dollars can make sense for many people.
I happen to like food made from fresh coconut. Many people do - many recipies from Sri Lankca, Thailand etc. use fresh pressed coconut milk.
The idea of this discussion is to give a range of options - and I do not object at all if some options are $1000, $2000 etc dollars a month with far more expensive property.
Life is very easy in the DR. Obviously some people will find the little adjustment required easier than others regardless whether they have previously worked in mcDonalds.
All the best.......
pi2
Real Estate properties | John Kornbluth Dominican Republic Real Estate
( advertiser on this site ).
listen Buddy,
no bad feelings but the above is a very large piece of Crap, in other words a big Bull$hit!!!
when talking people who seek for a Live where they can live on 5 Bucks a Day,
How the Heck You wanna explain to me that the same people can efford to by a Solar System for 1 or 2 Grand????
not that I would be against the use of Solar, Hey, I have 6 Panels on da Ranch for minor thingies to run(cost with all the needed side equipment been over 3K for crap and I did not need to pay Importation nor Envio or such as I bought them "Cheap" in PR and brought them over on my own Boat without any Transport costs involved which I guess the 5 bucks guys will not have at their availability),
but do not try to tell Me that People who try to look for a super far below average of the Globe living Costs have the Bucks to purchase a several K's expensive Solar System and to install it and maintain it.
You have some great Ideas which are in the Real World worth a piece of Crap.
where do YOU Live and what do You pay for it???
have a nice Eve where ever that may be
Mike
Seriously, I had to pick up money from Western Union once and it was a hassle, and I think I ended up giving gringo blood just to get it!
Just picking up free $$$$ can be a hassle.
From a sankies perspective: There's the hours (two jobs, actually, that one at the resort and freelancing at all hours of the day), keeping track of the schedule (who is arriving, who is leaving, which one is la querida (my beloved?), which one is la amor de me vida (the love of my life), trying to find someone that will lend me a decent vehicle to pick her up in because mi compadre won't anymore because I dented the fender and forgot where he lives and didn't return his car until two weeks later, crying real tears on demand, that's a skill actors study for, I've had to learn geography, apparently Toronto isn't in Nueva York, who knew?, I speak many languages--can't always remember which one to whom, then there's my job description--I could go on and on.
Very stressful, but luckily I have no medical expenses as I never need a check-up from all the healthy physical activity I do.
You just don't understand how hard it can be on a sanky, now I've heard having a boat and living on the sea, that's the easy life! Perhaps the fisherman's life is the life for me?
So as to not completely hijack the thread, let me conclude by saying a good life can be had in the DR, but easy is just not a word that applies, in my opinion. And pi2 does a disservice to readers of this thread by implying that a bare bones frugal lifestyle as he describes it is sustainable in the long term for most people.
yeah, we agree on that.
and Hey, I am no That Bad, I really too fel for the hassles the lil B$ches/Sankies have to go thro before they have the needed bucks in hands to beb spend on the next Iphone4, lol.
Hey,
having a few Boats and living on the Ocean isn't easy, who said that?
if it would be easy I would not like it at all.
and Sankies could not live it as it is something where hard work is involved and where not everybody earns a lil Suzuki Jeepeta as a outcome, lol
Mike
and Hey, I am no That Bad, I really too fel for the hassles the lil B$ches/Sankies have to go thro before they have the needed bucks in hands to beb spend on the next Iphone4, lol.
Hey,
having a few Boats and living on the Ocean isn't easy, who said that?
if it would be easy I would not like it at all.
and Sankies could not live it as it is something where hard work is involved and where not everybody earns a lil Suzuki Jeepeta as a outcome, lol
Mike
It takes a little investment to reduce living expenses sure. A 1k $ solar system can produce a large proportion of total power required - in the daytime and early evening running fan, computer, audio, lights etc.
Some people home construct panels for very little.
I paid 41k$ for a one bedroom condo 2 minutes from the beach 6 years ago and live there - with good gardens, 25 meter pool etc. Suggested $5 a day for food and drink not total costs.
There are a range of budgets - some people in the campo are near self sufficient as food can be produced year round in the DR; This is near zero budget. Other people have budgets of 300 / month 500 /month 1000 /month 2000 / month etc.
My substantial bean and beef curry I ate last night cost just over a dollar a portion and together with other food during the day total was about 3.5 dollars.
As I stated condos marketed to gringos start at 30-40 k$ in pure Dominican areas costs are less.
So I do not know where the crap comes in...
Not everyone has a sankey budget - new iphone each month -jeepta - 4/5 star hotels.
Yes - I had a nice eve......
You too have a nice day.
pi2
Some people home construct panels for very little.
I paid 41k$ for a one bedroom condo 2 minutes from the beach 6 years ago and live there - with good gardens, 25 meter pool etc. Suggested $5 a day for food and drink not total costs.
There are a range of budgets - some people in the campo are near self sufficient as food can be produced year round in the DR; This is near zero budget. Other people have budgets of 300 / month 500 /month 1000 /month 2000 / month etc.
My substantial bean and beef curry I ate last night cost just over a dollar a portion and together with other food during the day total was about 3.5 dollars.
As I stated condos marketed to gringos start at 30-40 k$ in pure Dominican areas costs are less.
So I do not know where the crap comes in...
Not everyone has a sankey budget - new iphone each month -jeepta - 4/5 star hotels.
Yes - I had a nice eve......
You too have a nice day.
pi2
pi2/Yannadu/whatever,
I think the main issue is that you are promoting a lifestyle that the average person would consider hyper-frugal or near survivalist in nature as a great way for a retired postal worker to live out their golden years.
Some of your ideas are interesting, but let's face it, the average pensioner isn't going to want to indulge in solar cooking their beans while trolling around for a coconut in the hopes of adding a little flavor to dinner.
To the OP,
DR can be affordable, but unless you want to be far removed from anything remotely cultural or approaching amenities you'd expect in a city, I wouldn't expect a runaway deal.
My advice? Review this and other sites for information. Take a number of trips to really get a sense of things Carefully construct a realistic, reasonable budget, along with a "stuff happens" fund. Include enough money in savings to get home in case something goes horribly wrong. Add that all up, then review to confirm its accuracy.
And then double it.
That's your reality for the first year, at least. It's not like moving from Chicago to Atlanta, where many of your initial year costs are very predictable. The additional cash will include settling in costs, the gringo tax because you're new, probably aren't all that familiar with Dominican Spanish (which is WAY different from Rosetta Stone), don't know your way around, and will pay a premium for rent, food, transportation, entertainment, etc., your desire to see/sample/screw everything and everyone around you (it happens), and the overall cost of screwing up simply because you don't know any better.
Like any place, once you start to figure it out, it does get a lot more affordable, but don't expect to live like a king off of $1,000 a month in Gazcue, and don't let anyone delude you into thinking you can life comfortably off sun-roasted lima beans and plantain juice.
I think the main issue is that you are promoting a lifestyle that the average person would consider hyper-frugal or near survivalist in nature as a great way for a retired postal worker to live out their golden years.
Some of your ideas are interesting, but let's face it, the average pensioner isn't going to want to indulge in solar cooking their beans while trolling around for a coconut in the hopes of adding a little flavor to dinner.
To the OP,
DR can be affordable, but unless you want to be far removed from anything remotely cultural or approaching amenities you'd expect in a city, I wouldn't expect a runaway deal.
My advice? Review this and other sites for information. Take a number of trips to really get a sense of things Carefully construct a realistic, reasonable budget, along with a "stuff happens" fund. Include enough money in savings to get home in case something goes horribly wrong. Add that all up, then review to confirm its accuracy.
And then double it.
That's your reality for the first year, at least. It's not like moving from Chicago to Atlanta, where many of your initial year costs are very predictable. The additional cash will include settling in costs, the gringo tax because you're new, probably aren't all that familiar with Dominican Spanish (which is WAY different from Rosetta Stone), don't know your way around, and will pay a premium for rent, food, transportation, entertainment, etc., your desire to see/sample/screw everything and everyone around you (it happens), and the overall cost of screwing up simply because you don't know any better.
Like any place, once you start to figure it out, it does get a lot more affordable, but don't expect to live like a king off of $1,000 a month in Gazcue, and don't let anyone delude you into thinking you can life comfortably off sun-roasted lima beans and plantain juice.
Not at all!
Some retired people want a survialist lifestyle - for an example see:
http://www.ultimatesurvivalskills.com/survival-shelters/how-to-build-a-survivalist-homestead.html
I never suggested all of those details.
It is perfctly possible to establish prices for things in a foreign country whether it be France, DR, Turkey
or whatever. You observe what other people are paying and pay the same. For a fruit and veg truck while
you wait you can hear the totals for other customers being tallied up verbally.
I agree reserves of money are necessary.
Lounging by a large swimming pool in beautiful gardens ultra frugal?
Jogging along huge beaches ultra-frugal?
Enjoying cooking good meals ultra-frugal ? In the UK a friend goes and collects leeks from his gargen to prepare the evening meal; yet he enjoys and expansive lifestyle with worldwide trips most years.
Discussing the World over a 2 dollar grande in a pub ultra-frugal? The same quantity of beer could cost 10 dollars in Miami.
Building you own solar panels ultra frugal? Many people do it.
Sharing a 1/2 bottle of extra viejo quality rum with a friend by a the pool ultra-frugal?
Coast 2.3 dollars each.
Riding a modern 150 cc motorcycle over beautiful hills ; in the manner that many motorcycle owners do in the US ultra-frugal?
Attending dancing exhibitions of Salsa etc. with only 1 drink 2.5 dollars entry ultra-frugal?
Swimming among beautiful fishes and corals on the beach ultra-frugal?
Being amazed at the humming birds flirting in the bushes ultra-frugal?
Attending a local pig roast with small dollar contribution ultra-frugal?
Seeing the local children swim among the fishes at a local bar with a pond fed by the river ultra-frugal?
Collecting seaweed to eat after a storm ultra-frugal?
Negociating for tuna fillet at 3.5 dollars a lb or prawns at 2.5 dollars a lb ultra-frugal?
Reading a book you love on the beach loaned or on a Kindle ultra-frugal?
Going on a 2 night trip and total expenses under $200 ultra-frugal?
Just my opinion but you have it all wrong!
Some retired people want a survialist lifestyle - for an example see:
http://www.ultimatesurvivalskills.com/survival-shelters/how-to-build-a-survivalist-homestead.html
I never suggested all of those details.
It is perfctly possible to establish prices for things in a foreign country whether it be France, DR, Turkey
or whatever. You observe what other people are paying and pay the same. For a fruit and veg truck while
you wait you can hear the totals for other customers being tallied up verbally.
I agree reserves of money are necessary.
Lounging by a large swimming pool in beautiful gardens ultra frugal?
Jogging along huge beaches ultra-frugal?
Enjoying cooking good meals ultra-frugal ? In the UK a friend goes and collects leeks from his gargen to prepare the evening meal; yet he enjoys and expansive lifestyle with worldwide trips most years.
Discussing the World over a 2 dollar grande in a pub ultra-frugal? The same quantity of beer could cost 10 dollars in Miami.
Building you own solar panels ultra frugal? Many people do it.
Sharing a 1/2 bottle of extra viejo quality rum with a friend by a the pool ultra-frugal?
Coast 2.3 dollars each.
Riding a modern 150 cc motorcycle over beautiful hills ; in the manner that many motorcycle owners do in the US ultra-frugal?
Attending dancing exhibitions of Salsa etc. with only 1 drink 2.5 dollars entry ultra-frugal?
Swimming among beautiful fishes and corals on the beach ultra-frugal?
Being amazed at the humming birds flirting in the bushes ultra-frugal?
Attending a local pig roast with small dollar contribution ultra-frugal?
Seeing the local children swim among the fishes at a local bar with a pond fed by the river ultra-frugal?
Collecting seaweed to eat after a storm ultra-frugal?
Negociating for tuna fillet at 3.5 dollars a lb or prawns at 2.5 dollars a lb ultra-frugal?
Reading a book you love on the beach loaned or on a Kindle ultra-frugal?
Going on a 2 night trip and total expenses under $200 ultra-frugal?
Just my opinion but you have it all wrong!
