I think it would be more accurate to say thet he adds a certain "Un-Balance" to DR1!
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- Thread starter Robert
- Start date
Living Costs in the Dominican Republic
Yes - well the editors decision is final as they say.......
I support every statement where appropiate with the www reference when costs are mentioned. I note few other posters do this.
Yes a good lifestyle is possible for 300-500 dollars a month per person when a condo is bought if you do not own a Hummer - and do not drink expensive imported drinks ; cook your own locally produced food etc.
No winter fuel bills - no a/c - solar power is an advantage for light bulbs etc.
Hobbies are inexpensive....
In the countryside possibly much less.
Save the planet......
pi2
No - but for my college dissertation on the development of Albania I was priviledged to meet principal, teachars and pupils in an agricultural school that Tito had set up in the Albanian speaking region of Yugoslavia. Fascinating. I had a partially farming background and I hope my comments and publication had a positive input. I remember a meeting with Soviet officials from USSR embassy in UK discussing the type of input they should give to Tito - tractors etc.
Everyone owes a debt of gratitude to the Yugoslavs under Tito for containing Hitler.
pi2
Many people prefer Quads or bech buggies as the weather is warm. I have met gringos moving here who have sold their car purchased with considerable expense within months.
Inter-city buses/coaches are very reasonably priced and local taxis not expensive.
Hire is good - 50 - 70 dollars a day if you have visitors.
pi2
Inter-city buses/coaches are very reasonably priced and local taxis not expensive.
Hire is good - 50 - 70 dollars a day if you have visitors.
pi2
Each to his own. A car can seriously impact the cost of living when it is parked depreciating all the time and need servicing.
There is a very old yellow VW beetle here abouts and i have heard from the owner running expenses are not high and of course very low initial cost and no depreciation.
Seems to go well.
pi2
H?nsel und Gretel
In the updated version the now enviornmentally savvy witch uses a solar oven!
Meanwhile pi2 is riding a water buffalo, as he can also use it for tilling the fields.
A solar cooker, or solar oven, is a device which uses the energy of sunlight to heat food or drink to cook it or sterilize it.
For others the cost of electricity can be 100-300$ depending on the use of A/C or solar panels.
If you have a bedroom on the second floor you can use flow through ventilation, but it's still hot and humid in the summer.
In the updated version the now enviornmentally savvy witch uses a solar oven!
Meanwhile pi2 is riding a water buffalo, as he can also use it for tilling the fields.
A solar cooker, or solar oven, is a device which uses the energy of sunlight to heat food or drink to cook it or sterilize it.
For others the cost of electricity can be 100-300$ depending on the use of A/C or solar panels.
If you have a bedroom on the second floor you can use flow through ventilation, but it's still hot and humid in the summer.
Amazon.com: Sun BD Corp. Tulsi-Hybrid Solar Cooking Oven: Sports & Outdoors
Handy for the beach because you don't have to lug gas cylinders or worry about refilling them.
Room insulation such as radiantguard and thermal curtains help maintain low temperatures.
Saves on fan electricity too.
Reflex-Air Double Bubble Reflective Insultion by RadiantGUARD? - Amazon.com
$100 is a good electricity bill for a small apartment - 1 bed.
So this contributes to a very reasonable cost of living in the DR.
yapask1
In the updated version the now enviornmentally savvy witch uses a solar oven!
Meanwhile pi2 is riding a water buffalo, as he can also use it for tilling the fields.
A solar cooker, or solar oven, is a device which uses the energy of sunlight to heat food or drink to cook it or sterilize it.
For others the cost of electricity can be 100-300$ depending on the use of A/C or solar panels.
If you have a bedroom on the second floor you can use flow through ventilation, but it's still hot and humid in the summer.
This was sent to me from a friend:
Cost of Living in the Dominican Republic
This is one of the most frequently asked questions people have. For comprehensive data, you can consult a service such as Cost of living comparison calculator, which for $99 will give you a more detailed report, such as is used by international companies for determining salary adjustments for those living in specific countries. Below is a copy of the free information this particular service provides. There are other, similar services. There is no lack of objective or antidotal information.
There is also included an interesting perspective on costs of living in Santo Domingo from Santo Domingo - Dominican Republic / www.dominicanrealestates.com
Following that are my personal observations and comments.
Cost of living comparison calculator
The Dominican Republic
Cost Of Living
The cost of living in All Areas in the Dominican Republic is very low compared to other places. The overall cost of living is determined using the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across 13 Basket Groups. All Areas in the Dominican Republic is currently ranked 668 overall out of 780 places (rank 1 is most expensive: rank 780 is least expensive). The cost of living rank for each of the 13 Basket Groups is as follows:
Alcohol & Tobacco costs are low compared to other places for items such as alcohol at a bar, beer, locally produced spirit, whiskey, wine (where alcohol is legally sold) and tobacco related products. There are 498 places that are more expensive, and 281 places that are less expensive for alcohol and or tobacco.
Clothing costs are very low compared to other places for items such as business suits, casual clothing, children's clothing, coats, evening wear, footwear, hats, shoe repairs and underwear. There are 695 places that are more expensive, and 84 places that are less expensive for clothing.
Communication costs are very low compared to other places for various communication costs such as call charges, home telephone rental, internet connection, mobile data costs, mobile phone contract and service provider fees. There are 652 places that are more expensive, and 127 places that are less expensive for communication.
Education costs are average compared to other places for items such as creche / pre-school fees, primary school fees, high school fees and tertiary study fees. There are 459 places that are more expensive, and 320 places that are less expensive for education.
Furniture & Appliance costs are average compared to other places for items such as DVD player, fridge freezer, furniture, household equipment, iron, kettle, light bulbs, microwave, television, toaster, vacuum cleaner and washing machine. There are 346 places that are more expensive, and 433 places that are less expensive for furniture and appliances.
Grocery costs are very low compared to other places for items such as baby consumables, baked goods, baking, canned foods, cheese, cleaning materials, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fruit juices, meat, oil & vinegars, pet food, pre-prepared meals, sauces, seafood, snacks, soft drinks, spices & herbs. There are 687 places that are more expensive, and 92 places that are less expensive for groceries.
Healthcare costs are low compared to other places for general healthcare, general practitioner consultation rates, healthcare/medical insurance, hospital private ward daily rate and non-prescription medicine. There are 579 places that are more expensive, and 200 places that are less expensive for healthcare.
Household Accommodation costs are low compared to other places for items such as accommodation, apartment, flat, house, villa, rent, electricity, household fuels, household gas, water, and local property rates / residential taxes / levies. There are 591 places that are more expensive, and 188 places that are less expensive for household accommodation.
Miscellaneous costs are low compared to other places for items such as dry cleaning, general goods, general services, linen, magazines, maid, newspapers, office supplies, postage stamps and stationery. There are 573 places that are more expensive, and 206 places that are less expensive for miscellaneous items.
Personal Care costs are very high compared to other places for items such as cosmetics, hair care, moisturizer, nappies, pain relief tablets, shampoo, soap, sun block, toilet paper and toothpaste. There are 132 places that are more expensive, and 647 places that are less expensive for personal care.
Recreation and Culture costs are low compared to other places for items such as books, camera, cinema tickets, fitness/health club membership, sports goods and theatre tickets. There are 544 places that are more expensive, and 235 places that are less expensive for recreation and culture.
Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotel costs are very low compared to other places for items such as a business dinner, dinner at a family restaurant (non fast food), 4 star and 5 star hotel rates and take away meal (fast food). There are 687 places that are more expensive, and 92 places that are less expensive for restaurants, meals out and hotels.
Transport costs are average compared to other places for items such as car hire purchase, car insurance, car lease, car maintenance, car rental, car service, diesel, petrol, tyres and public transport. There are 429 places that are more expensive, and 350 places that are less expensive for transport.
Personalized cost of living indexes for All Areas in the Dominican Republic are based on the basket groups and comparison location(s) selected in the Calculators.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, All Areas in the Dominican Republic is ranked as extreme hardship with a hardship index of 40%.
You Mean It Costs Money to Live in Paradise?
Santo Domingo - Dominican Republic / www.dominicanrealestates.com
You mean it costs money to live in paradise?
You’ve made up your mind to relocate to the Dominican Republic. You have seriously You mean it costs money to live in paradise?
You’ve made up your mind to relocate to the Dominican Republic. You have seriously thought about it and talked and talked about it. You are ready to pack your furniture, sell the cars and give away shelves and closets full of accumulated items all in the name of adventure, or a safer place to raise the children. And, why not admit it, you look forward to the endless days of warm weather.
The big question is, just how much does it cost to live in the Dominican Republic? While there are endless variations, this article seeks to guide newcomers in developing a budget to fit each individual lifestyle. Notice the focus is on a four person family that in the United States was living comfortably on a US$50,000 a year budget.
The foremost consideration is to accept that there will be more you cannot control than what you can control in the Dominican Republic. Thus it is important to leave reserves for the unpredictable, unless your job permits you to work more and earn extra when you need the additional income.
How do Dominicans manage? Thousands sell something to their fellow workers, run some kind of business at home, hold multiple jobs, or are fortunate to have a relative who sends a check from abroad every month. This may not be your case.
While this is not as much a consumer society as the United States, you will be constantly tempted to shop or travel within the Dominican Republic. Thus, the road to budget control is rough, taking into consideration the small amount that disappears in all of a hundred magic ways… ice cream for the kids, pesos for the supermarket boys, daily fruit and vegetable purchases and much, much more.
It is also possible to reduce considerably the expense levels mentioned here by living austerely and enjoying more the intangible pleasure of many friendships, year round warm weather and tropical splendor.
Housing
Unfurnished one bedroom apartments in a desirable neighborhood are available for RD$6,000-RD$7,000, two bedrooms for RD$10,000-RD$13,000. And a three bedroom apartment will go for around RD$13,000-RD$20,000. Actual rental costs will depend on what comes with the apartment (all day or scheduled power plant, appliances, furniture, telephone, cable TV, watchman, elevator, air conditioning, central propane gas), where it is located and who is renting. Note that you could pay for rent nearly the same monthly installments you would pay towards purchasing the apartment. Expect to pay at least 50% more if the apartment is minimally furnished.
Normally those renting will request two deposits, and a third for the realtor. You will also be required to have a local guarantor, that is a person who will pay the rent if you default. If you do not have a guarantor, you may be asked to pay four to six months advance rent.
Try to find a home near your place of business and in the area where your children will go to school to simplify your life, especially given the current traffic bottlenecks occurring at almost all hours in Santo Domingo.
Food
Stick to Dominican products, eating lots of fruits ad vegetables to keep your food expenses down. This is easier said than done as Dominican supermarkets are extraordinarily well-stocked with imports from around the world. A five person household (four family members and maid) can easily spend upwards of RD$8,000 a month on food.
Maid
The lifestyle her makes having a maid imperative. First, if you have children who do not go to cocktail parties, you will find that baby-sitters are almost unheard of in this country. Most Dominicans have relatives who from time to time will take care of the kids, but they, too, have a busy social life, so Dominicans hire a live-in maid.
Second, cleaning must be done daily because of the dust and pollution resulting from the thousands of generators in use, due to a deficient electricity system.
A maid costs about RD$2,500, with trained personnel going for about RD$3,500-RD$4,500 a month. In addition, you should budget an additional RD$1,000 for personal hygiene items and extra food for the helper. It is common for upper middle class households to have more than one maid, or to have a person who comes in for major cleaning once or twice a week, or to do the ironing. Save by using a washing machine, but note you will need a reliable alternative source of energy or your maid will not last long if she has to wash at odd hours when the power is on. It is possible to hire a person to come in once a week to clean the hose and another person to do the ironing. This will cost you about RD$150 each plus breakfast and lunch per day (up to 4 pm).
Shopping
Clothing is reasonably priced here. Note every neighborhood has its seemstress, and cost for material is reasonable. Discount shops sell top brands at 50% of their original price in the US. Take advantage of the many sales in leading stores advertised in the Listin Diario, the best selling daily newspaper. A man’s shirt in a leading brand, will sell for about RD$350 on sale. Budget about RD$2,000 a month for a family of four.
Transportation
Considering that you already own your vehicle, budget about RD$2,000 in monthly maintenance costs and repairs (including minor accidents) and another RD$1,000 for fuel for city driving. A gallon of unleaded gasoline currently costs RD$30.00 but fuel prices fluctuate every week. A second hand, 10-year vehicle in good condition can be purchased for about RD$60, a new can will run as low as RD$180,000 (Renault Clio). Public transportation busses that cross the city charge RD$3.00 one way. And you can comfortably travel to Puerto Plata from Santo Domingo on a Metro Bus for a mere RD$125, for the 225 kilometer trip. Many people get around using taxis they call up and that will take you within city limits for RD$50-RD$60.
Entertainment
Entertainment expenses can be higher here than abroad. There is a much greater need for socializing here than in Europe or the United States. It is common for friends to gather for dinner at home. Depending on the group, it may be the custom to show up with a bottle of wine, flowers or the dessert. It is also common to dine out at one of the seemingly hundreds of restaurants in the country, where dinner can easily cost upwards of RD$300 per person. The bill is split amongst the couples and single women do not pay, or one party will pick up the tab. Cable TV is available at about RD$420 per month, videos rent for RD$50 and movie house charge RD$80. Factor in an additional RD$15,000 a year for two long weekend vacations at a resort.
Schools
Education in Spanish will cost under RD$4,000 a month. Bilingual schools cost upwards of RD$5,000 per child. English language schools can cost even more. Seek a school near where you live to keep your gasoline expenditures and stress levels down. Monthly afternoon classes may add another RD$1,500-RD$2,000 per child.
Utilities
The great mystery – lights. Your electricity bill will fluctuate, depending on where you live, on the electricity consumption of the previous occupant if you are using the same meter, and on your consumption. If you do not use an air-conditioner, you could pay about RD$800 a month for electricity in a two bedroom apartment. If you use air-conditioning, add an additional RD$1,000 per unit. Save by choosing an apartment with cross ventilation. You may need to factor in the fuel you will use for you generator at RD$18 per gallon of diesel.
A 100-lb. tank of propane gas costs RD$185 and can last about two months, depending on usage. Telephone bills are at least RD$200 a month, with unlimited calls at a monthly rate of RD$600. If you are living in an apartment you will pay a maintenance fee that could range from RD$800 to RD$3,000, depending on the services provided.
Medical and dental costs
If you have medical insurance coverage, a visit to the doctor should cost about RD$100. Most children’s vaccinations are covered by the better local medical insurances. If you do not have medical insurance, be prepared to pay about RD$600-RD$1,000 per visit. Medical insurance for a family of four can cost under RD$12,000 a year, and is worthwhile. This sum will not cover major illnesses such as cancer, or surgery for breaking a hip. You can purchase supplementary insurance and US medical insurance coverage from Dominican brokers. The better dentists charge about RD$600 for a cleaning. dental work is one of the best values in the Dominican Republic. There are many dentists that will perform excellent work for half of what it costs for the same in Europe and North America.
Miscellaneous
An automatic car wash costs RD$100, the Listin Diario, the leading newspaper, costs RD$10 daily, and five gallon drinking water bottles cost upwards of RD$15.00.
continued on next page...
Cost of Living in the Dominican Republic
This is one of the most frequently asked questions people have. For comprehensive data, you can consult a service such as Cost of living comparison calculator, which for $99 will give you a more detailed report, such as is used by international companies for determining salary adjustments for those living in specific countries. Below is a copy of the free information this particular service provides. There are other, similar services. There is no lack of objective or antidotal information.
There is also included an interesting perspective on costs of living in Santo Domingo from Santo Domingo - Dominican Republic / www.dominicanrealestates.com
Following that are my personal observations and comments.
Cost of living comparison calculator
The Dominican Republic
Cost Of Living
The cost of living in All Areas in the Dominican Republic is very low compared to other places. The overall cost of living is determined using the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across 13 Basket Groups. All Areas in the Dominican Republic is currently ranked 668 overall out of 780 places (rank 1 is most expensive: rank 780 is least expensive). The cost of living rank for each of the 13 Basket Groups is as follows:
Alcohol & Tobacco costs are low compared to other places for items such as alcohol at a bar, beer, locally produced spirit, whiskey, wine (where alcohol is legally sold) and tobacco related products. There are 498 places that are more expensive, and 281 places that are less expensive for alcohol and or tobacco.
Clothing costs are very low compared to other places for items such as business suits, casual clothing, children's clothing, coats, evening wear, footwear, hats, shoe repairs and underwear. There are 695 places that are more expensive, and 84 places that are less expensive for clothing.
Communication costs are very low compared to other places for various communication costs such as call charges, home telephone rental, internet connection, mobile data costs, mobile phone contract and service provider fees. There are 652 places that are more expensive, and 127 places that are less expensive for communication.
Education costs are average compared to other places for items such as creche / pre-school fees, primary school fees, high school fees and tertiary study fees. There are 459 places that are more expensive, and 320 places that are less expensive for education.
Furniture & Appliance costs are average compared to other places for items such as DVD player, fridge freezer, furniture, household equipment, iron, kettle, light bulbs, microwave, television, toaster, vacuum cleaner and washing machine. There are 346 places that are more expensive, and 433 places that are less expensive for furniture and appliances.
Grocery costs are very low compared to other places for items such as baby consumables, baked goods, baking, canned foods, cheese, cleaning materials, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fruit juices, meat, oil & vinegars, pet food, pre-prepared meals, sauces, seafood, snacks, soft drinks, spices & herbs. There are 687 places that are more expensive, and 92 places that are less expensive for groceries.
Healthcare costs are low compared to other places for general healthcare, general practitioner consultation rates, healthcare/medical insurance, hospital private ward daily rate and non-prescription medicine. There are 579 places that are more expensive, and 200 places that are less expensive for healthcare.
Household Accommodation costs are low compared to other places for items such as accommodation, apartment, flat, house, villa, rent, electricity, household fuels, household gas, water, and local property rates / residential taxes / levies. There are 591 places that are more expensive, and 188 places that are less expensive for household accommodation.
Miscellaneous costs are low compared to other places for items such as dry cleaning, general goods, general services, linen, magazines, maid, newspapers, office supplies, postage stamps and stationery. There are 573 places that are more expensive, and 206 places that are less expensive for miscellaneous items.
Personal Care costs are very high compared to other places for items such as cosmetics, hair care, moisturizer, nappies, pain relief tablets, shampoo, soap, sun block, toilet paper and toothpaste. There are 132 places that are more expensive, and 647 places that are less expensive for personal care.
Recreation and Culture costs are low compared to other places for items such as books, camera, cinema tickets, fitness/health club membership, sports goods and theatre tickets. There are 544 places that are more expensive, and 235 places that are less expensive for recreation and culture.
Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotel costs are very low compared to other places for items such as a business dinner, dinner at a family restaurant (non fast food), 4 star and 5 star hotel rates and take away meal (fast food). There are 687 places that are more expensive, and 92 places that are less expensive for restaurants, meals out and hotels.
Transport costs are average compared to other places for items such as car hire purchase, car insurance, car lease, car maintenance, car rental, car service, diesel, petrol, tyres and public transport. There are 429 places that are more expensive, and 350 places that are less expensive for transport.
Personalized cost of living indexes for All Areas in the Dominican Republic are based on the basket groups and comparison location(s) selected in the Calculators.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, All Areas in the Dominican Republic is ranked as extreme hardship with a hardship index of 40%.
You Mean It Costs Money to Live in Paradise?
Santo Domingo - Dominican Republic / www.dominicanrealestates.com
You mean it costs money to live in paradise?
You’ve made up your mind to relocate to the Dominican Republic. You have seriously You mean it costs money to live in paradise?
You’ve made up your mind to relocate to the Dominican Republic. You have seriously thought about it and talked and talked about it. You are ready to pack your furniture, sell the cars and give away shelves and closets full of accumulated items all in the name of adventure, or a safer place to raise the children. And, why not admit it, you look forward to the endless days of warm weather.
The big question is, just how much does it cost to live in the Dominican Republic? While there are endless variations, this article seeks to guide newcomers in developing a budget to fit each individual lifestyle. Notice the focus is on a four person family that in the United States was living comfortably on a US$50,000 a year budget.
The foremost consideration is to accept that there will be more you cannot control than what you can control in the Dominican Republic. Thus it is important to leave reserves for the unpredictable, unless your job permits you to work more and earn extra when you need the additional income.
How do Dominicans manage? Thousands sell something to their fellow workers, run some kind of business at home, hold multiple jobs, or are fortunate to have a relative who sends a check from abroad every month. This may not be your case.
While this is not as much a consumer society as the United States, you will be constantly tempted to shop or travel within the Dominican Republic. Thus, the road to budget control is rough, taking into consideration the small amount that disappears in all of a hundred magic ways… ice cream for the kids, pesos for the supermarket boys, daily fruit and vegetable purchases and much, much more.
It is also possible to reduce considerably the expense levels mentioned here by living austerely and enjoying more the intangible pleasure of many friendships, year round warm weather and tropical splendor.
Housing
Unfurnished one bedroom apartments in a desirable neighborhood are available for RD$6,000-RD$7,000, two bedrooms for RD$10,000-RD$13,000. And a three bedroom apartment will go for around RD$13,000-RD$20,000. Actual rental costs will depend on what comes with the apartment (all day or scheduled power plant, appliances, furniture, telephone, cable TV, watchman, elevator, air conditioning, central propane gas), where it is located and who is renting. Note that you could pay for rent nearly the same monthly installments you would pay towards purchasing the apartment. Expect to pay at least 50% more if the apartment is minimally furnished.
Normally those renting will request two deposits, and a third for the realtor. You will also be required to have a local guarantor, that is a person who will pay the rent if you default. If you do not have a guarantor, you may be asked to pay four to six months advance rent.
Try to find a home near your place of business and in the area where your children will go to school to simplify your life, especially given the current traffic bottlenecks occurring at almost all hours in Santo Domingo.
Food
Stick to Dominican products, eating lots of fruits ad vegetables to keep your food expenses down. This is easier said than done as Dominican supermarkets are extraordinarily well-stocked with imports from around the world. A five person household (four family members and maid) can easily spend upwards of RD$8,000 a month on food.
Maid
The lifestyle her makes having a maid imperative. First, if you have children who do not go to cocktail parties, you will find that baby-sitters are almost unheard of in this country. Most Dominicans have relatives who from time to time will take care of the kids, but they, too, have a busy social life, so Dominicans hire a live-in maid.
Second, cleaning must be done daily because of the dust and pollution resulting from the thousands of generators in use, due to a deficient electricity system.
A maid costs about RD$2,500, with trained personnel going for about RD$3,500-RD$4,500 a month. In addition, you should budget an additional RD$1,000 for personal hygiene items and extra food for the helper. It is common for upper middle class households to have more than one maid, or to have a person who comes in for major cleaning once or twice a week, or to do the ironing. Save by using a washing machine, but note you will need a reliable alternative source of energy or your maid will not last long if she has to wash at odd hours when the power is on. It is possible to hire a person to come in once a week to clean the hose and another person to do the ironing. This will cost you about RD$150 each plus breakfast and lunch per day (up to 4 pm).
Shopping
Clothing is reasonably priced here. Note every neighborhood has its seemstress, and cost for material is reasonable. Discount shops sell top brands at 50% of their original price in the US. Take advantage of the many sales in leading stores advertised in the Listin Diario, the best selling daily newspaper. A man’s shirt in a leading brand, will sell for about RD$350 on sale. Budget about RD$2,000 a month for a family of four.
Transportation
Considering that you already own your vehicle, budget about RD$2,000 in monthly maintenance costs and repairs (including minor accidents) and another RD$1,000 for fuel for city driving. A gallon of unleaded gasoline currently costs RD$30.00 but fuel prices fluctuate every week. A second hand, 10-year vehicle in good condition can be purchased for about RD$60, a new can will run as low as RD$180,000 (Renault Clio). Public transportation busses that cross the city charge RD$3.00 one way. And you can comfortably travel to Puerto Plata from Santo Domingo on a Metro Bus for a mere RD$125, for the 225 kilometer trip. Many people get around using taxis they call up and that will take you within city limits for RD$50-RD$60.
Entertainment
Entertainment expenses can be higher here than abroad. There is a much greater need for socializing here than in Europe or the United States. It is common for friends to gather for dinner at home. Depending on the group, it may be the custom to show up with a bottle of wine, flowers or the dessert. It is also common to dine out at one of the seemingly hundreds of restaurants in the country, where dinner can easily cost upwards of RD$300 per person. The bill is split amongst the couples and single women do not pay, or one party will pick up the tab. Cable TV is available at about RD$420 per month, videos rent for RD$50 and movie house charge RD$80. Factor in an additional RD$15,000 a year for two long weekend vacations at a resort.
Schools
Education in Spanish will cost under RD$4,000 a month. Bilingual schools cost upwards of RD$5,000 per child. English language schools can cost even more. Seek a school near where you live to keep your gasoline expenditures and stress levels down. Monthly afternoon classes may add another RD$1,500-RD$2,000 per child.
Utilities
The great mystery – lights. Your electricity bill will fluctuate, depending on where you live, on the electricity consumption of the previous occupant if you are using the same meter, and on your consumption. If you do not use an air-conditioner, you could pay about RD$800 a month for electricity in a two bedroom apartment. If you use air-conditioning, add an additional RD$1,000 per unit. Save by choosing an apartment with cross ventilation. You may need to factor in the fuel you will use for you generator at RD$18 per gallon of diesel.
A 100-lb. tank of propane gas costs RD$185 and can last about two months, depending on usage. Telephone bills are at least RD$200 a month, with unlimited calls at a monthly rate of RD$600. If you are living in an apartment you will pay a maintenance fee that could range from RD$800 to RD$3,000, depending on the services provided.
Medical and dental costs
If you have medical insurance coverage, a visit to the doctor should cost about RD$100. Most children’s vaccinations are covered by the better local medical insurances. If you do not have medical insurance, be prepared to pay about RD$600-RD$1,000 per visit. Medical insurance for a family of four can cost under RD$12,000 a year, and is worthwhile. This sum will not cover major illnesses such as cancer, or surgery for breaking a hip. You can purchase supplementary insurance and US medical insurance coverage from Dominican brokers. The better dentists charge about RD$600 for a cleaning. dental work is one of the best values in the Dominican Republic. There are many dentists that will perform excellent work for half of what it costs for the same in Europe and North America.
Miscellaneous
An automatic car wash costs RD$100, the Listin Diario, the leading newspaper, costs RD$10 daily, and five gallon drinking water bottles cost upwards of RD$15.00.
continued on next page...
Continued...
My Personal Observations
I live in Cabarete, on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic. It is a tourist town, almost exclusively. I have previously lived in Paraguay and Ecuador. In general terms, I think I can safely say that it is less expensive to live in Paraguay or Ecuador. However, it is sometimes difficult to compare “apples and apples.”
In particular it is difficult to put a dollar value on the view of the Caribbean I have from the balcony of my apartment, the climate, the Latin / Caribbean Culture and way of life, the ease of access to the United States when I need to return there, and the lack of difficulty with Visa Requirements. These were the most important considerations for me. The topic at hand, The Cost of Living, was an important, but secondary concern. I would add that, no matter where a person chooses to live, it is possible to spend a lot of money, or to spend less, depending on your budget and the way you want to live.
I?m going to share my personal experience of the five major areas I consider “necessities”: Food, Clothing, Shelter, Transportation, and Health Care.
Food
In general, food costs are relatively low in Cabarete. Janet?s is the major supermarket and here?s a sample of items I recently purchased there. The prices are including sales tax, in US Dollars, based on 39 pecos per dollar. If you want to shop around, and buy things like fruit and vegetables at local markets, you can probably economize, and Janet?s is probably more expensive than some other supermarkets in other cities.
Food
Carton of Marlboro Light Cigarettes $ 22.33
Precooked Rotisserie Chicken 2 lbs $ 5.96
a dozen extra large eggs $ 2.36
2 liter coca cola $ 1.28
half gallon of orange juice $ 1.50
six ears of sweet corn $ 1.54
a pound of butter $ 3.41
pound of Dominican coffee $ 3.72
bar of good, antiseptic soap $ 0.82
2 pounds of good salami $ 5.64
small bag of white potatoes - 5 pounds $ 2.05
2 pounds of tomatoes $ 1.48
2 pounds of Dominican style cheddar cheese $ 6.37
a liter of milk $ 1.21
half a pound of ground beef $ 1.22
1.3 pounds of chicken breast fillet $ 4.27
1.5 pounds of beef filet $ 7.62
bag of limes $ 2.48
small head of lettuce $ 0.28
1.3 pounds of beef steak $ 3.17
1 mango $ 0.51
As far as eating at restaurants is concerned, the costs, quality, and service run the gamut. However, first a brief word about service in the Dominican Republic in restaurants and in general. If your expectations are to have the highest quality service you are accustomed to in the US at all times in the Dominican Republic, you will be disappointed. However, I find service here in the Dominican Republic, in general terms, far superior to service in the US.
I have not yet developed a taste for the typical, daily Dominican food that is served at restaurants where primarily Dominicans eat. However, if you like the typical Dominican, inexpensive food, you can eat a hearty meal of chicken, rice, and beans, with a soft drink or beer for around $5. A small restaurant here, Gordito?s, owned and run by Americans, offers a variety of inexpensive tacos, including an excellent fish taco for which they are well known, and modified Dominican food for a more American taste, for about the same price.
Yesterday, two of us ate at a restaurant on the beach. One of us had a plate of steak, at least 16 ounces, and excellent, a huge portion of mashed potatoes, a small salad and a beer. The other had a very large chef salad and a coke. The chef salad was fully consumed, but the steak meal had enough left over for another meal for one person. The total cost, including a 20% tip, was $33.
My favorite upscale restaurant in Cabarete is Bliss, an Italian restaurant. The atmosphere, food, and service are, to my standards, as good as you?ll find anywhere. Recently two of us ate, with appetizers, entre, two glasses of red wine, two cocktails, coffee and dessert, including a 20% tip, for $90. A comparable meal, at a comparable restaurant, in a comparable beach location in the US would be what? A minimum of $200?
Clothing
I haven?t bought any clothing in the Dominican Republic. I?ve picked up a few things in the US at Old Navy. I?m not much of a clothes person, and for crying out loud, I?m living at beach, and who cares? Ok, various members of the opposite sex have suggested that I need to upgrade my wardrobe, but so far I?ve resisted that temptation. From what I gather, clothes are probably a little less expensive here than in the US.
Shelter
This is a major budget expense for me. One of the major reasons I moved here was because I love the ocean, and want to have a beautiful ocean view from my apartment. Others have a different viewpoint, but I am more comfortable in a condo complex with 24 hour security. I like to swim for exercise, and so a good pool is also important to me. I have allergies and sinus issues, so I use air conditioning to lower the humidity, a necessity for me.
I have found that for +/- $1000 a month I can rent a great apartment with an ocean view, pool, nicely furnished, including cable, truly high speed internet ($100 a month), utilities, and 24 hour security. If you don?t want to live in a condo complex, you can probably find a place similar for around half that.
Buying a condo here is certainly an option, and it?s a ?buyer?s market” now. For $100K to $200k you can get a nice condo and furnish it. However, buying a condo here is, in my opinion, not an especially good idea. Getting clear title is often a problem, and can take years. There always seem to be problems with the people who manage it. Most importantly for me, I like to know that I can leave and go somewhere else if I want to, and not worry about the property. I?m big on traveling light.
Transportation
Cabarete is small and it?s easy to find a place to live here where you can walk wherever you want to go. I live a little further from Cabarete, and I know how to drive a motorcycle or motor scooter. You can buy a nice, small motorcycle or a really excellent motor scooter for $2000 or less. For me, that?s the best option. However, at night, I?ll often use a moto concho or taxi.
Motorcycle taxis are the norm, and you?ll find a moto concho driver you like, and you?ll have his phone number. He?ll come at the drop of a hat, and take good care of you. It?s $1.25 from my apartment now, about 1.5 miles north of Cabarete. I generally pay $2.50, which my moto driver appreciates, and which helps to ensure that I get good service.
There are public taxis, which are only about $ .50 to Cabarete, but I don?t use them much. They?re crowded, but cheap.
Taxis are about $7.50 to and from Cabarete, and $12.50 to and from Sousua, the next town north of Cabarete.
Owning a car is an option, but I would suggest you seriously consider the potential downside of owning a car here. I don?t think you can be certain that insurance you buy will actually cover what you think it will cover if the time comes that you need it. Personally, I would use a reliable taxi all the time before I would buy a car.
Health Care
Health Care is, in my opinion, one of the biggest advantages of living here. Even if you?ve been denied health insurance in the US, or have to pay some outrageous premium, you can probably get health insurance here for $150 - $300 dollars a month that will pay almost all your health expenses.
I?ve been to the private clinic in Sousa twice for things relatively serious. The first time, I thought I just had a bad cold, but it just wouldn?t get better, and I was a lot sicker than I realized. A sinus infection had turned into pneumonia, and the clinic admitted me immediately. I was there for three days, and in my opinion, got better quality of care than I would have in the US. I was on a ton of medication, in a private room, with 24 hour nursing care, and of course, physician supervision. It was probably the equivalent of Intensive Care in the US for pneumonia. Total cost, for everything, was $1500. I also had an outpatient surgery, but it required two surgeons, anesthetist, and everything associated with that, and the total cost was again, $1500.
Drugs in the Dominican Republic are very different than in the US. You can buy anything here, except narcotics, without a prescription. If you can write it, you can buy it. The prices, again, are a fraction of what they are in the US.
I have found all the physicians I have dealt with here to be very interested in the quality of care they give, very interested in spending time with their patients to ensure they have covered everything necessary, and very attentive to detail. Some have been educated in the US, but have left the US approach to medical care behind them. I know with Americans it is a given that “we have the best health care in the world.” It?s something you may want to rethink.
Closing Thoughts
The Dominican Republic, no matter how you look at it, is very inexpensive compared to living in the US. The Dominican Republic makes it easy for Americans to live here. The Dominicans who grow, cook and serve our food, clean our homes, treat us when we are ill, drive us here and there, run the small shops where we can buy clothes, and all the other things we need to live well in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, make very, very little money.
We are guests in their country, and I would hope that we would respect their culture, respect their contributions to the life we are able to live here, respect them as people, with the same dreams, the same feelings, the same sensibilities that we have, and not forget that it is because they work for so very little money that we are able to enjoy the quality of life that we have here.
They pay the cost for our living so well in the Dominican Republic.
My Personal Observations
I live in Cabarete, on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic. It is a tourist town, almost exclusively. I have previously lived in Paraguay and Ecuador. In general terms, I think I can safely say that it is less expensive to live in Paraguay or Ecuador. However, it is sometimes difficult to compare “apples and apples.”
In particular it is difficult to put a dollar value on the view of the Caribbean I have from the balcony of my apartment, the climate, the Latin / Caribbean Culture and way of life, the ease of access to the United States when I need to return there, and the lack of difficulty with Visa Requirements. These were the most important considerations for me. The topic at hand, The Cost of Living, was an important, but secondary concern. I would add that, no matter where a person chooses to live, it is possible to spend a lot of money, or to spend less, depending on your budget and the way you want to live.
I?m going to share my personal experience of the five major areas I consider “necessities”: Food, Clothing, Shelter, Transportation, and Health Care.
Food
In general, food costs are relatively low in Cabarete. Janet?s is the major supermarket and here?s a sample of items I recently purchased there. The prices are including sales tax, in US Dollars, based on 39 pecos per dollar. If you want to shop around, and buy things like fruit and vegetables at local markets, you can probably economize, and Janet?s is probably more expensive than some other supermarkets in other cities.
Food
Carton of Marlboro Light Cigarettes $ 22.33
Precooked Rotisserie Chicken 2 lbs $ 5.96
a dozen extra large eggs $ 2.36
2 liter coca cola $ 1.28
half gallon of orange juice $ 1.50
six ears of sweet corn $ 1.54
a pound of butter $ 3.41
pound of Dominican coffee $ 3.72
bar of good, antiseptic soap $ 0.82
2 pounds of good salami $ 5.64
small bag of white potatoes - 5 pounds $ 2.05
2 pounds of tomatoes $ 1.48
2 pounds of Dominican style cheddar cheese $ 6.37
a liter of milk $ 1.21
half a pound of ground beef $ 1.22
1.3 pounds of chicken breast fillet $ 4.27
1.5 pounds of beef filet $ 7.62
bag of limes $ 2.48
small head of lettuce $ 0.28
1.3 pounds of beef steak $ 3.17
1 mango $ 0.51
As far as eating at restaurants is concerned, the costs, quality, and service run the gamut. However, first a brief word about service in the Dominican Republic in restaurants and in general. If your expectations are to have the highest quality service you are accustomed to in the US at all times in the Dominican Republic, you will be disappointed. However, I find service here in the Dominican Republic, in general terms, far superior to service in the US.
I have not yet developed a taste for the typical, daily Dominican food that is served at restaurants where primarily Dominicans eat. However, if you like the typical Dominican, inexpensive food, you can eat a hearty meal of chicken, rice, and beans, with a soft drink or beer for around $5. A small restaurant here, Gordito?s, owned and run by Americans, offers a variety of inexpensive tacos, including an excellent fish taco for which they are well known, and modified Dominican food for a more American taste, for about the same price.
Yesterday, two of us ate at a restaurant on the beach. One of us had a plate of steak, at least 16 ounces, and excellent, a huge portion of mashed potatoes, a small salad and a beer. The other had a very large chef salad and a coke. The chef salad was fully consumed, but the steak meal had enough left over for another meal for one person. The total cost, including a 20% tip, was $33.
My favorite upscale restaurant in Cabarete is Bliss, an Italian restaurant. The atmosphere, food, and service are, to my standards, as good as you?ll find anywhere. Recently two of us ate, with appetizers, entre, two glasses of red wine, two cocktails, coffee and dessert, including a 20% tip, for $90. A comparable meal, at a comparable restaurant, in a comparable beach location in the US would be what? A minimum of $200?
Clothing
I haven?t bought any clothing in the Dominican Republic. I?ve picked up a few things in the US at Old Navy. I?m not much of a clothes person, and for crying out loud, I?m living at beach, and who cares? Ok, various members of the opposite sex have suggested that I need to upgrade my wardrobe, but so far I?ve resisted that temptation. From what I gather, clothes are probably a little less expensive here than in the US.
Shelter
This is a major budget expense for me. One of the major reasons I moved here was because I love the ocean, and want to have a beautiful ocean view from my apartment. Others have a different viewpoint, but I am more comfortable in a condo complex with 24 hour security. I like to swim for exercise, and so a good pool is also important to me. I have allergies and sinus issues, so I use air conditioning to lower the humidity, a necessity for me.
I have found that for +/- $1000 a month I can rent a great apartment with an ocean view, pool, nicely furnished, including cable, truly high speed internet ($100 a month), utilities, and 24 hour security. If you don?t want to live in a condo complex, you can probably find a place similar for around half that.
Buying a condo here is certainly an option, and it?s a ?buyer?s market” now. For $100K to $200k you can get a nice condo and furnish it. However, buying a condo here is, in my opinion, not an especially good idea. Getting clear title is often a problem, and can take years. There always seem to be problems with the people who manage it. Most importantly for me, I like to know that I can leave and go somewhere else if I want to, and not worry about the property. I?m big on traveling light.
Transportation
Cabarete is small and it?s easy to find a place to live here where you can walk wherever you want to go. I live a little further from Cabarete, and I know how to drive a motorcycle or motor scooter. You can buy a nice, small motorcycle or a really excellent motor scooter for $2000 or less. For me, that?s the best option. However, at night, I?ll often use a moto concho or taxi.
Motorcycle taxis are the norm, and you?ll find a moto concho driver you like, and you?ll have his phone number. He?ll come at the drop of a hat, and take good care of you. It?s $1.25 from my apartment now, about 1.5 miles north of Cabarete. I generally pay $2.50, which my moto driver appreciates, and which helps to ensure that I get good service.
There are public taxis, which are only about $ .50 to Cabarete, but I don?t use them much. They?re crowded, but cheap.
Taxis are about $7.50 to and from Cabarete, and $12.50 to and from Sousua, the next town north of Cabarete.
Owning a car is an option, but I would suggest you seriously consider the potential downside of owning a car here. I don?t think you can be certain that insurance you buy will actually cover what you think it will cover if the time comes that you need it. Personally, I would use a reliable taxi all the time before I would buy a car.
Health Care
Health Care is, in my opinion, one of the biggest advantages of living here. Even if you?ve been denied health insurance in the US, or have to pay some outrageous premium, you can probably get health insurance here for $150 - $300 dollars a month that will pay almost all your health expenses.
I?ve been to the private clinic in Sousa twice for things relatively serious. The first time, I thought I just had a bad cold, but it just wouldn?t get better, and I was a lot sicker than I realized. A sinus infection had turned into pneumonia, and the clinic admitted me immediately. I was there for three days, and in my opinion, got better quality of care than I would have in the US. I was on a ton of medication, in a private room, with 24 hour nursing care, and of course, physician supervision. It was probably the equivalent of Intensive Care in the US for pneumonia. Total cost, for everything, was $1500. I also had an outpatient surgery, but it required two surgeons, anesthetist, and everything associated with that, and the total cost was again, $1500.
Drugs in the Dominican Republic are very different than in the US. You can buy anything here, except narcotics, without a prescription. If you can write it, you can buy it. The prices, again, are a fraction of what they are in the US.
I have found all the physicians I have dealt with here to be very interested in the quality of care they give, very interested in spending time with their patients to ensure they have covered everything necessary, and very attentive to detail. Some have been educated in the US, but have left the US approach to medical care behind them. I know with Americans it is a given that “we have the best health care in the world.” It?s something you may want to rethink.
Closing Thoughts
The Dominican Republic, no matter how you look at it, is very inexpensive compared to living in the US. The Dominican Republic makes it easy for Americans to live here. The Dominicans who grow, cook and serve our food, clean our homes, treat us when we are ill, drive us here and there, run the small shops where we can buy clothes, and all the other things we need to live well in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, make very, very little money.
We are guests in their country, and I would hope that we would respect their culture, respect their contributions to the life we are able to live here, respect them as people, with the same dreams, the same feelings, the same sensibilities that we have, and not forget that it is because they work for so very little money that we are able to enjoy the quality of life that we have here.
They pay the cost for our living so well in the Dominican Republic.
My opinion is that some of the ex-pats who live in the DR remember the prices in the US 20 years ago 99 cent beefburgers etc.
fank12 has given a well balanced report - not to mention air travel - Spirit to Fort Lauderdale from $180 return to NY and many times the air fare to Europe from DR is much cheaper than from New York or Miami.
Oh! and the sun shines almost continuously in daytime - for a couple of $1,000 investment or so nearly no energy bills for ever!
An American friend was of the opinion that an apartment similar to mine in the DR would rent for $1,500 a month in NY ; also some other areas in the US.
Actually many people in the US struggle to get by given the high prices there even though the supposed incomes are higher.
yapask1
fank12 has given a well balanced report - not to mention air travel - Spirit to Fort Lauderdale from $180 return to NY and many times the air fare to Europe from DR is much cheaper than from New York or Miami.
Oh! and the sun shines almost continuously in daytime - for a couple of $1,000 investment or so nearly no energy bills for ever!
An American friend was of the opinion that an apartment similar to mine in the DR would rent for $1,500 a month in NY ; also some other areas in the US.
Actually many people in the US struggle to get by given the high prices there even though the supposed incomes are higher.
yapask1
Frank, what year is this information based on?
RD$8,000 a month for a family of 5 supermarket shopping -hmmm.
RD$2,500 a month for a maid?
RD$10 for Listin Diario - I think it was more than that when I first visited, 15 years ago.
My particular favourite though has to be a gallon of unleaded gasoline for RD$30.00
RD$8,000 a month for a family of 5 supermarket shopping -hmmm.
RD$2,500 a month for a maid?
RD$10 for Listin Diario - I think it was more than that when I first visited, 15 years ago.
My particular favourite though has to be a gallon of unleaded gasoline for RD$30.00
i also need to mention shopping: i never buy anything in DR. the quality is very poor and anything better is idiotically expensive in comparison to sales in USA or europe. same goes for personal hygiene: apart from basics like shampoo/conditioner, soap and toothpaste i buy everything abroad. that includes all creams, peelings, facewash and colour cosmetics.