yep.. the unexpected..it always gets you rock...we should always include the hidden cost in our budget.
- Thread starter Robert
- Start date
Living Costs in the Dominican Republic
yep.. the unexpected..it always gets you rock...we should always include the hidden cost in our budget.
Yes Harley there are hidden costs I didn't get my place set up over night I have done it over 5 years one plate and two bath towels at a time.
And no not all stors La serains, Jumbo.
And no not all stors La serains, Jumbo.
Thank you..thats why I have SO many questions..we have lots of $ to move with and relocate..but eventually it will be pension
income only...(bar savings that every good sensed person keeps) just want to make sure "we can make it" lol.we wont be
supplemented with government pensions for another 15 years!!!
Tiff, after you arrive give some of the street vendors and cafeterias a try. Good prices, interesting atmospherre, full meal for < 4$us per person.
CANADA
mortgage $1650
food$750
gas$130
hydro$150
car ins $125
gasoline $400
water/sewer$100
cable/phone/internet/cell $500
dining $200
booze$300
property taxes $400
Total 4705....hmmm. wonder where all my $ goes?? LOL doesnt seem like much whenwemake $6500 a month fter tax and still have month at the end of the $ !!
oh yah..incidentals..$3000???
mortgage $1650
food$750
gas$130
hydro$150
car ins $125
gasoline $400
water/sewer$100
cable/phone/internet/cell $500
dining $200
booze$300
property taxes $400
Total 4705....hmmm. wonder where all my $ goes?? LOL doesnt seem like much whenwemake $6500 a month fter tax and still have month at the end of the $ !!
oh yah..incidentals..$3000???
One way to keep the costs of clothes down is to purchase on amazon, ... When you can setup an eps-int.com account or other reshipper. I have eps. Easy, cheap, ... I buy for my hobbies and for a few Dominicans.big stuff is expensive!! Small electronics a pittance.
Tom
Tom
You have not asked about health care. My opinion: it is poor. Plan to go to the US for 1x/yr checkup. Mia is close.
Health care is very cheap and very poor. Plan to pay for us insurance and cash for DR health care. Colonoscopy Dr: 600 US$ us:10,000. DR: not done correctly; US: well done.
I have US insurance and use US doctors. I use DR doctors for simple things that don't risk my life.
Health care is very cheap and very poor. Plan to pay for us insurance and cash for DR health care. Colonoscopy Dr: 600 US$ us:10,000. DR: not done correctly; US: well done.
I have US insurance and use US doctors. I use DR doctors for simple things that don't risk my life.
yikes...I thought the medical private clinics were at a pretty high par from I've read..one good thing with my hubbies pension is free air travel if necessary in emergencies..ie. to Miami..I though paying the private medical insurance covered things like doctor visits and colonoscopies etc? So you are saying its bad? hmmm..not reassuring LOL..we will be returning to Canada at least once a year to visit family..however our medical lapses once we are gone 6 mos..this is why there are so many "snowbirds" that retire in florida and come home for 7 mos...not an option for us..especially with a kid in school
If you can make it to Santiago, or Santo Domingo it is pretty good. CMC in Sosua sucks, they will kill you, Bourngal in Puerto Plata is okay.
*A few on here will say that CMC in Sosua is great, they fit into the following categories
1. Real estate agents/ business owners
2. People who really really want Sosua and the Hospital to succeed.
3. The same people to refuse to acknowledge crime in the area.
*A few on here will say that CMC in Sosua is great, they fit into the following categories
1. Real estate agents/ business owners
2. People who really really want Sosua and the Hospital to succeed.
3. The same people to refuse to acknowledge crime in the area.
Speaking of crime...do I REALLY need big bars on my windows? Yes I amplanning to import fancy flat screens etc..and I know to be careful who I let into my home..do I need to hire a guy with a rifle on my front lawn? LOL..This is why I was thinking of renting a penthouse..perhaps safer with no bars?? We would like a villa, but the idea of a an apartment with neighbours to befriend is nice...
Here in La Romana at Jumbo...I think Plaza Lama here is the same.
For three of us, we spend about $600-$700/mo for food (virtually zero on booze; that can add a lot, we're just not big drinkers). We eat some imported stuff and some local stuff.
Something to keep in mind if you have a housekeeper: you need to factor in what they will eat (and occasionally take home for their family). We also spend more on cleaning products than we would if we didn't have the housekeeper.
I agree CMC sux but i do know people who have genuinely great experiences there. We go to Santiago or SD and find good Dr's there. Really for the most part there is no reason to go back home to see a dr.
If you're in a gated community, probably not. If not, then yes. If you're talking North Coast, there are others here that can probably offer better insight. Here in La Romana, and surrounding areas, I'd recommend the bars if you're not in a gated community.
Agree with others, good private clinics are generally pretty well regarded. I wouldn't go to a public hospital, if I could avoid it. Also, there is no "U.S.-like" EMS system here, so if something happens you need to either get yourself to the hospital, or know what ambulance to call to get you there.
For regular stuff, you'll be fine seeing physicians here. Another thing that's interesting: you will have access to some procedures and medications here that you won't in the U.S. You will may have access to trial meds as well. Even though it sounds like you have NRSA benefits, I'd still save the hassle and stay here for most things.
if you plan to fly back home to Canada onece or even more often per year with a family of 3, you should include those rides in your budget, too.
Mike
as for the theme with "ambulance flights back home in insurance included", i dont know how your specific policy is written, but the ones i know about usually have it named like "free flight home if best possible/appropriate medical care is not available near the location/in the country where residing". as by Insurer standards i would say the standards providd by the top private clinics on the Island/in the DR fulfill easy such wording, so i am not sure if a insurance pays right away the big bill of a ambualnce flight over the big water just because their customer demands such.
and those flights really cost the big time bucks.
Mike
and those flights really cost the big time bucks.
Mike
Flight insurance, including medical/ medivac during a vacation stay costs about $15 per trip.