Because much of the postings about "the problems in the North Coast" are plain and simply not true. Problems are possible anywhere, especially when foreigners attempt to adapt to unfamiliar culture and surroundings. I visited the DR for the first time in 02/05, settled on my property purchase 8 months later, moved here full time a month after that and have never looked back. Nothing magical about it, just proper planning, attitude and decisions.
- Thread starter mboydii
- Start date
Looking for some advice
Because much of the postings about "the problems in the North Coast" are plain and simply not true. Problems are possible anywhere, especially when foreigners attempt to adapt to unfamiliar culture and surroundings. I visited the DR for the first time in 02/05, settled on my property purchase 8 months later, moved here full time a month after that and have never looked back. Nothing magical about it, just proper planning, attitude and decisions.
If you can afford to leave the states for a period of time than go to the DR and rent for a few months and see what it is like to have feet on the ground. This always sounds like a great idea but adjusting to a whole 'nother cultural has a long learning curve. Withouth any language skills it will be a tough go.
All this advice may be falling on deaf ears, as the OP hasn't been heard of since his first post a couple of days ago. Nevertheless, here's mine, for what it's worth:
Don't worry about official Residency at this stage. Come down as a regular tourist for a few months and base yourself on the north coast, where your lack of Spanish will be less of a disadvantage. Spend your time touring around seeing where suits you best, but bear in mind that even on the north coast there is a lot of choice, with the main centres like Puerto Plata, Sosua, Cabarete and Las Terrenas all having very different characters. Visit the cities that you mentioned but also other parts, including beautiful inland places like Jarabacoa if that interests you.
If you still like the DR after all that you can make a decision where you want to put down roots (probably renting for the first few months) and take a trip back to the US to start the Residency process.
Don't worry about official Residency at this stage. Come down as a regular tourist for a few months and base yourself on the north coast, where your lack of Spanish will be less of a disadvantage. Spend your time touring around seeing where suits you best, but bear in mind that even on the north coast there is a lot of choice, with the main centres like Puerto Plata, Sosua, Cabarete and Las Terrenas all having very different characters. Visit the cities that you mentioned but also other parts, including beautiful inland places like Jarabacoa if that interests you.
If you still like the DR after all that you can make a decision where you want to put down roots (probably renting for the first few months) and take a trip back to the US to start the Residency process.
Admitting that I can be somewhat naive at times, I find it hard to believe that someone who states an unequivocal plan to relocate to one of two specific cities in the very near future has not done their research and has some experience in the country of their choice.
I certainly wouldn't throw a dart at a map and then declare that I am moving "there" in 90 days. Before I moved to paradise, I hadn't lived here for more than a few weeks at a time over many years. I didn't know everything but I knew enough to be able to appreciate language issues, costs, service availability.
I have to assume that the OP did not just wake up and decide that the DR is heaven on earth.
Renting on the north central coast for unilingual anglophones for the first year or two. Then they will be ready to strike out to different locals with a basic knowledge of Spanish, a better appreciation of the daily challenges they will face and a better understanding of the feasibility of their practical long term wants/needs.
My 2 cents worth.
I certainly wouldn't throw a dart at a map and then declare that I am moving "there" in 90 days. Before I moved to paradise, I hadn't lived here for more than a few weeks at a time over many years. I didn't know everything but I knew enough to be able to appreciate language issues, costs, service availability.
I have to assume that the OP did not just wake up and decide that the DR is heaven on earth.
Renting on the north central coast for unilingual anglophones for the first year or two. Then they will be ready to strike out to different locals with a basic knowledge of Spanish, a better appreciation of the daily challenges they will face and a better understanding of the feasibility of their practical long term wants/needs.
My 2 cents worth.
Agreed that with no English, the north coast is better until you learn the ropes. Getting around without Spanish on a moto can be a challenge and driving is a bad idea in STGO or SD for someone unfamiliar with Dominican traffic.
northshore or the east around punta cana.
both provide a large english speaking community to come by, while learning spanish.
can't comment about the cities, as i hate them all around(not just in DR).
Mike
both provide a large english speaking community to come by, while learning spanish.
can't comment about the cities, as i hate them all around(not just in DR).
Mike
What ?? There's not that many problems on the North Coast. And nobody I know had trouble adapting living on the North Coast. And it's much more easier to adapt and get the feel of it when you are in a beach town with a lot of gringos and expats who speak your language.
And don't get me started with gated communities... It's almost mafia like... You have to belong... and can't do this, can't do that but MUST do this, or do it THIS way, which is OUR way... OUR being the board, or association, silently called the "mafia"...
And how can one adapts in his new country if he lives apart and gated from the "real people"... Gimme a break... Don't live in a barrio but Jesus, at least live in the real Dominican Republic.