cshine73 said:
OK.. I'm taking a bit of offense to your reply..
No. not a criminal.. Cops don't want me...
Why would you say these things?? You don't even know me?? But.. regardless.. tell me.. why would my reasons for leaving Ontario change your advice or knowledge of your experiences in Cabarete??
Simple. Because we see many people running away from their own circumstances to a 'better' life on an island in the Caribbean. If you are not strong, able to adjust to a very different structure, have some money in the bank and if you are running away from something, your chances of success are very limited. We see this frequently - and not only on this island.
If you want to make a change and can survive and land on your feet, this is a good place to come to - but do not put your heart on Cabarete only. Do some exploration.
Cabarete is my second favorite town in the world. It is a watersport town, it is small, it is made up of great beach, a few tourist stores, three or so very small supermarkets, lots of tourist restaurants and touristy excursion places, a few rental cars, some hotels and that is about it. Computers and systems are mainly in the hotels (and the market is saturated) and some point of sale systems. The town exists on tourist money. If the tourists are few, no-one local has money.. restaurants, hotels etc etc.
Nevertheless it is a vibrant little place just very different from anywhere else.
I would say go and live there for a few months while you find your feet. Learn the language, perhaps work in a bar or restaurant and figure out whether you can survive here.
If you are running away from something in your current country, be sure that the members of this board will probably not help you and that you'll be miserable.
If you're trying to make a change for yourself, it is possible but greatly different to live here. Just a few things.. power, we have little and the most expensive in the world. Try running computers on anything from 80 to 110 to 220 volts, as the force leads the power company that specific day. Figure on no power, no water - most water here is driven by some kind of electrical water pump.
If you want to learn about this place in a sensible way.. take a few months of, bring clothes, visit places like Rocky's in Sosua, meet some locals, learn some things and then, and only then make a decision to move. Meet the crowd in the Capitol, meet the Santiago citizens, meet the Puerto Plata 'Platanos'.., make friends, learn the language and after three months or so, try finding a job. What I'm saying is first find your feet and then find a job.