Alright. I totally see TJ's, and Robert's point obout lifestyle. Trust me, I held out for several years in Uruguay, working my way from $300 to $400 a month, and also making stuff on the side. I loved it there, the way of life, the pace, the people, the food, the culture, it was great. I also felt the same way that "everything has been done" back home, and there was a chance to do things differently. Unfortunately reality struck, I took a vacation back to Canada slightly before the Argentinian crisis, and ended up staying. Looking at opportunity, there was far more in Canada than I could have in Uruguay - especially given the economic turmoil at the time.
Now bringing this back to the DR, same thing goes. I initially went on a 3 month contract, I was making about 80 000 a month, and I also had savings. Believe me I was living it up big time, and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. Once that contract and the money ended however, perspective changed. I was offered stuff at about 30 000 a month in call centres - how was I going to go for a 50 000 pay cut? Even calculating what I could do with 30 000, things didn't add up. So I decided to go back to Canada where I can make 30 000 a week, working less hours.
I hardly know any young people that make more than $30 000 a month. I know one guy that makes 40 000, another that makes 50 000, and my GF makes about 80 - 100gs - but it's a very demanding job that requires around 70hrs a week.
Anyhow, I have no doubt that some people can make it. I don't know how long Robert has been in the DR, but I'm sure he does well enough with the network he has made over the years. TJ, if you are doing something you truly believe in, that's great, a paycut is a not a bad thing if you enjoy the place you are at, and are happy.
As far as things go with me, as I look out the window to see snowbanks as high as my shoulders, and freeze my ass off everytime I go for a smoke - where do you think I'd rather be? But when I think of the idea of buying a house, starting a familly, having time to enjoy myself and take vacations, my reality is that I don't see that happening very EASILY in the DR - not that it's impossible, it's just improbable.
As far as this thread goes, I think I was misenterpreted as complaining that the DR is expensive, I don't think it is, I just don't think it's cheap per se, and I don't have a problem with that. I was just stating that some people expect it to be cheaper than it is, and feel ripped off when they find out it isn't - that I don't agree with.
Anyhow, as I said I'd rather be there. Now if someone can explain how I can do that, and still have the other things I want in life, it's welcomed - I don't need 80 000 a month, but something better than 30 000 would be great.
Now bringing this back to the DR, same thing goes. I initially went on a 3 month contract, I was making about 80 000 a month, and I also had savings. Believe me I was living it up big time, and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. Once that contract and the money ended however, perspective changed. I was offered stuff at about 30 000 a month in call centres - how was I going to go for a 50 000 pay cut? Even calculating what I could do with 30 000, things didn't add up. So I decided to go back to Canada where I can make 30 000 a week, working less hours.
I hardly know any young people that make more than $30 000 a month. I know one guy that makes 40 000, another that makes 50 000, and my GF makes about 80 - 100gs - but it's a very demanding job that requires around 70hrs a week.
Anyhow, I have no doubt that some people can make it. I don't know how long Robert has been in the DR, but I'm sure he does well enough with the network he has made over the years. TJ, if you are doing something you truly believe in, that's great, a paycut is a not a bad thing if you enjoy the place you are at, and are happy.
As far as things go with me, as I look out the window to see snowbanks as high as my shoulders, and freeze my ass off everytime I go for a smoke - where do you think I'd rather be? But when I think of the idea of buying a house, starting a familly, having time to enjoy myself and take vacations, my reality is that I don't see that happening very EASILY in the DR - not that it's impossible, it's just improbable.
As far as this thread goes, I think I was misenterpreted as complaining that the DR is expensive, I don't think it is, I just don't think it's cheap per se, and I don't have a problem with that. I was just stating that some people expect it to be cheaper than it is, and feel ripped off when they find out it isn't - that I don't agree with.
Anyhow, as I said I'd rather be there. Now if someone can explain how I can do that, and still have the other things I want in life, it's welcomed - I don't need 80 000 a month, but something better than 30 000 would be great.
