Oh, "The cost of living is so much cheaper here!"

[Fulano2]

No, you cant say that. Everybody has his lifestyle. The time I lived in the DR I spent at least 25.000 peso’s a month on wine and sherry. And not the wine I use to buy here, just US and Chileen stuff. Sherry not of course, only produced in Jerez.
So things a little more complicated than cheaper/more expensive. It’s the specific personal situation and habits.

 

[CristoRey]

So things a little more complicated than cheaper/more expensive.

I think we are talking about the general cost of living.
A Mercedes will always come with a Mercedes price tag.

 

[Derfish]

...Has anyone figured in the cost of crime....lack of police..court system...lack of effective government?...……...

How much does crime cost you on a monthly basis? I lost one $40.00 phone 6 months ago. That is all crime has cost me this year.

 

[Fulano2]

I think we are talking about the general cost of living.
A Mercedes will always come with a Mercedes price tag.

Even that makes a huge difference EU/USA/DR

 

[Derfish]

I think we are talking about the general cost of living.
A Mercedes will always come with a Mercedes price tag.

But that price tag will be twice here as it is in USA.

 

[william webster]

50% for sure Fishy......

 

[RDKNIGHT]

Yes cars are more expensive here 40- 50 percent more.... but the one positive is cars keep their value here ...
example is i brought a car for 14K sportage in 2017 and sold it 2 months ago for 13.500

 

[Fulano2]

You brought it...You can’t compare this way. How much would you have paid for it when buying it here, then you can compare.

By the way shouldn’t it be ...The cost of living is lower, instead of cheaper.

 

[william webster]

RDK... did you 'brought' or 'bought' that car

Can't sell'em for few years if 'brought'

But YES... my 2015 MUX is still selling for $30k....2 yrs later

 

[RDKNIGHT]

RDK... did you 'brought' or 'bought' that car

Can't sell'em for few years if 'brought'

But YES... my 2015 MUX is still selling for $30k....2 yrs later

\\\


forgive me sir wlliam BOUGHT

 

[william webster]

consider yourself forgiven.....

Agreed - good cars seem to hold their value....
I was pleasantly surprised by my situation

 

[CristoRey]

But that price tag will be twice here as it is in USA.

Ok, bad example however the cost of living here is still cheaper than USA or EU.

 

[Fulano2]

No I dont agree with you. Tenerife for example is so much cheaper, same the south of Spain.
Same for Rumania, south of Italy.

 

[Ecoman1949]

Canadian question lady’s and gentlemen. If I move here permanently, do I lose 30% of my old age pension? Any Canadian expats know?

 

[Derfish]

Canadian question lady’s and gentlemen. If I move here permanently, do I lose 30% of my old age pension? Any Canadian expats know?

There are those who feel they have to spend 6 months and a day in Canada every year to maintain their benefits. Being a USA citizen I don't know for sure,but have heard it many times.

 

[Cdn_Gringo]

No old age pension doesn't take a hit. After six months you will lose your entitlement to the guaranteed income supplement though.

 

[Cdn_Gringo]

There are those who feel they have to spend 6 months and a day in Canada every year to maintain their benefits.

That point primarily applies to Provincial Health Care programs. You get the benefits back after returning to Canada for three consecutive months.

There are some income tax implications depending on whether you declare yourself to be a non-resident Canadian or have that designation forced upon you by the tax people because you have not maintained sufficient economic ties to the Country.

 

[TotalBlondee]

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/old-age-security/eligibility.html

Google is your Friend. No you do not lose 30% of your OAS if you live outside Canada. What you do lose is your health care if you are outside the province/country for more than a certain time. Even then though, in an emergency situation, think Les at Velero, you will almost always become immediately eligible as soon as you're repatriated. Otherwise, it usually takes two months to establish residency to be eligible for health care.

 

[windeguy]

We Canadians take a big economic hit in the DR compared to US citizens. Our currency is 30 to 35% less compared to the US dollar and its reflected in the Canadian dollar-DR peso exchange rate. I just paid $1.36 for one US dollar. Other tourists and expats from Europe and Britain also have an economic advantage because of the value of the Euro or British pound. It doesn’t hurt if your in the DR for a week or two doing an AI Resort stay but it’s significant if your staying in the DR long term. It significantly increases the cost of apartment rentals, real estate purchases, vehicle, etc. Add that to the rising cost of living here for the past ten years, and the glow of living cheaply in the DR is not as bright as it used to be.

Fascinating that the number of Canadian to US expats is probably 10 or 20 to 1.

 

[drstock]

think Les at Velero,

Who's he?