- Thread starter Wafudude
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"Reasonable Income" - Cost of Living
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Hmmmmmm did you fail math honey??? $2,000 Canadian = $52,000 RD at 26 to 1. I believe that is the current rate for canadian money. $2,500 Canadian is $65,000 RD!
QUOTE - Piranha
Would really appreciate your feedback & thoughts...
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Sorry to be a pain, but further to my earlier post. I would really appreciate your feedback on my specific circumstances and potential costs. Please!
All costs are per month.
Rent (Inc maintenance fees) US$650
Food US$100
Fuel (TBC - Subject to mileage)
Electricity (Inc air con) US$50
Telephone US$15
Water ???
Health insurance (Fully comprehensive) US$70
Dental costs US$15
Shopping (Clothes etc) US$50
Motoring (Servicing & maintenance) US$50
Entertainment (Socialising) US$300
Motor insurance ???
Home insurance (Comprehensive) ???
And if not included within US$650 Rent:
Cable TV US$20
Internet (High speed) US$60
- Please tell me, are my figures above realistic?
- Any other expenses which should be included?
- Any realistic estimates on the ??????
(For your reference, I am a single guy, living on my own. I will be out at work 6/7 days a week (7.30-5.30), so I will only be home in the evenings. I will own a budget car that is paid for. I will be able to eat breakfast / lunch and dinner at my workplace. I will socialise a couple of evenings a week, involving a reasonable meal in restaurant and a few beers. I am looking to rent a 1 or, if possible, 2 bedroom apartment in the Punta Cana / Bavaro area with the following facilities: fully furnished, all appliances (washing machine, refrigerator, oven etc), air conditioning, fast internet, telephone, cable TV, shower, burglar alarm, inverter / generator and parking - in a secure & safe complex / neighbourhood).
Thanks very much.
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Sorry, don't have many folks here from the Punta Cana area. I have no idea on rent there.
In Santo Domingo, I use Aster high speed cable for internet and cable TV - RD$2300 a month.
Telephone - US$15 a month may pay the cost to maintain a cell phone as active. This # might be OK if oyu are planning on just having an active cell phone in case of emergency, but other than that - this son't include many calls -Nobody to call in the UK?? A telephone in the house starts at about RD$500 a month just to have it active, no calls.
Car insurance for responsibilidad civil may run RD$500 a month, but no collision or comprehensive coverage included. Including those coverages, maybe RD$1500 a month these days, if your car value is RD$300k.
House insurance (comprehenxive) in Santo Domingo - a rough estimate of annual cost is 0.7% of the value you insure it for (including the government taxes) - i.e. RD$3 million value of house and contents = about RD$21,000 a year for insurance.
Yopu may need to buy an inverter, and batteries. Inverter of 1500 watts runs about RD$18,000 I think. Batteries run about $2800 each for the good ones, and less for the not-so-good batteries. If you have 4 batteries, that's another RD$10k, and it still won't run your refrigerator or washing machine, or A/C unit, just the fans.
Very few people pay more than RD$50 a month for water and garbage service in Santo Domingo.
Burglar alarm? That's another goody that you will probably need to buy on your own.
When you go looking for an apartment, ask the people living in the area how good their electricity and water service is, and how often they go out, and for how long.
Good Luck.
Would really appreciate your feedback & thoughts...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry to be a pain, but further to my earlier post. I would really appreciate your feedback on my specific circumstances and potential costs. Please!
All costs are per month.
Rent (Inc maintenance fees) US$650
Food US$100
Fuel (TBC - Subject to mileage)
Electricity (Inc air con) US$50
Telephone US$15
Water ???
Health insurance (Fully comprehensive) US$70
Dental costs US$15
Shopping (Clothes etc) US$50
Motoring (Servicing & maintenance) US$50
Entertainment (Socialising) US$300
Motor insurance ???
Home insurance (Comprehensive) ???
And if not included within US$650 Rent:
Cable TV US$20
Internet (High speed) US$60
- Please tell me, are my figures above realistic?
- Any other expenses which should be included?
- Any realistic estimates on the ??????
(For your reference, I am a single guy, living on my own. I will be out at work 6/7 days a week (7.30-5.30), so I will only be home in the evenings. I will own a budget car that is paid for. I will be able to eat breakfast / lunch and dinner at my workplace. I will socialise a couple of evenings a week, involving a reasonable meal in restaurant and a few beers. I am looking to rent a 1 or, if possible, 2 bedroom apartment in the Punta Cana / Bavaro area with the following facilities: fully furnished, all appliances (washing machine, refrigerator, oven etc), air conditioning, fast internet, telephone, cable TV, shower, burglar alarm, inverter / generator and parking - in a secure & safe complex / neighbourhood).
Thanks very much.
END QUOTE------
Sorry, don't have many folks here from the Punta Cana area. I have no idea on rent there.
In Santo Domingo, I use Aster high speed cable for internet and cable TV - RD$2300 a month.
Telephone - US$15 a month may pay the cost to maintain a cell phone as active. This # might be OK if oyu are planning on just having an active cell phone in case of emergency, but other than that - this son't include many calls -Nobody to call in the UK?? A telephone in the house starts at about RD$500 a month just to have it active, no calls.
Car insurance for responsibilidad civil may run RD$500 a month, but no collision or comprehensive coverage included. Including those coverages, maybe RD$1500 a month these days, if your car value is RD$300k.
House insurance (comprehenxive) in Santo Domingo - a rough estimate of annual cost is 0.7% of the value you insure it for (including the government taxes) - i.e. RD$3 million value of house and contents = about RD$21,000 a year for insurance.
Yopu may need to buy an inverter, and batteries. Inverter of 1500 watts runs about RD$18,000 I think. Batteries run about $2800 each for the good ones, and less for the not-so-good batteries. If you have 4 batteries, that's another RD$10k, and it still won't run your refrigerator or washing machine, or A/C unit, just the fans.
Very few people pay more than RD$50 a month for water and garbage service in Santo Domingo.
Burglar alarm? That's another goody that you will probably need to buy on your own.
When you go looking for an apartment, ask the people living in the area how good their electricity and water service is, and how often they go out, and for how long.
Good Luck.
ooppps........
Guess I goofed, eh???
Was looking at a bank statement that only had one withdrawal on it.... when we arrived mid month!!!!
we withdraw RD$30,000 twice monthly so approx RD$60,000 per month.
My estimate also didn't include vehicle insurance which is paid in one lump sum of about RD$35,000. when we arrive each fall.
Guess I goofed, eh???
Was looking at a bank statement that only had one withdrawal on it.... when we arrived mid month!!!!
we withdraw RD$30,000 twice monthly so approx RD$60,000 per month.
My estimate also didn't include vehicle insurance which is paid in one lump sum of about RD$35,000. when we arrive each fall.
Thank you!
GringoCArlos: Thanks for the great info. Yes, unfortunately there doesn't seem to be an abundance of people in the Punta Cana / Bavaro area!
US$15 telephone costs pm was for a landline and very few calls. I had forgotten to include a cell phone which I'm (hopefully correctly) estimating at about US$60 or so pm with not a huge amount of use.
Finally, wise words in your last paragraph.
Thanks very much. I hope you've had a good weekend.
GringoCArlos: Thanks for the great info. Yes, unfortunately there doesn't seem to be an abundance of people in the Punta Cana / Bavaro area!
US$15 telephone costs pm was for a landline and very few calls. I had forgotten to include a cell phone which I'm (hopefully correctly) estimating at about US$60 or so pm with not a huge amount of use.
Finally, wise words in your last paragraph.
Thanks very much. I hope you've had a good weekend.
Is anyplace "cheap" these days??
Obviously there are things that are expensive in the DR, such as gasoline, electricity and some consumer goods. Other things are moderately priced and some, for instance rent and labor, are indeed cheap.
I think most of the complaints here are from folks who remember the "good old days" when you could live like a king on a relatively paltry income. I don't know if places like that exist any more, but if they do, they certainly aren't on caribbean islands!
If you read planner's list, it adds up to less than $800 USD a month. This is on the North coast, not out in the campo somewhere using an outhouse and bathing from a bucket. She's living an expat lifestyle in an apartment with AC, cable TV and high speed internet in a decent neighborhood, with a car and a social life. Not extravagent, but not "living like a Dominican in a poor barrio." I noticed that she put down zero for alcohol. I don't know if that means she doesn't drink or that someone else is buying.
Having met her as well as reading her posts here, I think I'm safe in saying she is happy with her life.This doesn't mean that those who spend more don't legitimately "need" to spend what they spend. I think we all have our own expectations. A former frequent poster here whose name shall not be mentioned, used to say he "got along fine on $5000 USD a month". Maybe for him that was what he "needed". (Considering the source, it's more likely it was just BS.)
Hi all. I was wondering, I added up all of the estimates each one of you gave and compared, and I was wondering, I am planning on moving to Punta Cana in September. I am a young single female, I will rent a studio or one bedroom, I will have a cell and need internet, I will get health insurance, and I am a vegan so I eat for pretty cheap though I do love my beer. I will live fairly close to where I work so I won't be needing a car, I will just rent one when I need to drive a distance, I will take the gua gua or ride my bike for most needs. My question is, based on that info, will I be able to live on a US$ 2000/month to get started? Is that doable? I am not looking for luxury, I just want to be simply comfortable.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much!
BeachyGirl
though I do love my beer. I will live fairly close to where I work so I won't be needing a car, I will just rent one when I need to drive a distance, I will take the gua gua or ride my bike for most needs. My question is, based on that info, will I be able to live on a US$ 2000/month to get started? Is that doable? I am not looking for luxury, I just want to be simply comfortable.Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much!
BeachyGirl
How much could one expect to pay for a used car? Nothing special, but not a complete junker, either. Also, in regards to a cell phone, can I just bring my phone from here and change out the SIM card? How much is an average monthly plan? And does Skype work well from the DR? You guys are great. Thanks for all your help. ((((hug)))) BeachyGirl
Prices on used cars depend totally on what you buy and where you buy it! Give us an idea of what you are looking for and maybe we can price it out.
Skype works very well here as long as you have high speed internet! No problem at all.
Average monthly phone plans depends what you need! HOw often do you call, who do you call (ie Verizon, Orange or Centennial, Land line or long distance) etc. It is too hard to estimate without knowing more.
Skype works very well here as long as you have high speed internet! No problem at all.
Average monthly phone plans depends what you need! HOw often do you call, who do you call (ie Verizon, Orange or Centennial, Land line or long distance) etc. It is too hard to estimate without knowing more.
You are too right, sorry for that. Let me see...
The car I would be looking to get would be something small and durable, perhaps a Honda-Civi-type car, or a Jeep-type vehicle, but used and the cheaper the better, I wouldn't be picky as to year or anything. And where I buy it will be anywhere I get the best deal!
Is high-speed internet around $80/month? For reliable service?
And cell, let's see, I have Verizon now, I don't know if that would make a difference or affect the phone I have with changing the SIM card, and I would use it mostly for work (in the DR) and would use Skype for overseas, just needing an average idea of a cell bill... $50,$100,$200 a month for average usage?
I just want to know that the base salary I am being offered ($2,000 US) a month will suffice before I make such a huge move.
Thanks so much for your time all, DR1 has been my little emergency button for me lately as I don't know who else to ask for all of this!:surprised
while you have to thank SamanaJon for replying, becuase the question was asked, but his figures are off the charts for most retirees, and certainly for 90% of all dominicans already living there...
after visiting 22 times in 2 years and dropping about $1500 each trip...I can say there are very few things in the DR that are cheaper than in america.
if it grows in the DR or is made there...then it has a chance to be cheaper..
the kicker is so many knock off products come into america from the far east and south america that are sooo cheap even the dominican can make them as cheap...thus you can buy stuff( true it is not good quality) dirt cheap places and get by...as a couple on retirement might do.
like a pair of shoes at a discout store for $6!!!!! or dress shirts marked down to $5...even name brands.....that wont happen in the DR....you wont find dockers shirts discounted in the DR for $7!!!!!!!!!
and for sure new stuff that is imported like computers( compaq, dell, HP) tvs, automobiles big household appliances...will all be 150% of what they cost in america...and there will be no sales!!!!!!!!!!
gas and electricity is way more when you can get it....
the up side might be you can buy some piece of property out someplace quiet, and feed your self with locally purchases foods cheaply.....everything else is more expsensive than back where you came from probably.
the problem is people go on vacation to the most beautiful beaches, and dont deal with all the infrastructure problems of the country , then back home they think ..."hey Id like to retire there"....but where they resorted isnt the place they can retire to..........thats down the road and into the middle of all the ISSUES the island has.
bob
after visiting 22 times in 2 years and dropping about $1500 each trip...I can say there are very few things in the DR that are cheaper than in america.
if it grows in the DR or is made there...then it has a chance to be cheaper..
the kicker is so many knock off products come into america from the far east and south america that are sooo cheap even the dominican can make them as cheap...thus you can buy stuff( true it is not good quality) dirt cheap places and get by...as a couple on retirement might do.
like a pair of shoes at a discout store for $6!!!!! or dress shirts marked down to $5...even name brands.....that wont happen in the DR....you wont find dockers shirts discounted in the DR for $7!!!!!!!!!
and for sure new stuff that is imported like computers( compaq, dell, HP) tvs, automobiles big household appliances...will all be 150% of what they cost in america...and there will be no sales!!!!!!!!!!
gas and electricity is way more when you can get it....
the up side might be you can buy some piece of property out someplace quiet, and feed your self with locally purchases foods cheaply.....everything else is more expsensive than back where you came from probably.
the problem is people go on vacation to the most beautiful beaches, and dont deal with all the infrastructure problems of the country , then back home they think ..."hey Id like to retire there"....but where they resorted isnt the place they can retire to..........thats down the road and into the middle of all the ISSUES the island has.
bob
Buying a car
Hi BeachyGirl,
I am moving over from the UK soon to Punta Cana / Bavaro and also asked the question regarding a car and thought you might be interested... http://www.dr1.com/forums/living/64709-buying-car.html.
It seems like reasonable quality, reliable, used cars here are like gold dust... unfortunately!
Good luck. See you there!
Hi BeachyGirl,
I am moving over from the UK soon to Punta Cana / Bavaro and also asked the question regarding a car and thought you might be interested... http://www.dr1.com/forums/living/64709-buying-car.html.
It seems like reasonable quality, reliable, used cars here are like gold dust... unfortunately!
Good luck. See you there!
Hey Bob, thank you for your input! I know what you are saying as I have already lived and worked in the DR from 2004-2005, but my accomodations and food were taken care of for me by my employer, so that is why I am asking these questions this time around as I am being offered a salary instead.
My knowledge of the basic needs for living (cell, utilities, internet, etc) is limited but I am fairly in-the-know in regards to clothing, food, entertainment, etc. And I am far from retiring, I am only 28!
Also, as far as the issues the country has and such, I am aware of those too. But I have lived in 6 foreign countries in my life - all with their own fair share of issues, political, social, environmental, etc. I am prepared and cautious, but also in love with the DR - I was happiest at the point in my life when I lived there, and that is why I wish to return, and make the DR my home again.
I am just truly trying to get a feel for what to expect in certain areas, as there is no knowlegde like that of those who currently live there, and all in all, I have received heaps of thumbs up from those of you responding to my queries, so I am feeling pretty great about this opportunity. I just want to know I am making a wise choice monetarily with the salary I am being offered before I sign anywhere.
While I am on this soapbox
, and on the topic of cars, which I know will not be cheap, so thank goodness I don't need one right away!, how much do rentals run, fo day/weekly use? I will have to probably go that route for awhile as I will need a car when I have clients in town.Again, thank you all. This forum is a lifeboat!
Have an amazing day, all.BeachyGirl
well the devil is in the details...for renting a car ..Id say that if you can find a local guy who will rent you a car when needed you might work your best deal...rentals are high because they are usually geared towards tourist who spend heavy then go. I rent a 2-4 year old SUV and it runs from 50-85 a day...i see guys who rent the small cars for 40 a day, and i bet if you find a guy who has a 5 or 6 year old small car you might be able to rent it for about 25 per day all $US....
my gfs sister bought a cambry I think it is about 7-8 years old...i think they paid $3,000 US......the classified here on DR1 have autos for sale once in a while......
remember that the car take a harder beating on that island than it would in surburban america.....there are a lot of poor roads!!
good luck
ps I got this off the bottom of the DR1 classified page....
super-carros.com - dominicana - carros nuevos vehiculos usados - supercarros
bob
my gfs sister bought a cambry I think it is about 7-8 years old...i think they paid $3,000 US......the classified here on DR1 have autos for sale once in a while......
remember that the car take a harder beating on that island than it would in surburban america.....there are a lot of poor roads!!
good luck
ps I got this off the bottom of the DR1 classified page....
super-carros.com - dominicana - carros nuevos vehiculos usados - supercarros
bob
We pay our girl US$250 a month, and only ask her to come in 4-5 days a week and abt 3 to 4 hours a day. If I could pay more I would, but since I can't atthe moment, I certainly would not abuse someone.
I would be embarrased to pay someone 5,000 pesos!
I would be embarrased to pay someone 5,000 pesos!
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