Agreed, 2008 was so easy.....
in fact I chose RD b/c of the ease of residency and no minimum stay requirement
cheap, easy fast
that it been so easy to stay, was a finally deciding factor for myself, too.
i traveled a lot back in the day,
and in DR you could stay as pleased
and at the moment the decision for a permanent/long years stay been taken, to get a residency card and all that stuff was easy and hassle free.
DR always had a minimum stay limit of 6 months per year(no more than 180 days out of DR for Residents), but to date i never heard such would ever been enforced, and anyways they allow to apply for exceptions of that rule.
and even with todays more expensive and more "complicated" handlings of the thingy,
which other caribbean Island would offer the advantages that draw me on This Island for the same or less money/hassles/paperwork?
a thriving Tourism Economy which offers the chance to establish good long running business ventures with relatively small amounts of investments, a high number of Clientel relatively guaranteed, a safe place for a 3rd world/developing country, a climate to appreciate, Oceanfront living for very affordable money.
and the DR offers lifestyles of all different levels/for all different pockets.
there are not many caribbean Islands, who could compete with the over all package, as it fits for myself/my personal needs,
if there would be any other Isle in the first place.
like every formerly open border poor country,
once certain limits are reached, the immigrations policies get little by little more "selective" on "whom we wanna have in and whom not", so the minimum requirements of steady income/pension/investment/money on a bank etc etc will rise little by little.
todays margins i honestly do not see as anything skyrocketed high out of this world,
those margins sure will get further adjustments during the decades to come, towards a higher level,
at least so long as so many foreigners move over here, who pass those limits without a hinch.
Mike
