Retiring or starting a business

[PICHARDO]

Actually Escott I do live a very rewarding and enhanced good life, by any means unless you live a jet setter life, spending about 225,000.00 Pesos a month is NOT NORMAL by any standarts, why... did you rent the Palacio Nacional by any chance or the Quisqueya stadium to practice bunts on weekends...

I own several biz in the DR, property, Vehicles, Boats etc. and to this time don't see the need to go and shell out US$5,000.00 a month for WHAT???!!!!

Sorry Escobar ERRRRRRR I mean Escott we in the normal working class consider at best US$1,000.00 a month to be a good normal amount to live with all there's plenty of need to have in the DR, unless I have the weidest and poorest of families in the DR and they had been lying to me all these years, maybe I should try and go there and see it myself, HMMMM...

When the DR1 poster said "to live in the DR" I don't think he meant by it "like the TRUMPS" or "MEJIAS"...

I stand my ground...

 

[PICHARDO]

On the other hand...

Escott we who toil the sweat because of our lack of Entrepenurial Ideas Salute you, as you had earned the status quo of someone able to live a better than best living in the DR, I guess I envy you a little (a lot) but as pointed out to the asked question US$1,000.00 will do the magic quite well...

 

[Escott]

Actually Escott I do live a very rewarding and enhanced good life, by any means unless you live a jet setter life, spending about 225,000.00 Pesos a month is NOT NORMAL by any standarts, why... did you rent the Palacio Nacional by any chance or the Quisqueya stadium to practice bunts on weekends...

I own several biz in the DR, property, Vehicles, Boats etc. and to this time don't see the need to go and shell out US$5,000.00 a month for WHAT???!!!!

...

for a guy with all that **** going for you it still seems like you are a broke dope! Only kidding.

 

[PICHARDO]

Ahhhh be patient young grasshopper be patient indee...

 

[Escott]

It aint me I swear. Your mommy PM'd me and said you were a cheap son and only sent her 700 bux when she could use a hell of a lot more Grasshopper.

 

[Robert]

This reminds me of two kids in a playground fighting over a ball. Please give it a rest, you are supposed to be adults. Who cares what another spends? If someone is dumping US$5,000 monthly into the local economy, great, I'm all for it. Could I spend that much a month? Yeah, if I really tried. I know a few that do it and more. Would I? No.

Get back on topic, any more ego inflated posts will be removed.

 

[Escott]

This reminds me of two kids in a playground fighting over a ball. Please give it a rest, you are supposed to be adults. Who cares what another spends? If someone is dumping US$5,000 monthly into the local economy, great, I'm all for it. Could I spend that much a month? Yeah, if I really tried. I know a few that do it and more. Would I? No.

Get back on topic, any more ego inflated posts will be removed.

Sorry boss, it ran away from me

 

[PICHARDO]

Would like to get some advice on both retiring and starting a business in the DR. How much would one need to live a very comfortable lifestyle if they retired to the DR? Are there any particular businesses that are more favourable to start up in the DR?

One good biz in the DR for someone with not much experience in the DR way-of-things would be to buy medium sized city lots, build a two story apt. building on them and rent using the services of a lawyer, or at least until you get the grasp of the DR way-of-things.

#1- Property value always increases in the DR, unless you invest in villas or beached province's property(only poor people and tourists live there for the most part, unless in casa de campo and punta cana of course)

#2- Rental units are seldom vacant for more than 2 to 3 months, unless you want the actual price of the cost to build for rent.

#3- No biz-killer inventory, unless you provide all furniture with your place.

#4- You can use your property as collateral should you find the perfect non-failing biz in the DR to invest into, unless it's not that failure-protected you though it was.

#5- You can sell all your properties and move back to your homeland should the DR way-of-things not fit your live style or liking, unless you mortgaged all before to fund your biz, therefore the sale price should provide all your debt for the lender and leave enough for your return ticket and a bottle of mamajuana to remember the DR...

 

[timelessdreams]

Living and working in the DR

Your two cents were very well spent!!! I have difficulty spending RD $50,000 per month even when I pay for a gardener, some building works (minor I would agree) AND play golf once a week!! I DO own my house, car, etc & I DO have a number of friends who only charge me Dominican prices (rather than the "Gringo Price - but then I have lived here for 12 years!!), & I find it difficult to spend the RD $60 K I have coming in each month - the balance tends to go back for re-investment!!!

Sorry, a bit more that two cents worth but not more than RD $100 worth!! Grahame.

Hi Grahame! You sould like a respectable chap, so some questions for you, if you would be so kind. My partner and I have just returned from a trip to Punta Cana in late February. For years we have been searching for an opportunity to run a business (Hopsitality/Aquatic) in 'paradise'. We have been searching for beachfront property on the north coast (Sosua) as well as the Bavaro Beach area on the south east coast. We have noticed many offers on the north coast and were informed this is due to the reduction of the percentage (40%)of tourism currently visiting the area. Punta Cana receiving most (80%) of it currently.

We are in touch with some French Folks who own and operate a restaurant, disco on the beach in Bavaro and are willing to help us. We are trying to come up with some resources that we can count on before revisiting. However, we find that the real estate companies are not very responsive to our inquiries.

We need to find out info regarding licensing (if any)for aquatic businesses, massage therapy and liquor/restaurant operation. Contacting the Hotels, and resorts. Perhaps there is some organization or people whom you know or can point us in the right direction.

We have thought of coming down for a few weeks to discover what may be available, but are not familiar with the best way to 'circumnavigate' ourselves.

Any help you could respond with would be greatly appreciated.
Timeless Dreams ~ Susie

 

[BushBaby]

Susie,
As this is an OPEN message Board, I will respond generally here & expand in an e-mail to you later. In a NUTSHELL ......... DON'T!!!!!

Don't start up a company of ANY sort until you have come here & seen how things work! Too many have come in with high expectations of 'Work Hard & get a fair return' only to find the "Fairness" was never there in the first place!!

Don't BUY a property until you know
WHAT you want to buy,
WHERE you want to Buy,
HOW much you ought to be paying for that property,
WHO the trustable, honest & decently priced lawyers are,

......... AND have got a good network of friends/contats around you to protect you from the sharks here!!

IF you are talking North Coast I might be able to point you in the direction of some worthwhile contacts - if you are talking SOUTH coast, forget it, I am absolutely no good to you at all!!!

Send me an e-mail (Bedggood.Bush@codetel.net.do) with more details about yourself & IF you are coming north coast I will see what I can advise.

In terms of the statistics you have been quoted, let me quote the well known politician who said, ..... "there are three types of untruths, ..... Lies, DAMNED lies & statistics!!!". You can make statistics tell you anything you want them to by juggling the questions around to suit the answer you require. Tourism on the north coast is getting back up to the level it was 4-5 years ago. Bavaro can be increasing at 80% but how much more can it cater for - is the infrustructure there to sustain 80% increase over the next 3 years?? Can the north caost sustain a similar increase?? I don't know the answers & anyway, it depends upon the starting point!!! Sorry, you will have to do the investigating from Gowvernmental statistics (& we ALL know they NEVER lie at this Government!!!) & make your own interpretations.

Have you REALLY read the archives on this subject? If so, home your key-words & look again. If NOT, go into them & read them thoroughly- lots of really good information there!! - Grahame.

 

[timelessdreams]

Susie,
As this is an OPEN message Board, I will respond generally here & expand in an e-mail to you later. In a NUTSHELL ......... DON'T!!!!!

Don't start up a company of ANY sort until you have come here & seen how things work! Too many have come in with high expectations of 'Work Hard & get a fair return' only to find the "Fairness" was never there in the first place!!

Don't BUY a property until you know
WHAT you want to buy,
WHERE you want to Buy,
HOW much you ought to be paying for that property,
WHO the trustable, honest & decently priced lawyers are,

......... AND have got a good network of friends/contats around you to protect you from the sharks here!!

IF you are talking North Coast I might be able to point you in the direction of some worthwhile contacts - if you are talking SOUTH coast, forget it, I am absolutely no good to you at all!!!

Send me an e-mail (Bedggood.Bush@codetel.net.do) with more details about yourself & IF you are coming north coast I will see what I can advise.

In terms of the statistics you have been quoted, let me quote the well known politician who said, ..... "there are three types of untruths, ..... Lies, DAMNED lies & statistics!!!". You can make statistics tell you anything you want them to by juggling the questions around to suit the answer you require. Tourism on the north coast is getting back up to the level it was 4-5 years ago. Bavaro can be increasing at 80% but how much more can it cater for - is the infrustructure there to sustain 80% increase over the next 3 years?? Can the north caost sustain a similar increase?? I don't know the answers & anyway, it depends upon the starting point!!! Sorry, you will have to do the investigating from Gowvernmental statistics (& we ALL know they NEVER lie at this Government!!!) & make your own interpretations.

Have you REALLY read the archives on this subject? If so, home your key-words & look again. If NOT, go into them & read them thoroughly- lots of really good information there!! - Grahame.

Hi Grahame,

Was hoping to hear back from the e-mail I sent you. I have checked out some of the archived posts...really sway you one way and then the other.
I am still trying to contact people that may help us at least gather enough for us to make the trip down to investigate some property and business opportunities.

Please let me know if you received my e-mail.
Thanks!
Susie

 

[BushBaby]

Susie,
I received your e-mail on the 6th & replied on the 7th. Obviously this didn't get through! Fortunately the sent copy was retained in my "SENT" folder so I have retrieved it 2 minutes ago & sent it again (with an additional comment about your surname!!).

If you don't get this one by 12.00 mid-day Friday, let me know & supply an alternative e-mail address for me to try!! - Grahame.

 

[timelessdreams]

Susie,
I received your e-mail on the 6th & replied on the 7th. Obviously this didn't get through! Fortunately the sent copy was retained in my "SENT" folder so I have retrieved it 2 minutes ago & sent it again (with an additional comment about your surname!!).

If you don't get this one by 12.00 mid-day Friday, let me know & supply an alternative e-mail address for me to try!! - Grahame.

Grahame,

Thank you so much for responding!!! I'm assuming I only received the forwarded copy, not the original. So your comment and attachments did not accompany it.
My partner and I were just discussing this evening, about taking a trip back down in late May. We would very much like to see the North Coast and now that you've mentioned it, it would be a pleasure to meet with you!!!
We respect the value and regard you hold in your professional relationships, as we would feel the same way. We are not only out to obtain information, but to develop repore and friendships with those that cross our paths during our journey.
We can assure you that our intentions are most ethical and integrity is a mandate.

We are most interested in hearing about your 'subsidizing' idea, as we would need to relinquish one of our homes and a business (namely my partner Jason's) in order to have resources to sustain us for a 6-9 month period, in the event work is not available.

We do have a contact on the south east coast and would try to manage visitng both places in the same trip. It is pretty much in the air right now as we are gathering as many resources as possible, as well as making the time spent most adventageous. I am told it would also be a good idea to visit Santo Domingo. At present, it seems booking an AI trip is the most cost effective due to exhorbidant airfare costs...Unless you have better ideas.. .

You may try to e-mail me on my AOL address - QTISUZI@aol.com if the one I provided is the one not allowing attachments to come through. There is a high level of security adhered, due to my business. However, the attachments are visible, just not accessible. In this case, neither.

We look forward to your comment and are sincerely grateful for your assistance.

Hasta luego
Susie

PS. I understand Spanish more than I speak, but we just emabarked on a Pimsleur Approach Lesson on CD. Maybe you have a better resource?

 

[Escott]

One good biz in the DR for someone with not much experience in the DR way-of-things would be to buy medium sized city lots, build a two story apt. building on them and rent using the services of a lawyer, or at least until you get the grasp of the DR way-of-things.

#1- Property value always increases in the DR, unless you invest in villas or beached province's property(only poor people and tourists live there for the most part, unless in casa de campo and punta cana of course)

You think that is a good biz for people without experience? I think you are totally wrong. That is not a business for people without experience. Contractors will eat them for breakfast and so will many of the Lawyers..

Scott

 

[timelessdreams]

You think that is a good biz for people without experience? I think you are totally wrong. That is not a business for people without experience. Contractors will eat them for breakfast and so will many of the Lawyers..

Scott

Thanks for the 'insight' on this Scott. That's the first question I asked myself, when I read that! LOL But what would you recommend? I'm pretty flexible regarding skills to enter the workforce. However, my partner has only done construction, and was interested in running an aquatic business or possibly a small bar and restaurant. (Have been in this industry for over 25 years).

Thanks,
Susie

 

[Escott]

Thanks for the 'insight' on this Scott. That's the first question I asked myself, when I read that! LOL But what would you recommend? I'm pretty flexible regarding skills to enter the workforce. However, my partner has only done construction, and was interested in running an aquatic business or possibly a small bar and restaurant. (Have been in this industry for over 25 years).

Thanks,
Susie

If I had to come here to work I would cut my pee pee off. Difficult place to do business in but you can be sucessful if you have a clue, get good advice, connect with the right people and still watch your ***.

Even the construction methods are different here than in the States where I come from. I was a builder and renovator for 25 years and would NOT do as he suggested until I familiarize myself better with the standard building practices. I don't even agree with what he said about values rising no matter what unless he is talking in Pesos which have fallen to pieces. Cars have risen in value in that case. a 100,o00 peso car 2 years ago is now worth more. We both know cars don't appreciate in value.

Scott

 

[jerryme]

I don't think the Dominican Republic has ever seen a building codes book

 

[jerryme]

I only wanted to see how many games I am champion of.

 

[BushBaby]

I don't think the Dominican Republic has ever seen a building codes book

Now that just is NOT TRUE!!!! There are VERY strict building codes for the engineers to work to AND the inspectors that go round checking every 4 or 5 months are trained just what to look for!! Our architect was most professional in what he put forward on our designs & how safe we were to be against earthquakes etc.

No, the problem is that money can buy inspectors to stay away or look away whilst something else is being done to the property - you need a TRustworthy engineer to build here!! - Grahame.

 

[jerryme]

money can buy any inspector off. Having worked in construction for 20 years, I have seen the most corrupt inspectors in Washington DC. I witnessed a plumbing foreman paying off an inspector for $ 25 dollars to pass a 12 story building off without seeing anything