Semi-Retirement

[Phil Medway]

I chanced on your message page whilst searching for information on the Dominican Republic. It was amusing to see that exactly the same mish mash of helpful and "tub thumping" messages appear as do on a similar board here in Singapore - www.expatsingapore.com.sg

I am am Englishman who has lived in Singapore for many years and who has a Singaporean wife. Some years ago the British Government changed the law so that your wife has to live in the UK for three years prior to being granted a British Passport. For this reason my wife still holds her Singapore passport (and is rightly proud of it!)

We are looking to take Semi-Retirment in the near future, the cost of living is so high in Singapore that we wish to relocate. Both of us love the Carribbean, we have visited often; however we do not want to move to one of the "Tourist hot spots"

From what we have read the Dominican Republic looks well worth a visit to check out the potential of moving there. My question is a simple one:- With my holding a British passport and my wife holding a Singaporean passport would there be any problem in applying to become Permenant Residents?"

Please no questions as to why we don't want to move to the UK - have you ever suffered a winter there???

Kind Regards

Phil & Catherine

 

[ECH]

I hold a U.S. passport and am in FULL retirement in the DR and have been for almost ten years and love every minute of it. Well, almost every minute. There are problems to be sure, but mainly inconveniences as opposed to anything serious. You learn to live with and cope with the manana attitude. The weather is wonderful and I could care less if I NEVER see snow again.I live in Santo Domingo and my area is not considered "touristy" by any means and it is nice to have the conveniences that the capital offers not to mention the close proximity of Embassy services should they be needed. We even have a British Pub in the city! The Dominican people are nice, warm and friendly. Problem area in that regard is many do not speak English and Spanish is a must if you plan to live here but you would be surprised at how you can communicate with gestures! I would not think there would be a problem with the passports but I leave that to those more expert in Dominican Immigration Law. Might I suggest you arrange to spend an extended time in the DR (at an apart-hotel)living as the locals do to see if the DR is the place for YOU. ENJOY

 

[Phil Medway]

Thank you for your swift response - it is encouraging. Regarding the manana attitude, well having worked in Asia for years I can assure you it is something you find in all hot climates.Your point about an extended visit is well taken - we would certainly intend doing so prior to making a final decision.

If anyone else can inform me on the passport issue and perhaps recommend a good site for looking into tax issues etc I would appreciate it. Thank you

 

[allan]

just click on the archives and put in your search word by the way here in england today its a warm sunny day in november! just to be safe though i start my 3 months winter break in the dr on sunday cant wait. best of luck to both of you

 

[DR One]

Check out:

www.rvhb.com

www.serex.gov.do

www.amcham.org.do

Also, if you are seriously considering retiring to the DR, you should order the Living in Santo Domingo book available on this web site. It is chock full of advice for those considering relocating to the DR.

The procedures to get residency papers are similar regardless of whether you are a Singapore citizen or a British citizen.

 

[noelle]

DR1 gave you good advice... Two good friends of mine, one couple, just retired to Puerto Plata from the U.S. and they are as happy as can be. For personal safely or feeling of safety once you obtain your legal residency you are more than welcome to live with us foreigners!!! Hope you decide to choose OUR island. If you think that I could be of help, please e-mail.

 

[Phil Medway]

I would like to thank, Dolores, Ernest, Noelle, and Allan for the valuable advise they have given me. We will certainly be buying the book "Living in Santo Domingo" and then will look to making a visit of at least a month to see how we find the reality.

By the way Allan when you said it is "A warm sunny day in England" I doubt if Catherine and I would have agreed. In Singapore it is considered cold if the temperature drops below 26 centrigrade/77 fahrenheit. I bet you still had your wooly on!

Kind Regards

Phil & Catherine