My husband and I are thinking about moving to the DR and settling in the North area (although we don't like heat that much and would prefer the mountains). After reading a number of posts here on DR1, the impression left about living in the country is a pretty horrific one.
Constant and epidemic theft, from common pick pockets to customs agents to government police.
Robberies of persons and households common. Pros and cons of gated communities aside, some even recommend carrying weapons.
People see you as a target and many of them are dishonourable to say the least.
Government is so corrupt you cannot send anything saving in the DR from abroad without overpaying on tax (with no published rates) or having it stolen outright.
Drugs out of control in the cities. Haitians pouring into the country to be exploited for cheap labour (like Mexicans in California years ago) and perhaps to contribute to the overwhelming crime problem.
Can't really trust the police so don't even bother to report crime. Don't pull over for them at night or in rural areas even if they flag you. You could get robbed or shaken down.
The DR is the second poorest country in the Caribbean. People have said that the massive infiltration of drugs within the last 7 years so so has changed the place dramatically.
So, my question is, WHY IS ANYONE STILL LIVING THERE? WHY ARE PEOPLE MOVING HERE?
This is not a rant against the DR, it is not intended to be insulting. I am telling you this is the impression a newcomer once excited about the possibility of retiring to the DR has received, not only from this site but several others as well.
I am not shrinking violet either, both of us were hippies in California back in the day and have seen our share of life.
TELL ME WHY WE SHOULD MOVE TO THE DR? What are the wonderful things about life there?
Thanks - I am looking forward to your replies.
Rachel
Well one good thing about DR is that you can buy your way out of any problem. People that I know move here because you can do more with little..For example, if you are a lowlife nobody in the North America you can easily come down to DR and live rather well.
Im talking house paid off, maid, chauffer etc. I like DR the mostly because its a big ego trip for me. I walk into certain places, everyone knows who I am and pleades for my attention.
Also the societal constraints of N.A. are just not there in the DR..You can freely be who you want to be, and not have to worry about being PC or dealing with all the fake people.
I know plenty of guys that are grocery baggers in the USA but come to the DR and live like kings for a week or two..
Where else on earth can I 60-70 year old guy actually have a shot at a model type 18 year old woman..that will worship the ground that the man walks on??
I could go on, but that is it for now.
kind of substantiates that. We all learned a long time ago that to survive here you have to have humility. Dominicans are very quick to recognise those who do & those who don't. I pick up a certain level of 'self-importance' from the OP rather than bigotry & if she wants to move here & survive happily, that self-importance will need an adjustment.