The Top 10 Things I Like About Living in the DR (The Reason I'm Staying)

[Dark_Scorpion]

There are a lot of negative things said about the DR, but I wanted to start a thread talking about the ten things I like the most about the DR, and the reason I've decided to remain after living here just over a year. Below are the top ten things that make me want to stay in the DR:

1. Warm weather all year round
2. Low rental costs
3. Low healthcare costs
3. No serious penalty against non-residents who overstay their tourist visa
4. The ability to move up the social ladder
5. The ability to blend in (more so than the USA)
6. The ability to own property as a non-resident
7. The ability to avoid property taxes on certain property
8. Simple lifestyle
9. The Women (to some extent)
10. The DR is Anti-Abortion and Anti-Gay Marriage

You guys will notice I put women near the bottom of the list, along with the views on abortion and gay marriage. I share the same views towards gay marriage and abortion as do most Dominicans, and the issue of women is complicated. But overall these are the top ten reasons I've decided to stay in the DR rather than returning to the USA.

 

[Naked_Snake]

4. The ability to move up the social ladder

Funny and ironic for you to be saying this, cuz' according to the Department of State of your own country, the DR is a medieval/feudal/plantation state in which social classes/castes are fixed, and supposedly "it's very difficult to move up, specially if you are black, blah, blah, blah". So it's heartening to see someone telling differently, and an Afram of all people, to boot.

 

[Luperon]

Its even funnier that you are anti abortion:

"No, the agreement would be a healthy child, meaning no deformities or handicaps. That is a part of the "contract." Would you pay $5,000 for a deformed horse? If the mother does something stupid or consumes something she shouldn't how is that my fault? If the child is handicapped I'm not paying for it, sorry. Because there is no telling what caused it and the mother could have and that is something that I'm not going to worry about. Put it up for adoption or something. I'm not raising defective kids. They will never breed and are useless. I'm not into abortion but honesty it would be better to put them to death. Life is hard being healthy and normal. Being handicapped especially in the DR is no way to live and you can forget about having kids. Abort it, and I mean that as an act of mercy.

In case some of you are wondering, if I were handicapped or mentally retarded I would prefer if my mother have put me to sleep. I would have been a baby and would have never known anything. I know what I'm saying is cold and ruthless but IT IS REALITY. Life is damn hard and that is if you're healthy and have your wits about you. The DR will show no mercy to handicaps and from what I've read the Dominican government doesn't even want them to come here for vacation. Raising a child like that, especially here in the DR, is untenable. A quick painless death is more preferable."

"Depending on the defect I might hunt her down and demand something else.......something far more valuable than money. Actually, I might not be doing the hunting, that might be the job of someone else if you can read between the lines. All I know is if mother nature gives me a defective child I will give it back. Have you read what the Ancient Spartans did to children that were weak and defective? Yes, I have a Spartan mentality. I'm not going to raise a child that will NEVER reach its potential. Retards do not breed which means no grand kids. Why on Earth would I invest money in the child's development? It is illogical. I'm cold and rational, if the child has a minor defective like a speech disorder we can work on that. If it is something that can't be cured, that will prevent him from having kids of his own, or a promising career..........he must go."


and yet Chip has a lifetime ban? I dont understand this DR1 lately

 

[malko]

I agree to number 1 and 7 ( what tax? never heard of around my campo... )
For the rest I kind of disagree....
I would of had To be able to have my own big house and lots of land ( impossible back in my region if ure not a millionaire )
To drive a motorbike without helmet and to ride on dirtroads.
To drive a SUV like I am in GTA
Can have a relaxed lifestyle ( $ or other go a long way in the dr )

 

[malko]

And I strongley disagree to number 10, for loads of reasons that I cant be bothered explain, but I have tosay I disagree.....

 

[AlterEgo]

and yet Chip has a lifetime ban? I dont understand this DR1 lately

Luperon, Chip does not have a lifetime ban, his 'vacation' was over on October 1st. He has chosen not to participate in the forums.

 

[Dark_Scorpion]

Funny and ironic for you to be saying this, cuz' according to the Department of State of your own country, the DR is a medieval/feudal/plantation state in which social classes/castes are fixed, and supposedly "it's very difficult to move up, specially if you are black, blah, blah, blah". So it's heartening to see someone telling differently, and an Afram of all people, to boot.

The reason I said that is because in the USA Africans Americans are on the very bottom of American society. Here in the DR, that position is occupied by Haitians, so any Aframs moving to the DR cannot possibly fill a rung which is already occupied. Aframs living in the DR are certainly not at the top of the pyramid, but they are much better off than they would be in the USA.

You also mentioned being Black. How is that defined in the DR? Would an African American as light as Beyonce, Will Smith, or Ludacris be considered "Black" in the DR, given they are lighter than many Dominicans? Or do you need to be jet Black like Wesley Snipes to qualify as Black? Its an interesting question that I've thought about. I have to say, I feel much better living in the DR than as an Afram in the USA. In the USA African Americans have to worry about threats from both other African Americans AND Whites, there are some neighborhoods in the USA where African Americans kill each other for nothing, as an African American I would never set foot in Detroit or certain areas of Chicago, as I'm at a greater risk of being harmed by another African American. Here in the DR Dominicans leave you alone.

My experience with Dominicans is that they've been friendly towards me. I can't speak for other Aframs but that has been my experience. I feel MUCH safer around Dominicans than other African Americans. In the USA I stayed away from African American nightclubs and neighborhoods because there is too much violence and I grew up in ghettos with African Americans and there is toomuch static with African Americans. When dealing with them especially in the inner city you have to watch your back. African Americans living in the USA have very little unity or group loyalty.

 

[Dark_Scorpion]

Its even funnier that you are anti abortion:

"No, the agreement would be a healthy child, meaning no deformities or handicaps. That is a part of the "contract." Would you pay $5,000 for a deformed horse? If the mother does something stupid or consumes something she shouldn't how is that my fault? If the child is handicapped I'm not paying for it, sorry. Because there is no telling what caused it and the mother could have and that is something that I'm not going to worry about. Put it up for adoption or something. I'm not raising defective kids. They will never breed and are useless. I'm not into abortion but honesty it would be better to put them to death. Life is hard being healthy and normal. Being handicapped especially in the DR is no way to live and you can forget about having kids. Abort it, and I mean that as an act of mercy.

In case some of you are wondering, if I were handicapped or mentally retarded I would prefer if my mother have put me to sleep. I would have been a baby and would have never known anything. I know what I'm saying is cold and ruthless but IT IS REALITY. Life is damn hard and that is if you're healthy and have your wits about you. The DR will show no mercy to handicaps and from what I've read the Dominican government doesn't even want them to come here for vacation. Raising a child like that, especially here in the DR, is untenable. A quick painless death is more preferable."

"Depending on the defect I might hunt her down and demand something else.......something far more valuable than money. Actually, I might not be doing the hunting, that might be the job of someone else if you can read between the lines. All I know is if mother nature gives me a defective child I will give it back. Have you read what the Ancient Spartans did to children that were weak and defective? Yes, I have a Spartan mentality. I'm not going to raise a child that will NEVER reach its potential. Retards do not breed which means no grand kids. Why on Earth would I invest money in the child's development? It is illogical. I'm cold and rational, if the child has a minor defective like a speech disorder we can work on that. If it is something that can't be cured, that will prevent him from having kids of his own, or a promising career..........he must go."


and yet Chip has a lifetime ban? I dont understand this DR1 lately

I'm against the abortion of healthy children, unless the mother was raped. With few exceptions, I'm anti abortion and that is one thing I have in common with Dominicans.

 

[Naked_Snake]

Or do you need to be jet Black like Wesley Snipes to qualify as Black?

That's usually the criteria, yes. Although there are people like the other ones you mentioned that call themselves such as well, so if's safe to say that it's left to the person in question to decide.

Its an interesting question that I've thought about. I have to say, I feel much better living in the DR than as an Afram in the USA.

That's what I would like for them (the DOS) to recognize, cuz' their annual reports leave implicit that the DR is a hostile place for ANY kind of person of African descent, a charge that is laughable in and on itself considering how the majority looks.

 

[drescape24]

Good topic D.S.....glad to see your posting again.

drescape24

 

[Dark_Scorpion]

I agree to number 1 and 7 ( what tax? never heard of around my campo... )
For the rest I kind of disagree....
I would of had To be able to have my own big house and lots of land ( impossible back in my region if ure not a millionaire )
To drive a motorbike without helmet and to ride on dirtroads.
To drive a SUV like I am in GTA
Can have a relaxed lifestyle ( $ or other go a long way in the dr )

Number 7 is the property tax, I read if you buy a piece of property in the DR under $150,000 USD then you can avoid property tax. This is what I've read in articles and books, I can dig up the sources if you need them, I read this on a website called the Escape Artist.

 

[Dark_Scorpion]

That's usually the criteria, yes. Although there are people like the other ones you mentioned that call themselves such as well, so if's safe to say that it's left to the person in question to decide.



That's what I would like for them (the DOS) to recognize, cuz' their annual reports leave implicit that the DR is a hostile place for ANY kind of person of African descent, a charge that is laughable in and on itself considering how the majority looks.

My grandfather was a mulatto, so most of my family has a light brown complexion. This could be one of the reasons why I haven't had any problems with the locals. If I were darker like my younger brother, that might be a different story, but the locals have been cool with me. However, I'm also a respectful person. I show respect to get respect, and I've taken some time to read up on the DR, its culture and history. So I think that has helped me get along with the locals as well.

Some of the Blacks I've talked to in the USA ask me how I feel about Dominicans and their issues with their Blackness. My response has been that this is their country and they can see themselves how they want to. Its not really relevant to me whether Dominicans embrace their Blackness or not, it has no impact on my life either way. I see myself as being Black but I also respect the views of others.

 

[Dark_Scorpion]

And I strongley disagree to number 10, for loads of reasons that I cant be bothered explain, but I have tosay I disagree.....

Number 10 is always going to be a controversial subject. Personally, I have no hatred against gay people per se. I certainly don't seek to hang out with them, but I also don't want to kill them. At the same time, I thought it was disrespectful for the USA to send an openly gay ambassador to the Dom Rep when they knew how Dominicans felt about it.

The USA could have sent someone else, but they send this guy here in blatant disregard of Dominican views on the subject. I have no problem with people wanting to live their life as they choose, but imposing your values on someone else is messed up. Plus, if I was the ambassador I wouldn't want to be assigned here anyway, why come to a country where the people will be hostile toward your way of life?

 

[Mountaintrout]

Its even funnier that you are anti abortion:

"No, the agreement would be a healthy child, meaning no deformities or handicaps. That is a part of the "contract." Would you pay $5,000 for a deformed horse? If the mother does something stupid or consumes something she shouldn't how is that my fault? If the child is handicapped I'm not paying for it, sorry. Because there is no telling what caused it and the mother could have and that is something that I'm not going to worry about. Put it up for adoption or something. I'm not raising defective kids. They will never breed and are useless. I'm not into abortion but honesty it would be better to put them to death. Life is hard being healthy and normal. Being handicapped especially in the DR is no way to live and you can forget about having kids. Abort it, and I mean that as an act of mercy.

In case some of you are wondering, if I were handicapped or mentally retarded I would prefer if my mother have put me to sleep. I would have been a baby and would have never known anything. I know what I'm saying is cold and ruthless but IT IS REALITY. Life is damn hard and that is if you're healthy and have your wits about you. The DR will show no mercy to handicaps and from what I've read the Dominican government doesn't even want them to come here for vacation. Raising a child like that, especially here in the DR, is untenable. A quick painless death is more preferable."

"Depending on the defect I might hunt her down and demand something else.......something far more valuable than money. Actually, I might not be doing the hunting, that might be the job of someone else if you can read between the lines. All I know is if mother nature gives me a defective child I will give it back. Have you read what the Ancient Spartans did to children that were weak and defective? Yes, I have a Spartan mentality. I'm not going to raise a child that will NEVER reach its potential. Retards do not breed which means no grand kids. Why on Earth would I invest money in the child's development? It is illogical. I'm cold and rational, if the child has a minor defective like a speech disorder we can work on that. If it is something that can't be cured, that will prevent him from having kids of his own, or a promising career..........he must go."


and yet Chip has a lifetime ban? I dont understand this DR1 lately

Wow, straight from the gut! Probably true as well.

Just not very xmassy.

THe horse reference is hilarious

 

[Dark_Scorpion]

Good topic D.S.....glad to see your posting again.

drescape24

Thanks, glad to be back.

 

[Dark_Scorpion]

Wow, straight from the gut! Probably true as well.

Just not very xmassy.

THe horse reference is hilarious

I wrote that a long time ago; what I don't get is why some people wish to open old wounds.

 

[Harleysrock]

Number 10 is always going to be a controversial subject. Personally, I have no hatred against gay people per se. I certainly don't seek to hang out with them, but I also don't want to kill them. At the same time, I thought it was disrespectful for the USA to send an openly gay ambassador to the Dom Rep when they knew how Dominicans felt about it.

The USA could have sent someone else, but they send this guy here in blatant disregard of Dominican views on the subject. I have no problem with people wanting to live their life as they choose, but imposing your values on someone else is messed up. Plus, if I was the ambassador I wouldn't want to be assigned here anyway, why come to a country where the people will be hostile toward your way of life?

How does sexuality have anything to do with a job?

I know lots of those gays and they don't give a rats ass who is gay and certainly don't try to make people be gay!

 

[Dark_Scorpion]

How does sexuality have anything to do with a job?

I know lots of those gays and they don't give a rats ass who is gay and certainly don't try to make people be gay!

Sexuality isn't a predictor of job performance(unless you want a career in porn, lol!). Seriously, the trouble with the ambassador is that it seems like he is rubbing it in the faces of Dominicans. The news reports on the new ambassador were quick to point out that he is openly gay, it is almost as if they give the finger to Dominicans.

And me, I just think it is really disrespectful and in bad taste. And imagine how Dominicans will treat this guy. Because he is an ambassador they might not be openly hostile, but they will probably cold shoulder him and avoid him as much as possible. I know if I were in his shoes I would not want to come here. Dominicans are actually protesting this guy, I would be very nervous about starting my post here. Dominicans won't touch the guy because he is a American ambassador, but if it was a regular joe coming here being openly gay he might want to watch his back.

What I don't understand is why any gay person would want to come to the DR in the first place. There are plenty of places in the world that are gay friendly. If you like hiring hookers why travel to North Sudan where the practice is punishable by death, when you can go to Thailand instead? With this ambassador I just see the Americans imposing their value system on a group that doesn't share the same views.

 

[yacht chef]

D.S. did u ever find your sox ? Did u find miss D.S to have your Hitler BABY ?????

 

[Harleysrock]

Sexuality isn't a predictor of job performance(unless you want a career in porn, lol!). Seriously, the trouble with the ambassador is that it seems like he is rubbing it in the faces of Dominicans. The news reports on the new ambassador were quick to point out that he is openly gay, it is almost as if they give the finger to Dominicans.

And me, I just think it is really disrespectful and in bad taste. And imagine how Dominicans will treat this guy. Because he is an ambassador they might not be openly hostile, but they will probably cold shoulder him and avoid him as much as possible. I know if I were in his shoes I would not want to come here. Dominicans are actually protesting this guy, I would be very nervous about starting my post here. Dominicans won't touch the guy because he is a American ambassador, but if it was a regular joe coming here being openly gay he might want to watch his back.

What I don't understand is why any gay person would want to come to the DR in the first place. There are plenty of places in the world that are gay friendly. If you like hiring hookers why travel to North Sudan where the practice is punishable by death, when you can go to Thailand instead? With this ambassador I just see the Americans imposing their value system on a group that doesn't share the same views.

Just because gay people travel around does not mean they are imposing their beliefs on other people. I guess they just want to live where they want.
I have never understood why people would dislike people because of race, sexuality, religion etc I think it is really odd. People are just people...

Sexuality actually doesn't matter in porn either, I know a lot of straight guys who do gay porn b/c it pays way more.

Anyways you and I will never agree on most things so I will just add a few things I like about the DR:
Knowing almost any day I can hop on my moto and go for a beautiful ride with little to NO RAIN!

Dominicans willing to help all the time even if it is for a small fee, they can be really thoughtful!

Lack of laws

Carefree attitude and a lot less judgemental than most peeps I am used to!