What are the best section of Santo Domigo?

[juancarlos]

Foreigners renting

Sending you a PM about a 3 bedroom here on Independencia in Gasquez.

It is not difficult to rent an apartment here. There are for rent signs everywhere around my apartment. The only challenege I had was that I had to pay 6 months in advance because of not being a resident.

The previous poster who mention electric to you is absolutely correct. I don't know why the lights here on Independencia never go out. I was told it is because the jefes at the light company live here. Others have said it is because of the 3 major hotels that are between Indep. & The Malecon. I really don't care why, I just thank my lucky stars. All of my friends in other areas tell me about 20 hour blackouts. We lost our light for 2 hours last week and our plant didn't start. I was loosing my mind after 2 hours because we just don't experience any blackouts here.

Good luck.

Certainly, having to pay 6 months rent in advance is a disadvantage. It seems to me that with so many vacancies and considering the country's economic situation, landlords should be a little more flexible. What confounds me is having previouly read that many landlords actually do prefer foreigners because they are believed to be more reliable than Dominicans. I guess that if you are renting a good apt., having to pay so many months in advance would almost be like making a downpayment on a property! By the way, how do people in the DR purchase their homes? Do they make a downpayment like in the USA and the rest is financed by the bank or do they have to make several big payments until the property is paid for, say within a year's time?

 

[Highopes]

Good information....

I've lived here 6 months and I love it. $12K pesos/mo, 1bdrm, furnished. I'm 2 blocks away from the Jaragua Casino and 1 block from the Malecon. There is a 24 hour resturant behind the Jaragua called Manolo's, decent food. I can also walk three blocks to everything else one could need; supermarket, bank, tele & elec co, etc. The colonial zone/El Conde is about 1 mile away. All of the malls and other areas that people like, Bella Vista, Arroyo Hondo, are 5-10 minutes away by car. The main reason I am really happy here on Independencia is becuase the lights never go out. There is a 24 plant here in my building, but it has only turned on around 5 times THIS YEAR. Compared to my other friends who live in the other upper end areas, this is a miracle. Even here in Gascuez there are daily blackouts, but never on this street. I suppose the reason is the 3 high-end hotels here, but I really don't care why. Also, I walk those 2 blocks to Jaragua every night, sometimes very late, and never had or seen a problem. The other areas offer nicer housing, but apartments here are great. Also, if you really feel like spending, there are some new buildings on the Malecon west of Jaragua that are incredible.

This was really helpful...thanks! I decided to write to you because your response appeared to come from experience, logic, lifestyle as well as a number of other criteria that I could mention. I am a business professional working in Washington DC who is looking to bail once I retire to a well kept secret...so to speak. I have lived abroad for a large portion of my life and well suited to blazing my own trail. My first 4 yrs after leaving the US was spent in Madrid, Spain. I've read many threads and some ring of similar experiences I had living in Spain. The first year was a little rough trying to let go of some of my American ways, ideas and expectations. After that though, living there got to be pretty nice and helped me tremendously when I started to move around to other countries. Now, I'm at the end of my present career and ready to do what I like... Thats why I'm considering DR. I speak Spanish (rusty) and got along great with latin people. I'll be retiring (approx 2yrs) on a fixed income of sorts...retirement, savings and income from rental property here in DC. I anticipate a monthly income of about $4000US. I am single, no kids, level headed not a big partier anymore...but not dead yet either! If I were to chacterize my life now..I'd say balanced. Based on the information I've provided and recognizing the absense of specifics. How would you recomend that I position myself? Meaning since I'm not married...I need people around and a structure that will support my needs such as those you described in your thread. I'm looking for broad strokes from your response that I'm sure will lead to more specific questions later. I do have one...do you have a car? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

PS: my e:mail is mwilliams_9@hotmail.com

 

[MarieD]

I've lived here 6 months and I love it. $12K pesos/mo, 1bdrm, furnished. I'm 2 blocks away from the Jaragua Casino and 1 block from the Malecon. There is a 24 hour resturant behind the Jaragua called Manolo's, decent food. I can also walk three blocks to everything else one could need; supermarket, bank, tele & elec co, etc. The colonial zone/El Conde is about 1 mile away. All of the malls and other areas that people like, Bella Vista, Arroyo Hondo, are 5-10 minutes away by car. The main reason I am really happy here on Independencia is becuase the lights never go out. There is a 24 plant here in my building, but it has only turned on around 5 times THIS YEAR. Compared to my other friends who live in the other upper end areas, this is a miracle. Even here in Gascuez there are daily blackouts, but never on this street. I suppose the reason is the 3 high-end hotels here, but I really don't care why. Also, I walk those 2 blocks to Jaragua every night, sometimes very late, and never had or seen a problem. The other areas offer nicer housing, but apartments here are great. Also, if you really feel like spending, there are some new buildings on the Malecon west of Jaragua that are incredible.

I am moving there in a week and looking for something just like what you have in the same neighborhood, would prefer 2 bedrooms. Any suggestions??