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What's it *really* like in the DR?
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In europe no Job definitely doesn't mean no money. In Dr no job or a regular or even above regular job means money but still no live. If I would earn in Europe what I earn here I would have a very comfortable life, here it's just regular.
It all does depend though on the stage you are in life. For me (us) family with 3 young kids, it's probably completely different than for a retired person or a couple without children.
PG,
Good point, but I'd maintain that a person could EASILY find an island with amazing infrastructure, solid people, reasonable work opportunities, fabulous beaches, and a "true paradise" lifestyle. Heck, they even speak flawless English on two of the three islands, and two are in the US.
You guessed it, Grand Cayman, Hawaii and (your choice of) the U.S. Virgin Islands and/or Puerto Rico.
Problem, of course, is that they are all far more expensive to live a comparable lifestyle than many would have in the DR.
In the living in the DR thread, folks routinely say they can live on 1500-2500, comfortably. How far would that take you in Oahu? Exactly.
DR ain't perfect, by any measure, but it's better than most spots.
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I agree it all depends on where you live here and what you expect out of life. Here in Santo Domingo while you have pretty much everything a big city has to offer you also have the traffic, pollution, noise, crime and the cost of living is higher. Other parts of the country are more laid back, not the constant on the go atmosphere as you have in the Capital. So you will find that daily life in the "big city" versus daily life in the "country" is quite different. So depending on where you live will somewhat dictate your "daily life".
I'm a country boy and as happy as can be...
Lynyrd Skynyrd - "I'm A Country Boy" Winterland 1975 - YouTube
Lynyrd Skynyrd - "I'm A Country Boy" Winterland 1975 - YouTube
Way too much generalization going on this board about how life is in the the dr but not an accurate portrayal about how "LIFE" is really like for an Expat or Dominican on a day by day basis. "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."
Speaking for myself I cannot agree with Chris. A lot of money does not buy happiness. Sure with a decent amount you can buy a beautiful woman Chris - every night if you want - but I know I would not feel fulfilled after the experience. You would know you have paid for an essentially empty experience. Don't get me wrong I'm no angel either. I think you have to sit back and mingle with dominicans and get your life rewards as they come and maybe a beautiful woman also - still waiting. As for crime and feeling safe my advice is find a place away from the tourist places and there you will find almost zero crime and generous people.
How and where I live may not be where and how you live so if that is generalization then so be it. How I live may not be how one lives in Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, and so on. One eats, one sleeps, etc...but how you fill in the time between varies on where you live and how you choose to live. Life in the Capital I would say is somewhat more stressful than life on the North Coast but both have its good and bad points. So see daily life for me is not what may be daily life for you. There is no agony there just life.
I do not agree on that. In the country side (campo) there is more crimes than before. When the drugs shipment are dropped on the country side ground sabana ect...the locals are been paid with the powder and not in cash. Therefore kids now are using the cocaine on regular bases. If they are in need they will rob or kill someone to get their hit (like in some places i have see in Miami in the getto). Also most of thoses Dominicans bandids been send from the U.S. after their jails terms, they usually go in small country village to do robberies.
They leave from Santiago or SD, and they are going to a specific spot to rob at night from friends infos. There is no cop in the campo and there is few well to do millionnaires (rancheros).
Recently one moto concho was killed by a client to rob is moto. Another one guy was killed bathing in the river because he had some gold chains around his neck. Another one was killed because he wanted to ear Antony Santos and not Frank Rejes (a lot of rhum) and the story goes on. After 2 years i had to close my bar in the campo. People where ready to kill themselves. Everyone has a machete and if they have bread a nice pistol.
This is a very good description of the way major crimes happen outside of Las Terrenas. They come to town from Santo Domingo with pistols and a business to stick up or home address to invade. In one case, they stopped at a friend's house a few miles from town to ask for directions.
I'm heppy I don't have any "Moral Issues" to inter fear with my "FUN" here in the DR!
When I pay for sex with a pretty "Dominicana" I am not looking for anything more than "Sport Sex".
It's my "Hobby", "Nada Mas, Ni Nada Menos".
As in life, most people don't like to hear the negative side of anything regarding the, "How, or Where" they chose to live.
Sadly, not hearing about "Bad Things" won't make the go away, or be any less, "BAD"!
Some here have "Agendas", because of their personal beliefs, or business interests, and they just "Love Everything" about the DR, AND Dominicans!
Are there any "Good Things" about the DR?
SURE, LOTS of them!
Are there "Bad Things" about the DR?
SURE, LOTS of them!
Peoples opinions, and "tastes", about "Which Is Which", are often not the same.
I tend to let the "Good Stuff" speak for it's self, as long as it isn't "Agenda Based Bull$HIT"!
I point to what I, and many others who actually live here, consider the "Bad Stuff".
I have told MANY expats, that until you actually live here, like in the DR, is your HOME, live here, you can never know what the DR is really like!
Living as a retiree in a gated North Shore community, does not really expose one the the "Nitty Gritty" of what it's like working, and/or raising a family here.
It's a good lifestyle, but not really a "Dominican Lifestyle".
I like to acknowledge the "Land Mines" that are everywhere in the DR, so you can possibly evade some of them.
The most frustrating thing about living here for 18 plus years is knowing that the DR, COULD" be a real Paradise!
It has geography, climate, mineral resources, unbelievable Bio Diversity, people who actually could work for a better life,but yet it is not allowing all that to make a difference to the vast majority of Dominicanos.
It partly due to the culture, lack of opportunities, and now "DRUGS", but it mostly due to the most wealthy Dominicans, and the politicians,(Often Both at the same time!) who care absolutely nothing about the Dominican Republic, or it's people!
They are shameless thieves.
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When I pay for sex with a pretty "Dominicana" I am not looking for anything more than "Sport Sex".
It's my "Hobby", "Nada Mas, Ni Nada Menos".
As in life, most people don't like to hear the negative side of anything regarding the, "How, or Where" they chose to live.
Sadly, not hearing about "Bad Things" won't make the go away, or be any less, "BAD"!
Some here have "Agendas", because of their personal beliefs, or business interests, and they just "Love Everything" about the DR, AND Dominicans!
Are there any "Good Things" about the DR?
SURE, LOTS of them!
Are there "Bad Things" about the DR?
SURE, LOTS of them!
Peoples opinions, and "tastes", about "Which Is Which", are often not the same.
I tend to let the "Good Stuff" speak for it's self, as long as it isn't "Agenda Based Bull$HIT"!
I point to what I, and many others who actually live here, consider the "Bad Stuff".
I have told MANY expats, that until you actually live here, like in the DR, is your HOME, live here, you can never know what the DR is really like!
Living as a retiree in a gated North Shore community, does not really expose one the the "Nitty Gritty" of what it's like working, and/or raising a family here.
It's a good lifestyle, but not really a "Dominican Lifestyle".
I like to acknowledge the "Land Mines" that are everywhere in the DR, so you can possibly evade some of them.
The most frustrating thing about living here for 18 plus years is knowing that the DR, COULD" be a real Paradise!
It has geography, climate, mineral resources, unbelievable Bio Diversity, people who actually could work for a better life,but yet it is not allowing all that to make a difference to the vast majority of Dominicanos.
It partly due to the culture, lack of opportunities, and now "DRUGS", but it mostly due to the most wealthy Dominicans, and the politicians,(Often Both at the same time!) who care absolutely nothing about the Dominican Republic, or it's people!
They are shameless thieves.
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
You can build all the highrise apartment/condo buildings, malls, etc..you would like but it does not change the problems. The problems of corruption and a basic non-caring attitude from the government which trickles down to the people.
No window washers?
the entire fabric of society would begin to unravel. What would 12 year olds do for employment? How could publico drivers see? Possibly more gringos and their first world rules of the road would get behind the wheel, rent cars on vacation etc...nope window washers are the best 10 pesos one can spend again and again and again...
I'm only here 10-12 days per month. . I have been coming here for 8 years. Live in very secure well maintained condo on beach in Juan Dolio. My Spanish is very basic at best. I drive everywhere including the capitol. This country has many problems, however the best people I have ever meet live here. I continue to come here because of the people and I love the lack of structure here that I endure in the USA. It reminds me of my childhood in a small town in Florida decades ago. Children running around playing, vendors selling goods on the street and smiles on most faces. I will eventually retire here. Not because of only the climate but the nicest and friendliest people I have ever been around.
If you are looking for climate and the structure and regulation and available in the USA move to Florida. But if you are looking for great climate,friendly people and a new adventure/challenge almost daily. This is a wonderful place
If you are looking for climate and the structure and regulation and available in the USA move to Florida. But if you are looking for great climate,friendly people and a new adventure/challenge almost daily. This is a wonderful place
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