print this one out and use it, I couldn't have said it better myself. Especially the cultural mentor....a definite must have for any country in Latin America as culture is tied to language, government and business on every level, so a good understanding of their history and culture will take you a llllooooonnnngggg way! I have just returned from Guat..I plan to relocate there.You hit the nail on the head when you talk about expats trying to look superior..I was a bit taken aback at the way they spoke to and about the Mayan people ..My adopted daughter is Mayan..I take it very personal..I would definately go native while living there..Thanks for confirming what I was thinking and feeling .

Hello there! You know if we were dealing with persons or persons of the DR this would be fine, however we were dealing with the said Dirc Weber is his name and he is a white person from Germany. this guy is totally out to luch for we dealt with him while we were in the DR for four months and everything was fine till we left and arrived back home when he started to harrass us for money we didn't owe him. He still continues to e-mail me even as of today to try to put the pressure on us to pay him. I know that times are tough but he thinks that trying to screw some out of towners is in his best interest. He needs to find a new job or maybe go back to Germany to practice whatever he thinks is best for himself Expats beware and steer clear of the Sosua Rental Service. If anyone needs more info on this guy message me or reply. Stay in touch as well my ex pat friend.!! Dear Shadow Hawk 99: I live in Jarabacoa. I first moved to DR in Nov. 2012 in Santo Domingo. It was a nightmare. Dominicans think that what's acceptable accomodations for them will be ok for you. Most of there furnished places are less than thrift store quality and very noisy and not safe. There landlord tenant law states that they must give you your rental agreement in both english and spanish, but they never want to do this. they tell you that you must pay for the translation. After 5 months of living in hell, (santo domingo) I moved to the interior valley of Jarabacoa where it is much quiet. You experience is very common among gringos. I too am a gringo from USA. Stay in touch, there's much to share.

You sound a little like myself. I used to live in Venice Beach, Calif. And we are the same age. I did the hippiy thing myself in the 60's. You can find a place in your price range in most of the towns here, however you will have to get a Dominican to help you out. I live in Jarabacoa, a mountain village that's spring time year round and fits what you are looking for. You'll be ok with a grand. I know a woman who's a realtor and well connected here. Problem is they may require three to six months up front rent. There's a 4 bedroom house on the edge of my property that rents for USD $300 a month. You probably can find cheaper digs as well. Yeah Seth, maybe a coffee. I'll be in Santigo on May 9th for a few hours with the Mrs. and the dogs. Contact me with your number on May 8th. Lorenzo.

There is a school called the Dominicano Americano school on Antonio de la Maza in the block south of Ave. Abraham Lincoln in zona universitaria. If you do not have a rental car, call Apolo Taxi, they are the most trusted. Do not come if you are looking for an American salary. My wifes son is an English Teacher and earns about USD $600 a month. It is not safe and it's extreamly noisy. I lived in the block below the school for the past 5 months. Now I live in the mountain region where it's more quiet.