Cervony
7/29/2016 14:59 EST
Hello
We are a fun couple in our 40's with 2 young boys ages 4 and 1. I have a biz I can run remotely and so we are planning on moving from NYC to DR in Sept 2017.
Places we are considering are Sosua,Cabrera, and possibly other areas in the north.
We plan on renting for 1 year before buying to see where we wanna settle down. We plan on paying rent in full upfront to better negotiate the monthly cost.
Rent excluded, Can someone please let me know if we can live comfortably on a 2500 monthly budget and have a nanny and cook as well as afford private school. If not what would be the number? We can afford much more but were told this was about right? My mother is from the DR and I will have my dual citizenship by then.
I speak fluent Spanish and know the slang. I don't expect to have issues with being charged double or scammed. I can shop local markets for groceries just really need help w kids and cooking/cleaning.
Thank you.
Post a Reply
 0 0 abuse
|
|
Raven0013
7/29/2016 18:13 EST
Ithink you will find Sosua much more expensive than Cabrera and Cabrera has some great schools for your children , Plus you should also find the help you are looking for and I know several people who can help you find housing as well. Let me know if you need any help.
Lance Cullen
Post a Reply
 0 0 abuse
|
|
|
|
Cervony
7/29/2016 18:41 EST
Hi Lance,
Thanks for your response. Yes, I visited Cabrera in January and really liked it. I didn't find much online regarding international schools there so any help with that information would be helpful.
I know it's a bit too soon to see rentals but any connections with that as well would be great. We plan on going back in December and again in April before the big move.
In your opinion would $2500 (excluding rent) give us the comfortable lifestyle we desire in Cabrera?
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
Raven0013
7/29/2016 20:19 EST
Well it's Summer time and school is out but I have several friends that teach at the International School here and they really love teaching here the classes are small with a total of about 40 students attending the school. As for help finding a house to rent ,you can go online and check out DR Coastal Properties.com ,they are the oldest real estate agency in Cabrera and the best one to deal with, Sebasstian in the person you want to talk to there and he can give you the low down on rentals in the area You can tell him I referred you to him ,he is a good friend and he will be honest with you. He use to live in California for some time and I think you will like him and if you need a place to stay short term he runs a clean and very reasonable B&B in Cabrera. And if you need transportation I have a friend who can help you with that as well. Here is my local phone number ,829-606-8583, call me when you come down and I will try to make your visit a good one.
God Bless
Lance Cullen
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
Planner
7/31/2016 12:39 EST
In response to your budget question - yes I think your budget is doable! It will greatly depend on the cost of school for your children.
As for paying rent up front for one year - not always a good idea. Often we find ourselves in a position of withholding the rent to make sure the landlord gets things done. It is not always the case but if you pay up front then they have no reason to .... fix the roof that is leaking, replace the water pump that was old. etc etc.
Post a Reply
10abuse
|
|
Cervony
7/31/2016 16:21 EST
Thanks for the information. That is def something to consider before paying rent upfront.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
|
|
Raven0013
8/1/2016 08:21 EST
Just a thought, you might want to check on how much the schools in Cabrera cost. I know they will be cheaper than in Sosua and are just as good plus Cabrera is not a tourist town like Sosua.
Post a Reply
10abuse
|
|
randycain2013
8/1/2016 16:38 EST
well, I first would definitely not pay anything up front. there are no guarantees here and you will never see one peso back if something would come up. finding someone to cook, and watch the kids is ok. I have a gal come in 2x a week to cook and clean and the going rate is 500 pesos for a full day but I pay 1000 just because. that is the only thing cheap here. it is very expensive to live. keep in mind everything is imported and very very expensive. cars are outrageous. there is a 44% import tax on cars and if you watch the news, what is reported all is a scam and so much is taken at the top and then the rest are so desperate. desperate people do desperate things so then you can see why everything is a scam. they target tourist and new comers. so be carefull. 2500 dollars a month is out of the question if you are use to living a middle class life in the us.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
randycain2013
8/1/2016 17:11 EST
all this talk of schools and the exciting move here. think for your kids. this is no environment to bring your kids up in.
Post a Reply
01abuse
|
|
Cervony
8/1/2016 17:57 EST
Thanks for your reply- I understand that people are desperate and they overcharge however as I explained, my mothers family is from santo Domingo so I will be getting fair market value for cars and other large expenses from knowing people there. The mark up and tax is Insane I know! I'm not planning on claiming to be an expat, I can pass as a native very easily as I grew up in Washington heights in NYC so I am Dominican from mothers side, I speak the language / slang and although I'm sure there will be a learning curb, getting ripped off or overcharged isn't my concern-
What I really wanna know is if a budget of 2500 not including rent is enough to live for food, housekeeper/nanny, utilities etc. if not what is the number that I can be good with living like I do here in the US upper middle class.
if $2500 isn't enough as you stated then what is good? We can afford more but wanna have an idea. Thanks!
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
Planner
8/1/2016 20:08 EST
I think your budget is fine!!!! You will find a balance between an Expat and a Local lifestyle. I do not find the cost of living here expensive at all. It all depends on personal choices.
You can figure out pretty quickly how to get good pricing and you will be just fine.
Where you run into trouble is expecting everything to be like "at home". That is expensive trying to replicate that.
You will need money for electricity if you want air conditioning and electric driers. (ps almost no one has electric driers) but an air conditioner can make life so much more pleasant!
You can eat far less expensively here and eat healthier as well.
Staffing is inexpensive in comparison to the USA.
Post a Reply
10abuse
|
|
|
|
Raven0013
8/2/2016 18:11 EST
Expat Exchange > Dominican Republic Forum
Topic: For parents raising children in DR only
Post by: Raven0013
Hi, Here is the email address of a man who knows everything about the schools in Cabrera, ask him anything he is honest and a Good Christian as well,Kellyfernandez32@gmail.com
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
Kiskeyano
8/6/2016 10:58 EST
We too are looking to move to the North, further west in Puerto Plata province closer to Isabela where my husband will be doing some work with the Museum there. Our budget is more like like 4k but have 4 kids and 3 dogs
Need.to find loooong term rental a large 4+ br with a pool
W plan to onñine homeschool unless an afforda le privare school in tje area
Any ideas?
Looking online. See that ybere are always possibilities
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
|
|
SOSUAPETER
8/6/2016 15:54 EST
Hi
Ive never been to La Isabella and I would be surprised if there any real estate agents there because its a small community. I assume you have looked at Google Earth to see where the houses are located. Lovely area may get there one day . I would ask the museum staff to find a place. You may find a large house available now until the snow birds arrive. There will be properties in Luperon but its still quite a drive from there.
Good luck.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
|
|
