About Ltindal

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Some Forum Posts:

Dominican Republic: Are the crimes in north coast increasing ?:

I agree with you 1000% percent. I've been here 4 years.

Dominican Republic: Rental realistic?:

Hello Bill; I've been retired here in D R for the past 4 years from Florida. I first started with a 6 month rental in Santo Domingo near the UASD (university), followed by moving to the central mountain town of Jarabacoa, where I signed 6 month rentals at 2 different locations. When those rentals ended, my Dominican wife and I returned to Santo Domingo to live in her condo ($140 usd a month). That was dec. 2013. Last month I purchased the second floor 2bdr apt above ours @ $200 usd a month (6 years). We visit Punta Cana often and I've noticed a big real estate office on the road a block from the beach in Bavaro (punta cana). We stayed at the Grand Palladium Resort. Directions to the real estate office are; when exiting the resorts main entrance turn left and stay on that road. You will notice building on your right that's about 8 floors high. It's a hotel with stores on the first floor facing a parking lot and the road you travel. Enter the hotel parking lot and you will be facing the hotels front door. As you look at that door, the real estate office will be the store that's left of the door. I asked the staff about apt rentals and was told there are many in the $500 a month range. Good luck.

Dominican Republic: Internet Service Provider:

Good Morning ; I've been a Claro internet customer in DR since December 2012. My service is now in Santo Domingo Norte, just outside of Claro's 5mgb range. I have 3mgb service and it keeps dropping from the internet every 5-10 minutes. Claro's repairman replaced my router last week and the problem's worse than before. Since Claro is considered the DR # 1 ISP, then I'm in trouble. Any Ex-Pats out there, know of an international ISP that provides service in DR? Thanks, L. Tindal

Dominican Republic: travel from punta cana airport to Sousa:

No,,,,,,, No,,,,,,, No! If you're not planning to stay in Punta Cana, fly directly to P Plata. Not knowing where you're going in this country could become your worst nightmare. Taking the bus from Bavaro (Punta Cana) to Santo Domingo, then a taxi to Caribe Tours Bus Terminal, catching a bus to Sosua is quite a simple task for someone whom has lived here for a year or so. Not so much if you're new. I'd taken the Caribe Tours bus with my wife from Jarabacoa to Santo Domingo, then a taxi to the Bavaro Bus Terminal off of Ave. Maximo Gomez for 300 pesos. The terminal is a small store of 20'x 35'. You should go online to Bavaro bus tickets and reserve your tickets a week before arriving if you're flying to Punta Cana. Same thing applies to Caribetours.com if not you'll be stranded. It just makes common sense to just fly into P Plata.

Dominican Republic: Canadian looking to buy property:

I agree with Sereno on this topic. I've been here for 4 years. As a North American who've lived not far from the Canadian border; the culture shock of becoming a resident in DR takes some time to wear off, before making any big financial commitment in this country. I came back and forth as a tourist 15 times before moving here. I used several modes of transit to see different sections such as Santiago, the north coast, Bavaro, Constanza, LaVega, Santo Domingo, etc. I rented several apt/houses for 6 months at a time. It takes at least 6 months in each location to get a realistic opinion of that area. Good Luck.

Dominican Republic: comments onf residency "proof of economic solvency":

When you apply for residency at the office of migration, your proof of financial solvency must be documented ie social security, private pension, tax return's or current employment in DR at the required monthly amount. You must prove that you get paid that required amount monthly, period; no if's and's or but's. Your bank balance is not part of the requirerment, You could take all of your money from the bank, and blow it at the casino; then, what type of guaranteed income will you have. I hope my answer answered your question.

Dominican Republic: FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES:

I've been in DR the past 3 years. My solution to the problem you're facing was to just use my USA banks debit cards, and make cash withdrawls in pesos at Banco Popular ATM's, in places like Agora Mall, Nacional Supermarket, etc. Places that have good security. You can then open a bank account and deposit your pesos, get a receipt from the teller to confirm your deposit. The reason for doing things this way is; #1. Dominican banks have a history of telling American customers that they have no record of your bank transfer to their bank. #2. DR is a cash and carry country. Very rare to see anyone using a check Your USA debit card will work here. #3. you can get a DR bank debit card here, once you open a bank account. Baank fees are the cost you pay for doing business. With that said, before going to the bank, write out you budget for the month on paper; food, rent, water, transportation, entertainment, etc. then add an additional 4000 pesos in 50 peso bills. You can make widthdrals of 8000 pesos each at BP ATM's. Do this once a month, to avoid having to pay for transportation to the bank and other places.. Take care of all of your business in one day. That will offset the bank fees.

Dominican Republic: Opening co-op restaurant in DR:

@ Sereno; Your advice is right on point. However, most people can't handle the truth. Still surviving, here in the Bazzaro World, L. Tindal

Dominican Republic: US mail send to Sosua/Cabereta Dom Rep.:

I'm retired from the U.S. Postal Service; been in DR for the past 3 years. You should start by getting a postal box at a UPS Store in USA. Then have your mail forwarded from your former address to the UPS box; followed by going to the main Dominican Post Office in Sosua/Cabereta, and get a PO Box there. Once you get your box at a cost of 1500 peso's per year, you call the UPS Store, and tell them to forward all mail in your box, to the DR box. If you get lots of mail, I would do this every 8 weeks.

Dominican Republic: The Do's and the Do Not's for expats in DR:

@ Tony B. I'm retired too! Also from Philly/ New Jersey. Been here for 2 years. You should be on the lookout for any and everything. Never talk about or show money to anyone. Never leave home and return using the same route. Keep your doors closed at all times, even when you are at home, then sit outside or walk around the area of your home. This will confuse potential robbers about if someone's at home. If there are no screens in the windows or doors, get them installed asap.

Date Joined:

6/8/2012

Total Posts:

99

Posts/Day:

0.06