Expats have shared some of their favorite places to live in the Dominican Republic. Our list is by no means complete! We encourage you to post your favorite cities and towns in the Dominican Republic in the comments section below.
Living in Luperon, Dominican Republic
Luperon is on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. "I lived in Luperon for several years. I loved it. Still visit. It must have been how Hemingway lived in Cuba 100 years ago with lots of boating even boat building -- great bunch of boaters," said one expat. Another advised, "come to Luperon. It has an extremely well protected natural harbor. Hurricane hole." "I'd second, or third, the suggestion of Luperon. I've lived here six years and from your description of your preferences, I think it might be a good fit, assuming you like a laid back and 'Dominicanized' atmosphere. It has been for me. Luperon is different from some of the other destinations mentioned in that many of the expats are sailboat cruisers or former cruisers that have moved ashore here. An interesting crew, I've found. The town is primarily an agricultural center and fishing port, with some tourism mixed in. Our all-inclusive beach resort is currently closed but rumor has it that it might reopen in a year or so. Village population is about 6,000 and expat community is probably 200 plus. Hard to tell because expats live all over town and in the surrounding campo, as well as on boats in the harbor. I suggest you check it out as one good possibility," explained another expat living in Luperon.
Living in Santo Domingo
If you are going to be working in the Dominican Republic, chances are you'll be moving to Santo Domingo on the south coast. According to Wikipedia, Santo Domingo has approximately 1 million residents (nearly 3 million surrounding suburbs are included) and is the largest city in the Caribbean by population. "Santo Domingo is the capital city hosting almost 1/2 the country's population. We have almost all head offices here, lots of call centers, most if not all embassies etc, many many government offices, lots of shopping etc. You can find it all here. I live in a typical middle class Dominican neighborhood! I am the only expat and I love my life here," said one expat living in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
"I advise you to visit the better area of town which is called Piantini and Naco. They are very cosmopolitan areas, located in District National Santo Domingo along Ave Winston Churchill. Ask Apolo Taxi, which I discovered to be the most safe and trusted Taxi, to take you to the Blue Mall on Ave Winston Churchill. Also, go to The Acropolis which is a few blocks from the Blue Mall on the same street. Walk the neighborhood for three blocks in each direction from Ave Winston Churchill and you will see many buildings with condos for sale (vende) or rent (alquiliar). There is a Holiday Inn Hotel located 5 minutes from this area on Ave Abraham Lincoln. Both malls have restaurants and movies. Your supermarket is across the street from the mall. There are at least six banks between the two malls along with restaurants and pharmacies. Everything you can walk to, if you get your apartment there. Plus the area is quiet and secure. You will not have the loud Dominican music playing 24 hours a day. It is a normal tranquile neighborhood," advised an expat in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Expats in the Dominican Republic now have a choice where they are treated if they are hospitalized with a serious or critical medical condition. Travel MedEvac, the premium air medical transport plan, provides air medical transport to your hospital of choice in your home country, back to your family, your healthcare network and your doctors. Learn more and enroll now at www.travelmedevac.com. ExpatExchange members receive an introductory offer of 10% off all annual and multi-annual plans when enrolling online. Use promo code Expat10 to receive 10% off your plan.
Living in Sosua, Dominican Republic
Sosua is a small town on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. "We like Sosua. We are retired so we don't go for the nightlife. But there is a good clinic here, two good grocery stores and most people have been very helpful. There is a fair bit of prostituition and I imagine the night life can be a bit risque. The traffic is a nightmare. No rhyme nor reason and very fast. I don't know if you've driven here, but it's an experience. We have met a few people that have been here for ten plus years, fairly affluent, and none of them use the local banking system. They have all tried it, but got tired of being nickeled and dimed to death," said one expat living in Sosua. Another expat added, "Sosua and Cabarete have a young population, into parasailing, water sports, etc. Because of being on the north coast of the island, the winds and sea are colder and stronger than the south part of the island." Another expat warned, "Spanish will not be optional if you get away from the expat or tourist enclaves using Sosua and Caberete as examples."
Living in Barahona, Dominican Republic
"If you are a guy who likes to cut your own cane and make it your own way... a hidden, undeveloped part of DR that is still very cheap and open to someone who likes cutting their own trail is Barahona, not the pueblo but the region," shared one expat. Barahona Province is located in southwest Dominican Republic and is about a 3 hour drive from Santo Domingo. According to Pam Grout's article in the Huffington Post, Five Reasons to Move Barahona to the Top of Your Dominican Bucket List, the vast region boasts beautiful beaches, the cloud forest and an amazing local coffee called Denominacion de Origen Cafe de Barahona. "Barahona is an undeveloped area with probably one of the few virgin beaches in the the area. My guess it will be developed over the next ten years and be ripe for opportunity," said another expat.
Living in Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic
"I have lived in Casa de Campo 5-6 months per year for the past 4 years and visited C de C for the past 30 years. On the southeast coast, Casa de Campo is a wonderful location, but probably one of the most expensive places (exception may be in the city of La Romana). According to Wikipedia, Casa de Campo is a 7,000 acre resort developed in 1975 by Gulf + Western. With over 1,700 high-end private villas, 3 golf courses (including the famous Teeth of the Dog course from Pete Dye), a marina, restaurants and more. The resort currently has homes for sale ranging from $440,000 to $30,000,000 and has numerous famous residents and guests. For some expats, this upscale, country-club environment is the perfect fit.
Tips for Deciding Where to Live in the Dominican Republic
Most expats recommend that newcomers do their research, rent a car and visit numerous cities and towns before choosing where to settle down. There are yachting communities on both the north and south coasts of the Dominican Republic. "If you desire to be involved in boats, you may want to expose yourself to some of the various yachting enclaves using that word loosely. I am no expert, but some of the ones to be aware of are the marinas at Casa del Campo, the river port at La Romana, Cap Cana, Boca Chica and Luperon Bay," explains one expat.
"Three other areas in the north to consider are the resort towns of las Terranes and Puerto Plata (a larger place) and Samana. Look also north of Samana at La Galeras. On the east coast you find many, many all inclusive hotels with a lot of tourists, private, but beautiful beaches, but not a lot of residential opportunities," advised another expat.
"I just got back from the North Shore area of the DR and I am leasing a house in Cabrera for a year. You may want to stay away from the big tourist towns and look for a smaller more friendly town. In Cabrera, you can find a 2 bedroom, 2 bath furnished apartment for around $250.00 a month. My suggestion for you would be to pull up a map of the DR and make a list of the smaller towns," shared one expat.
