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Appreciate info re; can I survive in the D.R on $1000 mo?

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mugwump
  4/20/2013 00:13 EST

I´ve been in Nicaragua for 4 plus yrs. but feel my traveling shoes itching again. I live modestly here in Esteli on about $1100 mo. I pay rent of $200 mo. for a modest apt. with banyo privado, cable tv and a very small cocina. Great bed! Eat once a day and sip copious beer. Smoke too. I can actually save 100-200 a month. Can I match this arrangement anywhere in the D.R? Just an old five-and dimer who´ld love to hear " yes." Thanks for any and all advice. Peace, Tim

mchrismsw
  6/6/2017 22:53 EST

If you live like a local you can do it. I like living like a local but would still need another 500-1000 for my sinful endeavors LOL.

Seriously my fiance rents an apartment for 200 USD per month and its a nice 2 bedroom place in San Isidro, Santo Domingo.

But there's real money in the DR also. You can easily spend 5K per month. They have all the international corporations, Forever 21, Starbucks, Adidas, Nike, BMW, Mazarati, Honda etc. Santo Domingo can be very high end.

But it all depends were you live and what your lifestyle is. You can had an apartment for as little as 40K or 200K depending were you want to be.

Overall, I love the DR. And I love living like a local (Maybe because I am social worker). The best meal I had last time was not at the APPLE B or Hard Rock Cafe my Dominican friend dragged me to but at a local stand on the side of the road with grill chicken, some pigeon peas and rice with drinks. Me and my fiance spend about 7 usd for the meal. :)

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JDTX
  5/8/2017 17:44 EST

ltindal, I've been reading a LOT to learn all I can before even visiting, and your responses are always good to read...learned quite a bit from you. Thanks. My wife and I are considering our first visit, possibly in the next 1-3 months. Haven't decided where we'll fly into, but definitely in the north. Can you private msg me with your advice on best spot to fly to and where, in easy driving distance, to look around for property/homes. I would appreciate your input.

Ltindal
  5/1/2013 11:23 EST

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.

Ltindal
  5/1/2013 11:12 EST

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.

zephar77
  5/1/2013 00:00 EST

I like your candid words. Why don't we meet up when I go to Santiago if you go there. Give me a holler. Seth

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mugwump
  4/30/2013 22:32 EST

Thanks alot for your reply to my query. Do you suppose that prices have changed dramatically since your time there? As mentioned I live modestly and would just like to find modest living accomodations with a banyo privado, tv and small cocina. Being near big cities and resorts and such doesn´t matter much. I´m 64 and would like to settle in comfort with an acceptable black lady should I find her. I´m just a mellow ex-hippie who has learned to be grateful for all blessings and comforts. "just gettin´by on gettin´by, lettin the high times carry the lows, livin´my life easy come easy go." Thanks for your kindness in replying. Peace, Tim

Ltindal
  4/27/2013 10:54 EST

$1,000 a month is rather thin. However, it depends on several factors. First, where you want to live, your age, how much and what type of food you consume. Then you must consider if you want to live near a person who has a habit of playing his disco music from 3a.m. until 8a.m. at a level suited for stadiums. Do you like to be near the street where you will constantly hear the sound of motor cycles,cars, and buses all times of day and night. In Santo Domingo you can find a small apartment for under $400 a month, but you will experience all of the above that I mentioned. I moved to the interior near LaVega and Santiago, it is much cheaper but you will need transportation. You can purchase a new motor cycle for about $900. If you want TV, a bundle package will cost about $100. If you don't want to suffer through power outages which seem to be daily where I'm at, you should purchase a portable power inverter which will keep your tv and internet on. You can survive on $1,000 a month, but that is way too slim of a figure to depend on. I you are an American, trust me, you're going to need at least $2,000 a month. When you add the cost of food, 3-4 hundred a month, rent $4-5 hundred a month, tv/cable/internet/phone another $100 a month, that's your $1,000. I've been here since November 1, 2012, you will need to consider transportation cost, entertainment, cost of shoes,clothes and furnishing your home/apartment. you will find that many of the rentals are advertised as furnished. Most of them are furnished with thrift store quality items not fit to have in your home. Oh by the way, don't sign a lease longer than six months. You are never shown the property when the noise makers are around and the other nightmares that will ruin your experience. Also make sure your lease is in your language and read before you sign. Best of luck on your move.

zephar77
  4/26/2013 22:11 EST

I lived in Santiago mid-2000, and I think you can do it. Not in Santo Domingo thought. That has many tourists in the Colonial District and the Forts from the 1700’s to attract. I paid $125 for a luxury new 3 bedroom apartment. You have to buy your own appliances there. And you have to pay to have the water and electricity turned on, which was about 1,000 pesos each. Never got a bill each month, but a guy came by each month on his scooter to collect the rent. My neighbors were from England and Switzerland. Best, Seth

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