Living in the Dominican Republic
Last updated on Feb 09, 2024
Summary: The approximate population of the Dominican Republic is 10.7 million people. The largest cities in the Dominican Republic are Santo Domingo, Santiago de los Caballeros, and La Romana. Expats love living in the Dominican Republic for its beautiful beaches, warm climate, and friendly people. Life in the Dominican Republic is often described as relaxed and laid-back. Popular foods in the Dominican Republic include rice and beans, plantains, and sancocho (a stew made with meat, vegetables, and spices). The cons of living in the Dominican Republic include a lack of infrastructure, high crime rates, and a lack of job opportunities. The average cost of living for an expat in the Dominican Republic is around $1,500 to $2,000 per month. This includes rent, utilities, food, and other expenses.
What do I need to know about living in the Dominican Republic?
When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to the Dominican Republic, they said:
"Expats should research the cost of living in the Dominican Republic before retiring there. It is important to understand the local laws and regulations, as well as the tax implications of living in the Dominican Republic. Expats should also familiarize themselves with the local culture and customs, as well as the language. Additionally, it is important to have a good understanding of the healthcare system and the availability of medical services. Finally, expats should research the availability of housing and other amenities in the area they plan to retire in," explained one expat living in Dominican Rep.
"Be prepared to adjust. Be prepared to be frustrated and to want to smack your head into the wall. But also be prepared to find the small joys here!! The people are remarkably friendly and helpful. There are many many good people but that takes time to get to know who they are. You won't find them in your first few months here!!!!! After 11 years I am still learning so much. I live in a typical middle class Dominican neighborhood! I am the only expat and I love my life here. 11 years of business and consulting and I pretty much know how to get things done..... but every single day I learn something new!!!," said one expat in Santo Domingo.
"I would tell them to first visit, meet people in the Chamber of Commerce to get better acquainted with where to live and how to move around in the city," said one expat who made the move to Santiago de los Caballeros.
"It would depend on how old he is. If retired come, come, come if wanting work unless he has plenty capital to start a business, go somewhere else," explained one expat living in Las Terrenas, Dominican Rep.
"Learn Spanish - Come with some money to get established. Find a way to make money here. It is not very expensive to live here, but at the same time, you won't make a lot of money either. If you have any questions about moving to Santiago, you can email me at [email protected]," mentioned one in Santiago.
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Abreu & Associates is a law firm practicing exclusively in the area of the Dominican Republic Immigration process and Nationality law. The firm serves as a trusted advisor in all practice areas of immigration law including Visa, Provisional Residency, Permanent Residency, Renewals, Investment Management, Dominican and American Citizenship, and Dominican Driver's License.
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Abreu & Associates is a law firm practicing exclusively in the area of the Dominican Republic Immigration process and Nationality law. The firm serves as a trusted advisor in all practice areas of immigration law including Visa, Provisional Residency, Permanent Residency, Renewals, Investment Management, Dominican and American Citizenship, and Dominican Driver's License.
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About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
Other Questions:
- How do I meet people in the Dominican Republic?
- What is life like as an expat in your area?
- Is there a lot of crime in the Dominican Republic?
- What do I need to know before retiring in the Dominican Republic?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in the Dominican Republic accepting of differences?
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- Is the cost of living in the Dominican Republic high?
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- Is the cost of living in the Dominican Republic high?
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- What are the visa & residency requirements in the Dominican Republic?
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