Living in Dominican Rep: Cost of Living, Healthcare and What to Know About Living in Dominican Rep

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:

"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," remarked one expat living in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Rep.

"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," wrote one member in Las Terrenas.

"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]," remarked one expat who made the move to Santiago.

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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.