Pros and Cons of Living in Dominican Rep

Pros and Cons of Living in the Dominican Republic

Last updated on Feb 15, 2023

Summary: The Dominican Republic is a beautiful Caribbean country with a rich culture and vibrant atmosphere. One of the main pros of living in the Dominican Republic is the warm climate and stunning beaches. The country is also known for its friendly people and relaxed lifestyle. Additionally, the cost of living is relatively low, making it an attractive destination for those looking to stretch their budget. On the other hand, there are some drawbacks to living in the Dominican Republic. The infrastructure is not as developed as in other countries, and the public transportation system can be unreliable. Additionally, the country has a high crime rate, and the healthcare system is not as advanced as in other countries. Finally, the language barrier can be a challenge for those who do not speak Spanish.

What are the pros and cons of living in the Dominican Republic?

Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in the Dominican Republic responded:

"Expats and digital nomads living in the Dominican Republic often appreciate the country's warm climate, beautiful beaches, and vibrant culture. They also enjoy the low cost of living, which allows them to stretch their budget further. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the language barrier and lack of reliable public transportation to be challenging. Additionally, the country's infrastructure can be unreliable, making it difficult to access certain services," remarked one expat in Dominican Rep.

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What do expats in the Dominican Republic appreciate most about the local culture?

"We enjoy the laid back quality of life in the DR. We are in a small town and find people helpful and generally nice. We have met few US expatriates, but many Europeans and Canadians. I experienced a severe urinary infection and went septic. My wife wasn't sure how to handle that, but two locals called an ambulance and got me to an ER. I truly believe they saved my life. .Ambulance, ER, 4 days in hospital and doctor's fees were about $3000. I suspect my copay in the US would have cost more," explained one expat.

"I appreciate the fact that under extreme poverty, the people somehow seem to survive on so little," said one person in Santo Domingo.

What do expats find most challenging?

"Expats in the Dominican Republic often find the language barrier to be one of the most challenging aspects of the local culture. Additionally, the Dominican Republic has a very different set of social norms and customs than many expats are used to, which can be difficult to adjust to. Furthermore, the Dominican Republic is a predominantly Catholic country, and many expats may find it difficult to adjust to the religious and cultural norms that come with this. Finally, the Dominican Republic is a developing country, and expats may find it difficult to adjust to the lack of infrastructure and resources that are available in other countries," replied an expat in Dominican Rep.

"Living with close DR natives can be challenging, mostly because of partying at late hours. They do not understand why noise should be an issue. As I have sleep issues, this can be annoying. Far fewer Dominican people speak English than you might expect. But they will try to help, none the less," remarked one in Juan Dolio.

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.