Seeking any advise from people who have moved to the D.R. We currently live in California and are planning to move next summer. We have friends from the D.R. who suggested that we rent a place for at least three months before making the move and that is what we plan to do. I would appreciate any suggestions or experiences. Thank you

Hi...firstly good luck with your move.

I am a Brit. and have lived here in Sosua for 7.1/2 years. I am the President of ESO Residents Club. Having at this moment 150 people from all parts of the World.

If you would like to communicate with me - my e mail is sylviacheal@hotmail.com

Regards..Sylvia DR

Hi Seliena
yes renting makes sense - then you can get a feel for the area before you invest. Once you buy here, its not as quick or easy to sell as in California. If you have any specific questions - we'll try to help.
Don

DONT YOU DARE BUY ANYTHING UNLESS YOU HAVE LIVED HERE ATLEAST 8MONTHS.cALIFORNIA IS SO DIFFERENT AND BUYING IN THIS ECONOMICSL TIME IS IMPERATIVE TO KNOW WHERE ITS SAFE!!!!AND WHAT YOU ARE COMFORTABLE

Hello Seliena,

The Dominican Republic is a lovely place to live. I moved here in January 08, after taking an early retirement. I purchase a lovely 3 bedroom/2 bathroom home with a beautiful pool in Sosua, and already it's up for sale. I can't get out of here fast enough! Too many bugs, too much crime, (we live in a gated community with 2 security guards and have been robbed several times, once while we were home)too expensive (food is through the roof unless you want to live on rice and beans, electricty, which is off more than it is on, gas for the car, the work ethic, and so much more! Yes rent first before buying. Wish I had done that. My E-Mail address is bluebunny957@yahoo.com
Good luck to you!
Best Regards
Robert

sorry to hear that Robert. I've known quite a few people that move back after a few years, most because of the things they miss.
Which gated community is it, and has it got worse over the last year?

Did a whole big post and forgot to log in. We moved here over 3 years ago and have not looked back for a second (moved from Colorado). Yes there are areas of high crime like anywhere else, but there are some very secure areas as well. Yes it can be much cheaper here if you adapt to the country and do things like eat local foods and brands. If you want only US brands then costs will be much higher. Restaruants are still cheaper here.
You should come and rent for 6 months or so before deciding if this is the place for you. Mnay come with dreams and unrealistic expectations and soon find them selves wanting to get out.
Robert so sorry it did not work for you. Where did you buy? Not Costa Azul I hope.

BobK

I was just checking out the message boards and reading all the info very interesting stuff.
BobK is absolutely right about costa azul it is very dangerous and will not likely change any time soon.
please remember if you are looking to buy a house in the area and a agent tries to rent or get you to buy or even look at property there start running.....and get a new agent because they are just out for a buck and l am talking from experience.if anyone would like a list of the agent or property management people pushing these property please contact me and l will gladly give all the info l have

Security: I always tell people supply their own. That is, get a dog, put bars on windows, get an alarm system. As for Costa Azul, I know people who have lived there for years an not been robbed, and people who moved to Perla Marina who were robbed. Security: I always tell people supply their own. When I was in Toronto last time three people were shot in one weekend. Life is what you make of it. We live in Cabarete and have never felt threatened.

I can understand how Robert feels. I have a number of British clients who have listed their property after a year here. They do not adapt well to a third world country. After a few months you either love it here of hate it! So renting is a good idea - try before you buy!

William
Prestige Realty Cabarete
http://www.caribbeanrealty.ca/
cabaretewilliam@hotmail.com

renting is e z. i did it for 2 yrs. you have to remember that here in d.r. life is diff. when buying a property you do not .use. a R.E. agent. he is the one selling. there are other people here to represent you in your purchase. in other words .a buyers agent or rep. I used one on my last rental. got the price down some things fixed and did not have to change water acct. etc. they got from the owner... next time i will buy. all sorts of ways...

In the USA and Canada there is the legal and effective Dual Agency. After all, you need a negotiator! I have seen deals fall apart quite often between a direct seller/buyer because one of the other gets their back up or misunderstands the terms. That is why most deals are still handled by professionals! In the DR though there are very few with training. I was licensed in Canada after 6 months or courses. That training helps a lot in the DR! I usually act for both parties in that I work hard to bring them together. In the long run that builds a good reputation!
regards,
William Oosterman P.R.C.
Prestige Realty
www.caribbeanrealty.ca

IF YOU WANT TO BE SAFE MOVE TO PUERTO PLATA IVE LIVED HERE FOR 7 YEARS AND NEVER FELT NOT SAFE. NOTHING WOULD PERSUADE ME TO LIVE IN CARBARETE, SOSUA, COSTAMBER OR ANYWHERE ISOLATED. TORRE ALTA IS GREAT

hmmm, difficult to trust someone who types in CAPITAL LETTERS.

and that's the most ridiculous statement I've ever heard - are you selling something in Torre Alta?

Sosua and Cabarete have by far some of the most secure residential areas. I know loads of people who live there and also wouldn't live anywhere else. It's all subjective - just your opinion - albeit a warped one! :-)

Why do you always get some people on forums who say the country is terrible and the crime is bad? Crime occurs in every country. The DR has its own problems, but for many, it's a great place to move to and live. It all depends on what you make of it.
Amazing beaches, scenery, friendly people and a stack of other reasons why I'm proud to call it my home.
Don't be put off by idiots who post negative messages (who probably don't even live here)!

Re: Robert - living in a gated community with 2 security guards and got robbed. It was probably the security guards that robbed you. Three of my neighbours got robbed by PPSG security guards in the last year and the police did nothing about it.

Sporty,

Care to share which gated community it was where you got robbed? You have the position to help other people by describing what happened? Did they break into your house and rob you? or did you get a bicycle stolen out of your front yard? Also, care to elaborate on what happened to your neighbors? what got stollen from them?

I think you'll find that a lot of people consider getting robbed even when it was something as careless as leaving something outside unsecured. now, i'm not saying this is what happened to you, but, in order to alleviate any confusion details would certainly help here.

/www.dominicancentral

/www.dominicancentral

@ Seliena: WHY Sosúa???
Many people always say that crime happens everywhere. TRUE. But it is much more likely to become a victim here. The DR is one of the most dangerous countries when it comes to violent deaths (just see the stats).
People who deny this, have something to sell...
chinchin

I'm Dominican and I should be mad about what people are saying about Colon beloved island, but is true. iss there a perfect place on earth? Not, is what you make of it. Believe some people would rather die here before living some where else. DR is like many others 3rd World countries : closed minded,intolerant and unjust. Now let me tell you one thing here you can find some of the most beautiful bitches and beaches, you can drink and drive ( not recommended), dance bachata, merengue, salsa, son. Boy! the BS you can do here are forbidden some place else. Just know dominican laws, be nice, apply regular security rules. People disobey the law because they don't know or have political clouts. Actually , they only apply the law when is in their best interest. But if you know it you it you have an alibi. Have a good time. It all come down to $$$$. bienvenido56@gmail.com

I do live here in Sosua/Cabarete area since over 25 years and love it!
If you stay away from the wrong people and drugs, if you don't show off how much $ you have and if you don't take 5 hookers to the house at the same time....wondering later where your stuff is...nothing is happening...Get a female dog, (boys sleep too much) and welcome..
I love it here and wouldn't want to move!