HOW CAN I MAKE DOMINICAM REPUBLIC MY HOME?

15POSTS

13 years ago

I find myself getting older and every day asking myself if i had to chose between my country and Canada, which one would i chose to?聽 Unfortunately, Canada its all i know, i wish that i have a place beside Canada that i could call home.聽 I was brought here by my parents when i was two years old, i grew up in St-Leonard, Montreal.聽 In 1994, i moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba to teach, i worked with special needs kids.聽 Teaching kids was my life purpose, but i could no longer teach.

In 2001, i was strike with a life treating illness that almost killed me, doctors misdiagnosed the illness, and treated me for the wrong thing, basically, instead of treating me they were killing me.聽 Due to the impact on my health, i had to quit teaching.聽 Eleven years later, i am still doing some Soul searching and i came to the realization that i do not want to leave the rest of my life in Canada.聽 I have been to Dominican Republic several times, and i would like to make it my home.聽 As it is right now, i do not have a place where i can call home.聽 I am looking for people who are from Domican Republic or else where who can guide me and corresponding to.聽

Life in North America is too much for me, i need and want a simple life where i can be close to nature, and close to the human spirit, and not feeling the overtaxation and overpolluted negative life style that we live in North America. I would love to be in a place where my whole body can learn to breathe and relax again.聽 I had read people testemonials about moving Overseas, they said their life is so much better than the one they have in Canada or United States.聽 I am looking forward to hearing from anyone who would like to share their experience with me.

Thank you,

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础耻谤茅濒颈别 ViP

22735POSTS

13 years ago

Hello glory53.

Welcome to 大咖福利影院!

If you have questions, do not hesitate to ask them.

Thank you,
础耻谤茅濒颈别

glory53 Member

15POSTS

13 years ago

Hi Aurelie,
Thank you for ready my post, could you tell me about your experience, i saw that you're from Ile Maurice how was the journey moving from Africa to Domican Republic?聽 I am looking forward to hearing from you, have a great day.

Glad,

础耻谤茅濒颈别 ViP

22735POSTS

13 years ago

Hello glory53.

I am still in Mauritius Island. I've never been to Dominican Republic.

Hope other members will share their experience with you.

PS: I form part of the 大咖福利影院 Team.

Thank you,
础耻谤茅濒颈别

planner Dominican Republic Expert

17778POSTS

13 years ago

My advice would be to come down here to the DR for 6 months and give it a try.聽 It may or may not be what you are looking for.聽 Depending where you go - it can be very very different. Where have you visited when you were here?

Do you have an income to live on?聽聽Will you require special medical care? Or medications?聽 Do you need assistance?聽

There is a great deal to consider with this type of a move.聽 I did it almost 10 years ago,聽 did some things really well and made mistakes at other times. ALl was an opportunity to learn!!!!!

This country is wonderful but it is not for everyone.聽 Give it a try that is the only way you will know for sure.

Bob K VIP Member

7675POSTS

13 years ago

Planner is pointing you in the right direction. Come and spend a few months here before "jumping in". Living here is vastly different than vacationing here.
We have been here for 7 years and still are sometimes suprised at what happens.聽
Planner actually gave me some good advice when we were in the ealry stages of getting ready to move here.

Bob K

1 member reacted to this post

peterotfinoski New member

6POSTS

13 years ago

how would you describe living in the dominican republic?
please dont be politically correct
everywhere has a good and bad.
聽 thanks
聽 peter

Bob K VIP Member

7675POSTS

13 years ago

Yes it all has good and bad but for us the good far out weighs the bad.
YOu have to get used to a different culture, lifestyle and be able to adapt.
For me now 7 years and have not looked back once.

Bob K

planner Dominican Republic Expert

17778POSTS

13 years ago

I agree with Bob, you have to be willing to change and adapt. We are in their country and not the other way around. My best advice is come, watch, learn and see where you fit in.

michael brazell Member

24POSTS

12 years ago

#10

hi, I spent 4 months in Puerto plata, unfortunately I didn't ask about health insurance cost. or how good is the hospital there. I know panama and costa rica insurance plans are very good if you become a pensinado ( spelling may be wrong ). what does a reasonable plan cost in DR, thanks

planner Dominican Republic Expert

17778POSTS

12 years ago

#11

Hi a reasonable plan is about US 35 a month, including some dental and prescription coverage. If you need more info just message me.聽 I have an additional plan that is about US 45 a month.聽 Both are with one of the two best carriers in the DR.

1 member reacted to this post

Bob K VIP Member

7675POSTS

12 years ago

#12

Health insurance here is cheap but getting more expensive.聽 My wife and I pay $45 a month for the two of us (used to be $20) for full coverage (no meds but you can add that for $10 a month or so).聽 Coverage is good. I had two surgeries here (8 days in the hospital) and my out of pocket expenses was about $300.

We have a group policy (cheaper rates) here on the north coast and if you are interested send me a PM and I will give you the contact information.

Bob K

michael brazell Member

24POSTS

12 years ago

#13

hi, i'm a new member. my name is mike and I am very interested in the group insurance policy. you can email me at [beeep]

Bob K VIP Member

7675POSTS

12 years ago

#14

Mike NEVER put your email on a public forum. You never know who will get a hold of it. You should remove it if you can
Are you living here in the DR as the insurance is only good if you live here and only covers your health care in the DR.

Let me know and if聽 you are here I will send you the info in a PM
or your email if聽 you have not removed it

Bob K

1 member reacted to this post

planner Dominican Republic Expert

17778POSTS

12 years ago

#15

welcome to the forums Mike.聽 I聽 have asked to have your email removed from the post, Bob is correct.

I have also sent you information regarding a group health policy that I administer.聽 Bob is correct, you must be here to apply!聽 But that is pretty easy to arrange.

1 member reacted to this post

michael brazell Member

24POSTS

12 years ago

#16

thanks for the info about email address and insurance. one question if you know. i'm 73 years young, can I get health insurance in DR

planner Dominican Republic Expert

17778POSTS

12 years ago

#17

That becomes a problem. I will need to check.

Bob K VIP Member

7675POSTS

12 years ago

#18

The policy we you need to be under 65 to enroll then after that age does not matter.
So ours won't work for you, sorry

Bob K

travelingtrent Member

21POSTS

12 years ago

#19

Hello, I saw you talking about healthcare. I have tricare. When I was living in Cosat Rica, there were hospitals that lots of american vets went to because they took tricare. I was just wondering if anyone knew if the D.R. took tricare oversea and what are the income requirements for residency or if you even had to have residency to live there?

planner Dominican Republic Expert

17778POSTS

12 years ago

#20

Welcome, never heard of private! Income for residencia is $1500 a month or income / investment. You don't have to get it now but the govt is cracking down.

Bob K VIP Member

7675POSTS

12 years ago

#21

Never heard of tri care being accepted here. Usually if you have an insurance from elsewhere you will have to pay your bill and they will give you the forms filled out for you to submit to your carrier for reimbursement.

As to residency there is a whole process that now has to start with the paperwork in your home country. You have to show income and money to be able to support yourself.聽 Currently you need to show $1500 US a month or investments that will allow for that.

Bob K

annieloraine Active member

68POSTS

12 years ago

#22

Hello
I聮m thinking of moving to Cabarete and was planning on purchasing a condo. I was down there last year and looked at some properties but will be going back to see one again and possibly more. Has anyone any information on Orillia Del Mar or Windchimes as places to buy? My main question though, comes from the residency requirement in today聮s post. Would owning real estate in the Dominican Republic make a difference in getting residency even if you don聮t have the required $1500? There wouldn聮t be any rent or mortgage payments so that reduces your monthly expenses considerably. I figure what I have will be more than enough to live on (no dependants) but it doesn聮t amount to $1500.

Bob K VIP Member

7675POSTS

12 years ago

#23

That is a good question. Owning property does help but it depends on the value of the property. If I remember correctly, and at my old age memory is not a strong point, the value had to be above $150,000.
This is a question you should ask the lawyer that is going to help you get your residency.

Bob K

planner Dominican Republic Expert

17778POSTS

12 years ago

#24

I agree with Bob,聽 I think the investment doesn't help you on this type of residencia but I am not certain.

planner Dominican Republic Expert

17778POSTS

12 years ago

#25

And by the way, welcome to the forums!!!!

annieloraine Active member

68POSTS

12 years ago

#26

Thank you for that information. I聮m new to this forum and have been reading the posts for a while now. I聮ve also been researching information online about moving from Canada to Dominican Republic (residency, health care, transportation and veterinarians). I聮m beginning to think that buying property might not be good idea in case I get refused residency due to the required $1500. I had heard about that in one site and thought that was for immediate permanent residency instead of the first step of temporary residency which would show that you are able to support yourself before becoming a permanent resident. The properties I聮m looking at are quite a bit lower than $150,000. My price range is quite a bit lower as it聮s just for. I don聮t need a big place and I聮m not wealthy but from my calculations I will have more than enough to live on. However that may not be enough to qualify for residency.

annieloraine Active member

68POSTS

12 years ago

#27

Thank you I聮m glad I聮ve finally started to post questions...you and Bob seem to be the ones in the know!

planner Dominican Republic Expert

17778POSTS

12 years ago

#28

You csn email Wilsonrood@gmail.com for info! He will know as he is a lawyer

Bob K VIP Member

7675POSTS

12 years ago

#29

You are welcome.聽 You might want to rent for a while before even starting the residency process to see if the DR "fits" for you.
You certainly can stay here for 6 months or more with out worrying about residency.聽 Then if it works apply.

Bob K

1 member reacted to this post

annieloraine Active member

68POSTS

12 years ago

#30

Thank you Planner, I emailed him today and he has already responded!聽 I feel a lot better now!

annieloraine Active member

68POSTS

12 years ago

#31

That is a good idea and I聮ve noticed you suggest that to others in the forum. I don聮t think I聮d be able to do that though because I work full time right now and a leave of absence isn聮t an option. It seems hard to find places that rent to people with pets as well. Both you and Planner suggest the rent first idea because living in DR isn聮t for everybody. To avoid putting you on the spot with the question 聯what is it that some people wouldn聮t like聰 I will tell you why I want to live there. Obviously the weather, I hate the cold and Canada is one of the coldest countries (I聮ve heard that Ottawa is the coldest capital in the world). The cost of living is more affordable than in Canada. I also plan to help out at Judy聮s Pet Lodge in some capacity.
I was also wondering as I聮m new to the forum and not familiar with how it works, if I want some information on real estate properties should I start a new post or is that what is called a thread?
Thanks again for your help!

planner Dominican Republic Expert

17778POSTS

12 years ago

#32

yes, start a new thread honey!聽 And here it is not hard to find a place that takes pets! Judy's is fabulous!!!

Bob K VIP Member

7675POSTS

12 years ago

#33

This is a third world country in many respects and you will not get the services you are used to in Canada. Things like electricity, drinkable water, police that do anything, lack of service from companies, always being the "gringo", crazy divers with no understanding of driving laws and on and on and on.

But on the positive side weather, people, food, cheaper (if you use local products), laid back lifestyle, and on and on and on.

But it is not for everybody and many do not make it here. So try it out first.

Rental with pets is no problem at all.

Bob K

guy11427 Active member

39POSTS

12 years ago

#34

Hi folks,
I've read that the Samana area (Las Terrenas, Las Galeras, Cabrera, Nagua, etc) and the Punta Cana area has electricity 24 hours a day. This is so because these areas are on a private system and not on the public system. Is this true? If true how much more do you pay?

Bob K VIP Member

7675POSTS

12 years ago

#35

Some of the upper class neighborhoods, and tourist areas are on a 24/7 line. It is also areas where almost everyone actually pays their bill (about 1/2 of Dominicans do not pay their bills and are hooked up with out meters)聽 Even on a 24/7 line you will experience blackouts but not as often and not for as long as other.
We live on a 24/7 line but still maintain a generator for those days.

BObK

guy11427 Active member

39POSTS

12 years ago

#36

mmm???.... A generator you say. How much is one? and how much gas do you consume monthly?

SO that is the reason for blackouts then: people that don't have any meters and thus the utility co. can't accurately gauge demand? OR maybe there are bigger crooks in the utility co.?

So if I am looking for places to rent then those homes with meters are the better ones--in terms of electricity supply?

Bob K VIP Member

7675POSTS

12 years ago

#37

It has nothing to do about gauging demand. They can't produce enough, waste too much and are not paid for what they do produce. Then there is the corruption that goes along with it and huge amounts of $$$$ go missing all the time.
The system is old in poor repair and not maintained very well. Electricity (or lack of it) has been a problem here for decades and no real prospect of improving anytime in the near or distant future.
Yes you will need a back up system of either a generator or an inverter.聽 Most condo/apartment complexes have one. If in a private villa or an apartment without one you will need to install one or have a good supply of candles and batteries.

Bob K

annieloraine Active member

68POSTS

12 years ago

#38

Thank you Bob. I聮ve heard of the problems with electricity and drinking water. This is where living in a condo makes sense to me. Most of the ones I have seen have electricity backups and as that may not always work either I can still cook with gas and charge batteries when the electricity is on so things like computers will work during a blackout. I don聮t even drink water from the taps in Canada either although I will if it聮s boiled. Can you boil the tap water in DR and drink it or is that still risky? In any event I聮m not worried about too much. I聮m actually more worried about my dog being here and not a lot vets in the north area. I know of Dr Bob but as I聮m not planning on owning a car or driving while I live there getting to a vet in an emergency will be my first thing to look into.
I also find that living in a condo or apartment lends to socializing. You get to know the other residents and they will often have solutions to any problems that arise. And I聮m hoping on a security level that in a condo there will be safety in numbers. Did you find a difference living in a condo community before you built your villa?
As for the police who do you call in case of emergency...maybe your neighbors?
Anyway I am very serious about this and it may not happen right away but I聮m trying to work things out for sooner than later.
Thanks again!

Bob K VIP Member

7675POSTS

12 years ago

#39

Don't use the tap water (boiled or from the tap) for anything but washing. There are some private wells that are "clean".聽 Ours is "clean" but still don't drink it.

Yes you will build a network of neighbors, expats, others (lawyers) and such that you can rely on in an emergency.聽 There is a very strong sense of community among the expats, at least here on the north coast. You will quickly know who to trust and who to avoid. The police are for the most part "useless" and usually will not respond in a timely fashion.

As to condo vs villa we actually made more friends in the villa we rented and the one we built rather than the condo in Cabarete. The reason may be that the condo had lots of short term renters while the villa either had long term renters or owners in them.

Bob K

1 member reacted to this post

planner Dominican Republic Expert

17778POSTS

12 years ago

#40

Great comments and advice Bob.聽 Also we should point out that the large blue bottles of drinking water (5 gallons?) cost just over $1 US,聽 so drinking water is not a big or expensive issue.

Electricity -our problems are too big and too complex to even attempt an answer on these forums.聽 Suffice it to say you need a backup regardless. I live in a "24/7" circuit and it goes out. Tonight it went for 12 minutes, no big deal. but Saturday it was out 4 hours, Sunday 2 hours.聽 A back up is as simple as inverter and batteries -聽 around US1,000聽 BUT know that your electric bill聽 will increase about 20%.

Generator - noise, cost and fuel - is your other option unless you live in a complex supplying backup power.

1 member reacted to this post