wondering9
American expat in Dominican Republic
Forum posts
202
Contacts
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About me
American
Lives in Santo Domingo, Dominican Repub
Registration: 28 August 2023
Activity
Timing of the residency application process (2025) by wondering9
I was looking for an existing thread to tack this onto but couldn't quickly find one, so here's one more input to the "how long does it take?" question.I initiated the process of applying for a retirement residency in December 2024. It took...3 ...
@Jennifer Storm Nelson There are people here who know a lot more about this than I do so don't take this as the be-all-end-all, butYes, the first interview takes place in the DR.No, you don't have to stay in the DR while waiting for the second ... Read More
Forwarding of Amazon shipments
I tried my first Amazon purchase from the DR, and one thing I hadn't thought about was how Amazon splits an order into multiple shipments, thus (I assume) making the forwarding from Miami much more expensive than it would be for a single package. ... Read More
"Anything Goes" thread by planner
I have created a new thread where you are free to discuss any topics you want! Rules that apply: no name calling, no insulting. Feel free to exchange ideas on politics etc! I will ask to have this pinned so we don't lose it.This is where you can ...
I just got mine back (December 2025); the whole process took just under 4 weeks. Read More
Banking (mostly ATM) questions by wondering9
I don't think this has been asked before; apologies if I missed something.I'm still drawing money out of my US bank account via ATMs and probably will be for a couple more months (for longwinded and boring reasons not worth going into). Banco ...
I didn't make a full-on research project out of it, but it does look like yes, the rules are different for ATM withdrawals vs interactions with a live human teller. The amounts you can withdraw may differ even from one ATM to another at the same ... Read More
Using DR courier services for sensitive documents by wondering9
Would you consider it safe to use a service like Domex to receive a new ATM card or credit card?I'm assuming that Domex would be a good bet because that's who the US embassy uses. Also in my brief dealings with them they have seemed pretty ...
Good to know! But if it comes via my US- based mail forwarder, mailed in a bank envelope but not otherwise ID'd as a bank card, would there be any way they would know? Read More
Using DR courier services for sensitive documents
Would you consider it safe to use a service like Domex to receive a new ATM card or credit card?I'm assuming that Domex would be a good bet because that's who the US embassy uses. Also in my brief dealings with them they have seemed pretty ... Read More
Trip For a couple to the North Coast by matt552
AnythiAUTUMNAnything much new on the north coast over the last 5 years as last time there? Started going to the DR 25 years ago but was always single, and now taking my fiance to enjoy the beaches. Thanks in advance for tips as landing in POP.
Well it's not on the beach but ya gotta eat, so when in Puerto Plata, for an inexpensive and ambience-rich dining treat I recommend Empana House, which is on a side street (Calle El Morro) just off Av. 27 de Febrero (a major north/south street) ... Read More
Timing of the residency application process (2025) by wondering9
I was looking for an existing thread to tack this onto but couldn't quickly find one, so here's one more input to the "how long does it take?" question.I initiated the process of applying for a retirement residency in December 2024. It took...3 ...
@Jennifer Storm Nelson After you submit your documents from the States, there's another wait until you get your initial visa (I can't remember how long that was for me, I think 2-3 months). Once they issue that, you have to get here within a month ... Read More
Managing meals in Dominican Republic by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Managing meals day-to-day can sometimes be a real mental challenge, even more so when you land in a new environment, with different schedules, habits or ingredients. How do you manage your meal routine as an expat in Dominican ...
I was surprised by the difficulty of finding fresh fruit and veg outside of the big cities, especially fruit. Where I've been, the selection has been has been smaller, and most items look less shiny and perfect (as a friend back in the States said, ... Read More
Getting Address for new Construction by Stacy ST
Does anyone have experience getting their land/lot registered with an address? We purchased a plot of land in an industrial area that is all new construction. We are told the street has name, but we do not know what it is and it is not yet ...
While you're working on that, can you give it a Google Maps Plus Code? It's an alternative way to denote locations. You'd get a better explanation from google than I could give, Read More
Banking (mostly ATM) questions by wondering9
I don't think this has been asked before; apologies if I missed something.I'm still drawing money out of my US bank account via ATMs and probably will be for a couple more months (for longwinded and boring reasons not worth going into). Banco ...
My home bank limit is high enough (I can get the maximum amount from Banco Popular if I'm willing to pay for it). I'm curious if I might be able to withdraw more money by talking to a human teller than I can get from the ATM. Read More
Banking (mostly ATM) questions
I don't think this has been asked before; apologies if I missed something.I'm still drawing money out of my US bank account via ATMs and probably will be for a couple more months (for longwinded and boring reasons not worth going into). Banco ... Read More
New members of the Dominican Republic forum, introduce yourselves here - 2025 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Dominican Republic forum? Don't know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more ...
Duolingo won't help you with Dominican slang alas. I think any of the Spanish keyboards would work fine, in fact I can't imagine how they would differ. Whatever it is, it's not likely to hold you back -- go for Latin American!Worrying about ... Read More
Dogs in the airport by tosharogers
Hello, my name is Tosha and I will be moving to Sosua from the States and with me will be my two dogs. Will I be able to fly into Puerto Plata International Airport with one as "cargo?" Thank you.
Eduar Taxi/Edward Taxi in Cabarete (near Sosua) and Santo Domingo Taxi both do long-distance trips and can take a lot of luggage. You could ask them if they take dogs in crates, my guess would be yes. They have English speaking staff and I think ... Read More
Shopping questions by wondering9
does anyone happen to know whether there's a place to buy... snorkeling gear in Las Terrenas? one of those folding, ultra-portable backpacking stools or chairs, anywhere in the DR? (I imagine you can get normal folding chairs in a lot of places, but ...
No pain so far ... I have not yet begun to shop (aside from keeping an eye out during Jumbo runs).Just looking for ways to extend my outdoor time really. And planning a day trip to Las Terrenas sometime soon. LT seems to have more dive- and ... Read More