Puerto Plata

[Frannie]

Nice place to visit but living there may be not. DR is a great change of pace. Just like the women if you spend to much time with them you see how limited your relationship is. I have noticed that many expats seem some what sour about the Dr for many of the reasons you mentioned. I think having the best of both worlds is the answer. Spend the winter in the DR but live primarily in your own country.

I know expats who have that sour attitude, but I live in the DR and am grateful every day to live in such a beautiful place with such great people. A lot of it just comes down to your mental attitude.

Just yesterday I was paying for a little girl to have school dinners provided at the Christian School and the very pleasant guy who runs the kitchen was telling me that all the kids in the school are his children, because he doesn't have any of his own and he prays everyday that The Lord will give him a child, and you see how happy the kids and the staff are in the school, and it doesn't seem like the US at all.

Of course I am probably made happy by little things because I have a trivial mind.

[Frannie]

I've been thinking about the same myself, but after a few months spent in DR (a few days each trip) I've changed my mind.

I love Dominican chicas, but after several days of fucking and drinking it really gets boring.

If you compare DR with USA and Europe the only advantage seems to be chicas. I'll compare a few things below.

-Healthcare-much cheaper, but quality is so much lower.

-Restaurants-sometimes cheaper, sometimes more expensive, but variety is so low; I miss NYC restaurants after a week.

-Groceries-usually more expensive, variety is so low.

-Pretty much everything, from TVs and computers to clothes is plus 50-150% comparing to the USA.

-Air fare is just crazy expensive, over 500$ for JFK-POP return trip and sometimes during US holidays the price could be over a 1, 000$! You can easily pay half the price for the same distance within US, not to mention Europe where you can pay 30-80 Euros (40-110$) on Ryanair or Easyjet.

-Cars-double price comparing to the USA.

-Culture and entertainment (besides fucking around). No theaters, almost no movie theaters and so on.

-Home utilities-with constant need of generator and overpriced gas and many other things you can pay more than in USA.

Really depends what you are comparing it with. I think that compared to retiring to Florida, the quality of life in the DR is better dollar for dollar.

Yes, some thing are more expensive, though you can order through Amazon and pay no tax on items of value less than $200. I think restaurants are better than Florida, though probably New York City restaurants are better than DR.

Public transportation is very cheap in the DR, if you want to live without all the bother of a car. You can walk everywhere, which is hard to do in Florida, probably easier in NYC.

Climate is better than Florida which has very oppressive summers with many electrical storms and quite cold spells in the winter.

If you rent a condo that has a good generator, then power outages are a non issue.

Modern medicines and Internet all available. Also cable TV with channels from all countries very cheap. I don't really watch TV, but it seems that the cable is better than in the US.

Standard of health care much less high tech than US, but much, much cheaper. I know people who have had surgeries here with good outcomes. They tend to use ultrasounds a lot instead of MRI scans, which is much cheaper and seems fairly effective. Dentistry is fine, and much, much cheaper than the US.

Housing rentals and construction much cheaper than Florida when comparing like for like. For $1000 per month, you can live in a really nice 2-bedroom furnished apartment with pool, landscaped gardens, barbecue pits, wi-fi, cooking gas, and cable TV all included. You can get a pretty decent apartment for $500 per month with pool, maintenance, generator, etc. How much for this in NYC? I hate to think.

But what it really comes down to is whether you like the culture, the people, the language, etc. Clearly there are all kinds of reasons to prefer living in the US, especially if you have family and connections there, but if you don't, then DR is very liveable.

[El Lobo Solo]

I've been thinking about the same myself, but after a few months spent in DR (a few days each trip) I've changed my mind.

I'm kind of getting that same vibe. But I have two more trips already booked, and the jury is still out.

One huge advantage of Lima, Peru, is that like NYC, if you ever get bored in Lima, you are tired of life (to paraphrase Boswell). My next trip is to southern DR, including el capital Santo Domingo. I am very curious to see how well the big city compares with Northern DR.

[OldKool]

Nice place to visit but living there may be not. DR is a great change of pace. Just like the women if you spend to much time with them you see how limited your relationship is. I have noticed that many expats seem some what sour about the Dr for many of the reasons you mentioned. I think having the best of both worlds is the answer. Spend the winter in the DR but live primarily in your own country.

I've been thinking about the same myself, but after a few months spent in DR (a few days each trip) I've changed my mind.

I love Dominican chicas, but after several days of fucking and drinking it really gets boring.

If you compare DR with USA and Europe the only advantage seems to be chicas. I'll compare a few things below.

-Healthcare-much cheaper, but quality is so much lower.

-Restaurants-sometimes cheaper, sometimes more expensive, but variety is so low; I miss NYC restaurants after a week.

-Groceries-usually more expensive, variety is so low.

-Pretty much everything, from TVs and computers to clothes is plus 50-150% comparing to the USA.

-Air fare is just crazy expensive, over 500$ for JFK-POP return trip and sometimes during US holidays the price could be over a 1, 000$! You can easily pay half the price for the same distance within US, not to mention Europe where you can pay 30-80 Euros (40-110$) on Ryanair or Easyjet.

-Cars-double price comparing to the USA.

-Culture and entertainment (besides fucking around). No theaters, almost no movie theaters and so on.

-Home utilities-with constant need of generator and overpriced gas and many other things you can pay more than in USA.

[Bliadun]

I've been thinking about the same myself, but after a few months spent in DR (a few days each trip) I've changed my mind.

I love Dominican chicas, but after several days of fucking and drinking it really gets boring.

If you compare DR with USA and Europe the only advantage seems to be chicas. I'll compare a few things below.

-Healthcare-much cheaper, but quality is so much lower.

-Restaurants-sometimes cheaper, sometimes more expensive, but variety is so low; I miss NYC restaurants after a week.

-Groceries-usually more expensive, variety is so low.

-Pretty much everything, from TVs and computers to clothes is plus 50-150% comparing to the USA.

-Air fare is just crazy expensive, over 500$ for JFK-POP return trip and sometimes during US holidays the price could be over a 1, 000$! You can easily pay half the price for the same distance within US, not to mention Europe where you can pay 30-80 Euros (40-110$) on Ryanair or Easyjet.

-Cars-double price comparing to the USA.

-Culture and entertainment (besides fucking around). No theaters, almost no movie theaters and so on.

-Home utilities-with constant need of generator and overpriced gas and many other things you can pay more than in USA.

In former posts I said I am looking to maybe move to the DR. I shared some concerns about becoming a target due to among other things, being white.

But I am also concerned about this wealth perception thing. I'm extremely wealthy compared to probably 90% of DR citizens, but only comfortable in the USA. My idea is to try to rent a decent house or apartment, and then host a parade of women through my doors for several years. C Pooters comments about knowing 500 Haitianas certainly would be my goal (LOL I should ever hope to get there!). But to even get halfway there would require that I don't get attacked on a regular basis by thieves etc.

I'm also digesting a serious conversation I had with a very sweet but wise woman last week. She told me that she has been diligently saving money from her work, and expects to be able to buy a small piece of land and then build a small house on it within the next couple of years. Here's the kicker. She said that she would have to move completely away from the neighborhood where she currently lives (in her mother's house, where she grew up) because if she doesn't, her neighbors and even members of her own family will be so consumed with envy and jealousy that she could not live there in comfort.

For those of you who have been living in the DR for awhile, what say you?

I have heard of this kind of envy and jealousy in some other destinations, but was kind of bummed out to hear her bitterness about it.

[RocheBrazi]

As far as I know it is never used for baseball. Certainly not for games of any great standard. It is not used for anything much else either. I reckon if they had the money they would pull it down. All it is good for is a landmark for giving directions.

Santiago is the nearest.

Thank you for the Info.

I try to find out if there a Match worth to watch in Santiago when I am there

[Haven123]

Thanks for this suggestion, Frannie. I think I will go the Caribe Tours route. I suppose they have a website?

I think it was a publico. Another way to make the trip cheaply with baggage is to use Metrobus, but of course that does not go door-to-door. Or you could go Caribe Tours to Charamicos and then another 250 pesos for the taxi to your address in el Batey. People tend to forget you can take Caribe Tours or Metro between Sosua and Puerto Plata quite cheaply in relative luxury with a / see reclining seats, etc.

[Haven123]

Oh boy. I was laughing so hard!

Unfortunately, not gay. Love gay folks. But I don't have that in my DNA. Before I get clobbered, yes I know it largely a natural creation, and partly not quite so. Anyway, that strategy has zero prob of working for me. And I could not pull off the 'turn into a sexy Haitian chica' magic trick either!

That's cheap. Was it a publico? I cannot see a gringo getting that price from a normal taxi. The standard was 700 pesos four years ago. Maybe they threw in sex as well as part of the payment. (An idea for Haven123 if he can find a gay driver).

[Frannie]

That's cheap. Was it a publico? I cannot see a gringo getting that price from a normal taxi. The standard was 700 pesos four years ago. Maybe they threw in sex as well as part of the payment. (An idea for Haven123 if he can find a gay driver).

I think it was a publico. Another way to make the trip cheaply with baggage is to use Metrobus, but of course that does not go door-to-door. Or you could go Caribe Tours to Charamicos and then another 250 pesos for the taxi to your address in el Batey. People tend to forget you can take Caribe Tours or Metro between Sosua and Puerto Plata quite cheaply in relative luxury with a / see reclining seats, etc.

[Charles Pooter]

2. Re being too 'rich' to use private taxis? WTF, I have a bunch of luggage. Laptop, ipad etc as well. I can't use a bus or a publico due to my need for space for luggage etc.

3. If a guy is buying a flight, and spending a whole bunch of money on hotels and chicas, then the incremental $100-$130 spent over 4 weeks, I think, as a percentage of total, is not that big a percentage. Also, please remember that unlike many here, I am new to all this, after having recently gone thru a divorce after 20-25 years of married life, and total focus on work and other things besides this. So, in terms of money spent on this kind of stuff, cumulatively over the years, you might still have me beat! In any event, I expect to only live once, and give my over 50 status, I am not going to wait any longer. That is just FYI, FWIW.

I was just kidding. Of course if you have luggage and valuables, a private taxi is a must for moving around. But use the various public transport options for getting around otherwise. No point in visiting the DR and spending all your time in a sterile tourist "bubble". Experience a bit of the real DR in all its horror.

By the way you can carry luggage on publicos and guaguas for a nominal charge, but obviously not a good idea for valuable or delicate items.

Thanks for your kind comments and I hope you have a great time.

[Charles Pooter]

A couple of days ago two Haitian chicas I know negotiated a taxi to bring them plus suitcases from Puerto Plata to Sosua. They paid 400 pesos (ten dollars American).

That's cheap. Was it a publico? I cannot see a gringo getting that price from a normal taxi. The standard was 700 pesos four years ago. Maybe they threw in sex as well as part of the payment. (An idea for Haven123 if he can find a gay driver).

[El Lobo Solo]

so it is best to always give the impression that you are down to your last dollar. So you have 20, 000 pesos in your pocket, but you offer a chica 1000 pesos and when she asks for 1200, you look shocked, clutch the left side of your chest, and tell her you don't have that kind of money.

In former posts I said I am looking to maybe move to the DR. I shared some concerns about becoming a target due to among other things, being white.

But I am also concerned about this wealth perception thing. I'm extremely wealthy compared to probably 90% of DR citizens, but only comfortable in the USA. My idea is to try to rent a decent house or apartment, and then host a parade of women through my doors for several years. C Pooters comments about knowing 500 Haitianas certainly would be my goal (LOL I should ever hope to get there!). But to even get halfway there would require that I don't get attacked on a regular basis by thieves etc.

I'm also digesting a serious conversation I had with a very sweet but wise woman last week. She told me that she has been diligently saving money from her work, and expects to be able to buy a small piece of land and then build a small house on it within the next couple of years. Here's the kicker. She said that she would have to move completely away from the neighborhood where she currently lives (in her mother's house, where she grew up) because if she doesn't, her neighbors and even members of her own family will be so consumed with envy and jealousy that she could not live there in comfort.

For those of you who have been living in the DR for awhile, what say you?

I have heard of this kind of envy and jealousy in some other destinations, but was kind of bummed out to hear her bitterness about it.

[Charles Pooter]

Also I never watched a Baseball Game Live and thought I might can do in the Road.

I know there is a Stadium in POP. But are there any good Games?

As far as I know it is never used for baseball. Certainly not for games of any great standard. It is not used for anything much else either. I reckon if they had the money they would pull it down. All it is good for is a landmark for giving directions.

Where I need to go to see a good higher League Game?

Santiago is the nearest.

There is nice stadium at Altamira, halfway to Santiago on the main highway, but I don't think it is used for league matches because it is only a village. Just charity matches and private functions.

There is a small but new stadium near La Javilla in Pto Pta where local teams play.

If you want a fun afternoon you can watch softball at the Munoz stadium in a "campo" setting. Lots of chicas and a bar, but hard to pick them up in front of their family and neighbours. When I went a fight broke out between the teams after the match in the bar. It had all been very sociable up to that point.

By the way, POP is an airport near Sosua. The abbreviation for Puerto Plata city is "Pto Pta".

[RocheBrazi]

There is a pharmacy inside La Sirena. You can buy LaPela or Mambo, which are generic forms of Cialis. You can also get generic Viagra (sildenafil). The prices are not particularly cheap but about the same as all the other pharmacies in Puerto Plata-though probably cheap by US standards, and right there for you to find. The only place I know that has this stuff really, really cheap is Latino Minimarket in Sosua. There are pharmacies on every street corner in Puerto Plata, but no great deals, I don't think.

thanks for the Info.

I will buy them at La Sirena then.

We speak not about american Standards, we speak about german Standards.

Here is one single Pill about 10-15 Dollars.

So I can't afford them for Sport fucking here

[Frannie]

1. Thanks! The point of potentially becoming a mark for a private taxi guy is a good point. I will avoid that option.

2. Re being too 'rich' to use private taxis? WTF, I have a bunch of luggage. Laptop, ipad etc as well. I can't use a bus or a publico due to my need for space for luggage etc.

3. If a guy is buying a flight, and spending a whole bunch of money on hotels and chicas, then the incremental $100-$130 spent over 4 weeks, I think, as a percentage of total, is not that big a percentage. Also, please remember that unlike many here, I am new to all this, after having recently gone thru a divorce after 20-25 years of married life, and total focus on work and other things besides this. So, in terms of money spent on this kind of stuff, cumulatively over the years, you might still have me beat! In any event, I expect to only live once, and give my over 50 status, I am not going to wait any longer. That is just FYI, FWIW.

I totally appreciate your kind advice and help. It is absolutely appreciated, I promise you!

A couple of days ago two Haitian chicas I know negotiated a taxi to bring them plus suitcases from Puerto Plata to Sosua. They paid 400 pesos (ten dollars American).

On this board it doesn't matter if you paid $2000 for your flight, because if you tip a chica $5 someone will say you should have given her 50 centavos and she would worship your dick until eternity. Mostly I agree with you, but in the DR people who overpay by local standards sometimes attract unwanted attention from dishonest elements, so it is best to always give the impression that you are down to your last dollar. So you have 20, 000 pesos in your pocket, but you offer a chica 1000 pesos and when she asks for 1200, you look shocked, clutch the left side of your chest, and tell her you don't have that kind of money.