Sosua Reports

[Oakie]

Let me rephrase the question. How easy is it for a foreigner to purchase a commercial property in the DR?

That's a loaded question, LOL.

Commercial. Could mean an income property or an existing business.

If you have experience running a similar business in a similar environment, you have a leg up, but you really need to understand the game and the culture and have some reliable local connections, and a trustworthy local lawyer (if you can find one! LOL).

I ran my own business all my life, and I love Sosua, but I've heard enough tales of woe from business owners here, successful and not, that it's the last place I would attempt it!

I wish anybody who does, good luck!

[Turgid]

It is no longer for sale.

Let me rephrase the question. How easy is it for a foreigner to purchase a commercial property in the DR?

[Manizales911]

How easy is it for a foreigner to purchase this?

It is no longer for sale.

[Turgid]

For those who were not aware, that new bar / restaurant is named "Matteo's Seaside Pub." And his old location (Midtown Sosua Restaurant and Bar) is available for purchase at $40,000 USD...........

How easy is it for a foreigner to purchase this?

[Oakie]

A typical Sunday, Sosua downtown quiet. Checked out the new Rumba location down by the Casino, which opened yesterday. Big Joe from Sosua Lights on door. Nice spot, good food, watched Ravens beat SF.

Met a local buddy who took me to Los Charamicos to visit family for Domingo Sociale. Sat out on street, bachata cranked up, drinking cheap Jumbo Presidentes from the colmado and catching up with the latest, and watching the passing parade. Lots of eye candy, no changes ever, in Charamicos.

Invited to go fishing next week with buddy. Didn't catch anything last time we went, no fancy gear just a line on a spool, but a nice cruise around the bay anyway. A recommended diversion for a bored monger.

Problem was when we came back there was a high swell rolling up on the beach and we overturned. Buddy left his boat and motor and made sure I got to shore ok, first.

Locals are like that!

[AddisDude]

For those who were not aware, that new bar / restaurant is named "Matteo's Seaside Pub." And his old location (Midtown Sosua Restaurant and Bar) is available for purchase at $40,000 USD.

I also saw in the Sosua forum on TripAdvisor that Scandinavian Beach Bar was renamed The Rehab Bar and is apparently doing well. I was sure that place was going to close permanently after Tom died.

$40,000 usd is dirt cheap for that spot.

[Ipanema Carioca]

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[George03]

Yes, it is one of the only bars where girls hang out that is still open, they got lucky and weren't targeted for closure for some reason and it is always packed at night, the small bar next to it too, don't know the name of that bar though.

Thanks for the info, hoping to get that way in January.

[Manizales911]

That little bar next door is run by the bartender of the old corner Bermuda Bar. A long time friend from day one, she moved into a small space and opened a hair and manicure salon. I dropped by after she moved in and she brought out a cold beer from the back. I told her it would make a good little bar for her old customers.

She was already ahead of me, and on my next visit she was serving beer to her hair and nail customers.

Next visit she had put up a little bar front and a proper beer fridge, instead of buying singles from the colmado across the street. I always brought her coasters and other bar stuff from Canada on my visits. It was always a little haven for chicas chased off the main drag by the cops.

Gradually she has opened it up into a proper little bar, and is doing well evenings and weekends. I still get a haircut or a man/pedicure from one of her regulars.

We call it Rosa's.

She seems to be doing quite well, almost always full, don't know how many are paying customers but I will stop by and buy a few drinks for sure.

[Oakie]

Yes, it is one of the only bars where girls hang out that is still open, they got lucky and weren't targeted for closure for some reason and it is always packed at night, the small bar next to it too, don't know the name of that bar though.

That little bar next door is run by the bartender of the old corner Bermuda Bar. A long time friend from day one, she moved into a small space and opened a hair and manicure salon. I dropped by after she moved in and she brought out a cold beer from the back. I told her it would make a good little bar for her old customers.

She was already ahead of me, and on my next visit she was serving beer to her hair and nail customers.

Next visit she had put up a little bar front and a proper beer fridge, instead of buying singles from the colmado across the street. I always brought her coasters and other bar stuff from Canada on my visits. It was always a little haven for chicas chased off the main drag by the cops.

Gradually she has opened it up into a proper little bar, and is doing well evenings and weekends. I still get a haircut or a man/pedicure from one of her regulars.

We call it Rosa's.

[Manizales911]

I wondered if this bar is still open or moved. This was my favorite in the Sue for hanging. I haven't read too much about the so called new area, anybody have any reports?

Yes, it is one of the only bars where girls hang out that is still open, they got lucky and weren't targeted for closure for some reason and it is always packed at night, the small bar next to it too, don't know the name of that bar though.

[Bart1]

I always liked the venue at high Carib. The place is very attractive but the solid Dominican girls do not like rubbing shoulders with the Haitian hotties. However the thing that excites me is having a spot for the early afternoon action. Once Rumbas was shut down the girls had nowhere to post up early. There have always been girls who do not like working at night. I am still looking for the silver lining in all the changes.

Interesting. About what time are you talking?

[George03]

I wondered if this bar is still open or moved. This was my favorite in the Sue for hanging. I haven't read too much about the so called new area, anybody have any reports?

[George03]

I wondered if this bar is still open or moved. I haven't read too much about the so called new area, anybody have any reports?

[Brother P]

When I first arrived in Sosua 10 years ago, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven!

But even then, given the state of Global politics and what I'd seen in the Europe, Canada and the USA My little voice told me that this was a temporary backwoods in today's culture, and couldn't last. I figured it would last for the remaining days of my active life, and I would make the most of it!

This is exactly how I described Sosua to my friends back then. Like a booze can in your home town that the cops have turned a blind eye to, for now! But Sosua was always changing even then, from a backwoods of small intimate bars with batchata, merigue and salsa, to giant lit up emporiums and urban rap. It became a victim of it's own notoriety.

I made local connections early though, and kept coming back and gradually fell in love with the town. A change from home, frigid winters, miserable neighbors, traffic gridlock, and NA wives and girlfriends who wanted a hell of a lot more from you than a Sosua hooker, and gave even less back! lol.

In spite of the changes, which actually did not affect my own personal lifestyle here, I decided to live here, among a reliable and helpful network of locals that know how to solve any problem with a little dinero. With just a wave or a call I can get groceries, pharmacy, agua, a phone charger, whatever, and I don't need a car! Within 10 minutes I got 3 beautiful beaches!

It may not be the hooker heaven of old, but as a retirement spot it has great potential.

And those beautiful DR Chicas didn't suddenly become old and ugly! And they are still around, even if they're not walking up Main Street in a parade!

The Mayor made a deal with the local bars and workers to move from downtown. Shutting down the new area doesn't make much sense!

You made a lot of good points! I agree with most of what you said. Like you, I will continue to come no matter what they close.

One of my friends who lives there is well connected. His info is usually correct. The powers that be are not happy with all the attention ahnvee is getting. Word is their going to close the bar there at the minimum. That still leaves the casino, which I personally think is their ultimate plan. Then its really out of sight. Be who knows! We shall see! Stay tuned folks!