Sosua Reports

[QUOTE=MSClive;1864302]I am entering midlife and thinking about retirement. Never too late to plan for that. But at least a decade away.[/QUOTE]Are you going to retire in DR in a decade from now and asking whether $4000 is enough at that time? I was only there two weeks, so my estimates could not be accurate, but given you are looking at costing on a theoretical level, here is my estimation. It is on higher end intentionally. I do have big questions on the security, the only available option of P4P and quality.

The AirBnB place I stayed with a large pool, 24 HR security, spacious one bed room, within less than a mile to all things important is going for $500 a month for rent.

An experienced cook told me he earns $450 a month, so if you have someone to cook for you every alternate day the cook should be $350 and groceries $250 making it $600. I am on the higher end as a pound of chicken / meat is only $3/$4 if my memory is right. For drinks, I would add $250 assuming you have taste for something higher end.

I think 10 chica sessions a month is realistic, so I would say $500, plus four sessions of once a week all nighter for $400. I realize 14 sessions every month is a lot, but then fuck it, there is one life to live.

I was told by the pharmacy lady in the metro bus terminal pharmacy, $250 a month can get good medical insurance. One of the young fellow I met in the playa was petrified that he might catch something as he had got first BJ without condom from a chica. I told him not to worry, and he was all upset, so took him to the pharmacy asked him to get a shot of ceftriazone. The pharmacist asked for 600 pesos. I thought it was quite high, may be gringo cost. I am saying this as the medicine cost does not seem to be cheaper.

So, apartment $500, food $600, drinks $250, chicas $900, healthcare $250 is $2500. Add another $500 make it $3000 and live a great life. I am very positive good life can be had for half the cost too at $1500 if you are accepting dominican standards.

[QUOTE=Yanqui69;1864456]Agree in part.

The boss was crooked in other respects, falsifying receipts, cheating clients, etc.

Was only looking for a way to get rid of the employee, with no obligation to pay workers compensation.

Agreed on the computer at work. The guy was a salesman and did most of his work out of the office, but I'm guessing he used the computer to book his reservations, etc.

In hindsight, a foolish move, but very common.[/QUOTE]Your friend is better off. If his old boss was indeed falsifying receipts and cheating clients, there's a good chance that business won't be in business much longer. Your friend will have the last laugh.

[QUOTE=Taboc;1864273]Otherwise I did not touch anyone else in the strip, saved money and spent that on good cigar, drinks and food.[/QUOTE]Looks like you are a food aficionado! I have not seen a place that within 2-3 walking blocks have, Italian, French, Austrian / German and English (ahem, fish and chips) food. To top it, the food is genuine, not the crappy food for example that passes for Italian in Little Italy in my town. This is because all these restaurants are run by the immigrants from those respective countries. So great food, excellent beverages to accompany it (though I am not into Bacchus), followed by great desserts and genuine cappuccino or caffe' stretto and then a cigar! Ahhh, Paradise found! Well, did I mention women?

[QUOTE=Oakie;1864352]Anyway, you sound like you could make a better trip happen next time, chica wise.[/QUOTE]Yes, I will be back in DR at some point, not sure when. I will let you know ahead, if you are there, drinks will be on me. Charles sent me a good reply when I was planning for DR, I regret not taking him for a drink. I am looking into Eastern / Central Europe for the next trip, followed by Manila.

[QUOTE=Taboc;1864670]Yes, I will be back in DR at some point, not sure when. I will let you know ahead, if you are there, drinks will be on me. Charles sent me a good reply when I was planning for DR, I regret not taking him for a drink. I am looking into Eastern / Central Europe for the next trip, followed by Manila.[/QUOTE]Thanks. Look forward to those reports, too.

I'm getting geo-curious :)

[QUOTE=GringooFuk;1864818]HMM if you could rent house out at 500 a month after paying Estate agent that is a good contribution to the $3500.

Where did you find the Airbnb $500 a month places.[/QUOTE]My two cents (or two pence).

Go to airbnb dotcom.

Just type in your destination, time period, and you will get a variety of options to choose from.

Very interesting site for short term travelers, but I imagine most renters would be interested in long-term rentals as well.

[QUOTE=MSClive;1864302]... at least a decade away.[/QUOTE]Not a lot of point in discussing specific figures like 4000 or 6000, then. Or any of it, really.

Who knows what the economic / financial situation of the DR will be in 10 plus years? Only 13 years ago it was in collapse with the peso at 56 to the US dollar. Five years later when I first came it was 28 to the dollar. Now it is nearer 46 to the dollar.

I expect at least one worldwide recession within the next 10/12 years. How will that affect the DR and board members' planning? (Not that I personally will be affected, unless it arrives damned quick).

You are just fantasizing, MSClive, and I had admired you as a very hard-headed person. In ten plus years your dick may have dropped off. How would that affect your choice of retirement location?

[QUOTE=CharlesPooter;1864896]Not a lot of point in discussing specific figures like 4000 or 6000, then. Or any of it, really.

Who knows what the economic / financial situation of the DR will be in 10 plus years? Only 13 years ago it was in collapse with the peso at 56 to the US dollar. Five years later when I first came it was 28 to the dollar. Now it is nearer 46 to the dollar.

I expect at least one worldwide recession within the next 10/12 years. How will that affect the DR and board members' planning? (Not that I personally will be affected, unless it arrives damned quick).

You are just fantasizing, MSClive, and I had admired you as a very hard-headed person. In ten plus years your dick may have dropped off. How would that affect your choice of retirement location?[/QUOTE]LOL Just one bad puta experience or a bad meal can put the idea of retiring in Sosua away for good.

It's too small a town to be avoiding people.

[QUOTE=GringooFuk;1864818]Where did you find the Airbnb $500 a month places.[/QUOTE]I used Airbnb to rent it by day. View from apartment attached.

The real estate agent said $500/ month. I do not know her, just said Hello, that's all. We then communicated via email, she sent me photos. If interested PM me, I will give her contact info.

[QUOTE=Taboc;1865076]I used Airbnb to rent it by day. View from apartment attached.

The real estate agent said $500/ month. I do not know her, just said Hello, that's all. We then communicated via email, she sent me photos. If interested PM me, I will give her contact info.[/QUOTE]Renting an apartment for $500. A month is easy, plenty to be had for that price and less but if I'm not mistaken you originally said a villa which is a horse of a different color, you aren't getting a villa for $500. A month.

[QUOTE=Manizales911;1865349]Renting an apartment for $500. A month is easy, plenty to be had for that price and less but if I'm not mistaken you originally said a villa which is a horse of a different color, you aren't getting a villa for $500. A month.[/QUOTE]Why would a lone wolf need a villa in Sosua? Never knew anything about villas, so did not refer to them in my posts.

[QUOTE=Taboc;1865498]Why would a lone wolf need a villa in Sosua? Never knew anything about villas, so did not refer to them in my posts.[/QUOTE]I qualified my statement by saying that "I could be wrong" and I apparently was, no big deal.

[QUOTE=Taboc;1865498]Why would a lone wolf need a villa in Sosua? Never knew anything about villas, so did not refer to them in my posts.[/QUOTE]This is some quoting confusion. MSClive talked about renting a villa for him and I assume his wife. You just got dragged in because of your recent AirBnB rental and the ensuing exchange.

[QUOTE=Oakie;1864909]

It's too small a town to be avoiding people.[/QUOTE]New guys take note of this comment and act right.