General Info

[SubCmdr]

It's not very noticeable to tourists. What you have to spend as a full time resident does not compare well with what you have to spend. And what you get in return. In other Caribbean / Latin America countries. It's a question of quality of life. Noise pollution, unreliable water and electricity supply, and zero customer service unless you spend New York / London / Paris costs at restaurant and other hospitality venues. For those who have traveled a bit a prime example of the customer service gap is noticeable if you approach an employee in a supermarket or hardware store and ask where something can be found. You are lucky if you can get employees to stop using their phones long enough to speak with you, and even luckier if you get a useful response.

I have mad respect for your posts Knowledge. They are so much more informative that much of the weak mess that is thrown up in here. But in this case I have to call a technical foul on you. Specifically your example of a grocery store and hardware store.

I live here. Full time. I am in a grocery store at least once a week. I am in a hardware store at lease once a month. I have asked many store employees for help during the entire time I have lived here and never failed to have one immediately help me with my needs. In fact, I have even had them seek out others for knowledge that they did not have. Or if I was in the wrong section have them stop the task they were working on and lead me to the area where I could find the good or service I was seeking.

Now, I do not know where you shop or the type of stores that you shop in. But my experiences in Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo este, Santiago, Punta Cana, Baharona, Vega, La Romana, Higuey, Monte Plata while shopping in major chains like Bravo, Ole, National, La Sierna, Carrefour, Plaza Lama, Garrito, IKEA, Unidos, Ferreteria Americana (when they were open) I have not experienced anything like you described. In fact, in Garrito and IKEA the are employees roaming the store looking to help you. The girls offering assistance in Garrito seem to be prettier than average. Somebody in personnel must have a eye for the ladies.

For the record, I stipulate that my experiences do not invalidate yours. But I offer alternate set of experiences for others to review. That is not to say that I have never had a problem with customer service in Republica Dominicana. It is to say that there are levels to it. And when people make sweeping generalizations they are usually wrong. Due to the exceptions. That is the social scientist in me emerging again!

In my opinion, problems with customer service in general in this country is not due to Dominicans. It is due to Dominican Business owners. The problem is that Dominican Business owners think they are better than everyone else. They think their customers and clients are privileged to be able to purchase their goods and services from them. As an example of good customer service I present: Punta Cana. Prices are not in the first world, first city range. Customer service is excellent and the customer service is being delivered by Dominicans. The difference is the training and objectives they receive from the non-Dominican business owners they work for that understand the expectations of the consumers of their goods and services from the western world. And don't throw the AI thing up in my face. I have never stepped foot in a AI in Punta Cana. Why would I need to? I can build a resort like vacation from the local economy have a great time. I have not need to be locked down in a minimum security prison (AKA: all inclusive resort).

Next issue surely to presented by somebody is that I have nothing to compare it against. That argument is valid if you wish to say I have no experience living in another country. I do not. I happen to like the Dominican Republic. Yes, it is not without it's challenges and frustrations living here. And because I point those out on occasion those like the King of Sosua read and declares from his throne that I am not happy living here. Nothing could be further from the truth. I just do not feel the need to spin everything positively when it is not. But just because I recognize reality it does not mean I am unhappy living here. Those who know me, know I am invested in Republica Dominicana far beyond any visitor and many posting up in here that live here.

Others have told me, that yes other places in Latin America has lower costs of living. But who wrote "Price is not everything"? I can agree with that. It is about perceived value. There are aspects of the financial system in the Dominican Republic that are not available to individuals living under the same circumstances in other Latin American countries. And in the end it all comes down to personal preferences and perceptions does it not.

Now, I am certain to hear that because I do not travel, I don't know anything about other places. It is a common refrain taken by a certain prolific poster consistently. But that position can only be valid if they don't count the 33 different foreign countries that I traveled to before I moved to Republica Dominicana. That is the only situation where any individual can make the argument that I am not well traveled. LOL! Haters going to hate. Players going to play. Mongers going to pay to play. But its all good in the end! Now who has some good bourbon up in here? My options are completely tapped out. I am back to searching for good rum to drink neat.

But once again, what the fuck do I know? I just live here!

[DoubleDouble]

I completely agree with what they said about keeping safe. I am way overboard about safety measures at home and have actually increased my safety measures again in the last 3 weeks since this virus shit has cranked up again worldwide. I was just relaying my personal experience responding to the post by PeacefulSurfer about recent visits. I was really conflicted about going at all and about what to do when I got there. Then I decided that if I was going, I was going to make the most of it. A few drinks, girls everywhere, and getting caught up in the moment put my worries on the back burner. I feel I was lucky to not catch it based on my activity level and my actions while I was there.

I was there 10/13 to 10/18 in Boca Chica, I wore a mask at OLE and I went there every day. I tried to maintain my distance when I walked on the beach every day, no mask. I wore a mask walking through the beach bars but not at the beach bars. I did not wear a mask walking along Duarte every day no matter how crowded it was. I did a lot of walking into town, along the beach, and up and down Duarte. I tried to stay near the front of the Duarte bars so there was fresh air, and I went to them all. I sat beside numerous girls and guys hanging out at the bars for hours with no mask, sometimes they were packed and so were the streets. 5 nights, 8 girls, 3 overnights, no mask with any of them. Got lucky and no Covid. I am middle age with no health issues. I am going in the beginning of February either back to Boca Chica or to Cartagena. DR is so easy and so cheap. That was my first trip to DR. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[DoubleDouble]

I was there 10/13 to 10/18 in Boca Chica, I wore a mask at OLE and I went there every day. I tried to maintain my distance when I walked on the beach every day, no mask. I wore a mask walking through the beach bars but not at the beach bars. I did not wear a mask walking along Duarte every day no matter how crowded it was. I did a lot of walking into town, along the beach, and up and down Duarte. I tried to stay near the front of the Duarte bars so there was fresh air, and I went to them all. I sat beside numerous girls and guys hanging out at the bars for hours with no mask, sometimes they were packed and so were the streets. 5 nights, 8 girls, 3 overnights, no mask with any of them. Got lucky and no Covid. I am middle age with no health issues. I am going in the beginning of February either back to Boca Chica or to Cartagena. DR is so easy and so cheap. That was my first trip to DR. Keeping my fingers crossed.

And our brave new world that is no longer the case.

Now you have to be socially responsible for those around you.

Quarantine and locked down at home for 2 weeks if you've travelled, even if you're healthy, so you don't put at risk those yahoos on the street who don't bother to wear masks. Staying cooped up in your room, can't even drive out alone to the countryside for fresh air and exercise. Find a relative or friend to leave groceries in the lobby downstairs for you.

Don't expose those joggers in midtown to your second hand smoke, even if the traffic jam fumes they are inhaling are deadly toxic. Don't gather in a crowd, unless it's a socially sanctioned protest for a "good cause'.

Even in the DR, be aware paying a little more for a good session, lest you "spoil the market" for newbie mongers, and weekend warriers! LOL.

Nah, now we all now have to be our brother's keeper.

[Oakie]

I'm not an expert on DR but it is close to Florida and a fun location. I flew to Santo Domingo mid September, stayed at a decent hotel, booked my chica for 3 days, booked another for 2 days. I ate & drank at the hotel except for one nice meal out and had a great time. I went back in October same plan & I'm returning next week with the same plan. I don't go out to crowded places and am quite comfortable at the hotel especially with a woman determined to drain every drop of semen from my body!

DR was level 4 before my first trip and remains a level 4. I view Florida just as risky as DR but what do I know.

It boils down to your risk tolerance, do what you are comfortable doing, no right or wrong in that just what you are comfortable with doing.

Strawhat.

And our brave new world that is no longer the case.

Now you have to be socially responsible for those around you.

Quarantine and locked down at home for 2 weeks if you've travelled, even if you're healthy, so you don't put at risk those yahoos on the street who don't bother to wear masks. Staying cooped up in your room, can't even drive out alone to the countryside for fresh air and exercise. Find a relative or friend to leave groceries in the lobby downstairs for you.

Don't expose those joggers in midtown to your second hand smoke, even if the traffic jam fumes they are inhaling are deadly toxic. Don't gather in a crowd, unless it's a socially sanctioned protest for a "good cause'.

Even in the DR, be aware paying a little more for a good session, lest you "spoil the market" for newbie mongers, and weekend warriers! LOL.

Nah, now we all now have to be our brother's keeper.

[Tempoecorto]

I most recently booked a trip to the Dominican Republic to check out Blackbeards in early December. The US State Department continues with its Level 4 Travel Advisory due to the level of confirmed cases in the country. Has anyone recently travelled down to the DR and can give an update from the ground? Thinking with my rational mind as opposed to my other head, I wonder if it would be wise to reschedule.

I was there in early July (as soon the airlines allowed it and the country opened) and again in early September. As another member noted, if you are into night time bar hopping, the curfew is going to hamstring you. The locals at times, around bars, do not wear masks and you would want to avoid those kind of locations. I travel alone and live alone in a quiet place to mitigate such issues but, in the end, it is your risk tolerance profile that matters!

[StrawHat]

I'm not an expert on DR but it is close to Florida and a fun location. I flew to Santo Domingo mid September, stayed at a decent hotel, booked my chica for 3 days, booked another for 2 days. I ate & drank at the hotel except for one nice meal out and had a great time. I went back in October same plan & I'm returning next week with the same plan. I don't go out to crowded places and am quite comfortable at the hotel especially with a woman determined to drain every drop of semen from my body!

DR was level 4 before my first trip and remains a level 4. I view Florida just as risky as DR but what do I know.

It boils down to your risk tolerance, do what you are comfortable doing, no right or wrong in that just what you are comfortable with doing.

Strawhat.

I most recently booked a trip to the Dominican Republic to check out Blackbeards in early December. The US State Department continues with its Level 4 Travel Advisory due to the level of confirmed cases in the country. Has anyone recently travelled down to the DR and can give an update from the ground? Thinking with my rational mind as opposed to my other head, I wonder if it would be wise to reschedule.

[Mr Enternational]

I most recently booked a trip to the Dominican Republic to check out Blackbeards in early December. The US State Department continues with its Level 4 Travel Advisory due to the level of confirmed cases in the country. Has anyone recently travelled down to the DR and can give an update from the ground? Thinking with my rational mind as opposed to my other head, I wonder if it would be wise to reschedule.

I stopped in at Blackbeard's for a few minutes last week to show another board member that I was giving a ride to Sosua. Appears to be business as usual. About 8 chicks there around 1 pm. I would not even think the curfew affects that place seeing that it is enclosed anyway. I still don't get the draw though. It is just a hotel with chicks hanging out. Another poster reported that it is virtually the same scenario at Casa Valeria in Sosua. I guess the main difference is that you don't have to negotiate price at BB and there is limited scamming. Still the place always seems pretty boring to me unless there is a bikini contest going on.

Only things I see different about DR in these times are that people are wearing masks and there is a curfew. Besides that, same old DR. Only way I would advise you to reschedule is if you are itching to hang out past 9pm on weekdays and 7pm on weekends and holidays. Other than that, enjoy your trip.

[Charles Pooter]

I most recently booked a trip to the Dominican Republic to check out Blackbeards in early December. The US State Department continues with its Level 4 Travel Advisory due to the level of confirmed cases in the country. Has anyone recently travelled down to the DR and can give an update from the ground? Thinking with my rational mind as opposed to my other head, I wonder if it would be wise to reschedule.

You can still have fun, just not as much as normally. I live here. I do not know anyone who has caught Coronavirus, or know anyone who has done so, but my social circle is small.

It depends on your budget. If you can only afford occasional trips, maybe better to wait until next summer when we might be closer to normal. But if you can afford a trip now without impinging on future plans, then come on down.

Two American friends arrived yesterday in Costambar for a week. It would be good if they reported here, but I am not too hopeful.

[Darelax]

I have no optimism for Dom Rep in the near term.

Same thoughts, but not only for DR also for the entire planet earth.

[PeacefulSurfer]

I most recently booked a trip to the Dominican Republic to check out Blackbeards in early December. The US State Department continues with its Level 4 Travel Advisory due to the level of confirmed cases in the country. Has anyone recently travelled down to the DR and can give an update from the ground? Thinking with my rational mind as opposed to my other head, I wonder if it would be wise to reschedule.

[Questner]

We have all talked about how this was going to end in August. But it is going on for a long time!

One wave from the 'official' outbreak 13 weeks to the peak then same to the trough should have made it by September including the elections in Dom Rep. Now there is only two weeks in December to the customary blackout days for flights. I have no optimism for Dom Rep in the near term.

[Darelax]

The curfew has been extended to December 1, 2020.

https://listindiario.com/la-republic...toque-de-queda

This doesn't leave much time in this holiday season neither for locals, nor for tourists.

We have all talked about how this was going to end in August. But it is going on for a long time!

[Questner]

The curfew has been extended to December 1, 2020.

https://listindiario.com/la-republic...toque-de-queda

This doesn't leave much time in this holiday season neither for locals, nor for tourists.

[IndoStocks]

StrawHat Life is good for me in Republica Dominicana. Not a dream. But a good life. A friend told me (one that actually has nothing to do with ISG nor wants too) before I moved here that you can build whatever life you wish for yourself here. He was right! And I have.....

8. When reading posts, know who actually lives here full time, who lives here part time, and who is just visiting. It not only affects the knowledge they have, it affects the quality of the information they provide, and gives insight into attitude they have. Prepare to catch a lot of it (attitude) after you move here and begin posting your experiences. Visitors be hating on expats up in here sometimes. What's up with that? We all like to fuck right? That is why we be up in here? Visitors can tell me about pussy. Cause that is all they are doing all day, looking to get their dick off. But they cannot tell me a thing about living here. Have not gotten a single PM to go grocery shopping yet. LOL!

But what the fuck do I know? I just live here.

Enjoyed reading about the changes in this amazing country, more than sixteen years after I have last been there.

[SubCmdr]

Sounds like you are living the dream in the DR!

StrawHat Life is good for me in Republica Dominicana. Not a dream. But a good life. A friend told me (one that actually has nothing to do with ISG nor wants too) before I moved here that you can build whatever life you wish for yourself here. He was right! And I have.

Unfortunately I only visit once per month so I am far from an expert on the living costs but I know it's a lot less than the USA.

I am not a expert on living costs in Republica Dominicana. I am a expert on my living costs. I know the purchasing power of DOP. And I know the costs of the goods and services I like to purchase. But not everything is less expensive. You pay a premium for imported goods. And vehicles are insanely priced here. (Yes, I know the vehicle hating crew says to walk everywhere. From their posts I can see that just leaves them angry and tired). But if your item originates on the island you can usually find it for a much lower price than you might be used to paying for it in your country of origin. Today I paid 100 pesos for 4 pineapples. I would pay 250 pesos for one in my country of origin. There are two economies in the DR. The economy for the people who live here and know what time it is. And the economy for those that do not. But the grocery store the prices are marked and you pay exactly what everyone else pays. No gringo mark up!

To this point I've been staying in a hotel that has a La Sirena directly across the street. I will take a look next week. I want to try an Airbnb in the near future so I'll need to buy groceries.

Staying in a Airbnb in the area you are interested in is a excellent way of getting aquatinted with a area (although on a high socio-economic level). I am not really aware of any Airbnbs that are located in more colorful areas. Although I am not a Airbnb person. I have never stated in one ever. When it is time to go grocery shopping you will find the experience to be greatly improved to where is it not much different than shopping in any well developed western nation. The signs will be in Spanish so bring your translator of choice if you are not strong in the language. I still use mine to find things in hardware stores when I have no idea how to say it in Spanish. I pull up the word on my Spanish dictionary and show them the screen.

So is it better to buy a small place or long term rent in the DR? What is the market like these days? I'm not rich by any means but I'm not broke either.

You will find a few insights from me below.

For those interested in living real life in the Dominican Republic instead just visiting and talking shit about those giving complements to people who actually are providing useable information about getting girls in the Dominican Republic, I offer the following suggestions (These opinions are developed from actually living here full time, yours may differ. And if you do not agree with me, I really do not give a fuck):

1. If you are truly interested in living in the Dominican Republic full or part time, travel to different parts of the island first. You may discover something that you did not know about or see something you like that moves you. Example: Had I seen Punta Cana or Boca Yuma before moving to Santo Domingo este I would have only had wheels down in SDQ passing thru on my way to those places.

2. After you have chosen your initial spot, rent! Let me say that again. After you have chosen your initial spot, rent! Living somewhere is entirely different from visiting it. While living in Santo Domingo este I traveled all over this island. After seeing other places, I would choose to live someplace other than este. Now don't get it twisted. I fulfilled my lifetime dream to live in a place with a ocean view. Something I could have never afforded to do in my country of origin. But after three years of living by the ocean and all of my personal items rusting out because of the salt air, I have decided that it better to live within one hour of a beach that you like and drive there when I want to see the water. You might not give a fuck about the beach. You might like living in the mountains. There are places to do that here. You might like living in the country and have a little elbow room. There are places to do that here. You might want to live in a high rise building where you can walk out and into the night life every night. There are places to do that here. And there are places to both rent and buy in every situation I described.

3. After you think you have found the place you want to live I think it is best for you to do what works for you. Rent or Buy is a personal decision based on your philosophy and pocketbook. This is renters market. And with that said I chose to buy not one but two properties. If you decide to buy a property do not buy an apartment in Republic Dominican if you plan to live there full time. This is based on real life experience actually living in the Dominican Republic and owning an apartment here. Not an article in a newspaper or internet.

4. If you do not like being hot when the power goes out: Buy an inverter. LOL! This is also based on real life experience living in the Dominican Republic. I lived here for 6 months before I said "fuck that" and bought my own inverter and two batteries. I then upgraded to four and new pure sine wave inverter. Never thought about the power again afterwards except to add water to my batteries every month and clean the connects to the battery cables.

5. It is a buyers market. No fear! I had no problem offering 35% of asking price and finally settling on 50%. All over the island, I had people lowering the offering prices in order to get me to make a offer. But that was for a particular property type. If you are looking for something different, you know what they say YMCMV (Your market conditions may vary). In the property type I am looking for it is so good I am actually looking to buy more.

6. Please do not fall victim to the idea that knowing the buying power of DOP in Republica Dominicana does not directly help you with getting pussy. Actually it does. If you know you can get your dick sucked for 500 DOP on the street and a chica wants 1000 DOP to suck your dick you can make a decision if you want your dick sucked two times for 1000 DOP or just one time please! You can ask the chica that wants a 1000 to let you blast your splooge into her mouth or face or even swallow that nasty shit! Those who would ask me about chicas who be sucking dick for 500 DOP only need to send me a PM. I will meet them in Santo Domingo este and we can go out on the street and if you do not speak the language well I will make the arrangements for you to get your dick sucked. But I will not hold your dick. The chica is going to do that for you. Unless you like a "no hands" dick suck. Everyone has their preferences. But you have to file a trip report and give me a shout out in it. LOL!

7. Knowing the value of things lets your girl know you not one of the gringos visiting with a millionaire for week attitude. You can check uber to see how far a girl is away from you. They are going to give you a price for the ride right in the program. Doesn't give your chica much room to game you on the taxi price, does it?

8. When reading posts, know who actually lives here full time, who lives here part time, and who is just visiting. It not only affects the knowledge they have, it affects the quality of the information they provide, and gives insight into attitude they have. Prepare to catch a lot of it (attitude) after you move here and begin posting your experiences. Visitors be hating on expats up in here sometimes. What's up with that? We all like to fuck right? That is why we be up in here? Visitors can tell me about pussy. Cause that is all they are doing all day, looking to get their dick off. But they cannot tell me a thing about living here. Have not gotten a single PM to go grocery shopping yet. LOL!

But what the fuck do I know? I just live here.