Areas to live in/near Santo Domingo

What are the best areas to live in and around Santo Domingo for an American? Any on the beach?

That's a difficult question. It depends first and foremost on the type of enviroment you are confortable in. Suburban, Urban or rural. I have been to the DR 3 times and I still cant make up my mind. Boca Chica is a good start though. You are near the beach,lots of businesses and a spectacular night life.

We would like to rent a house or apartment in a suburb possibly between Santo Domingo and Boca Chica and hopefully on the beach. Is this possible???

Personally I'm a big fan of the Zona Colonial, where I've been living nearly a year. You get the dominican energy on the streets during the day and the serenity of colonial architecture at night when the streets are mostly empty. It's about an hour by guagua to the beach in Boca Chica.

There is an appartment/studio opening up where I live. If you're interested, email me and I'll send you the details.

best living area for santo domingo i would say is bella vista,arroyo hondo,piantini.
the energy for the colonial zone is finding a parking space during the daytime and watching the police that they don't tow your vehicle.
as beach substitute you may consider a condo on the malecon.cost of rent in a good place runs between rd$ 8000-12,000/month.