Does Anyone Like Santo Domingo?

I have been asking knowledegeable friends and strangers to help me plan a 1-3 month stay in Santo Domingo next spring and to a person the advice has been to go elsewhere. I feel like Im asking for advice on going to NYC and being refered to East Islip, Long Island. I know that SD must be a big, crowded, loud, dirty, vibrant metropolis, but isnt that the point? I could hang out in a resort filled with white tourists in San Diego and escape the modern world amidst rural simplicity and saltwater in South Carolina!! Since I like San Juan, PR and LOVE Havana, Cu, I have assumed that I would at least enjoy Santo Domingo. What am I missing?

Simply because I like it so much. And I do live in Santo Domingo and enjoy the things that the capital has to offer. I don't care what you want, you can usually find it in the capital and this is not so with some of the smaller areas although they are nice to visit when one wants a rest from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Don't get me wrong; there are problems as with every large city and developing country but maybe that is what makes it different and unique in it's own way.

I was really starting to wonder. Did I wake up this morning and the whole world had become Amish? Hopefully I am at least 50 years away from looking for a nice, warm, quiet uncomplicated place to wait for death. In the meantime I intend to embrace the funkly, sweaty frenzy of urban life! How could that NOT be more fun with a merengue soundtrack?

I hate it when people say they know the DR and when i ask them where they went they say Punta Cana or Puerto Plata.

Santo Domingo IS the Dominican Republic!

I didn't say I liked all things here and MERENGUE is one of them! I, along with many Dominican friends, hate merengue. I don't classify music into classical, western, etc. but only good music and bad music....and FOR ME, merengue belongs in the latter category. But I am sure you will have fun.....I do.

Have friends who have gone to these all inclusive expensive resorts and think they have been to the D.R. They might as well have stayed home. They eat in the hotel, lounge at the hotel pool and bar and for the most part do not leave unless on a very sterile guided tour. Hell, you can eat hamgurgers and fries at home but where you going to get rice and beans Dominican style? Tostones? And the list could go on but you know where I am coming from.
BUT, I must admit, Dominicans go the New York and come back saying they have seen the Unites States! In fact, most of my grandchild's friends think NEW YORK IS THE UNITED STATES. Hey, come to think of it.....have New York friends who think NEW YORK IS THE UNITED STATES...some would even declare it the center of the universe! LOL

First off. The Dominican Republic is the best place to have a vacation, depending on what it is that you want to do. Most people go to the big hotels and that's it. You can go to Puerto Plata, La Romana, Higuey, The capital city Santo Domingo, Santiago, and lots of places more. If you want to see the real DR you have to get a guide that'll take you to the real DR.

I classify merengue along with Disco, techno and House music. Bad music to dance to.

I agree with all but the "guide" part. That is so commercial. Get to know a local Dominican and ask them to show you their country and many times they will do it with pride. I said a FRIEND, not an acquaintance. Best time I ever had in my life was with such a friend in Hamburg, Germany. Spent a whole three day weekend with them touring the country side and seeing things most tourist types never see.

The only problem with New York is the New Yorkers. I love it when New Yorkers come and visit me and freak out when they know I have wild snakes, foxes and Opossums in my Neighborhood. They wouldn't last a day in My world.