[barfly]

one good idea is to wear cargo pants and distribute the money around the pockets. Use safety pins to secure the pockets.
Walk around with a poker face. Be as local looking as possible.
Get a money belt if desperate put money in ur sock .
About buying real estate right now...the economy is in flux, think about renting 4 a while. Eat in cheap places locals frequent. Dress down. U dont need a computer and fancy camera. Go 2 an internet cafe and get a cheap disposible digital camera. Honestly half the stuff u bring on vacation u will never use.
Its funny all the time i spent in the dr and i cant remember a single argument that turned into anything... maybe its just me. Statigically faking not knowing spanish and being a lost gringo can help in an argument " Americano no intendo" make ur pronunciation really bad.
once i had a cheap watch ripped off my arm by a female. And i had another attempted theft of a braclet. These were one of the few times i had on jewelry.dont wear jewelry.

in fact leave all valuables at home. If u have valuables hide them. be vigilant of doors and windows. Stay in tourist areas. Do as many things as u can on ur own. I did some electical and cement work...the guys at the hardware were very helpful. Make sure AC s are properly cemented in dont trust the person who installed it. Check all bars and doors.by forcefully pulling on them If u have an AC hole that ur not using cement it in with blocks. cement broken glass at the top of walls. Secure all outside rooms. I found a vagrant sleeping in a room in my backyard once.
I used an inflatable boat in which i kept my valuables allowing me to swin with the boat near me.
When swimming try not to let water into ur mouth the dr has a rather primitive sewage disposal system. If u have a short stay in dr try using pepto bismol as a preventative to getting travelers diarria.
Dont leave valuables unattended.
Find out before u come if ur room has a room safe and how big it is.
Get a cheap local cellphone.
Becareful of who u befriend.( maybe that nice english speaking guy didnt leave the US voluntarily ). Only exchange money by urself and at a real store not onthe street or with somebody who is doing u a favor.
After a time these ideas become a part of u ....ur now living life like a dominican...u r a local now.