I'm bored in NC.

[onesweetone]

Hang in there Bachata. I am cheering for you. I know you can make it in NC if you just hang in there and don't give up. By the way, I love Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Son, Mambo, etc...and there is a radio station on the AM dial in the Raleigh area that plays everythings you would like so tune into 1310 on the AM dial and enjoy. I also purhcase all of my favorite Caribbean music at the F.Y.E. (For Your Entertainment) in the mall at Crabtree Valley and the Streets at Southpoint. If you don't see your favorite CD in the store just tell the maneger and he will order it right away. One more thing, tune into WSHA radio (88.9 FM) on Saturday nights for all of the best in Latin Jazz. Oops, one more thing, if you and your wife like to dance there are many Latin dance classes in the area (not in a bar or where alcohol is served) and you get to meet some really nice people and have a chance to dance to all of your favorite music. Have a great day.

(you already know about the Caribbean Cafe).

[simpson Homer]

Give yourself some time! like you said that you are keeping your mind busy in a part time job etc. well great for you but dont move out just because there is not action there. See the positive side!!

If you were having your business in DR as you explained before you were your own boss well you have skills all you need prob. to get back to track
(your business) doing the right research things take time.

For self experience and others friend experience not many Dominicans will
help you out, an old guy always told me that "every beginning its hard"
things will smooth down eventually it not a matter of days.

I got lost several times, my cellphone bill lowest was prob. $200, fustrated with so many interview that told me I will call you but never said when and I kept waiting, people who said that will help me to get a job and never happen. To the point I felt like I have to beg here to get a job! but I always
have faith that I will find a Job one day and I did.

Yes, One day I told my wife that I will go back to DR if thing were like this I feel bad the time I said so, but she understood my desparation to work and meet others Dominican that at least I have a job there.

About the cell I have a pre paid only for emergencies not to be cheap
when I call home I use calling cards I try not call often to avoid listening to the thing I missed the most.

At least you have the language that can open the doors to you at many places.

Anna C. I talked to her several times about this and said the same thing be
patient eventually things will change for good and there is a lot to learn.
man will be a day that you will look back and will laugh about the past.
I missed the TV program in Spanish, The Dominican food and so many things.
small details but they were many. Moving to Different Cities from Mississauga,
to Etobicoke, from Etobicoke to DT Toronto, Toronto to Hamilton and then
back to Toronto. A few Dominicans friend offer to help me only to drive the truck because I didnt have a Canadian drivers license at the end the so called friends never showed up. and my wife was afraid to drive the truck. I couldnt think twice because I didnt have time for it so I drove. I hated moving
cost money and time. I learned a lesson. every time I moved I had to start again. Winter used to be the worse especially when I have to work holidays.

Take your time I can have an idea how you feel but think every move and see
the positive side I know we can live with almost nothing in DR, bills are different.

Trankilo pana que hay gente que estan peores condiciones.

PS: After 5 years still settling, Car,Citizenship, work 5 min. walk, healhty, 2 vacation per year "I find the way out" Cuba or DR, in some long weekends small trip to Florida, small saving hopefully next summer a house anyways. One job with a crazy schedule im thankful everyday. there is a lot of good thing that came.

Be positive you can make it, patient is your key.

[rellosk]

Originally Posted by SKing

Do you guys know that this thread is old???????
SHALENA

Not really, it started 4 months ago. And being that this thread is about someone adjusting to a new country, updates are always interesting.

[rellosk]

Originally Posted by bachata

My new phone plan gives me free long distance to the DR so I can be in touch with my family and my friends over there.

JJ, what plan is that?

Originally Posted by bachata

... I bought a mower a trimmer and all I need to do “ landscape “ in my house but now is too cold and the grass is dry and does no grows like in the summer time.

JJ

Wait, in about 4 months you wish the grass would stop growing. jeje

[bachata]

Originally Posted by rellosk

JJ, what plan is that?

Wait, in about 4 months you wish the grass would stop growing. jeje

Check your Yahoo Email.


JJ.

[BIZC8]

Bachata, I've read your posts very attentively and if I understand you correctly, you've been living in the US for a relatively short period of time. You have just recently moved from NYC to Raleigh, NC and are experiencing relocation pains. I'm going to assume your transition from DR to NYC was fairly smooth due to the large Dominican community in NY.

I come from the NJ/NY area and now live in Charlotte, NC (about 2.5 hrs southwest of Raleigh). I've been living in NC for about 2 yrs after having lived first in south Florida for another two years as well. I have to admit that my post will probably be somewhat biased since the things that you are precisely complaining about are the ones that brought and keep me here. I actually enjoy the space, the silence and the individuality I am enjoying from not having people just show up at my house, being able to go out in the street and drive without fear of "almost running into another car."

I don't know your age or your wife's age and hence I cannot tell what your priorities are at this point since we all have different ones at different stages of our lives, but I'll tell you this much... I've just hit 40, my wife's 30 and we have three li'l ones at 7 & 8 (two twins and a girl). I also have an 18 yr old from a previous marriage. I quite frankly couldn't ask for a better environment and lifestyle than the one I have here. All I can tell you is that you don't need to be surrounded by a whole village full of Dominicans. All you need is a precious few (very few I might add LOL) that will be of edification to you and your queen & castle. Surround yourself with people of values (independently of what nationality they are), get involved with a Hispanic church (if you don't already attend one) and make acquaintances there. North Carolina & the south in general are very church oriented people. Personally, I have met most of my acquaintances there. I don't frequent night clubs and things of the sort; that's an entirely different and long story I'd rather not get into in this forum.

As someone previously mentioned, do your groceries at the local COMPARE supermarket and form alliances there with the employees and customers. Be patient, persevere and don't waste too much of your energy trying to mingle with outsiders. Your family & its well being in the short and long term should be the driving force behind your quest.

Finally, I couldn't stress it enough: focus heavily on your language skills. They are your gateway to social equality & social functionality, economic solvency, self-sufficiency, etc... not to mention your and your family's spiritual growth. Have faith in yourself. Someone once said: Faith doesn't make things easy, but it does make ALL things possible. Embrace those words and activate them in your life and you shall reap its benefits.

Persevera y triunfaras. Cuidate.

[Donnie66]

I am not Dominican but I love the culture and I visit the country several times a year but I can't seem to find any Dominicans here in Charlotte,NC. I'm looking for a Latin group or club or people to hang with. My girlfriend (Soon to be wife) is Dominican and lives in Puerto Plata which is a city in the Northern part of the island of the Dominican Republic(Hispanola).

[bachata]

If you want to see Dominicans you better go to NY. I’ve been here NC for eight months I think during all this time I haven’t seen more than twenty Dominicans.
This is a great Mexican community.

JJ

[Thandie]

Great post BIZC8!

[bachata]

Yes it is a great post, I thank BIZC8 for your good advice. the only thing you misunderstood is that I came directly from the DR to Raleigh I've never been in New York.

JJ.