How to be safer in the DR - Compilation of tips by DR1 Members

[looking4info]

Originally Posted by TOOBER_SDQ

What I like to do is insert myself into a sterile neoprene bubble before venturing outside of an AI Hotel.

I always bring with me 2 retired Secret Service Agents for my protection.

I also like to use a Food & Beverage Taster, just in case somebody is trying to poison me.

You can never be TOO PARANOID, ......err .... I mean cautious.

lmao

but if you just read here and never been here it dose sound pretty scary here

[linmagic]

This is my first post (cyberspacedog ate my other one) - having been brought up in South Africa and now living in the UK, am wondering how much worse/better DR is compared to SA or UK.

Most of what I have read in this post has been common sense (to me) and something I would most certainly practice whether on holiday or living in any country.

Travelling to SA, I would remove ALL my jewellery and trust me, I wear a lot even travelling back from London or walking at night anywhere in UK, I would be very vigilant and aware of my surroundings. Is this any different to any other major city, New York, Mexico City, Birmingham UK?

While I found myself reading this thread, it did seem as if the veneer of the DR paradise vision has tarnished somewhat but if anything seems too good to be true, it generally is!

So is the need for this thread and everything associated with the information contained herein worth it? To all DR dwellers old and new on this site, a simple yes or no to whether I should choose to retire to DR would be appreciated.

Lin

[AlterEgo]

Originally Posted by Rbh44

On the several trips I have made to the DR I have never felt unsafe. Some people here talk like it is a combat zone or something. Take the same reasonable precautions you would any place else.

I absolutely agree with this. In 34+ years that I've been going to DR, I can honestly say I have never been fearful. [34+ years, wow, I'm getting old, some of you were babies back then - my kids would say "getting??? you are old!!"] With the exception of 2 nights in Bavaro about 10 years ago, I have never stayed in an AI - they didn't even exist 'back in the day'. Because I'm married to a Dominican all these years I've been 'in the thick of things' from the beginning, including the campos, the mountains, beaches frequented by Dominicans instead of tourists, some barrios, etc., to some of the most beautiful homes in the country. And believe me, I stand out amongst them, they call me 'un vaso de leche' - a glass of milk. I don't tan, I burn.

I was raised in NYC and worked many years in Manhattan. I take the same precautions in Manhattan that I do in DR. Be aware of your surroundings, take normal precautions, and hide the bling.

AE

[pedrochemical]

Originally Posted by linmagic

This is my first post (cyberspacedog ate my other one) - having been brought up in South Africa and now living in the UK, am wondering how much worse/better DR is compared to SA or UK.

Most of what I have read in this post has been common sense (to me) and something I would most certainly practice whether on holiday or living in any country.

Travelling to SA, I would remove ALL my jewellery and trust me, I wear a lot even travelling back from London or walking at night anywhere in UK, I would be very vigilant and aware of my surroundings. Is this any different to any other major city, New York, Mexico City, Birmingham UK?

While I found myself reading this thread, it did seem as if the veneer of the DR paradise vision has tarnished somewhat but if anything seems too good to be true, it generally is!

So is the need for this thread and everything associated with the information contained herein worth it? To all DR dwellers old and new on this site, a simple yes or no to whether I should choose to retire to DR would be appreciated.

Lin

Yes..........

[TOOBER_SDQ]

Originally Posted by linmagic

This is my first post (cyberspacedog ate my other one) - having been brought up in South Africa and now living in the UK, am wondering how much worse/better DR is compared to SA or UK.

Most of what I have read in this post has been common sense (to me) and something I would most certainly practice whether on holiday or living in any country.

Travelling to SA, I would remove ALL my jewellery and trust me, I wear a lot even travelling back from London or walking at night anywhere in UK, I would be very vigilant and aware of my surroundings. Is this any different to any other major city, New York, Mexico City, Birmingham UK?

While I found myself reading this thread, it did seem as if the veneer of the DR paradise vision has tarnished somewhat but if anything seems too good to be true, it generally is!

So is the need for this thread and everything associated with the information contained herein worth it? To all DR dwellers old and new on this site, a simple yes or no to whether I should choose to retire to DR would be appreciated.

Lin

Hi Linmagic.

You mentioned a few places and I can say that I was born and raised in New York City and have spend considerable time in Birmingham and other cities throughout UK. I have never been to South Africa.

If you are looking for an answer as to whether or not you should retire in DR, my answer, based on what you have written, is an emphatic “I don’t know…… only you can figure that out”.

Unless you plan to live in one of the gentrified areas of the Country ie. Punta Can, La Romana, etc, you should not expect to experience the “paradise” you write of; tarnished or otherwise.

DR is a third world county with typical third world strife, poverty and dissension. Read through some of the posts on this board and notice an increase in crimes against expats in expat communities.

The DR, and I generalize, is a place where every house should have metal bars protecting windows and doors, a guard dog, an alarm system and a glock in the night stand. If you’ve made it okay in DR so far without these things, count yourself lucky.

You must be wondering why I live in DR if I think this way. Well, DR is one of a handful of countries where I actually feel free. Real freedom, not the type that you need to be reminded of and have shoved down your throat everyday when living in places like the US.

Places like the US, where a police officer can lock you up for drinking a beer in you car or for disciplining your kid to name a few. Places like the US where you can face harassment charges or litigation if you tell a woman she’s got a “GREAT A$$” !!!

Places in the US & UK, where a comment about somebody’s race, religion or sexual orientation, if not exalted in the most complimentary light, could have you labeled a racist or bigot and may define you as a violator of civil rights. This of course can lead to harassment charges or litigation also.

Places like the US, UK and most of Europe where you are, for most purposes a SERF of the state, constantly paying into the tax till; your money spent to support special interest projects and the dregs of society that won’t pull their own weight.

Although the DR has its many faults, for me, the pro’s outweigh the cons, and I will stay here until the opposite is true.

My advice is to sample the DR life for 6 months to a year before making a commitment.

[Lambada]

Originally Posted by linmagic

I will be looking to buy a second hand SUV when I move over there next year Lin

Originally Posted by linmagic

So is the need for this thread and everything associated with the information contained herein worth it? To all DR dwellers old and new on this site, a simple yes or no to whether I should choose to retire to DR would be appreciated. Lin

Welcome to DR1. From the first quote it looks as if you have already made the decision. My response to your second question would be: if you don't understand the need for this thread, then no, not yet. If you do, yes.

[daniel san]

What I like to do is insert myself into a sterile neoprene bubble before venturing outside of an AI Hotel.

I always bring with me 2 retired Secret Service Agents for my protection.

I also like to use a Food & Beverage Taster, just in case somebody is trying to poison me.

You can never be TOO PARANOID, ......err .... I mean cautious.


LMAO!

[mountainannie]

"The DR, and I generalize, is a place where every house should have metal bars protecting windows and doors, a guard dog, an alarm system and a glock in the night stand. If you’ve made it okay in DR so far without these things, count yourself lucky."

I could never live with a gun in my house. Nor could I live with the sort of "armed camp" mentality that Toober evidently finds comfortable.

As a NYer, I feel perfectly safe here in the Capital. I have never felt threatened on the streets nor in just traveling about the countryside alone on public transport.

But, as others have so rightly posted. much of how you will fare here depends on your personal ability to adapt, to learn the language, understand the ways of the culture and to fit in.

I have generally found in life that you get back what you put out. And I have found that to be just as true here in the DR as it has been for me wherever I have traveled or lived.

[Me_again]

"To all DR dwellers old and new on this site, a simple yes or no to whether I should choose to retire to DR would be appreciated."

The simple answer is of course, that there is no simple answer; and may I have the temerity, even though I don't live there, to suggest that the other responders are all right on the money too.

For a few years now we've thrashed around the part-time retirement question (four or five months a year in the DR) and still don't have a good answer -- don't have any answer in fact. But safety has never been the number-one hold-back.

If this sub-thread continues maybe it should move to a new thread in living.

wbr

[Rbh44]

I have only spent 3 weeks in the DR this year, no AI, but plan on relocating next year. Traveled to Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata and Cofresi with no issues. I think the risk is way over blown. I live in Syraucse NY and within a 25 hour period there were 3 murders, 17 total for the year so far and several stabbings. Friday night there was a home invasion robbery attempt and both intruders were killed. Do I feel unsafe here? No, because I don't go where I don't belong and I take the same normal precautions as people should everywhere. Every city has areas where you should never be and areas where you should only be during the day and with people you know. I have been in the barrio here, but with native Dominicans as my companions. I have only used public transportation. I have never felt unsafe in the DR.