"Reasonable Income" - Cost of Living - Page 4

BeachyGirl · #31 07-26-2007, 06:32 PM

How much could one expect to pay for a used car? Nothing special, but not a complete junker, either. Also, in regards to a cell phone, can I just bring my phone from here and change out the SIM card? How much is an average monthly plan? And does Skype work well from the DR? You guys are great. Thanks for all your help. ((((hug)))) BeachyGirl

planner · #32 07-26-2007, 07:06 PM

Prices on used cars depend totally on what you buy and where you buy it! Give us an idea of what you are looking for and maybe we can price it out.

Skype works very well here as long as you have high speed internet! No problem at all.

Average monthly phone plans depends what you need! HOw often do you call, who do you call (ie Verizon, Orange or Centennial, Land line or long distance) etc. It is too hard to estimate without knowing more.

BeachyGirl · #33 07-27-2007, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by planner

Prices on used cars depend totally on what you buy and where you buy it! Give us an idea of what you are looking for and maybe we can price it out.

Skype works very well here as long as you have high speed internet! No problem at all.

Average monthly phone plans depends what you need! HOw often do you call, who do you call (ie Verizon, Orange or Centennial, Land line or long distance) etc. It is too hard to estimate without knowing more.

You are too right, sorry for that. Let me see...

The car I would be looking to get would be something small and durable, perhaps a Honda-Civi-type car, or a Jeep-type vehicle, but used and the cheaper the better, I wouldn't be picky as to year or anything. And where I buy it will be anywhere I get the best deal!

Is high-speed internet around $80/month? For reliable service?

And cell, let's see, I have Verizon now, I don't know if that would make a difference or affect the phone I have with changing the SIM card, and I would use it mostly for work (in the DR) and would use Skype for overseas, just needing an average idea of a cell bill... $50,$100,$200 a month for average usage?

I just want to know that the base salary I am being offered ($2,000 US) a month will suffice before I make such a huge move.

Thanks so much for your time all, DR1 has been my little emergency button for me lately as I don't know who else to ask for all of this!

laurapasinifan · #34 07-27-2007, 10:43 AM

while you have to thank SamanaJon for replying, becuase the question was asked, but his figures are off the charts for most retirees, and certainly for 90% of all dominicans already living there...

after visiting 22 times in 2 years and dropping about $1500 each trip...I can say there are very few things in the DR that are cheaper than in america.

if it grows in the DR or is made there...then it has a chance to be cheaper..

the kicker is so many knock off products come into america from the far east and south america that are sooo cheap even the dominican can make them as cheap...thus you can buy stuff( true it is not good quality) dirt cheap places and get by...as a couple on retirement might do.

like a pair of shoes at a discout store for $6!!!!! or dress shirts marked down to $5...even name brands.....that wont happen in the DR....you wont find dockers shirts discounted in the DR for $7!!!!!!!!!

and for sure new stuff that is imported like computers( compaq, dell, HP) tvs, automobiles big household appliances...will all be 150% of what they cost in america...and there will be no sales!!!!!!!!!!

gas and electricity is way more when you can get it....

the up side might be you can buy some piece of property out someplace quiet, and feed your self with locally purchases foods cheaply.....everything else is more expsensive than back where you came from probably.

the problem is people go on vacation to the most beautiful beaches, and dont deal with all the infrastructure problems of the country , then back home they think ..."hey Id like to retire there"....but where they resorted isnt the place they can retire to..........thats down the road and into the middle of all the ISSUES the island has.

bob

piranha · #35 07-27-2007, 12:07 PM

Hi BeachyGirl,

I am moving over from the UK soon to Punta Cana / Bavaro and also asked the question regarding a car and thought you might be interested... Buying a car.

It seems like reasonable quality, reliable, used cars here are like gold dust... unfortunately!

Good luck. See you there!

BeachyGirl · #36 07-27-2007, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laurapasinifan

while you have to thank SamanaJon for replying, becuase the question was asked, but his figures are off the charts for most retirees, and certainly for 90% of all dominicans already living there...

after visiting 22 times in 2 years and dropping about $1500 each trip...I can say there are very few things in the DR that are cheaper than in america.

if it grows in the DR or is made there...then it has a chance to be cheaper..

the kicker is so many knock off products come into america from the far east and south america that are sooo cheap even the dominican can make them as cheap...thus you can buy stuff( true it is not good quality) dirt cheap places and get by...as a couple on retirement might do.

like a pair of shoes at a discout store for $6!!!!! or dress shirts marked down to $5...even name brands.....that wont happen in the DR....you wont find dockers shirts discounted in the DR for $7!!!!!!!!!

and for sure new stuff that is imported like computers( compaq, dell, HP) tvs, automobiles big household appliances...will all be 150% of what they cost in america...and there will be no sales!!!!!!!!!!

gas and electricity is way more when you can get it....

the up side might be you can buy some piece of property out someplace quiet, and feed your self with locally purchases foods cheaply.....everything else is more expsensive than back where you came from probably.

the problem is people go on vacation to the most beautiful beaches, and dont deal with all the infrastructure problems of the country , then back home they think ..."hey Id like to retire there"....but where they resorted isnt the place they can retire to..........thats down the road and into the middle of all the ISSUES the island has.

bob

Hey Bob, thank you for your input! I know what you are saying as I have already lived and worked in the DR from 2004-2005, but my accomodations and food were taken care of for me by my employer, so that is why I am asking these questions this time around as I am being offered a salary instead.
My knowledge of the basic needs for living (cell, utilities, internet, etc) is limited but I am fairly in-the-know in regards to clothing, food, entertainment, etc. And I am far from retiring, I am only 28!
Also, as far as the issues the country has and such, I am aware of those too. But I have lived in 6 foreign countries in my life - all with their own fair share of issues, political, social, environmental, etc. I am prepared and cautious, but also in love with the DR - I was happiest at the point in my life when I lived there, and that is why I wish to return, and make the DR my home again.
I am just truly trying to get a feel for what to expect in certain areas, as there is no knowlegde like that of those who currently live there, and all in all, I have received heaps of thumbs up from those of you responding to my queries, so I am feeling pretty great about this opportunity. I just want to know I am making a wise choice monetarily with the salary I am being offered before I sign anywhere.
While I am on this soapbox

, and on the topic of cars, which I know will not be cheap, so thank goodness I don't need one right away!, how much do rentals run, fo day/weekly use? I will have to probably go that route for awhile as I will need a car when I have clients in town.
Again, thank you all. This forum is a lifeboat!

Have an amazing day, all.
BeachyGirl

laurapasinifan · #37 07-27-2007, 12:54 PM

well the devil is in the details...for renting a car ..Id say that if you can find a local guy who will rent you a car when needed you might work your best deal...rentals are high because they are usually geared towards tourist who spend heavy then go. I rent a 2-4 year old SUV and it runs from 50-85 a day...i see guys who rent the small cars for 40 a day, and i bet if you find a guy who has a 5 or 6 year old small car you might be able to rent it for about 25 per day all $US....

my gfs sister bought a cambry I think it is about 7-8 years old...i think they paid $3,000 US......the classified here on DR1 have autos for sale once in a while......
remember that the car take a harder beating on that island than it would in surburban america.....there are a lot of poor roads!!

good luck

ps I got this off the bottom of the DR1 classified page....

super-carros.com - dominicana - carros nuevos vehiculos usados - supercarros

bob

planner · #38 07-27-2007, 02:11 PM

I think $2,000 US per month will be more then adequate for a reasonable standard of living!

Internet Flash - I pay $1,350 RD plus tax.

Cell phone - I have a business plan $995 RD plus tax for 400 minutes per month.

hjocelyn · #39 07-28-2007, 02:08 AM

We pay our girl US$250 a month, and only ask her to come in 4-5 days a week and abt 3 to 4 hours a day. If I could pay more I would, but since I can't atthe moment, I certainly would not abuse someone.

I would be embarrased to pay someone 5,000 pesos!

Chris · #40 08-20-2007, 09:35 PM

There is no freedom of expression to insult others here. Keep it clean! (Mod)