Moving to the DR on a low budget! Questions and Musings

[Ringo]

Going back to the Original Post by Chris. This tread could result of a "sticky" that could be a help to many new people looking for this type of information regarding; "what does it take" to relocate and survive. I am offended by those that wish to take my personal information/experience as well as that from others that have relocated and live in the Dominican Republic and "scr.w" with it.

We are not going to agree or ever find the perfect answer. We can try to provide information as best we can. Waiting to hear from CC, Rocky, Robert, HB and OTHERS that have the time and experience to provide information and experience based on long time living here that relates to the topic.

Chris? Your thread. Your call. Delete/cut up/edit as YOU think needed. Me included.

Less then regards to Oceanbound, Ringo

[AnnaC]

I started a new thread for the volunteer question here Interested in doing Volunteer work

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Ringo

Chris? Your thread. Your call. Delete/cut up/edit as YOU think needed. Me included.

Thanks Ringo! sure, I'll do that. And AnnaC will do that as well if I don't happen to be glued to the screen at right that moment.

Anyway, I asked three questions at the start of this thread ... To refresh some memories, here they are ...

Questions ...

1. Do we want to encourage the very low budget expat?

2. Will this 'blow the mind' of the Dominicans that are used to the 'ever stretching' gringo pockets? What would be the Dominican reaction?

3. What is the lowest budget that a gringo could live on in the DR and still live?

Let's keep to this .. otherwise I'll delete your stuff and you will have wasted your time. I truly hate doing that, but let's keep some order.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by tlbaker78

Hi, I realize that this thread is not just about me,

No, its not. And we are investigating and discussing some issues. You may find yourself part of one of the issues. I've asked you to let some time go by and allow some time for answers. If you start yet another thread, I promise you the mods will delete it and the mods will start considering you a problem poster.

Your questions will be answered. They all won't be answered in 2 days. Give some time.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by AnnaC

I started a new thread for the volunteer question here Interested in doing Volunteer work

Thanks AnnaC .. I've been wanting to start a fresh volunteer thread hopefully for a sticky. Let's see how this one develops.

[Chirimoya]

Actually, I mentioned the British voluntary organisation ICD/Progressio in the split-off thread - here's some information about them in the context of living on a modest budget.

I worked with them for the first 6 months I lived in the DR (1999-2000). They paid their cooperantes the peso equivalent of US$900 per month + a payment of about US$400 into a bank account in your home country. They covered your rent up to a certain level (I think it was something like US$250 per month in the campo, US$500 in the capital) and covered your medical and dental expenses. I was living on just over US$1,000 a month and it wasn't that difficult. I still went out a lot, ate in restaurants and travelled around the country (this was before the arrival of Chirimoyito). Not sure I could have done it long-term without tapping into savings, though.

The Peace Corps pay their volunteers much much less (no more than RD$10,000 per month, IIRC) and they seem to do all right.

[Ringo]

OK Chris. I'll put in again.

1. It is not a matter of "to encourage" or not. I think that each individual person, no mattter what their socioeconomic background is, should have the opportunity to make their own choice. Perhaps some of us can give some information to assist them with that choice. Part of their thinking should include the "what ifs" and deal with them as best they think needed.

2. Learning how to say "NO". Will it change anything? Did for me and a few that are around me. Yet the culture has stayed the same.

3. This is the real question. House paid for. Car paid for. No capital expendures or outstanding bills. Money in the Bank in the U.S. So it now becomes a matter of choice. No problem... IF I wanted or needed to live on less then a $1000 per month, not a problem. The lifestyle change WILL NOT KILL ME and might be good for me. (NOT lol.) But I still would want the Exit money/plan sitting in cash. That little extra for the unexpected shyt that happens. How much depends on each person. Enough to "leave Dodge" and get to another place if needed... on the next flight... if needed.

Am I helping at all? Ringo

[johne]

Originally Posted by Chris

Thanks Ringo! sure, I'll do that. And AnnaC will do that as well if I don't happen to be glued to the screen at right that moment.

Anyway, I asked three questions at the start of this thread ... To refresh some memories, here they are ...

Questions ...

1. Do we want to encourage the very low budget expat?

2. Will this 'blow the mind' of the Dominicans that are used to the 'ever stretching' gringo pockets? What would be the Dominican reaction?

3. What is the lowest budget that a gringo could live on in the DR and still live?

Let's keep to this .. otherwise I'll delete your stuff and you will have wasted your time. I truly hate doing that, but let's keep some order.

I would give some opinion only as a person that has a 9 year exposure to the DR. Spend about 20% of the year there-only. My thoughts certainly should be taken only from a point of view as a person that takes the best of the DR and gives little back.

1)Should you encourage? I think you should answer all inquires with honesty as they relate to your personal experiences and knowledge. Nothing more and nothing less as who are we to judge? My judgement as a New Yorker(not ex-pat by choice) is to flit back and forth between the best of what I, and I repeat I, is best for me. This cannot be the case of 99.9% of the population for all the reasons we already kn ow.

2)Dominican reaction? Well, I think it has been stated already by several other posters that--what's so bad about getting your $$$$??. No harm in that is there? The only problem I have with it is --if I was a Dominican I would wonder what else you contribute to MY country other than $$$??
What I mean is--I am always troubled by immigrants to my community that do not activily participate in, or are pro-active, in politics. It bugs the crap out of me. I've been troubled about the voice of an ex-pat in the DR and how you cope without being able to change those things (by vote, activism) that you know should be changed and changed now.I could not live with that. Maybe this should be another thread?

3) NO WAY am I qualified to answer this question.

JOHN

[Ringo]

johne,

It may be very valued that people that live in two places can provide a view from both living places. See post # 27 ?? by me. Some in the D.R. have great knowledge of the here and now but perhaps do not have the "at home" changes that may have taken place.

Not sure if I understand your #2? No change in the oldest profession in the world and the attitude will not change? (Just the cost.) Ya.. I think that the change that "not all gringos have money" is the shock that most of central and latin america will have to understand. Gringos have a difficult time saying... NO and the latins refuse to believe it.

Number 3 is the real question.

Regards, Ringo

[EnclineDesigns]

Originally Posted by Lambada

I don't actually think 'anyone' can:

I have to agree with you Lambada, I used the term "anyone" a little loosely and probably shouldn't have.

Also, to comment on someone's post about having money in the bank, I think that's just common sense whether you live in the US, DR or anywhere else, having a little reserve for emergencies is always a good idea, that goes without saying. Those emergencies include repairs around the house, for the car or medical etc.

To reply to some of Chris' questions.


2) Living on a low budget, I know it doesn't blow the locals minds. We have to remember, we're comparing to US, European etc standards of what a low budget is, but to a local $500 a month is a lot of money. They do think that gringos have a money tree growing at home but once we explain we are on a budget and we are not spending more than the usual price for something (of course we find out what the local's price is through a local friend first) and they are accepting sometimes a little hesitantly but accepting. Even with the taxi's, before we bought our car, we told them we live here and we know the price is X amount and we're not paying more than that and 9 out of 10 times they accepted it as a fact and went on with business as usual.

3) I don't think a lowest budget could be defined exactly because it depends on everyone's circumstances. There are apartments from 700+ per month close to Caberete or 2 bedroom homes for 2,000 pesos in Monte Llano... depends on what kind of lifestyle you want and can live. Of course, nobody would want to come here and live so cheap that they are miserable but maybe if everyone shares what they live for and what that includes it will help give others an idea. One thing is vehicles are very expensive here, a lot more than the US. Public Transport is usually 30 pesos (depending on how far you're going) and within Puerto Plata, the last time we took one it was 13 pesos, very inexpensive. Food is a little cheaper than the US (where we're from), especially fruits and veggies.