Where do the Expats live in Santo Domingo?

Broward · #1 05-24-2008, 04:40 PM

I've visited Santo Domingo and I've always stayed in Colonial Zone or Gazue where alot of tourists are. Gringo prices and alot of requests by salespeople seem more common there than other parts of the city.

Can anyone recommend an area of SD where a simple safe apartment can be rented by a Gringo with minimal Spanish skills. A low key area moderately priced.

jaguarbob · #2 05-24-2008, 06:45 PM

I live in colonial zone for many years,with rent around $350. a month.Gringo prices are because of the gringo,not the dominican...once you live here and understand the country and people,you can shop and live here as any dominican does.Santo Domingo has many ares that are reasonably priced,but speaking enough spanish to get along is a must,no matter where you live.
bob

GringoCArlos · #3 05-24-2008, 08:37 PM

Anywhere west of Pasteur/Rosa Duarte in Gazcue, as far west as Ave. Maximo Gomez in Gazcue is quiet, with many middle-class dominicans who also speak English. Lots fewer tourists, away from Ave Independencia, and it's also within walking distance to most things you would need.

One thing you can do, if you have a dominican friend or a long-timer foreigner whom you can trust, is to have them rent a place for you. The price will be in pesos, and normally lower. Trust is the "key". Be aware that a poorly chosen "friend" may later go back to the owner, and demand a month's rent from the owner as his "commission", and then the owner will pay him using part of your security deposit. What a surprise when you move out, years later.

Broward · #4 05-24-2008, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GringoCArlos

One thing you can do, if you have a dominican friend or a long-timer foreigner whom you can trust, is to have them rent a place for you. The price will be in pesos, and normally lower. Trust is the "key". Be aware that a poorly chosen "friend" may later go back to the owner, and demand a month's rent from the owner as his "commission", and then the owner will pay him using part of your security deposit. What a surprise when you move out, years later.

Great idea and even at worst a small price to pay if things did not work out.

What is the best way to find an apartment?
Realtors? Newspapers?
Do many apartments require leases?

Any idea as to what a clean 1 bedroom rents for.
Gringo unfurnished price
Gringo furnished price

Friend unfurnished price
Friend furnished price

GringoCArlos · #5 05-24-2008, 11:05 PM

Listin Diario newspaper on Mondays (for some reason all of the apartment ads run on Mondays in the Listin), or the Diario Libre newspaper.

Another way is to do a walk-about if you are here. People will sometimes hang out signs instead of advertising. Or go somewhere like Paco's cafeteria in El Conde and ask the gringos there if they know of anything nearby.

You can use a realtor, but you will normally pay a premium price for rent, as well as a commission of 1 month's rent to the realtor.

Normally to rent an apartment, you will need a fiador (a guarantor- typically an attorney who will sign for you, for a price) , and also pay 3 or 4 months rent upfront to get in. Almost all require a minimum 1 year lease to move in -this may be due to the DR laws.

Cost of 1 bedrooms in Gazcue depend on location. If it is on a main street (Like Ave. Independencia or Ave. Bolivar) with lots of guaguas, there will be more noise and air contamination. If you find a prospective place, check it out both in the daytime and the nighttime - there may be more noise than you want to live with. For the most part, the electricity and water are OK in Gazcue.

Nowadays, most 1 bedrooms in Gazcue come furnished, and probably run from US$350 up to $600 a month. (I think most of them are dominican retirement plans, and there are lots of gringos looking for a 1 bedroom furnished that is within walking distance of the Zona Colonial).

There are cheaper options, like 1 room apartments in a boarding house-type set-up, where you don't cook but eat out. This might not be a bad option until you find "your place" as they rent month to month instead of a 1 year minimum lease. It might be harder to find a 1 bedroom that rents for pesos in Gazcue. Check out the little sidestreets running north and south between Ave Bolivar and Ave Independencia that don't carry as much traffic. This is an older section with older buildings, and many folks rent out part of their homes that they have subdivided out as an apartment.

dymmach · #6 05-24-2008, 11:12 PM

Friend unfurnished price
Friend furnished price...........lol!

First I found exactly what nieghborhood I liked, and proceeded on foot to look for an apartment.

And had better luck than searching the papers and internet.

On the Malecon I found a huge 1 bdr no ameneties for $300us.

And my apartment, small 1 bdr with everything for $500us.

You can try these:

aquitucasa.com

supercasas.com

Y mi espanol es mas o menos.

Broward · #7 05-24-2008, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GringoCArlos

This might not be a bad option until you find "your place" as they rent month to month instead of a 1 year minimum lease. It might be harder to find a 1 bedroom that rents for pesos in Gazcue.

Month to Month for a room may work,
Why would it matter whether it rents in Pesos or Dollars?
The exchange rate changes?
or is it that
Dollars are not available to get in the DR so what I bring from the US is all I will have until I go back.
I will use the ATM's for money.

GringoCArlos · #8 05-24-2008, 11:37 PM

I found my apartment by first looking through the want ads, and going to look at several apartments with my dominican secretary to get an idea of what I could get for my $$. (she went first, and then when we returned for a second look, we told the owners that I was going to be her fiador). I looked at maybe 6 or 8. While doing this, I also looked for signs and saw a few other apartments in this way.

I ended up getting a very nice 3 bedroom unfurnished, in a verrry quiet area of upper Gazcue, rent in pesos, for less than the equivalent of about US$500 a month, with only 2 months rent upfront. It was one of those originally listed in the want ads.

And yes, it is because the rate of exchange can vary. During Hipolito's craziness, I was only paying the equivalent of US$250 - $275 a month. (and YES, US dollars ARE available here)