The Expat Lounge (the place to be on the DR Forum)

I will start! Great idea planner! Does anyone have any information on hiring a sentry (Security Guard) in DR and prices? Any company referral?

Thanks,  was not my idea but I am running with it.

To be  more clear, this is for everything that does not fit anywhere on the forum.  Honey  others will want to search for that subject at some point. That is better in a thread of its own. Ask the question  and the answers do not get lost.

For this thread, a strong opinion on something going on, or anything off topic, or  discussions that do not fit elsewhere or generally not allowed. Here everything goes that is expressed in the proper manner!

Thank you for creating ring this forum. I'm an ex-ex-pat. I grew up in DR (my family moved there from US (just after I was born), and our coconut finca in Miches was home for 18 years. When I returned to US, I felt (and always will) that it was a new life/country and that I was an ex-pat in US). If it's ok to do so, ***

For those in this forum who would like to know about the experience of growing up in DR - mine was a different story - we lived through and beyond the Trujillo dictatorship. ***

Got'cha! Thanks

Great idea, by way of example could I journal about my buying a condo in Cap Cana? As it will probably take 2.5 years could I post updates say quarterly ? Add pictures ?

I live in Juan Dolio for 5 years now, purchased for 135 now worth 250 and climing

Rfm - absolutely! 

This is where you can talk about anything not normally allowed on other threads.  No shameless self promotion. No mud slinging or name calling.

So let me ask a question:. As expats how do we feel about the situation about Haiti?  That's a subject you can discuss here!

I have one and I hope it fits in here. But I would like to see if anyone can share some experience they may have had in finding a hidden gem in maybe a restaurant, lake, or visited a unknown area that was really nice! weekend getaway to some remote area??

@polo1club i

I used to stay a hotel in PP and the night watch men ( Dominican ) was paid 3 - 4 hundred pesos a night , and he was armed and then another person I talk to was getting 3 hundred a night just to watch a construction job and he was unarmed…

@polo1club

I enjoyed Camp David Ranch when was going up in that direction in Santiago. The restaurant was good as well.

@DRVisitor I have seen pics of that looks great! Can't wait to check it out!

I have checked the restaurant out of curiosity and it looks very nice.

Let us know if you were able to go there.

Cheers,

Cheryl

@planner

Thanks for bringing this up! I am wondering about that, as well. I want to return to Santo Domingo; but not if there is a refugee problem there. What's the latest?

@MissLynda I don't see or hear of a huge problem in the Santo Dominican area. Remember, I would estimate that 75% of construction work is done by the Haitians. Dominicans that are in construction industry are more of the management personnel.

MissLynda - the  problems will be where they live and congregate.  That will be where it is least costly.  Many times they do not qualify for a legal rental so they squat.  That brings up issues of  sanitation, electricity etc. 

There are issues in barrios etc so you need to be aware of where you live. 

Whenever there is crime, often the first to be blamed are the Haitians. That is not fair at all!  Justice is often exacted immediately and with no due process for them! 

Reality is there is a problems in many many areas of this country. Where ever cheap labor is needed you will find illegals.  Close to the boarder, of course you will find them. 

And lets be real, its not just Haitians, there are also  thousands of Venezuelans as well. 

@CHRISTOPHER DAVID56

Thanks, Christopher!

Re: Camp David Ranch

I stayed in the hotel for a few days. What they don't tell you is ... there are loud weddings and parties every night! Some even have rooftop fireworks! This can go on until 1 or 2 or 3 a.m. The property has relaxing and tranquil aspects - a coffee on your balcony amidst paradise can be sublime, but wow is the place noisy at night.

I enjoyed the food at first, but found they tend towards very rich sauces and heavy spices. It can make a great impact if you're having dinner out, but after three days it just seemed like too much. Fortunately there is a nearby restaurant run by a former Camp David chef that has more of a rustic approach.

That's  interesting and makes sense. Maybe weekday stays are a better option to avoid the parties!

@TienesUnMapa

When i Had gone nothing was going on in regards to weddings or anything else so was quiet. Any place I find same if you stay too long may not enjoy as much as first few days. I only stayed one night in passing but definitely enjoyed the time.

The same reason that I do not like the buffets at the hotels in many areas in DR - bad to start and worse after few days.

https://dominicantoday.com/dr/health/20 … -diseases/

Yeah, there a few people in the Dominican Republic that remain deluded or at least want to please the foreign "experts" at the WHO but from my own observation a large number are "awake".  If you want to do a social observation test simply go down to a crowded government office (such as the main passport office for example) whereby mask wearing is VOLUNTARY and see how many Dominicans actually are still wearing masks in public.  From my own observation it's about 10%.

In addition, the young people are very, very aware and awake as well, at least those that are bilingual and read English news sources on-line.  If you recall, last year a young 15 year old vaccinated high school student had a heart attack while at school.  The very first question all the young people asked on local social media was "Was She Vaxxed?"

Some in other so-called "developed" modern first world nations think everyone in the emerging market or developing market nations are, shall we say, ignorant.  I can assure they are not.  In the entire continent of Africa for example only 12% of the people in the entire continent took the jab. 12%!!!

In the DR the Dominican Government has had to throw out a large number of unused vaccines because there were no takers.

What I find interesting about Latin America in general is just because the government says something in public or the newspapers for that matter, doesn't mean it's the mood of the people or general population.

Just my own comments, for what it's worth.

Regards,

John

@john-schroder thank you for that observation. That neans that 90% are aware . I was looking yo retire in Panama but if you look to buy health insurance,  you need to be vaccinated...they put in place a new law for the vaccine in January 2023. So I changed  my mind.

Let's see if we can make referrals and recommendations here on this thread!  We are supposed to be able to talk about anything within legal bounds!!!!!

I have often recommended a good immigration lawyer her on the forums.  Many others have used her services with great success.  Lishali Baez is not the cheapest and not the most expensive. She will tell you the rules currently and assess your situation! She is available at +1 809-860-1231.  Her English is very good! 

I wholeheartedly agree! We’ve used Lily/Lishali for our initial residency and our first renewal. We’ve had none of the headaches that others complain about. She knows the process, knows the people involved, and knows how to get things done!

@planner I called and Emailed her before with zero response. Not saying she is not good,just unresponsive to me.

@bryankieronlynch I had the same experience with her. Maybe she is just swamped and overlooks a lot of emails/phone calls.

Are there any other recommendations? I would like apply for naturalization and prefer to have someone handle the process for me since and I travel a lot and have a very busy schedule.

I am looking for a broker to rent and sell my house in Las Terrenas. I go down to the DR every 2 months and it's been difficult. Any advice welcome. Also! If anyone wants to rent long term or buy a house a five minute walk to Playa Bonita- it's a classic small 3 bedroom dominican style house- with a newly installed camera/light for security (not part of a compound, has privacy)- let me know. Eager to sell. dm me!

@Profe Agayu  I was just wanting her advice on my wife coming to the US. I will approach my dual citizenship at a later date. I plan on retiring in Santo Domingo but my wife wants some hijas first. I prefer my doctors here for that.

Let me contact her and ask what what is happening. 

@bryankieronlynch Understand that Lily is a Dominican attorney and knows the process for Dominican residency. I really don't know how familiar she is with the process of getting a US visa, green card, and citizenship.

@Ineedsometerrenasinfo Contact Tony and Jeremy At ***. We have not dealt with them on a transaction, but have friends who only use them.

***

@ddmcghee I wasn't going to ask her about that. I wanted help with some of my wifes documents.

I have reached out to her. Once i hear back I will update. Normally she does not respond on weekends

I got a response. IF you have never had a returned email please double check that you are using ***

If in fact you heard back from her and only wanted questions answered but did not retain her services then in fact their is no working arrangement. She will respond but it can take some time.

New topic:  there are caves in the DR that have artwork from the original Taino people.  There's the Cave of Wonders in La Cana, and there are supposedly more caves north of San Cristobal. 

Does anyone know if there are any archaeological sites like this on the north coast? 

@SandyS_retired Los Haitises National Park for sure, and I think in Las Galeras

There are some caves near cabarete.

@Ineedsometerrenasinfo Trying this again after being assured by Julian that we can make recommendations to third parties when asked!

Tony and Jeremy at Immomex have earned a solid reputation here in LT on both the sales and property management side. While we haven't hired Tony, he manages a rental property near us, so we interact with him frequently! The home is well

maintained and he ensures the house rules (like noise) are enforced. We've never had to call the police about noise because when we contact him, he handles it immediately. I don't know how expensive he is, but it sounds like what you need is pretty basic, and if you are looking to sell and list it with then, it would be in their interest to make sure the home is secure and maintained.

YES to update everyone, we are allowed to make recommendations!  We are not allowed to promote ourselves or our friends and family on here!  Arms length is the phrase, if its not at arms length don't recommend.