Local currency vs usd

Your questions are WAY to general.

Current conversion rate = USD to DOP = 59.4

Let me share something I've learned.  I have a CC with a low limit that I specifically use when I am here in the RD. I used it for shopping etc.  When you insert your CC into the machine at the store you are given 2 options, pay in DOP or your home currency, mine is the US dollar.  Anyway, when I select to pay in DOP it ends up being cheaper, my card is charged less than it would have been if I had selected to pay in dollars at the store.  I believe this is because of how the conversion rates work, I always get an immediate alert when that CC is charged.

A new expat will find it challenging to live on US 1,400 here.  Many will chime in and say yes you can. Of course it's possible. It's not likely without understanding how things work here and speaking Spanish.

Depending on what area of the country you are talking about, answers will range from, absolutely not, to sure you can try!

@planner I don't know if this question is too general to answer, but can you give any examples of ways that "understanding how things are done here" can help you budget? Besides eating local foods and not assuming you can get all US/Canada-style mod cons?

Sure. Being able to negotiate pricing is based on understanding how it works here.  Getting a rental apt or house - if you rely on ads you will never see 80% of the market.  Knowing neighborhoods requires time here. Knowing what should be in a rental contract requires experience. 

Knowing you need to check your electricity meter when you first move and what it should be vs what it is. How to get it fixed and who can help you!

My list can go on and on! Others have examples too.

$1,400 of income would not even qaulify a person to become a legal resident, let alone live here comfortably. 

Don't do it.  Come and vacation and then return to where you are already living on that.  Where is that, by the way?

When using a CC always choose DOP and not USD.

The System is designed to get a Gringo Price out of you.  Speak Spanish and that will help.

But to repeat, I would not want to live here on $1,400 US a month.  Nope.  Sure you could, painfully.