Just booked 3 wks in Feb/March - what should I be checking out?

Post new topic

Member since 15 December 2016

PandoraBMember20 January 2017 14:03:50

I'm moving forward with my plans to investigate a move to the Dominican. I just booked a 3 week trip (leaving February 24th) to hopefully look at houses, look at schools, and check out the area and am looking for advice as to how to best use my time. I am staying 2 weeks at the Grand Paradise Playa Dorada and then 1 week at the Casa Marina Reef in Sosua. I had considered renting a house or condo but it was cheaper and more convenient to go all inclusive. (I have stayed at houses in similar countries so I'm already experienced living in the type of places I'm looking to buy).

I'm excited about taking the next step to explore a permanent move to the Puerto Plata area but at the same time terrified at making such a huge life change!

I would really appreciate any recommendations as to what places I should be visiting while I'm there including any expat hangouts. I would love to meet some expats to talk about their experiences. Are there any "official" regular expat gatherings that might happen when we are there?

I'm also wondering about car rentals. I've rented cars in various Central American and Caribbean countries but there are some countries where I hesitate to do a car rental (like Mexico or Cuba) due to questionable legalities (Cuba) and the prospect of getting shaken down by shady cops (Mexico). Is it better to rent a car or take a taxi?

I haven't yet decided on a real estate agent to help me look at houses. I would prefer someone with excellent English (still working on the espanol) and also great connections with real estate lawyers and other officials necessary to make the purchase and the move. I have spent a lot of time on the internet looking at houses and find Juan Perdomo's website the most user friendly with great English. He's with Century 21. Does anyone know him? Any other suggestions?

I have been communicating with schools and like the sounds of the O&M Hostas School in Puerto Plata. I had initially been thinking I would live to live in the Sosua area but I'm not sure that would be feasible if my son is in a school in Puerto Plata?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

abreuimmigration Contributor

Member since 29 May 2016

abreuimmigrationContributor20 January 2017 15:05:55

181

Hello PandoraB,

Welcome to expat.com

We have stayed in both hotel some years ago. At the time the Grand Paradise Playa Dorada was a very nice hotel and probably still is. The Casa Marina Reef was not as nice, but things may have changed for the best. As you may know there are also a lot of Airbnbs.

My husband and I also felt anxious when we moved to the DR 12 years ago. But now we love it here. We have lived in different parts of the country but currently reside in Santo Domingo.

Will you be visiting other parts of the country or staying in the Puerto Plata/Sosua/Cabarete area? Many beautiful place to visit in the country.

Car rental can be expensive but if you are mostly going to be in your hotel and just come out occasionally it may be cheaper to take taxis. Please note that taxis in resorts charge more than double than those outside of the resort. My recommendation is to find a reliable taxi driver and use him or her to take you anywhere you want to go. If you visit Santo Domingo or Santiago you will find that UBER drivers can be used there.

There are a good number of American and Canadian real estate agents in the area.

There are also some English or bilingual schools in the Sosua area. But they vary in tuition and quality.

PandoraB Member

Member since 15 December 2016

PandoraBMember20 January 2017 15:31:48

Thanks so much for the information. I have already been to Santo Domingo and other areas on previous trips so I wasn't really planning to leave the north coast area this time around.

The reason why I decided to stay at the Casa Marina Reef the third week so I could be right in Sosua and be able to walk around with no need for a car and to really get an idea about Sosua.

Da504Family Active member

Member since 24 August 2016

Da504FamilyActive member20 January 2017 15:37:25

Yes I visited the the Sosua Century 21 in July of 2016 and it is legit Juan is good did not get to meet them but the communication and the emails was responsive and fast and informative. The best thing to do is NOT do all inclusive. I can be emailed at tblue75@gmail.com and I can give you a lot of tips and pointers because my trip was to do the same as you are and I will be making my move in a few months to Dominican me and my whole family.

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic Expert21 January 2017 11:28:52

17177

First do not rent a car - bloody dangerous. Take taxis, I can recommend several good ones while you are here.

Second - do not jump into buying anything. RENT first for at least 6 months. Decide on an area, check it out really well. Rent then look to buy something once you know your way around. It ALL looks good in the beginning but you need to really check things.

I have a local guy in Puerto Plata (POP) who can help you with a rental here.

I have heard good things about that school, on your agenda of course is checking it out!!!!

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic Expert21 January 2017 11:29:37

17177

And yes taxis inside the resort cost double what an outside taxi charges! We dont have Uber here yet,,,,,,,,, soon I am told???

Articles to help you in your expat project in Dominican Republic

Working in the Dominican Republic
If you are looking for a job in the Dominican Republic (DR), here are some tips and suggestions. Job hunting can ...
Dating in the Dominican Republic
Just like anywhere else in the world, people in the Dominican Republic want to find love, their significant other, ...
Education in the Dominican Republic
This article will cover the Dominican Republic's educational system, including public schools attended by 80% ...
The healthcare system in the Dominican Republic
If you are moving to the Dominican Republic, one of your primary concerns is likely to be the healthcare system ...
Driving in the Dominican Republic
What is driving like in the Dominican Republic and how do you obtain a driving license? Find out all about it in ...
Setting up a business in the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic has indeed been attracting foreign investment over the past few decades, with notable ...
Death in the Dominican Republic
What customs and procedures are common when dealing with death in the Dominican Republic? Find more about it in ...
Divorce in the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic offers a number of types of divorce, the most common of which are divorce by mutual consent ...