So Much to Share

Thank you!

Very well done.   Succinct, interesting, engaging.

JR

Great update.

2.points to make.

You say that : you have done residency yourself yet it appears you have not actually done your filing yet.  You did the part in USA yourself. Most do that themselves.  The part HERE is when you really need a lawyer!  And yes you will need to come to Santo Domingo.

Second point: please review this post in one year and update it.  I would be very interested to see how your perspective changes.

I have a lot of questions for you.  We bought a house in Veron. In Cuidad Del Sol.  It will be completed around June. Probably will move in Sept.  what shipping company did you use.  I thought you had to go to Santo Domingo for residency?  There is a new building in Veron but I thought just for renewals. The paperwork in the states did you send all to the Dominican Embassy to have translated?  For background check did you get from your state or did you get from FBI?  There are so many shipping companies don't know how to select but sounds like yours was great. We are also shipping our car.  Thank you in advance for your answers

My filing is in process as we speak.  We are headed to the hospital on HWY 3 in Punta Cana on Monday for our medical exams.  The Immigration office in San Juan Plaza is completing the filing.  So no, we do not have to go to Santa Domingo.  I have done my DUE DILIGENCE in finding these things out.  No Lawyer is needed.  Prior to coming I checked with Lawyer Wilson who was referred on the forum.  He said, "he would gladly help at the tune of $1800 for a couple".  When I asked what that entailed - His words exactly -  "I will submit your paperwork for you and give you a ride to the clinic".   That's a pretty EXPENSIVE RIDE.   So not even then do you need a lawyer.  It's a ripoff.  And all it does is intimidate foreigners into believing they can't do it themselves.  Trust yourselves and do your homework.  And I will be happy to post again in a year.  I am a Positive Person with Great Energy. I don't see much changing in a year that would make me not feel that we have made a good choice.

Congratulations on your move.  I used ASAP Translate online.  They are a certified translation company.  FBI check has to be done by the FBI.  There is an option when you request to have them send it on for you to be Apostilled.  I went to the Immigration Office here in Punta Cana at San Juan Plaza.  Once I got everything back and was approved I took it to them.  That office is doing the processing and we have appointments scheduled for the medical exams.  For shipping, I used Lufran Int'l out of Miami.  No car just household goods, beds, bikes and etc.

So you didnt get the 60 day visa in the states before you went. I didn't know there was an immigration office at San Juan plaza. It must be new

Yes, I got the 60 day visa before I left.  That's the paperwork and documents I took with me.

Well this is interesting.  I was  very much under the impression that medicals were still ONLY done in SD.  That is good news for your area.

There is a whole lot more to  "just filing"  but it will be very interesting to follow your progress!

How did you get a container  here without having already filed your residency?   Did you have to pay  taxes and duty?

What a good report on your move to Punta Cana and for sharing so much to others thinking likewise.

I do wish you well in your new life and congratulate you on your diligent planning.

Punta Cana has changed a great deal since I first went there some 12 years ago when the drive from Santo Domingo was nearly 6 hours on lesser roads and through Higuey. It doesn't surprise me that after all the hotel and resort development and infrastructure improvements, that the focus would shift to building a residential community and all that goes with it.  Make the most of it.

I remember well those days and that old road honey!  What a difference that highway has made!

Hi bridgetanddav,
     I live here in Santiago, 2 years now and I am applying for my citizenship (spouse is Dominican). I know I need another FBI report but do you know if it is possible to do it from here or do I need to return to the US?
Thanks!

Good question about duty. Did you pay since you did not have residency. We want to have before we ship

Yes, I did. But they did give me a discount of $722.00 with the letter from the Embassy.  My Shipper was the best.

You can apply for it online.  Request they send it for you to be Apostilled.  Just have it go to a friend or family member in the US. Then have them the send it to you.

AWESOME!!! Thanks again.

Thank you for the info.  I just contacted your moving company

My email to Lufran was returned.  Do you have an email for them.  I know I am being a pest when you should be enjoying the beautiful sunshine.

Just double checking. This is your first tin
Me getting residency. It's noypt a renewal. Where in the mall is it located. Did you just show up or make an appointment.  Thank you in advance

Boy did I type that bad. It was supposed to say this  is first time not a renewal.

Doing your own residencia  without using a lawyer is not a good idea unless:

1. You are fearless
2. You have done ALL the research and clearly understand what you are getting into
3. Have a reasonably good understanding of how things actually work here.
4. Understand Spanish or have someone you trust who does and is willing to help you.

That is my standard advice.  The OP is doing her own and I look forward to her updates on the progress.

Finding a good lawyer is key. If anyone needs a referral PM me.

People are always asking actual cost of things.  Here are a few I can share... 5 Gallons of Water delivered only 80 Pesos ($1.58 US)  20 mbps speed Internet $47.17/ month.  Unlimited phone plan with Claro 100 minutes $23.00.  Haven't gotten my first electric bill yet.  I will update when I do.  Should be coming soon.  Celebrated 1 month living here yesterday.  Groceries at Ole are at least 50% cheaper than Jumbo.

Here is a thread for that Bridgetanddav  where we  post and track costs:  https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=825242

How is your residency process going. Did you have the medical exam yet?  at Plaza San Juan did you have to make an appointment or did you just walk in. What is the name of the office - immigration?  And where in the plaza is it located. I just don’t remember seeing an immigration office there. There is a US consulate office in Palma Real. Thank you in advance

I looked all over the San Juan plaza yesterday and couldn't find it.

Thank you for checking. Bridgetanddav can you let us know exactly where you went?  Was it right in the plaza San Juan? Or maybe next to the Jumbo in that mall?

I am new to the board.  We purchased new construction in Las Terrenas and are in the process of packing up to make the move.  We have already done our check with the FBI but am wondering if the FBI will accept fingerprints taken from an approved person in the DR? 

Does anyone know?

It's the plaza where Super Lama is. 2nd Floor. Not San Juan Plaza

That’s the US consulate office?

So it’s at Palma Real.  I know a consulate office is there but I didn’t know they file your paperwork. Great to know

A question: Is it possible to live there without having a car?

Or a car is really needed?

It depends where and how you live. I know many people who don't have cars!

I will live in Punta Cana, in El Cortecito area, close to the sea.  I read that traffic jam is crazy there but I am used to that, driving wouldn't be a problem. I just would prefer to not have a car

Hahahahahahaha  traffic jam in Cortecito, now I am sorry that is too funny.  I live in Santo Doming where we have real traffic jams.

I am pretty sure you can live there without a car,  find a couple of good taxi drivers and give them repeat business, they will adjust pricing accordingly.

There is a bus.  And yes with the one main road in that area traffic can be crazy at times. We stayed in that area and used the bus to go to the Mall.  When we did major grocery shopping we would take a taxi back home.

kochaniutki

I think the Punta Cana/Bavaro area can be rather boring especially living alone.

El Cortecito, or what remains of it, after it was devoured by hotels and condominiums, is short street with low end gift shops, a few bad restaurants and bars. That's all. There was a little supermarket ten years ago, it's closed. The beach is half a mile between 2 all inclusive hotels.

I will be a bit difficult to socialize if you do not own a car. Furthermore, each time you would need to go shopping/eating out/to the disco/bar/ to a phone shop ... you 'd be obliged to use a moto concho or a bus.

Taxi drivers are good as long as you open wide your wallet. They are not interested in tiring themselves with low paid trips. One of them wanted to charge me the basic 30$ Airport fare to lead me from El Cortecito to Friusa ( 3/4 minutes) . Sent him to hell and went away with a moto concho  ... and my 2 suitcases. Another one was reluctant to allow 4 people, he wanted to call a supplemantary taxi to split us into 2 groups of 2.

The whole PC area is pricy and very touristy : Dominicans do not live there, they only work there, they live inland and commute every day. This makes the area is less authentic and lacks of a mix of cultures.

For all these reasons I would not chose to live in PC but rather on the North Coast ( POP, Sosua, Cabarete) or better Las Terrenas where you can do almost everything on foot.

Where exactly will you be in the area?  And yes it is a tourist area but we love it.  Not sure if you are a walker but you can walk to the BAM market (pricey) El Dorado has a great French pastry shop.  Last time we were there we used the same taxi driver.  Never paid $30 not even from the airport.  We took the bus most of the time.  40 pesos  The SuperLama Supermarket is a short bus ride.  There are many condos in the area.  We are moving there permanently sometime in the fall.  My husband is a golfer and enjoys the variety of courses.  But if you are looking for a lot of nightlife then not so much.

As I always say, one size does not fit everyone.  Each area has its pros and cons.  Find what works for you!

I live in Punta Cana. We do not have a car, but we do have bikes. And we just recently purchased a Golf Cart. The Golf Cart is to take my mom and dad across to the beach when they come.  We have no problem getting around on our bikes.  The area is so small nearly everyone knows us already. The traffic is bike friendly. Where there is no sidewalk the cars will just honk to let you know they are coming around.  And now since people are starting to remember us they are no longer asking for a tip for every single thing.  Which drove me crazy!  I'm very happy here.