New members of the Dominican Republic forum, introduce yourselves here - 2019

Thanks for saying hi.  I have been to Peru for 5 weeks in 2009.  Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu.

Peru is a beautiful country!

Hello!

My name is Jennifer and my husband and I have purchased a condo in Punta Cana, which is currently under construction and will be finished in September/October of this year. We live in Michigan and plan to visit PC often during the LOOOONG Michigan winters We also plan to rent out our condo while we're not there. We've only visited the Dominican Republic once, so we were so happy to come across this site and all of the friendly people offering their experiences and advice. A big THANK YOU to all of you for volunteering your time. Your insights are very much appreciated to newcomers such as ourselves! I'm sure I will have many questions in the upcoming months and I look forward to interacting with everyone. Thanks in advance!!

Jennifer

Welcome to the forums Jennifer!  Glad you are finding this useful! We are here to help whenever we can.   Feel free to ask questions in the various threads and open threads as needed honey,.

Hi, I'm JD and I'm a long term resident of the DR.  `I'm amazed I never knew of this forum until today and have been on another well known DR board pretty much since it's inception as well.

I've been here since the early 70's and currently live in San Cristobal.

I have lived in San Pedro, Boca Chica, Santiago, Puerto Plata, Cabrera and various locations in Santo Domingo (Arroyo Hondo, Costa Verde, Cuesta Brava, Las Caobas, San isidro, Ave. Espana),

I've spent my life here working in Free Zones and buying and renovating properties as a hobby.
I'm more of a lurker than a contributor but I'll chime in occasionally I'm sure.

It's great to see Planner again, I always wondered where you wandered off to..lol

Welcome to the forums!  I've been here for my years on this forum!  Welcome your input!

How about introducing yourself?  This is the welcome forum, tell us a bit about you!

Welcome to the forums!  I hope you read the various threads, anger and ask questions!

Hi Sunshine!
The beach thingy will wear off sooner than later!
My Dominican wife & I got tired of the beach thing after 6-10 months.
Now it's once a month or so.
Rent for a while before buying in the North Shore!
Tons of stuff to learn right here!
Have fun, Tom.

Hello,
I am Sandra from La Paz, Bolivia. Moved here to Sosua a week ago. My husband works in Haití and will be visiting us (we have two kids, 4 and 6) every month. As many others here, we need some advice on the visa issue.  We are planning to stay for a year so we are unsure if  just paying the overstay on our way out is the right decision.  Any advice on where to buy a car as well (a small one like a Susuki Celerio or similar) will be also welcomed. Thank you!

First welcome to the forums.  Second,  my guess is you just pay the overstay honey when you leave, that will apply to each of you.  Your husband coming and going will always likely be on a tourist card of 30 days and no overstay.

In terms of a car,  don't buy one. You are not legal to drive after 30 days.

Hello Rivas,

Any advice of as where to buy a car? I need a small compact one, nothing fancy but from a trustworthy seller.

Thank you for answering Planner. I'm afraid we will have to take the chance on the car. Taking and picking up the kids from school is going be nearly impossible without one. I'll just have to restrict the use of it to the basics.

O will ask you to start a thread honey and other members will give you help.

I came here to the Dominican Republic because I wanted to live in a different Country with different Structure . In 1996 it was pretty easy . I did book a Flight and did not even know where I went to for stay my first 2 Weeks . I found quick some to do (but got scammed by a Guy from my Country) did have to do a lot to stay on here in the DR . Went thru very difficult Times , was forced to go back to Germany because I had lost everything . I made it back and lived with my first Dominican Wife in San Francisco . I went traveling for working till I moved my Family to Germany . In my Case a big Mistake they did not feel any good . So I got separated and 4 Month later I was back in the DR to start over here in San Pedro de Macoris . And there has it been again what makes Dominicans so special they are very open People and very friendly . I did help so many People to settle here in the DR or to find their Wife here and did travel all over the Country for this . From Year to Year it became more difficult to make it to become Resident in the Dominican Republic and a lot more expensive. I was lucky to come here when this Country has not been that difficult to get in as Residence. Since then I had some Expats here in deep Trouble and I did try to help them and I did see that still People come here to this Country with a Dream but with the Wrong idea what is about living in this Country . I really like it here and do not want to miss it this is my new HOME

Welcome to the forums honey.   Your story is sadly not unique as many have had serious problems. Glad you now feel able to reach out and help others as well.

Hello All,

I will be visiting soon to spend time in the DR with my boyfriend of several years. I've looked at the threads regards residency and entailing paperwork as well as employment and can see the benefits of going through the residency process if the intention is to stay, but am looking to see whether life in the DR is something for me first. I have however visited on numerous occasions over the past 3 years. Medic by trade, speak german, English and intermediate Spanish.
I would be looking to exploring life in the DR first but wonder about employment opportunities there for someone like me in the longer term if I were to start the residency process. I would be looking at other career paths eg tourism sector.
As a second question - can someone point me to an existing thread on things they wish they would have taken from their home country that are difficult or expensive to get in the DR?

thanks for reading

Welcome to the forums.  Let me see if I can find that thread for you.

Employment opportunities are not great, your languages and skills will help but pay won't normally be great.  There are various threads addressing this.   Use the search function honey and ask lots of questions.

Hello!  I'm originally from New Jersey but settled in Arizona.  Fell in love with Cabarete on my first trip last October and found my new home in May.  Will live between Arizona and Cabarete!  Looking forward to any get togethers in Sosua/Cabarete area.  Will be there again in a few weeks.

Welcome to the forums!!!   Once we organize something I will post a thread about a meet up.....

Hello,  My sister and I are retiring in 2021.. we are buying a condo in the Punta Cana area. I would like information in regards to living in Dominican  part time and Canada part time. We would like  to stay in the Dominican for 7-8 months then return to Canada for 4-5 months. Do we need  a card if some sort?  I've read about a residency card ..I am not sure if this is what we require.  Or when and where we apply for what we need. Any and all help/advice is welcome. Thank you in advance ..Debra

How do you go about getting the residency without giving up your Canadian status..you said it's like having 2 passports??

Welcome Sandi.....  there is a ton of info on this on the forums.  As a canadian you do not give up anything to also have residency here. Go read the thread on residency and then start asking questions honey.

Hello, My name is Wayne. Been to DR three times. Love the place. Planning to retire and move there very soon. I am an American, learning Spanish, and I play the guitar. Seeking new Ex-pat friends, and plan to live in San Cristobal.

I visited Santo Domingo on my first visit, but the last two, I hung out in San Cristobal and went to Najaho Playa. Very cool, local atmosphere.  Will be returning the first week of January for 10 days.

P.S. I like to dance and play dominoes. I can play American Style or Dominican Style dominoes. And I love live music, 

Look forward to Meeting You.
Wayne

Welcome to the forums!  I hope you enjoy your upcoming trip!

HI Gaelic paddy here ...just found this site the other day ..I have been a member on DR1.COM for a number of years .I first came to DR about ten years ago for a vacation and loved the place. I bought my own apartment in Santo Domingo four years ago and I try to visit 4 or 5 times a year .I have applied for my residency permit ….but still waiting and still learning how things work

Welcome to the forums!  Looking forward to your input!

Hello all
I,m Adrian I moved to DR with my family Angie my wife Saoirse & Fiadhna our two girls 2 years ago to start a development business.
So a busy 2 years have passed and dealing with all the papers and new laws in construction ,legal and financial.
I am pleased to say we have had a great and somewhat exciting time in Las Terrenas.
We have started Two projects and another near permit final stage.
Its a great town to live in we enjoy it everyday the kids are happy.

Finally
What can I say
A busy happy family life goes on everywhere in the world but here is just that bit better.
Regards
Adrian Angie Saoirse & Fiadhna

Congratulations to all of you and welcome to the forums

My name is Valentina.  Am a graduate of Mass Communication  as first degree.  Am married with a Child.  Am a Nigerian.  I speak English and my native language. I want to make  Friends  and to know what living in Dominican Republic is like. (Santo Domingo).  Am planning to relocate. 
Do you think I can get  a better job of I finally move to Dominican Republic?  Please  help me with contacts of those living there and making a living already.  Thanks

Welcome.  I live and work in Santo Domingo.  There.is a ton of info in these threads. Start reading and ask questions any time you need to.  In addition start a thread when you need.

What can of business can be done in punta cana

What kind of business can be done in Dominican republic

Welcome to the forums Bankanthony.   This is the welcome forum.   Please ask your questions in the other threads honey.  Thanks.  We keep this just for introductions and welcomes.

Planning to move to Las Terrenas in a year or so and would love any information that could be given the good the bad and the ugly.  I have been there but still knowledge is power.

Cheers

Welcome to the forums!   There is a fair bit of info on the forums on Las Terrenas, scan the threads for that area honey! 

Ask any questions you have and or open a thread!

and yes knowledge is very powerful!

Hello community, my name is Kristopher. A few years ago a stumbled across the Dominican Republic via an invitation for a week vacation with friends. I enjoyed the culture, food, and music so much, that I enrolled in Spanish lessons, and now travel to the country 2-3 times per year. I realized that the American dollar and education can get can get me far in the Dominican Republic. I also realized that the women are generally nicer, more feminine, and more respectful than American women. My eventual goal is to sustain enough passive income in the US, and move to the Republic and live like a king.

Welcome to the forums!

Hi all,
New to the forum. My situation may be as simple as a 30 day holiday but, longer term, DR interests me a possible second home. I'll read the forums and/or start a thread to satisfy my curiosities. Thanks