Moving to Puerto Plata

Hi Steverino.

We want to retire to Las Terrenas sometime this year. From what we understand theres lots lots of English speaking expats there.  Do you think Puerto Plato will be any different, if not worse than La Romona will be for English being spoken ?

What programs have you been using to aid yourself in learning Spanish ?

You say you will be going to Puerto Plata, when you are out that way, stop in at Sosua. There is a gated community there called Casa Linda. My wife and I were all set to purchase a Villa there till I was told they would not allow us to put up solar panels on any Villa we would purchase in there.  Not being able to put up a solar panel system was a deal breaker for us.

That caused us to look at other areas of the DR. We were happy to discover Las Terrenas.

Back to Casa Linda.  There is a very large number of English speaking residents at Casa Linda. From our research they have a nice social environment there too, nice amenities, might be something for you to check out.

Hope you find what you are looking for

All the best

Hi Ian,

Actually there is a larger French population in Las Terrenas  and it is a beautiful area indeed. However, when the Canadian gov't evacuated all Canadians left stranded in the D.R. in May 2020, they sent 2 empty Westjets to Puerto Plata because that is where the largest concentration of Canadians are. I drove the 5 hours to get there that day. As for studying Spanish , i live in Victoria B.C. for 6 months every summer and do not speak the language there. Further, I have lost my passion to master the language but I am able to communicate by reading, speaking, and writing but my problem is in listening and understanding . I have taken the pressure of myself and will cruise thru the remaining years I may be in this country.  I will also check out Casa Linda. Thanks for the tip my friend....!

Yes the north coast has a large English speaking expat population.  From Cofresi, Costambar, Puerto Plata, Sosua, Cabarete and Cabrera you will find English speaking Canadians, Americans, Brits etc.

In each  you will find various places they get together!  Many snowbirds as well, like yourself

Yes there is a small hotel 10-15 min walk from the beach called
KMA they charge around $50 a night or $900 a month.I used to stay before I bought my home.
Otherwise there are more along the Blvd across from the beach but I’m sure they’ll be a little more $$ and this is in puerto plata where I live
Part time. I don’t speak the language, but then again I really engage in conversation with the locals but I get by in the supermarkets and restaurants  , and buying gasoline and gas

How come these English speaking people are not here in Punta Cana?

Hi Steverino

I understand exactly what you mean.  While I want to learn the language and understand everyone, if its not your passion or priority, its only then a chore.  Who needs chores at this stage in life (if you can avoid some).  I am also deaf in one ear so that makes it harder. I find this very stressful, the pressure of it all.  I am good at math and science, not languages so conversational Spanish is not likely going to happen for me neither.   

Karin (fellow Canadian from Toronto area)

Hi Steverino

I understand exactly what you mean.  While I want to learn the language and understand everyone, if its not your passion or priority, its only then a chore.  Who needs chores at this stage in life (if you can avoid some).  I am also deaf in one ear so that makes it harder. I find this very stressful, the pressure of it all.  I am good at math and science, not languages so conversational Spanish is not likely going to happen for me neither.   

Karin (fellow Canadian from Toronto area)

- @Karin1

@Ian1272 hi I looked at houses there and one home had solar panels for their pool heater and filter…. 🤔😉

@Ian1272 hi after looking at CL I bought an older home in puerto plata that has two rentals attached to the main house that needs a little bit of work , it not-in a gated community but I feel safe when I’m in town and it a very very quiet street…., like every thing else I think one has to be careful of who you talk to and what information you share…just like everywhere else.. I don’t hang out in bars and clubs where people could follow you home, I do go out to the restaurants but I’m home at a decent hour ….. I think it all depends on the individual taste on where and how someone wants to buy

@Karin1 I guess my point, and you reinforced it, is that it’s easier to be cautious, aware, and responsible for yourself when you have an inkling of the dangers around you. There’s nothing you can do to protect yourself from a random bullet coming through your wall or car window… it seems to be a more common problem in the US and unfortunately especially in Florida

So, I am just thinking out loud here but a lot of local thugs believe there is a giant safe or stack of cash in every ex-pat residence. These people don't want "stuff" they can't unload, they want cash. That's what they are looking for. I didn't read that story but I doubt this thug got much if any money.  So, he killed a human being for very little.

My other comment is that many people simply do not think about their own personal security. I implore everyone to think about your own safety wherever you are, no matter how secure the conditions appear to be. I don't consider Las Terrenas to be unsafe; however, I have my eyes open all the time. Same thing when we lived in the States. Plenty of violence there.

- @RockyM

@lennoxnev like I’ve said in the past , choose carefully who you talk to and what information you put out …. This could’ve happened in any places so I don’t think you can blame it on the general population….