Digital Nomad Life in the Dominican Republic

"Expats in the Dominican Republic often join clubs and activities such as golf, tennis, sailing, and scuba diving. Expats can also join local language classes, book clubs, and cooking classes. Additionally, many expats join expat-specific groups and organizations, such as the American Chamber of Commerce, the British-Dominican Society, and the Canadian-Dominican Association. Other ways that expats meet people in the Dominican Republic include attending local festivals and events, joining local sports teams, and volunteering with local charities. Additionally, many expats find it helpful to join online forums and social media groups to connect with other expats in the area," explained one person living in Dominican Rep.

"First thing I do in any place is look for the Expat hangouts and sit and chat. I also look for a country/area specific website to make acquaintances. Works for me and I now have parties on 4th of July, US Thanksgiving and Easter Sunday to gather all the expats I can. I get from 125 to 175 people at my events 3 times a year. Great place for networking and making friends and getting to know your new country," said one expat in Sosua.

"The culture revolves around home and community, it is one of the things I love about this country. It can make living here and getting things done a challenge. Embrace it as much as you can and learn to go with the flow when needed, and learn when to put your foot down!!," said one person in Santo Domingo.

"I found that in the city, most people are just trying to make a living. Family is also very important. The weekends are meant for socializing," said one expat who made the move to Santo Domingo.

"I first came to a beach town but then found that for a single older intellectual woman, the capital was best. I took my time, found the pool, the library, the neighborhood I liked best, then the apartment, not the other way around," explained one expat living in Santo Domingo, Dominican Rep.

"i have lived in various parts of the country. The first place was a tourist resort on the Caribbean sea, where I went as my job as a scuba diving instructor was there. A small studio came with the job and after a month I moved into a rental apartment. Here you just put the word out you are looking and people come to you with their apartments. Now I live in a little Dominican town, chosen as it was far from tourists and hence much safer and much cheaper. Again just put the word out and found the house," said one person in Santo Domingo.

"Be prepared to adjust. Be prepared to be frustrated and to want to smack your head into the wall. But also be prepared to find the small joys here!! The people are remarkably friendly and helpful. There are many many good people but that takes time to get to know who they are. You won't find them in your first few months here!!!!! After 11 years I am still learning so much. I live in a typical middle class Dominican neighborhood! I am the only expat and I love my life here. 11 years of business and consulting and I pretty much know how to get things done..... but every single day I learn something new!!!," remarked one member in Santo Domingo.

"Expats should research the cost of living in the Dominican Republic before retiring there. It is important to understand the local laws and regulations, as well as the tax implications of living in the Dominican Republic. Expats should also familiarize themselves with the local culture and customs, as well as the language. Additionally, it is important to have a good understanding of the healthcare system and the availability of medical services. Finally, expats should research the availability of housing and other amenities in the area they plan to retire in," explained one expat living in Dominican Rep.

"Learn Spanish - Come with some money to get established. Find a way to make money here. It is not very expensive to live here, but at the same time, you won't make a lot of money either. If you have any questions about moving to Santiago, you can email me at [email protected]," said one person in Santiago.

"I would tell them to first visit, meet people in the Chamber of Commerce to get better acquainted with where to live and how to move around in the city," said one expat who made the move to Santiago de los Caballeros.

"Expats in the Dominican Republic appreciate the warm and welcoming nature of the local people, the vibrant culture, and the beautiful scenery. They also enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, the delicious local cuisine, and the vibrant music and dance scene. Additionally, expats appreciate the country's rich history and the opportunity to explore its many attractions," said one person in Dominican Rep.

"I appreciate the fact that under extreme poverty, the people somehow seem to survive on so little," said one expat who made the move to Santo Domingo.

"Expats in the Dominican Republic often find the language barrier to be one of the most challenging aspects of the local culture. Additionally, the Dominican Republic has a very different set of social norms and customs than many expats are used to, which can be difficult to adjust to. Furthermore, the Dominican Republic is a predominantly Catholic country, and many expats may find it difficult to adjust to the religious and cultural norms that come with this. Finally, the Dominican Republic is a developing country, and expats may find it difficult to adjust to the lack of infrastructure and resources that are available in other countries," said one expat in Dominican Rep.

"The most challenging aspect of the new culture for me has been getting business people to understand that when I pay for a service, I expect to get what I pay for in a timely manner. Example, ( I went to a local bank to open a checking account and I had to come back and forth four times to complete the process) ( my apartment lease includes TV internet and cable. The TV was a 30 year old TV that never worked, the cable only sometimes and the internet is much like waiting for a snail to travel one mile. I requested to have my lease reflect the fact that none of these services are being used due to the fact that the landlord removed the TV during my first week and I had to purchase my own, plus I had to purchase my own internet and cable to ensure that I have service. However, the landlord wants to stick to our original agreement even though he is not providing what is promised in the lease. These sorts of things are very common in Santo Domingo). Beware," remarked one member in Santo Domingo.

"If you plan to stay in the Dominican Republic for an extended period of time, you will need to obtain a residency visa. This visa can be obtained from the Dominican Republic Embassy or Consulate in your home country. You will need to provide proof of your identity, such as a valid passport, and proof of financial stability, such as a bank statement. Additionally, you may need to provide a criminal background check and a medical certificate. Once you have obtained the visa, you will need to register with the Dominican Republic Immigration Office," explained one person living in Dominican Rep.

"If we have committed any cultural blunders, the locals were nice enough to ignore them," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Juan Dolio.

"It is important to be respectful of the Dominican Republic's culture and customs. It is considered rude to show up late to social gatherings, so it is important to arrive on time. It is also important to dress modestly, as revealing clothing is considered inappropriate. It is also important to be aware of the local customs and traditions, and to avoid making any comments that could be seen as offensive or disrespectful. Additionally, it is important to be aware of the local language and to avoid speaking English in public, as this can be seen as a sign of disrespect," explained one person living in Dominican Rep.

"You must purchase private insurance here. Public medical care is available but it is not the same, it is seriously inferior," explained one person living in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

"The Dominican Republic offers a wide range of healthcare services, including primary care, specialty care, and hospital services. The public healthcare system is managed by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance, and is funded by the government. The quality of public healthcare varies, with some areas having better access to resources and better quality care than others. Foreign residents do have access to the public healthcare system, but they may need to pay out-of-pocket for some services. Expats in the Dominican Republic often use the public healthcare system, but they may also opt for private healthcare services, which are generally of higher quality," wrote one digital nomad living in Dominican Rep.

"Expats and digital nomads living in the Dominican Republic often appreciate the country's warm climate, beautiful beaches, and vibrant culture. They also enjoy the low cost of living, which allows them to stretch their budget further. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the language barrier and lack of reliable public transportation to be challenging. Additionally, the country's infrastructure can be unreliable, making it difficult to access certain services," explained one expat living in Dominican Rep.

"I retired and moved to the Dominican Republic 13 years ago. I began using pubic transport to explore this lovey island. I still use public transport as I didn't have the money to buy a car. I helped buy a two bedroom villa in a community of many Europeans, Canadians and Americans. Then 7 years later I started renting cheap apartments where i spend all my time writing books (Author Peter Brighton). There are many rental accommodations worth living in. All within walking distance of beaches and countryside, Plus, many restaurants and English speaking contacts. Have not returned to England for ten years," said one digital nomad in Dominican Rep.