Anyone here spent much time in the Dominican Republic?

[Tigratrus]

We're considering moving elsewhere for several reasons:

1. If we live outside the US for 330 days/year we can greatly reduce our taxes
2. Our kids are young enough and self-sufficient enough (homeschooled) to make the transition as reasonable for them as possible and we'd REALLY like them to get some exposure to other languages/cultures while they are still young.
3. If we move somewhere with a substantially reduced cost-of-living along with the reduced taxes in 1. above, we should be able to build up some reserves and actually invest effectively.
4. We just plain want to get out and about a bit, time for something new!

Why are we considering DR? Bunch of reasons, good cost of living, great investment opportunities, and it's got the only IKEA in all of South and Central America, which is important as our site is kinda IKEA focused . Plus they have good Internet connectivity from what I understand, though the electricity is very unreliable (generator/solar/battery bank needed).

There's potential downsides:

1. Hurricanes.
2. Potential for a MAJOR earthquake along a fault line that has been building stress for centuries (different fault line than the one that hit Haiti).
3. We don't speak Spanish much at all (but that's one of the things we'll all be learning!)
4. Crime on the rise in the main city(s), but that's nothing new, and we plan to live in the mountains on the north side of the island if possible.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone here has any direct experience of the island? Esp experience outside of one of the big resorts?

 

[Floris]

Nope, never been there. Good luck

 

[captainslater]

My family was there for two weeks, vacation only.

 

[Brandon_R]

If you live in the United States, it's most definitely taking a step down and i would never recommend you to take a step like that especially with a family and growing children.

But like you said you want to teach them culture and a modern world is definitely not the place for that.

 

[Forsaken]

If you live in the United States, it's most definitely taking a step down and i would never recommend you to take a step like that especially with a family and growing children.
 
But like you said you want to teach them culture and a modern world is definitely not the place for that.

He's asking for feedback from people who have been there; I highly doubt you've been there from your comment.
 
Given how you have responded to certain members speaking their native language (In a native language topic no less), you really shouldn't be providing input on this subject.
 
On Topic: I've never been to the Dominican Republic, but I have a friend that is currently living there; if she gets on I'll pass this to her so she can give you some feedback.