The Dominican Republic, an island in the Caribbean located between Cuba and Puerto Rico has the best views in the world. With a shared territory with Haiti and a well-developed Dominican Republic Residency, this place is paradise. Home to a diverse natural landscape of sandy beaches, Dominican Republic has amazing mountainous views.
Although vacations here are popular, the place is also a destination for other purposes. Retired living in the Dominican Republic is very alluring for seniors from all over the world. Although it’s not exactly cheap to retire to Dominican Republic, it is excellent compared to other destinations within the area.
What is the overall cost of living in Dominican Republic in US dollars?
It is possible to stay on a $1000 budget while living in the Dominican Republic as an American. Although you would have to convert USD to Punta Cana peso, it will still be inexpensive. This lifestyle also includes subtle lavishness and the usual entertainment as well as easy to obtain health insurance.
In this travel blog post, I’ll give you some advice useful for any US citizen moving to the Dominican Republic. But not to worry, this can help you also if you’re moving to the Dominican Republic from Canada or from some other part of the world. Go out and bring passion and liveliness back to your life as a retiree in the Dominican Republic! Just keep in mind that if you’re looking for Dominica citizenship by investment you’re interested in an entirely different country altogether 🙂
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House rentals in Dominican Republic
There are many reasons to choose retirement in the Dominican Republic.
First, house rentals are built according to the needs of retirement life in Dominican Republic. The rooms embrace a picture-perfect view, with a sense of calmness and peace. It’s easy to find cheap homes in the Dominican Republic with all the required necessities, as well as certain luxuries.
There are also some condos available for rentals, giving additional space. Based on the size and need, one can pick the rental suitable for them at budget-friendly prices.
And if you’re interested in buying, have a look at the beachfront condos for sale in Dominican Republic.
In addition to this, the Dominican Republic residency is a legal residence. It means that the residency status is identified and acknowledged by the Dominican Republic government. It adds to the charm of living in the Dominican Republic.
What are the safest cities to live in Dominican Republic?
The country’s main travel destinations and tourist attractions are safe. Therefore, while looking for the best place to live in Dominican Republic, you should consider its most frequented locations, such as Punta Cana, Santo Domingo’s Colonial City, Bayahibe/Dominicus, Samana Peninsula, and Puerto Plata.
These cities are typically incident-free for travelers, particularly in areas with a high concentration of hotels and resorts. So these are excellent places to start your new life in the Dominican Republic!
Eating like a Dominican
In the Dominican Republic, locally produced food in supermarkets is generally inexpensive. Rice, eggs, corn, beans, potatoes, and chicken are common staples in regional food and are inexpensive throughout the country. A loaf of bread costs about $1.21 on average, rice is 47 cents per pound, and a dozen eggs cost about $1.76, and boneless, skinless chicken breast costs about $2.22 per pound.
As a relatively small country, the Dominican Republic imports a large portion of consumer packaged goods found in grocery stores. In cities and tourist destinations, all types of international food products, such as cheese, meat, beer, and chocolate, are widely available.
Stick to local brands whenever possible, because imported food is usually quite expensive. You can easily enjoy a varied, entertaining diet for $200 or less while living in the Dominican Republic by purchasing outside of tourist areas, selecting domestically sourced foods, and cooking at home.
Health care
The healthcare system in the Dominican Republic is much less costly than in the United States. Private clinics in larger cities such as Santo Domingo and Santiago de los Caballeros, however, provide first-rate care. Many famous expatriate and tourist areas have private hospitals that provide high-quality care.
SafetyWing Remote Health for Travelers
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Going out while living in the Dominican Republic
Unless it is required for reception, eliminate cable TV—or at the very least, decrease it to the most basic plan.
For movies and other streaming possibilities, consider Netflix or Hulu.
While living in the Dominican Republic, seniors can visit museums, art galleries, and many musical concerts for free or at a reduced price. If you are a member of AARP or AAA, you may be eligible for special offers. Many schools offer seniors the opportunity to audit college classes for free.
Clothes and everything else
Ask about senior discounts wherever you go, even if you don’t see any signs about them. You’ll be amazed at how many places provide them but don’t publicize them. It never hurts to ask!
And, because you have more time than when you were working, make the most of it. Visit thrift stores. Participate in garage and yard sales, as well as swap meets. Grow your own food or at least a portion of it.
Other expenses when living in the Dominican Republic
Cleaning supplies and other hygiene products are generally inexpensive in the Dominican Republic. Imported items from the United States, such as perfumes and contact lenses, are, on the other hand, very costly. The majority of expats living in the Dominican Republic spend about $100 a month on these kinds of expenses. Please remember that if you intend to buy imported cosmetic products and clothing, you may require a larger budget.
In the Dominican Republic, major cities have public bus infrastructures, while smaller towns have a variety of transportation options. In many coastal cities, “guaguas” or taxis are popular means of transportation. You can also take a motorcycle taxi (known as a “moto concho”) or a traditional taxi, which can be found at defined stations. Public transport fares are usually determined by the city and distance traveled, but in general, a ride will cost you less than a dollar. Of course, it is best to haggle taxi fares with locals before getting in or on the vehicle.
Dominican Republic residency permit overview
Create an account on the Dominican Republic Immigration website and start your application process.
- Use the same type of visa (e.g. Dominican Republic retirement visa) used for your temporary residence permit.
- Collect relevant documents and upload them to the website. You can view the details of your residency status online.
- You must bring all necessary documents to the Santo Domingo Immigration office. If you hire an attorney, he or she will be able to bring the papers on your behalf, saving you the trip to Santo Domingo.
- You will be scheduled for a medical exam. Includes a blood test, X-ray of the chest, and a clinical interview.
- Options for payment (Online or In-Person in Santo Domingo). If you want to save time in the Immigration office and use your credit card, I recommend paying online.
The website will be updated with the appointment date for Santo Domingo. If you are unable to attend on the scheduled date, you may re-schedule for a fee of 1000 pesos.
Budget sample for living in the Dominican Republic
If you’re wondering what is the cost of living in Dominican Republic vs USA, have a look below:
- Renting a comfortable 2-bedroom apartment or small villa close to town: $300-800
- Basic services (water, gas, “reasonable” electricity, and Internet/TV): $150
- Groceries: $200
- Public transit: $35 (more if you own a vehicle)
- Other expenses (e.g. personal items): $125
You still have $190 a month to spend on restaurants, movies, travel, and health insurance on this budget.
Please remember to account for unforeseen costs and emergencies that can come up after you retire to Dominican Republic.
Frugal living when you retire in Dominican Republic
Don’t get up too early after retiring in the Dominican Republic. Waiting until the sun comes up saves electricity. Allow yourself plenty of time to get where you need to go to save money on gas. Rushing is one of the most powerful enemies of frugality. Rushing not only wastes energy but also wastes resources. Finally, don’t try to be frugal in all areas at once.
A frugal budget is one that is cost-conscious and values saving as much as feasible. It’s critical to consider the lifestyle you want in retirement, as well as what you can afford while living in the Dominican Republic, to see if frugality fits. Being careful with money can be freeing and should not be regarded as a penalty. Enjoy your frugal expat life Dominican Republic while staying comfortable for less.
After reading my Retiring Guide Dominican Republic, you can learn more about living in the Dominican Republic on Info Dominican Republic.
Saqlain Spectrumbpo has been living in the Dominican Republic for some time and he loves sharing his travel experience with others. He also likes playing computer games and has a great interest in exploring content writing.
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