Hello and thanks for stopping by! You might notice I have a bit of everything here. I started this channel to document my life abroad and share my honest opinions/reviews of books, products, services, companies, and even social media. I have lived in the Dominican Republic since 2020, and before that, I lived in Honduras working as a TEFL teacher. Sometimes I make videos in Spanish depending on the audience I want to reach, but most of the time, my videos are in English. Recently, I’ve been inspired by minimalism and therefore some of my videos touch on that. This year might bring a lot of changes, so I hope you’ll stay tuned for the ride!
For everyone saying “this is not enough, you have to live in the worst areas, not living a life.” Let me tell you, Dominicans living in the best areas, with good cars, “living like a king,” in average make $2,000/mo (some much more, some less), and these are the people with the higher standard of living, that even by US standards you would say they live like the rich. So, you definitely CAN live comfortably on $800 a month as a couple with no children, also considering that $400 a month is a minimum wage salary in the DR, $800 is DOUBLE that. If you learn the local way of life and live like a local (which is NOT equivalent to living poorly), you can live on this budget AND still enjoy life. Knowing Spanish is also important! Not to mention that everyone enjoys life in different ways. If your idea of enjoying life involves constant spending, then you’ll struggle anywhere you go. If you want to live on perpetual vacation, you will definitely need large amounts of money to sustain your lifestyle; but if your intent is to simply live well in the DR, you can make it work. No judgment on those who need more to feel they’re living comfortably, since everyone has different tastes, but if you say that this budget is not realistic means you still don’t know the country as well as you thought you did.
I definitely agree with the no jewelry. Over the past few years I have definitely changed the way i dress when i visit. 1. Because it’s so damn hot, 2. Even our most casual dress in the USA is still appropriate for just about any places you go on the island. With the exception of a few fancy restaurants.
oh gosh, please reconsider. if you’re a white person/foreigner they will treat you like terribly. ESPECIALLY if you have an accent. they are so rude i’m telling you. (i don’t mean to hate on the video it’s just… it’s the truth. i’m speaking from experience)
$800 a month? I was born(live) here, you can live here with $400 a month. Thats the average middle class family income. Unlike USA, things are cheaper here.
Basically rediculous. Living like a local? Really? I've lived in 9 countries. Living like a local is a pretty low bar. These places have low costs for a reason. No money. The race to the bottom in DR leads to levels that will surpass your worst nightmares. Good luck. You'll need it. Make sure your moms will pay for a ticket home when you bail.
for all people who say wooooow that is amazing, I will move to the DR. Please note, this is like living in the US from 1000usd/month!! so not really LIVING!! In real a couple who want to LIVE comfortable will spend 2000 - 4000 usd depends on lifestyle. Me personally I spend for example just on food around 1500usd/month for 2.
I appreciate that you’re trying to help people! However, the amount of money one spends does not determine whether or not one is living. Many people across the globe, myself included, live excellent lives spending low amounts of money. 😊
I purchased red Margot Mary-Janes four or five months ago. The padded sole hurt a little bit on the first day and my heels were reddish but the next day it got better and now it feels like walking on a memory foam. I usually wear them all day and they are so comfortable. I washed them four or five times already and they are intact. I know that excitement over something is not fashionable these days, but I LOVE these shoes.
Thank you for watching! 🤗 If you want to know 12 of my best money-saving tips for how to live abroad in the DR on this low of a budget, check out this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-2odr3KjwwG4.html
It’s all a trap. What do you mean 1,500 A MONTH to immigration for retired people? For what? To put up with all the blaring noise from the nonstop scooters? From blaring Batchata music everywhere you go? For having to watch snatchers constantly? Not to mention the disorganized bumper to bumper traffic that is not regulated? Hell no!
Thank you so much Kara.. I’m planning to move there with my family next year or so.. is it possible to get more from you on how to do so..? Samuel, North Carolina
I like the country... but I would Not recommend driving there. Very hostile. At 8:10 - At one point, it was 100% top country for motorcycle accidents... although it may not be #1 now.
As you know, the medical system is not United States. It's there... They will set broken bones ok, plus other medicines banned in some countries. In general: enjoy traveling while you are young. While in your 30s, you probably don't have to think about trips to the hospital. Going to the hospital in the D.R. is 'a trip'... as they demand full payment when you are helped before release.
It very much depends how you want to live. Most expats that live here at a similar standard to the US will spend the same as the USA. if you want to just survive here in a rural shack then you can get by on very little money. If you like going out to restaurants and drinking alcohol, ordering quality items online, and living close to the beach with other expats it’s going to cost you a lot.
Are 1 bedroom furnished apartments available and could you recommend a decent area. I'm planning on moving there in November for at least 1 year. And could please recommend a site or a person that could aide me in this upcoming apartment source.. Thank you 🙏
Generally in plain day not dangerous but late at night always take taxi, otherwise 100 % sure something will happen .simply understand that many people are hungry, and at home cannot pay the rent a lot of people are in extreme poverty, they are survivors don t run for trouble
$255 for rent is very inexpensive. However what type of place do you live in? Is the neighborhood nice? Is the quality of the apartment good? This isn't rhetorical. I'm seriously asking because I don't know anything about rent in the Dominican Republic.
Good questions! I live in a large, gated residential complex. The neighborhood and quality are both fairly good, could be a bit better, but it's comfortable for me. For reference, several Dominicans we know consider this expensive. If one looks for apartments downtown, rent will be much higher.
