I mentioned in another forum I would post my experiences, as they are happening (for the most part) about my upcoming move!
I hope this helps others see what it may really be like. Note that not all moves will be like this, hopefully mine will go smoothly. I have lived in the DR almost 10 years. I speak good Spanish. I am pretty savvy.
Lets back up a couple of months. I was living in Puerto Plata and doing contract consulting work. I have clients all over the country. One particular client needs me to be in Santo Domingo and that suited me on a personal level. Sooner then I wanted to, I packed up and moved to the La Capital.
A good friend of mine graciously offered to store some of my things for me - thanks soooo much - while I stayed with another friend and went through the process of finding the RIGHT place to live. Side note - we are having a blast - she cooks, I clean. We talk and talk and talk, we laugh, we are good company for each other and we will miss each other when I move to my house.
The search:
First you need to learn how to look for a place. In North America you might open the daily newspaper and check out the classified listings, and or check online.
Here that is not really how its done - first their are few ads, they are usually the upper end of the market and my experience, they are usually overpriced.
A first step - decide what areas you want to live in. Some things to consider
- transportation - how to commute to work or appointments
- electrical circuit - 24/7 A circuit, B, C or D circuit. Reality even a 24/7 circuit can go down but count on at least 4 hour a day outage on a B and it increases from there.
- does your cell phone provider have good coverage there?
- other services - internet, cable or satelite dish -coverage available
- water - not all areas get regular water supply
- safety - what is the relative safety in this area? Some are less safe then others and you need to do your homework.
Once you decide on several areas - don't limit yourself too much, start looking around the area, walk or drive the streets, take photos, note for rent signs and phone numbers. Ask taxi drivers, they know everything! Start calling and setting up to go see. But don't stop looking and asking.
Use social media!!! YUP, ask people for help. Email all your friends, business associates, use LinkedIn to ask for help. Here the great places will go fast via the "network".
I looked at a number of places. I found a couple places I liked. But I kept looking and asking. THEN I FOUND IT. A friend of mine on FaceBook messaged me about a house 2 doors down from her parents in one of my selected areas!!! WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOO
Next post. I go see the house and we start talking!!!!