Kclarklopez
American expat in Dominican Republic
Forum posts
43
About me
American
Lives in Santiago
Registration: 26 May 2014
One Month in Santiago - **Help Needed**
I live in Santiago, for a year and a half now. Check air bnb for a place to stay. Seems you have to really know someone to find furnished places otherwise. The nicer American style furnished apartments in good areas are $1000-1300 that I have seen. ... Read More
Temporary Resdidencia - first steps! by planner
As a regular person, not applying for work visa or a retirement special status recidencia, you can apply for the temporary residencia. The principal difference is that you will require a local sponsor to vouch for you and your family when applying ...
I was told by an immigration official when going through this process, that if I do not apply for residency during that 60 day period, I would have to apply for the visa- at the consulate in my home country and pay the costs again to do so- and ... Read More
Essentials to live in Dominican Republic by Christine
Hi, As an expat living in Dominican Republic, what would you advise the ones about to pack to bring along? What are the items you can easily find in Dominican Republic? On the other hand, what is less common or quite expensive? Share with ...
After ten months here a few things come to mind immediately: any vitamin or supplement, contact lenses, good mosquito repellent, all electronics, all sheets and towels you may need, pots and pans, cotton T shirts, shoes, protein bars or any ... Read More
Car accident yesterday! by planner
Yes, I had a car accident yesterday. We have had a lot of questions lately about driving and insurance so here is a first hand account! I was driving north at 11:40 am, slowed at the entrance to Universidad O Y M and stopped, I looked and ...
Just want to say that I am sorry about all your trouble. Your a great person who helps others all the time. Your sharing the upsetting details is another example of that- we all need to know this. I will be making my husband read the whole thread! ... Read More
Renting an Apartment by Kclarklopez
What is the best way to locate an apartment and get the best rate? Any tips on avoiding the gringo up charge? Should you just assume that negotiating the price down is part of the deal? Is that expected by the Dominican agent or landlord? What are ...
About to rent an apartment. The agent is asking for two month's deposit, one month commission, PLUS the lawyer says WE have to pay her $1500 pesos to make the landlord's contract. Is that normal? Is there anything else I should watch for in ... Read More
Citizenship through Dominican Husband for Wife and Kids by Kclarklopez
What paperwork that might be easier to obtain in the US that we should bring before coming to DR? (I have the marriage record and birth records of all of us, apostilled specifically for DR. I can get them translated into Spanish here or there, I ...
I wanted to let you and others know that you were RIGHT to advise contacting the consulate in Miami BEFORE coming to DR. I was advised by an attorney in DR that I did not need to, since my husband is a Dominican citizen. (Possibly his advice was no ... Read More
Tipping Guide
Being new to the country, we don't want to raise the bar for others, nor do we want to short the deserving. We have definitely noticed the extremely casual attitude towards customer service, and would definitely reward anyone exceptional, but ... Read More
Round Trip Tickets Always Required? by Kclarklopez
Do all airlines- or is it the government-require you to buy a round trip ticket into and then out of the DR if you are not a Dominican citizen? With strict change fees and a family of four, I hate to guess when we will return. Is there any way ...
Thanks for all the replies-I now have a plan! Read More
Round Trip Tickets Always Required?
Do all airlines- or is it the government-require you to buy a round trip ticket into and then out of the DR if you are not a Dominican citizen? With strict change fees and a family of four, I hate to guess when we will return. Is there any way ... Read More
Options for Transporting Dogs
Yes, we actually helped him lose 2 pounds, thinking only weight was involved, then I found out that the height and length disqualifies him anyway. We also have a Havanese puppy! A pet relo service said for this situation to get him on an extremely ... Read More
Options for Transporting Dogs
He is 18.7 lbs and exceeds height and length guidelines of the airlines. Read More
Options for Transporting Dogs
We have a family pet that is too big to travel in the cabin, and a flat faced breed (Shitzu) that can not be transported in the cargo area. Airlines do not permit breeds such as these (pugs, boxers, etc) due to potential breathing problems due to ... Read More
Citizenship through Dominican Husband for Wife and Kids by Kclarklopez
What paperwork that might be easier to obtain in the US that we should bring before coming to DR? (I have the marriage record and birth records of all of us, apostilled specifically for DR. I can get them translated into Spanish here or there, I ...
I received a quick reply this time from Mr. Rood. For the good of all, here is his reply minus my personal info: Yes, you can skip the residence process since you are married to a Dominican citizen. You'll need to bring the following ... Read More
Citizenship through Dominican Husband for Wife and Kids by Kclarklopez
What paperwork that might be easier to obtain in the US that we should bring before coming to DR? (I have the marriage record and birth records of all of us, apostilled specifically for DR. I can get them translated into Spanish here or there, I ...
Thanks, I just sent a second email to Mr. Rood. I emailed him 1/10/15, but I did not receive a response for some reason. The kids belong to my husband (weird, I know 馃槈!) I read that when you are family of the Dominican man, you can skip the ... Read More
Citizenship through Dominican Husband for Wife and Kids
What paperwork that might be easier to obtain in the US that we should bring before coming to DR? (I have the marriage record and birth records of all of us, apostilled specifically for DR. I can get them translated into Spanish here or there, I ... Read More
Cedula - Driver's License by Kclarklopez
What is the purpose of the Cedula? Is it a driver's license, or just an ID card? What does it cost and what is required to get permission to drive?
Yes, he was declared- funny- 9 months after his birth, when they got. a round to It! Read More
Cedula - Driver's License by Kclarklopez
What is the purpose of the Cedula? Is it a driver's license, or just an ID card? What does it cost and what is required to get permission to drive?
I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean by, "were you declared here?" Read More
Purchasing and Insuring Used Vehicles by Kclarklopez
I remember reading a foreigner needs top of the line car insurance. Is it true that the best insurance is only available for newer vehicles, perhaps after ten years no longer qualifies for that type of policy? I have read good deals on used ...
Thanks for the helpful info. I will check out the ads, Read More
Cedula - Driver's License by Kclarklopez
What is the purpose of the Cedula? Is it a driver's license, or just an ID card? What does it cost and what is required to get permission to drive?
Does a returning Dominican citizen need to start the process in the US? I will search the blog now for the info? Read More
Expat Friendly Bank in Santigo by Kclarklopez
Does anyone have a recommendation for the best place for an expat to bank in Santiago? Will you tell me why you recommend them? Even if not in Santiago, can you give an example of how foreign income is moved into the country, converted to pesos, ...
Thanks for the helpful replies! Read More
Cedula - Driver's License
What is the purpose of the Cedula? Is it a driver's license, or just an ID card? What does it cost and what is required to get permission to drive? Read More
Purchasing and Insuring Used Vehicles
I remember reading a foreigner needs top of the line car insurance. Is it true that the best insurance is only available for newer vehicles, perhaps after ten years no longer qualifies for that type of policy? I have read good deals on used ... Read More
Expat Friendly Bank in Santigo
Does anyone have a recommendation for the best place for an expat to bank in Santiago? Will you tell me why you recommend them? Even if not in Santiago, can you give an example of how foreign income is moved into the country, converted to pesos, ... Read More
What are my rights as a renter!!! by sellingthe7seas
I recently rented a nice home just outside of Sosua. I'm very pleased with the property as well as the location. I was looking for tranquility and privacy. The property has a main house, two casitas and a pool. When I went to see the house, the ...
That's awesome! Thanks for filling us in. Read More
What are my rights as a renter!!! by sellingthe7seas
I recently rented a nice home just outside of Sosua. I'm very pleased with the property as well as the location. I was looking for tranquility and privacy. The property has a main house, two casitas and a pool. When I went to see the house, the ...
What ever happened with your crazy landlord? I am quite interested since I soon will be signing a lease myself! Read More
Internet Needed for Two Weeks by Kclarklopez
Does anyone know what device and company we need to select so that we can have internet while in Santiago for two weeks? Please be specific, I am not tech savvy! We are having a very hard time finding some place to stay that has dependable internet. ...
Thank you. That is very helpful. We have a business that has always been owner operated. We have re- organized and increased our staff, enhanced certain safeguards and now hope to oversee from Santiago, with a few trip back per year. We believe we ... Read More
Internet Needed for Two Weeks by Kclarklopez
Does anyone know what device and company we need to select so that we can have internet while in Santiago for two weeks? Please be specific, I am not tech savvy! We are having a very hard time finding some place to stay that has dependable internet. ...
We are settling in Santiago...goal is late April. Can't wait to escape my treadmill life here in the US! Read More
Setting up "House"
Shopping in an unfamiliar country is a challenge. From our brief stays, we have observed, to set up a comfortable rental apartment for our family we may need to purchase: a stove and refrigerator, washer and dryer, room ac unit, an inverter, a water ... Read More
Internet Needed for Two Weeks by Kclarklopez
Does anyone know what device and company we need to select so that we can have internet while in Santiago for two weeks? Please be specific, I am not tech savvy! We are having a very hard time finding some place to stay that has dependable internet. ...
I was thinking there is a device you buy from cell providers. In the US we have a mobile hot spot for when we travel and then we pay for the data. Anything like that available in DR? Also, I have seen wi-fi boosters at Costco (remember that ... Read More
Internet Needed for Two Weeks
Does anyone know what device and company we need to select so that we can have internet while in Santiago for two weeks? Please be specific, I am not tech savvy! We are having a very hard time finding some place to stay that has dependable internet. ... Read More
Renting an Apartment by Kclarklopez
What is the best way to locate an apartment and get the best rate? Any tips on avoiding the gringo up charge? Should you just assume that negotiating the price down is part of the deal? Is that expected by the Dominican agent or landlord? What are ...
Thank you, that is very helpful! Read More
Renting an Apartment by Kclarklopez
What is the best way to locate an apartment and get the best rate? Any tips on avoiding the gringo up charge? Should you just assume that negotiating the price down is part of the deal? Is that expected by the Dominican agent or landlord? What are ...
Thanks- great info. We are hoping our Dominican relatives can pre-shop for us. Hubby is Dominican by birth and fluent in Spanish, but raised in the US, so we don't understand a lot of things in the day to day business. Read More
Renting an Apartment
What is the best way to locate an apartment and get the best rate? Any tips on avoiding the gringo up charge? Should you just assume that negotiating the price down is part of the deal? Is that expected by the Dominican agent or landlord? What are ... Read More
Health Insurance in the DR by Castellamonte
Today when I was getting onto this site I noticed an advertisement for Cigna Health Insurance. While a laudable concept, I have to point out that it is less interesting than one might think. Health insurance in the Dominican Republic is only as ...
Thanks for your speedy reply. That is very helpful. I am remembering the travel policy I carried last trip over had an option that was the reverse of the one I purchased...for citizens living abroad, I believe, needing temporary coverage...More ... Read More
Health Insurance in the DR by Castellamonte
Today when I was getting onto this site I noticed an advertisement for Cigna Health Insurance. While a laudable concept, I have to point out that it is less interesting than one might think. Health insurance in the Dominican Republic is only as ...
Hello, Bob. I am interested in the international health insurance. Would you mind telling me the name of your provider? We are moving over soon, but will go back and forth 2-3 times a year with the whole family. Health insurance in the US is about ... Read More
Cosmetology School
Is there a cosmetology school in Santiago? What is the tuition cost? How long is the course? Is a license required to practice cosmetology in the DR? Read More
Health Insurance in the DR by Castellamonte
Today when I was getting onto this site I noticed an advertisement for Cigna Health Insurance. While a laudable concept, I have to point out that it is less interesting than one might think. Health insurance in the Dominican Republic is only as ...
Hello! We are coming from Florida with a family of four in about six weeks to secure an apartment in Santiago. We will be staying only two weeks, but returning to stay full time within a couple months after that. Is it too soon to start shopping ... Read More
General Chit Chat by planner
This is a new thread for us to capture the "chit chat". This is just to ramble, to engage in how are you's, to chat so that we don't get our other threads too far off topic!!!!! And would work for a base of referrals, recommendations or silly ...
Speaking of prescription drugs.... I read somewhere that about 40% of the RX drugs are substandard or even fraudulent. Is there truth to the assertion that you have to be cautious where you buy your drugs? It was unclear to me if these fakes ... Read More
Recent NEWS, Changes and Happenings...... by planner
Another new thread which I will sticky, where we can post Big news, Law Changes, and other Major Happenings!
Thanks for the helpful info! Read More
Dominican Citizen Returning- Business, Taxes, Dual Citizenship by Kclarklopez
My husband left the Dominican Republic at the age of four, so he has limited knowledge of living adult life there. He does have family still there who can share certain info, but are likely not too savvy on these subjects. As we have been reading ...
My husband inherited a never give up, just work harder attitude from his parents who scratched and scrapped until they created a good life for their family- against all odds in the US 40 plus years ago. Ironic that he now is showing the same bravery ... Read More
Dominican Republic Retirement Program by isaacb20747
I would like to start the process for the Dominican Republic Retirement Program. Can I start the process here in Washington DC or do I need to start the process in Dominican Republic? What are the steps for retiring in Dominican Republic? Are the ...
Bob, "Prove solvency?" To the tune of guaranteed income from US or a certain amount of money in Dominican or US bank? Or....? Read More
Dominican Citizen Returning- Business, Taxes, Dual Citizenship by Kclarklopez
My husband left the Dominican Republic at the age of four, so he has limited knowledge of living adult life there. He does have family still there who can share certain info, but are likely not too savvy on these subjects. As we have been reading ...
Thanks for all the input! Here in Florida we pay federal tax on incomes, business taxes, sales tax 6%, real estate tax, tourist tax, permits and licenses for everything. Is it pretty much the same there? And what is that special tax at ... Read More
Dominican Citizen Returning- Business, Taxes, Dual Citizenship
My husband left the Dominican Republic at the age of four, so he has limited knowledge of living adult life there. He does have family still there who can share certain info, but are likely not too savvy on these subjects. As we have been reading ... Read More