We have been living in the Dominican Republic for 3 years now(wow, time has flown by) and have found a lifestyle that we are comfortable with at about 1000.00 US a month. Mind you, we do not live in a tourist area so rent for a large 4 bedroom house is only 275.00 US a month. We have friends that pay just a litlle less for a small two bedroom apartment in a town near the beach.

For transportation we have a small Jeepeta (SUV) which serves us well driving over the rough roads here and not guzzling too much gas (about 60 US every two weeks) and a pasola(scooter) for puttering around town about 5 US (week). Because our Jeepeta is older (2001) we do not keep full insurance coverage on it, just the basics which cost us about 100 US/yr and for the scooter is about 30 US/yr.

When we first came here we ate a lot of rice, fruits and vegetables, and other local dishes. Although cheaper we found that it was too drastic a change for us and so we began shopping at LaSirena and Nacional for a more diverse diet. This past year we splurged on a Price Mart membership (like Costco, Sam's Club) and our food budget climbed to about 250 US month.

Power and water stays between 30-45 US per month but we live without many appliances such as dishwasher, dryer and television.

Internet and home phone is about 45 US per month. It goes up from there.

The rest is incidentals.

 

Thanks for the information.

Is 250 US for food included in the 1000 US a month or it goes over?
What about health coverage/services? What about safety? I've seen a lot of grids on the windows, doors, terraces.
Do you speak spanish?
How is the food, good, tasty?
For the 275 rent what do you get please? Running water, air conditioning, bathroom, kitchen, satellite, natural gases for cooking?
Where are located your friends near the beach? Does it mean you are nowhere near the ocean? We are interested in renting but near the beach.
Sorry if I asked too many questions.