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@jgrub10 And why do you like Green Village more?

    I will just mention the food costs of the supermarket have skyrocketed last few years. I generally shop at the nacional but what I use to spend was about 25%-30% less than in the US but now is probably more for comparable.
Other items like health insurance are very reasonable in comparison.

Water 20 a month, utiltities 150 a month high usage 250, internet/tv 150
   

    -@DRVisitor

We've been visiting at least once annually, sometimes twice, since 2018.

We've seen the exact same trends in supermarket prices, also shopping primarily at various Nacional SMs in either Santo Domingo or Punta Cana.  We're also guilty of shopping for a lot of high-end imported items...because life without Nutella would be unbearable! 

Cannot speak directly to the utility costs, as we still rent (primarily Airbnb) or stay in hotels.  However, there's MANY posts on expat.com about wildly escalating utility costs.  The posts I've read definitely suggest arbitrary increases that seem to apply only to gringos...although I can't substantiate that myself.   

ExpatJim

@ExpatRusher

Have also seen increase in Santo Domingo Supermarkets as well recently and shopping in Pricesmart.

Utility costs have been on a rise in Cap Cana area and dealing with the infrastructure outages with utilites or water in Santo Domingo makes life a challenge.

... You should ask your real estate agent what the HOA fee is and exactly where that money goes/what you get for that money, AND have him/her show you the included amenities in writing, before putting any money down at all. I just think a fee like that is really, really high unless there are amenities we couldn't see. Also, much of Las Canas is still preconstruction so be careful putting any money down on a "promise". I don't know if they sell the lots there, separately, and then you can build on your own, or if the lot/house are a package deal.
   
    -@colmcb

Absolutely agree.

Promises of future amenities -- even if written into a contract -- aren't "real" in the DR.  Construction companies go bankrupt not infrequently, leaving behind projects that turn into shabby shells of developments.  Some are completed...many not. 

Everyone must come to their own conclusions, of course.  Maybe observers have become too skeptical and cynical. 

If someone wants to build in any particular development...hey, it's your money.  And maybe things will work out perfectly.

If there's just a few vital "lesson learned" re: DR real estate, though, I guess it would have to be these:

• DR real estate really is the Wild, Wild West.  Caveat Emptor ("Buyer Beware.")
• You cannot do "too much" due diligence in the DR.  Be very careful.
• With only a few exceptions, you should only "pay for" what you can actually see and touch, TODAY.   
• IMHO, an $800/mo HOA fee obscene at the very least.
• More importantly, if it's $800/mo today...what do you think it will be after the amenities are built and operating.
• The choice is yours, of course.  Just make sure you budget can handle the potential increases.
• There is no DR realtor training or "code of ethics" or even laws governing real estate agents.  Be extremely cautious. 
• A sub-note:  If you haven't yet had a DR real estate agent lie to your face without blinking...you simply haven't met enough of them yet.
• If you do connect with one that is trustworthy...treasure them highly. 
• That goes just as much -- and perhaps more -- for gringos and gringas as for Dominican agents.  In fact, the least honest agent I've met in the DR was an American transplant!!
• To be fair, we have met several good, honest agents in the DR.  However, we've met more that were very sketchy.  Again, caveat emptor!!

I'm sure the more seasoned folks can add a lot more to that list. 

Jim

Cap Cana is not dependent on the country for utilities. They have their own electrical grid, water and internet source. Their utilities are more dependable, but residents pay for it. I am a real estate agent. I had a client buying in there, the monthly fee for the residence was $800 US but it included the utilities and  insurance. Basically, you have to have a higher budget to live there, but it’s really nice in there. As far as food, inflation has gone up worldwide because of recent events that have affected us all, including the DR. However, you can cut cost and eat delicious, healthy foods by eating foods that grow locally. That helps keep our food cost down as a family of four.

@ExpatRusher

Exactly, well stated!

Yes everyone's experience is unique.

I was in Cap Cana previously, nice place and beach, not many people.  I was renting an apartment and I chose to setup an account with the private utility/electric company that supplies the area (CAP CANA CARIBE).   I always paid my bill before it was due.  When I moved out of the apartment, they stole the $400 deposit I had on account.   They said that it was in my contract, this is the setup fee, not to be returned.  No, its not in the contract which I converted to english.  I paid all use before I left (I went to the office with the meter reading) and they said they would return the deposit in a week.  Despite several requests, they just ignored me.   

I guess the office went out for lunch with my money!

Moral of this story, if you are renting, let the owner deal with the utility company, just pay the owner after they show you their bill. 

@Karin1

In the last few years it has grown with many more people. Big change and the water park just opened as well.

@DRVisitor Drove by the park about a month ago. Have now seen video's of the soft opening. It is nice.