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Hi Sabrina. I live and work in Santo Domingo Domingo.

No you can't live near a beach and commute honey, way too far and traffic will kill you.

Piantini is a very expensive part of town.  We need to look at budget and transportation options first. I would prefer to keep that info private. I will message you.

Traffic in SD gets worse every day. In the capital there is value in living close or living on a transit route. Our Metro subway system is pretty good.  There is a fleet of new green busses hitting the streets and new overhead tramway is operational. It appears the govt is trying to get the situation under control. I don't believe they will ever succeed but they are helping.  The additional lengthening of line 2 of the metro goes live tomorrow!

My wife and i just completed a 12-day trip to the DR -- primarily looking for an investment property.  I'm certainly not an expert, but can share such conclusions as we reached. 

First, our results are oriented toward apartments/condos, as that is where the reasonable pricing is.  If you desire a home...you are talking lots of money in Santo Domingo.  I would caution against that unless very sure your new job is secure over the long term.  Rent or buy a modest apartment initially, and if everything works out you can upgrade later, perhaps even renting out the old one.

Second, EVERYONE we spoke with strongly recommended Piantini as tops for quality, safety and atmosphere.   You will feel safe walking those streets, and the nearby shopping and restaurants are high-quality. Piantini also seems to be the center of town, financially and new business-wise -- lots of nearby jobs.  Piantini thus won't be cheap by any stretch. 

Third, the adjacent Naco neighborhood came in second in recommendations and our investigation.  Naco is less expensive than Piantini, but also is clearly less-polished, a bit rougher around the edges.  It is greener than Piantini, but the traffic is heavier and the folks walking the streets are more blue collar.  Naco does seem to be booming and the newer construction seems aimed at higher quality (and incomes).  Naco will probably evolve into Piantini II, but also always stay a step or behind. 

BOTTOM LINE:  If we were looking for a personal residence, we would choose Piantini.  Investment-wise, I would choose Naco.  Piantini would be a great place for an investment, too, but the pricing currently provides slimmer returns.

Hope all that helps. 

Jim
Aka ExpatRusher

You need to be aware that if your office is based in Piantini (as mine was a few years ago), be prepared for a horrendous drive home if you choose to live, north of JFK and beyond or south of 27 de Febrero and beyond.

Frankly for a job in Piantini, ask to work flexible hours starting before 8am and leaving the office before 5pm, or live in Piantini or Naco.

I could not ever envisage that because the area is trapped amongst Churchill, Lincoln, JFK and 27th.

Bella Vista and nearby the Mirador Sur park is a better area imo and at least at weekends one can quickly escape the city, via 30 de Mayo and west and north using the toll ring road from Haina.

Knowing the traffic issues in SD should be a prime decision maker when moving there.