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Not a great topic for this country.

Legally, to get residencia you need to qualify.  Family reunification is one means, work visa is another but the biggest majority qualify by means of a passive income stream.  For 1 person that is US 1,500 a month with 250 per month for each additional family member.

That is enough to live here decently! 

Living cheaply means living away from many services, living in bad neighborhoods and in many ways living like a lower income local. It means living away from other expats and tourist areas.

To work legally expats need to have residencia. Finding low paying service jobs in bad areas - not a good idea.

We are a developing nation according to the UN and not a place you want to live cheaply!  It can be done but really it's not easy!

You would need fluent spanish, a street wise attitude, able to live hours a day with no electricity, forego many comforts,  and be aware of and responsible for your own safety.

Coming from someone who is still in the planning phases of moving to the DR, I think you can live cheaper in most cities in DR due to low rents, lower cost to buy a condo or villa, lower food cost, car ins, property taxes (huge savings) and lower health insurance (health ins major savings) all compared to living in US or Canada.  On the other hand there are a lot of things I see I will be paying more for that I buy in US cheaper, like things you can find at a dollar store for an "actual dollar", products that I won't be able to find in stores in DR that I will have to order on Amazon and will cost me more in shipping, also a new vehicle, gasoline and car maintenance will probably all cost more in DR. Over all I think you can live cheaper in DR but I think a lot of people think they are going to live dirt cheap on the verge of free....but people working in DR need to make money to and can't sell "everything" for a couple dollars.

I think moving to DR allows people to retire earlier and enjoy life, trying to retire early in US is almost impossible anymore because even if you have savings, invest your money and have your house paid off you still have to pay health ins every month until age 65 ($600-$700 per month) if you quit your job to retire early and if you actually get sick it could wipe your savings out from health care bills.

So you can live cheap in DR in comparison to US...but if your looking for dirt cheap you may be uncomfortable with your surroundings and services in that area as Planner said.

And that is how I read the intent of this thread. 

Living here is less expensive then many other places.

Living cheaply is a very different idea!

Get yourself out of the major cities - and DR in reality has two, Santo Domingo and Santiago - and away from the tourist centres, and one can find a lower cost of living and a decent lifestyle in some of the smaller urban centres in this country.

We have members who do live in places like Moca, Bonao and Jarabacao and there are many other smaller urban centres throughout the country where expats have settled and live a good modest and cheap life. I've lived that life close to a small city in comfort and cheaply.

It is possible to find ones retreat in this varied country and live quite comfortably indeed buying your daily needs from local colmados and from the visiting vans loaded with produce and farmers direct. This lifestyle probably suits the independant travelled expat
either retired or semi retired or those that have businesses online or require short visits overseas. Some expats have taking to farming and others running a business.

DR is what you make it.

In this case Spanish is imperative!

Hello, my dear Expats!

  I Have only had the opportunity to live in two cities, Puerto plata and Santiago.
Which one is cheaper? Well that really depends the section of the city you choose to live in.

For example in Puerto plata the closer you are to the beach (tourist section) the higher the rent will be. But in the low class neighborhoods was cheaper and noisy
As for Santiago the expensive part of the city for living would be the high class section where is quiet and rent is higher. But inside the city within the regular neighborhood was cheaper but noisy as well.
I recommend Puerto Plata if you love the beach and rivers! But when it comes to finding work, it is limited for options since it's a small city.

Santiago is bigger and more of everything except it lacks beaches and rivers. You have malls, cinemas, museum, parks, better services and more businesses. I say with about $750 dollars a month for a single person should be enough to make ends meet in both cities. Except most jobs may offer a bit less. Just manage your money carfully.

Bottom line, they are both friendly cities but I definitely enjoyed it more in Puerto Plata. The rivers, the beaches and countryside was enjoyable!

It always depends what you are looking for, what is important and necessary to you!  With great info like this,  it helps others make informed choices. Thanks for your input!

Hey
I visit so far RD
3 times
2015
2016 2019
My wife is from there
I was in many places around RD
I think
Nice regions for start from 0
It means buy land and build home
Barahona region
I was on holiday
In  la Ciénaga
18 km south
You can eat good
Daily there for 100 peso or 150
Your lunch
Fried chicken with some
Fresh fruits around roads cheap
Good places for rent turism rooms