RockyM
American expat in Dominican Republic
Forum posts
522
Contacts
7
About me
American
Lives in Las Terrenas, Samaná
Speaks English, some Spanish
Registration: 22 May 2019
Activity
My anniversary... by planner
It comes by every year, this time #22. Wow it's hard to remember all that has gone on over this time! I should have kept a full diary of what has gone on! Yup, some day I should write a book! For now dealing with a health issue which I will detail ...
Happy belated anniversary!! 😇 Read More
"Anything Goes" thread by planner
I have created a new thread where you are free to discuss any topics you want! Rules that apply: no name calling, no insulting. Feel free to exchange ideas on politics etc! I will ask to have this pinned so we don't lose it.This is where you can ...
I was recently up in the mountains and a herd of cows came down the road 25 - 30 so I pulled over, and as they got close to my truck two of them started to fight butting heads back and forth , low and be hold they banged into the truck , twice, ... Read More
Hurricane season 2025 by planner
Lets use this to track the storms that are on the way! Our last one Erin passed to the north of us and had few serious affects on us. I do not think we will always get this lucky so lets keep track of whats going on here!Currently we are watching ...
Yes I have no idea why the Mona passage would steer hurricanes. Just something I read a while back. The water is very turbulent there I know. Read More
Most common scams in Dominican Republic by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Settling in Dominican Republic as an expat implies navigating into a new and unfamiliar environment and habits, making you potentially vulnerable to scammers. Whether it’s immigration or finance advice, housing scam, online ...
@pharrison742 There are some good ones here. We also use Guzman Ariza. They are a bit costly but probably the best you will find in the DR. They've been around a long time and appear legit. My impression is sole proprietors are the issue most often ... Read More
restaurant Spanish by wondering9
I had a nice restaurant meal yesterday and while I was trying to pay the waitress kept saying "fiscal?" Once I took out my credit card and she saw it, everything went smoothly, but I'm still curious what "fiscal" means in that particular context. ...
We are usually asked "normal", and say yes. I guess "fiscal" is the alternative. Read More
Most common scams in Dominican Republic by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Settling in Dominican Republic as an expat implies navigating into a new and unfamiliar environment and habits, making you potentially vulnerable to scammers. Whether it’s immigration or finance advice, housing scam, online ...
@ConiferBTW, this phenomenon of price creep is happening all over the world, not just in your bubble. We have looked at Panama and Portugal as next destinations for us and guess what, the foreigners are driving up the cost of living for locals. And ... Read More
Most common scams in Dominican Republic by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Settling in Dominican Republic as an expat implies navigating into a new and unfamiliar environment and habits, making you potentially vulnerable to scammers. Whether it’s immigration or finance advice, housing scam, online ...
@Conifer When they see the car, the house and/or my complexion they charge more. Period. There is no negotiating, I understand the barter culture and all that but it doesn't work, at least where I am. Again, sorry for your troubles. Read More
Most common scams in Dominican Republic by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Settling in Dominican Republic as an expat implies navigating into a new and unfamiliar environment and habits, making you potentially vulnerable to scammers. Whether it’s immigration or finance advice, housing scam, online ...
@ConiferThe reality is that often we have to pay what we are charged! For example, try to find a plumber in Las Terrenas that will not attempt to overcharge you if you live in a house or drive a car, which locals interpret as "wealthy". That's just ... Read More
Are these foods available in Santo Domingo (or elsewhere in the DR)? by wondering9
me again -- wondering if it's possible to buy these foods here(1) sugar-free peanut butter (the kind without additives, just peanuts and maybe salt)(2) tofuclues welcome!if they're really not available, knowing that would also be helpful too.thanks!
We have not found sugar free peanut butter in the country. I thought we found some at PriceSmart but my wife indicates they have the mucked up stuff as well. Sorry. Read More
Most common scams in Dominican Republic by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Settling in Dominican Republic as an expat implies navigating into a new and unfamiliar environment and habits, making you potentially vulnerable to scammers. Whether it’s immigration or finance advice, housing scam, online ...
@Karin1The locals, at least around here, believe we white ex-pats (gringos if you will, although I despise the term) have literally unlimited funds. I've had locals stare at me in disbelief when I have indicated I don't have enough cash on hand to ... Read More
Most common scams in Dominican Republic by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Settling in Dominican Republic as an expat implies navigating into a new and unfamiliar environment and habits, making you potentially vulnerable to scammers. Whether it’s immigration or finance advice, housing scam, online ...
The interesting thing is locals do not consider it "stealing", since that is against their Christianity. They prefer to think they are just outsmarting you (i.e. if you do not know any better that's your fault). Sadly this is why I do not hire ... Read More
Tap water do's and don't's by wondering9
Another newbie question! this about what to do while Airbnb-ing (not, eg, about installing a home system).Just how hard-core do you have to be about tap water safety?Does it differ in different parts of the country?Is it safe if boiled? (Can you use ...
You may get varying answers to this, but I can provide my opinion. I would not ingest ANY water in any way here (drinking, brushing teeth, etc). I don't believe the water is reliable in any region of this country. The problem is although water is ... Read More
Solar Energy in Punta Cana by Ethen Royal
Hello, I am look for some information to have solar energy installed at my villa. Does anyone have any contacts in the area who can do this, or does anyone know the price range this should be around?
Sorry I do not; however, the advice I can provide, since we do have a solar system here, is to find someone that can not only install but maintain and troubleshoot the system. Solar companies here treat installations as "plug and play". They can put ... Read More
Use of cleaning lady by ddaoud3
Hello all:I am using an independent cleaning lady in DR, whom I use after I or short-term rental guests leave. Is there a clear legal process in handling such arrangement? She is not employed staff, just hired on the job-to-job basis. Are there ...
What Planner says also goes for home repair. I normally provide tools, ladders, and materials. They tend to show up on a pasola with no tools. And whether they know how to actually do what you ask them to do is another question. Read More
Part-Time Domestic Help Rules by KaiserS
I have a question about DR government rules regarding Part-Time domestic help. I had a part-time maid who worked a few hours per day, once a week, at her own convenience, and sometimes only a couple of times a month. At the end of the month she ...
@planner Thanks for all the info. After digesting all this, I've come to the conclusion that's it will be simpler for me to clean my house myself! 😊 - @KaiserSGood idea. The only person we have hired here is a gardener (hot sun and all). He ... Read More