Editor’s note: This story was originally published here Live and invest abroad.
“Your Caribbean vacation is enough for me this year!” This was the reaction Bill Piatt got from his wife, Anne, when he proposed a trip to the Dominican Republic on a cold February day in Virginia.
At the time, the couple had just returned from spending four weeks on another Caribbean island.
They had originally booked for five weeks but couldn’t get themselves to stay even a minute longer. Not when a new cruise ship arrived every day, bringing thousands of tourists to the shores and filling restaurants and shops.
Anne was very happy to be home. But Bill felt missed. She found a Delta voucher that was about to expire and looked to see where it could take her… Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, it was. alone.
When Bill shared his story with us, he explained how, for several years before this random trip to the DR, the couple had been looking for their dream location abroad.
Over the course of 10 years, they visited Nicaragua, Ecuador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Belize, and parts of Spain – spending a month or more in each. He must have seen a lot. And, nothing had gone right yet.
Bill and Anne had a list (you should too). And, on the ground in the Dominican Republic, which shares the Caribbean island of Hispaniola with Haiti, it took only three days for Bill to find out he had found the place… pending approval from Anne.
This is a list of the Piats’ criteria for their new home abroad – as well as their impressions of how Las Terrenas measures up.
1. Close to the beach… but with trees for shade and mountains nearby
Las Terrenas DR has some of the most beautiful beaches. Each of its five beaches has its own character.
The area is surrounded by mountains and has palm trees in abundance for shade.
2. Affordable restaurants and cafes within walking distance
Not only are the dining options affordable, but almost every cuisine is covered, from French to Italian and Asian fusion.
You can get a delicious barbecue dish for $2 to $4 at the beach… a three-course dinner at a French restaurant for $7… and, when you want to splurge, you’ll be hard-pressed to spend more than $40 at the highest end (including drinks).
Expats living here complain that there are too many restaurants that they will never have time to try.
3. A welcoming, cosmopolitan community
For decades, European immigrants have been living in Las Terrenas and welcoming new neighbors. Each nationality brings its own flavor to the city and provides a diverse mix that is not typical for a Caribbean island.
4. Relatively ignored
The number of part-time and full-time migrants here far exceeds that of tourists. There are no cruise ships.
Many Caribbean islands offer little more than T-shirt and trinket shops and bars. In Las Terrenas, you can find all kinds of food specialty shops – from German butchers to French boulangeries – and also buy high-quality clothes.
5. Ease of access for local and international travels
Las Terrenas is connected to the capital Santo Domingo by a highway. It’s a two-hour drive to the airport, more shopping, and a sophisticated entertainment scene.
From Santo Domingo you can fly to Miami in two hours and to New York City in three and a half hours.
6. An emerging space with a clear path to progress
Las Terrenas has developed significantly since the installation of electricity in 1994. El Catty Airport, located 30 minutes away, was opened in 2006.
The highway to Santo Domingo was completed in 2008. And in 2014 a promenade was constructed along Playa Bonita.
7. Quality construction
Concrete homes are built to be earthquake and hurricane resistant. High quality finishings are available locally – as are highly skilled general contractors.
And construction prices here are lower than elsewhere in the Caribbean, averaging $200 per square foot.
8. Political stability
The DR government is stable and conservative in its management of the country.
9. Foreigners are welcome here
New residence and citizenship The options are perhaps the most accessible, cheapest and fastest available anywhere in the world… and make DR an easy place to live and invest.
10. An active lifestyle
Piats found that like many other places he looked, staying fit and healthy costs money. Here in Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic, you have the option of many free activities… and others at low cost.
Popular activities include kite flying, surfing, kayaking, horseback riding, fishing, sailing, hiking and swimming.
11. A completely walkable community
You can get everywhere around Las Terrenas, from the beaches to the town, on foot or by bike.
12. Quality health care in the Dominican Republic
In 2014 a new international clinic with English-speaking staff opened in Las Terrenas. There is also an emergency helicopter service to Santo Domingo, where you will find a facility. world class hospital With expert doctors.
So, Bill found that Las Terrenas ticked every single box on his list.
But what about Anne? “I’ll come and look at it, but we’re not buying anything!” It took him only 48 hours to reach. “No, we’re not getting a condo… I like that little villa over there.”