What is it like to live in a place that many of us only know from postcards? Discover the unknown face of the Dominican Republic, as told by those who decided to move there. Is living here really like living in a fairy tale?
Life Here Is Peaceful
The first thing that surprises Poles the most after landing in the Dominican Republic is the so-called “lifestyle,” or the way of being of the residents. It will hardly come as a surprise to anyone if we write that Dominicans have an exceptionally light and carefree approach to life—the surprise, however, is seeing this with your own eyes, because such a high level of the “I don’t care about” ideology is something our compatriots cannot even dream of
The residents of the Dominican Republic are true masters in the art of enjoying the moment and not worrying about everyday problems. Their favorite saying, “tranquilo, no pasa nada” (relax, nothing’s happening), perfectly reflects this philosophy. A short walk through the streets of Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, or a smaller town is enough to notice that no one here lives in a hurry. On the one hand, this is very convenient—after all, no one will hold it against you if you are late for an important meeting at a restaurant—but on the other hand, this is not a lifestyle for everyone. If you value punctuality and professionalism even in “non-business” relationships, in the long run you may feel tired of the omnipresent casualness.
Another element that may surprise Poles is the Dominicans’ relaxed approach to time. The famous “mañana” (meaning “tomorrow”) often does not mean a specific day, but rather an indefinite future. Thanks to the local atmosphere, it is easy to feel at home—residents greet tourists like old friends, and their warmth can be impressive. Interestingly, despite relatively modest living conditions, many Dominicans do not seem to complain or worry about the future. Their priorities are family, friends, and moments of joy that do not require large expenses. As you can see, moving to the Dominican Republic can bring several valuable life lessons. 😉
Prices Are Relatively Low
Although the Dominican Republic looks “like on postcards” only in selected places (larger cities, tourist resorts), this does not mean that everyday life here is hard and modest. Average earnings are not particularly high, but the exact same can be said about the relatively low prices. For example:
- the cost of weekly groceries for one person is approximately 3,000 DOP, which is just over 200 zlotys;
- filling up a car with gasoline “to full” (let’s assume it is 50 liters) costs approximately 4,500 DOP, which is just over 300 zlotys;
- renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, including utilities (electricity, water, gas, heating), costs approximately 24,500 DOP, which is just over 1,600 zlotys.
For this reason, the national average is completely sufficient to be able to live “at a good level”—that is, without worrying about bills and without denying yourself pleasures. The Dominican Republic is often associated with the much more expensive Las Vegas (due to sunny weather, palm trees, picturesque views, and beautifully lit cities). It is no wonder, then, that in the imagination of many Poles, the Dominican Republic is also a place where you have to work two jobs to be able to live decently. However, the reality is the opposite by 180 degrees, as in many aspects life in the Dominican Republic is much cheaper than in Poland.
The best example of this is Dominican real estate—which presents a high standard (even “premium” class) at very low prices, compared to prices in large Polish cities such as Warsaw or Wrocław and apartments by the Polish sea. A medium-sized apartment with a beautiful view of the beach can be purchased for the equivalent of $200,000—such real estate prices in Poland can often only be dreamed of.
It Is Worth Being a Fan of Warmth
It is said that warmth and sunny weather are associated with higher levels of serotonin, the “happiness hormone”—could this be why Dominicans live so happily? Perhaps there is some truth to this theory, but one thing must be taken into account: for warmth to improve your mood, you have to love warmth. And here we get to the heart of the matter—after all, Dominican temperatures are simply too high for many Poles. It is true that high air humidity and frequent wind gusts make the heat more bearable, but 31-33°C during the day and 26-27°C at night can be challenging.
If you love high temperatures and react with a smile to every news of approaching heat, you will feel like you are in paradise in the Dominican Republic. But if you belong to the so-called “cold lovers,” and 20°C is your comfort limit, it will probably take some time before you get used to the local climate. You can find more information in the article: Temperature in the Dominican Republic – Is It Always Hot Here?
You Need to Keep Your Wits About You
To conclude, something from the other side of the coin—because although we can describe the Dominican Republic without reservation as “a true paradise on earth,” you still need to keep your wits about you here. Why? First of all, the job market is quite limited. Most citizens are engaged in trade or agriculture, and let’s be honest—you are not moving to the Dominican Republic to grow bananas. To earn more than the local minimum wage:
- you either need to have a specific professional specialization (in the Dominican Republic you can find work, for example, in the IT sector, where salaries are quite high);
- or you need to run your own business (it can be remote, for example for Poles; tax law in the Dominican Republic is lenient for entrepreneurs and freelancers).
In addition, it is worth knowing Spanish at least at the B1 level, that is, at the so-called communicative level. English alone will only work in large cities and tourist areas (hotels, supermarkets); it will be very difficult for you to communicate with the average citizen. If you have gaps in this area, you will need to reach for a good Spanish textbook.
But in our opinion, this is a small price to pay for the opportunity to live in paradise. 🙂
