Live Here
Practical, honest information for U.S. expats considering a move to the Dominican Republic — plus hands-on help for the parts that are hard to do from abroad.
Before you go
This is the information we give friends who ask, not a tourism pitch.
A comfortable single-person budget in Santo Domingo or Las Terrenas runs noticeably lower than most U.S. metro areas — housing and dining out are the biggest swings, and imported goods are the biggest surprise cost.
Private clinics in Santo Domingo and Santiago are modern and affordable by U.S. standards, and many doctors trained in the U.S. or Europe. Private health insurance is worth budgeting for from day one.
Fiber internet is widely available in Santo Domingo, Santiago, and the north coast tourist towns, with reliable speeds for video calls. A backup mobile hotspot is standard practice given occasional outages.
Bilingual and international schools are concentrated in Santo Domingo, Santiago, and Punta Cana, following American, British, or IB curricula. Spots at the most established schools fill up — plan ahead.
Piantini and Naco in Santo Domingo suit people who want city convenience; Las Terrenas and Cabarete suit a slower, beach-first life; Punta Cana and Cap Cana suit those prioritizing resort-style amenities.
How much daily life runs on WhatsApp instead of email, how far a modest budget goes for household help, and how much slower bureaucracy moves than back home — plan buffer time for anything involving paperwork.
Legal and residency matters — visas, residency applications, property closings, and business formation — are handled by licensed Dominican attorneys we refer you to. Island Life Entertainment does not provide legal advice.
Relocation packages
Sample starting prices — final quotes are confirmed after a short call about your situation.
A structured two-week look before you commit to anything.
$450
one-time, sample pricing
For people who have decided and now need it to actually happen.
$1,900
one-time, sample pricing
Door to door, including the family and the container.
$4,800
one-time, sample pricing
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