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I’m Dominican but people always tell me that I look Moroccan. I took a DNA test and I actually have some Moroccan ancestry. Medina is a common last name in the DR (we even had a president with that last name!) and we know it comes from around that area. I would love to visit one day. Love the interiors and architecture in this video 😍

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I've been living in the dominican repbulic for 18 months now I've lived in the big city and outside of it! I agree with her ! Great video! and I LOVE it here. I've learned most of their spanish without any classes, just being around people and friends asking questions). My family is from St. Vincent and the Grendines. I was born in new york and raised in the south USA (Atlanta, GA). Honestly, it's sad but classism is a world "issue" not a DR issue if you ask me. Unfortunately at this point, it's something I'm accustomed too. I haven't really seen that it is any more prevalent here in DR than it is anywhere else. So, if you're used to the way the world is pretty much (at least the western world) it's not something that should deter you in my opinion. Just be the change you want to see! I make pretty good money compared to even the average american, and I still treat everyone with respect, and receive respect from everyone as far as I know.

Gracias! 🎉

🌎🇲🇦Which of these experiences in/near Marrakesh would you go for?! Feel free to leave questions or comments!

A couple of things I would like to point out about the DR. 1) Safety: Yes, there is crime in the DR and you do need to keep your street smarts when you are walking about in some areas. But this has been blown up out of proportion by the media and some bloggers online. Is very simple, folks. Don't be a fool! If you live in Santo Domingo, there shouldn't be any reason as to why you should be walking in Villa Juana, El Capotillo or Cristo Rey at 2am. The people that live in those places are not out at 2am. Why? Because you will get robbed at gun point. Period! If you live in Las Terrenas, there are areas where there has been robberies and drugging tourists or foreigners and taking them on ATM rides. Yes! This has happened. But then again. Doesn't this also happen in Detroit and Chicago? Or course it does. One thing that is not going to happen in the DR is your kids being gunned down in school. That you won't see. Just do your research, befriend locals that know what's going on on the ground. Stay away from dating apps (this applies to Colombia or any other place you are considering) and hang around with locals that have similar level of education and economic status as you, and learn from them how to avoid the areas or situations where you can be exposed to a little more danger. 2) Cost of living: This channel does a pretty good job at giving pragmatic information. But I laugh at some traveler channels out there that are talking about how you can live with $1,000 USD per month and then are showing videos of Cap Cana, or Los Cacicazgos, Piantini and Naco in Santo Domingo. Or they show a video of a Million Dollar villa in Jarabacoa and talk about a $400 dollar per month rent cost 😂 Let's be real for a moment. Can you eat a meal at a seafood restaurant and get fried fish and a couple of beers for 30 dollars? Sure! You most definitely can. Can you do that at Don Pepe, or El Cantabrico in Santo Domingo? It's going to be well north of 100 dollars per person. More close to 200 dollars if you order wine. What I'm trying to say is that there are 2 very distinct Dominican Republic. There is the one where you can go to Boca Chica and enjoy the beach for very little money! But there is the other Dominican Republic where you can go in your 400, 000 dollar Ferrari to Club Nautico in Boca Chica where the membership is upwards of half a million dollars and everything is as exclusive and with the quality that comes with it. It is less expensive to live here than it is in Miami or New York. That doesn't mean it is cheap. You want cheap! I suggest you look at Tailand or Vietnam. The DR is not as inexpensive as some of those other RUclips channels want to make it look like. You are not renting an apartment in Los Cacicazgos for 400 dollars per month. 😅

I've been going to the D.R. consistently for five years, and she is absolutely 100% correct. No sugar coating.

Great video thanks for sharing! ...I'll be traveling solo there soon and I'm currently making last minute travel plans to go...Finding this video and the random car with the D.R. flag I parked in front of (I'm in the Carolinas!) is apparently God's green light to go!...Yet any safe recommendations for a solo woman seeking peace, quiet, the beach, and good food (minus the heavy tourist crowds!)? I'm trying to pick the perfect area because I also plan to tour condos for future purchase (vacation home/Air BnB rental) while there...If Punta Cana is the 'Miami' of the island, I guess I'm looking for a Charleston or Savannah Georgia maybe!?? Lol, apparently, this will be my first trip!

100% Correct in all your points. Very important what you mentioned about the service industry here in the DR. A smile and a please will get your issue resolved at both the private or government sectors. You try to play Karen here, and you will encounter Karen meeting Karen in her own territory. Politeness goes a long way, Dominicans are not going to be intimidated because you threatened them with calling their manager. I can assure you that they will take losing their jobs over taking your crap 1000 times out of a 1000.

I think the Adam Sandler movie Blended made me think Africa experienced more tourism

I love this ! You are more dominican than me. You are on point ! The driving is #1 for sure 😂😂😂

Wow Lily, amazing reflection. I am from the Dominican Diaspora myself. You were so on point with the way you tell about issues like classism (due to the structural racism that keeps poor the 90% of the population which is Black), the issue of tourism (a new type of colonialism), and many other things such as the learning we can get from the Caribbean people about living and enjoy this life, even under precarious conditions, because we only have one. I cherish that about my people as well. Great video. Thank you!

Very objective! That’s how truth should be said. ❤

I would love to move there but my problem is finding a way to make american dollars 💸 over there. That's a big big problem

I want to learn more how about dating for you. And is marriage over there.

Terry from Los Angeles California you're video is amazing. Well have been there once I stayed in santo domingo piantini area .

Hi Lily! Con #4 is such a travesty because when you're in a hotel people will bend over backwards to serve you and make sure you get what ever you need, but once you get to SD it seems like it's the other way around where you're the one bending over to get their attention 😂😂

Fantastic video we are moving to DR in about two years nice video but I was also wondering what camera are you using it a good video quality.

When discussing education you mentioned in general (over all) the education in Dominican Republic is low or weak - my question is: in comparison to which other educational system? The reason I ask is because when I was a child I studied in the Dominican Republic and when I returned to NY I was super advanced compared to other children. I remember in my NY class after my return the kids were on addition and subtraction while I was on multiplication and division.

One of my favorite things about DR when I was growing up there was the power outages. My grandmother would light candles and everyone would sit around and talk all night while drinking coffee. When the power came back, the entire neighborhood would clap and rejoice. Good times.

Thank you for this info. Where can I get that book you wrote? I’ve been thinking about moving back to the DR when I retire. I’ve already started to look for land to build my house on.

Yes Service is an issue there BUT you drink a Presidente and you forget the issue

I’d like your view on the Cabarete area. I have loved visiting there and have done so several times. But what about retirement there? I have met expats from France, The US, Canada, etc. it’s all been very friendly. There are good choices for grocery shopping with three major stores nearby. Also a new hospital with U.S. trained physicians and plenty to do. It seems to be rapidly developing into an expat haven with a lot of construction of condos and villas.

Don't agree with you ..

Thank you, Lily. I've never visited DR, but that didn't prevent me from jumping in feet-first by purchasing a villa in Punta Cana. I wholeheartedly depend on videos such as yours to prepare me for this transition. I will be the first to admit that I'm in violation of a few recommendations you've mentioned. I know zero Spanish (well except for the bad words) and I'm very impatient. But that's ok. I'm going down as an expat and have the rest of my life to learn those things. I've been sold on the pros that you've mentioned for some years now. Between them and this insane infatuation I have for Hispanic culture, DR was a no-brainer for me. I must say, this new tax proposal affecting the Confotur Law and property tax exemption is forcing me to shift some decisions around. I'm not too happy about that, but it's still a fraction of what I would pay in Miami. Thanks again.

It's been my experience that many people don't pay their electric bill so those who do pay actually pay more

Thank you so much for sharing this video loved it ❤️🫶🏽

Great tips...thanks for sharing!

Do you use any other travel safety hacks? Share them in the comments! 🎉

"A rock wall that prevents you from going over." So no significant risk of going over (?) Slippery rocks ? Maybe not 100% safe, just a bit unlikely. Amazing experience for you, but it's not one of the things on my bucket list !

Las terrenas is beautiful and safe. Disappointed you did not show a video. It has the most beautiful beaches

Yes! Laid back, muy tranquila. I love it. The driving, electricity outrage, internet outage, and low pressure water are definite cons

I agree with you on the culture and being a misunderstood country. I love it there. There are the cons, but i love it

Nice video! U should do a vid on where u would invest, if u were gonna do so

I disagree with the educational piece, customer service yes, I agree, they are too laid back and don't understand urgency. Driving it's only until you learn the roads and the system. I drove in the capital without no problem.

Santiago, Puerto Plata and Semana also have 24/7 electricity.

THANK YOU LILY!!!!

Dominican here. The best medical facilities are in Santiago and Santo Domingo... Not Punta Cana.

Hi Lily, I just watched your video you posted a week ago about digital nomad life in the DR pros and cons and I have visited the DR and I’m actually headed back there next week… I really want to move there but I’m kind of lost on what I can do online that will afford me at least a modest life in the DR… I did not know if you had any suggestions or point me in the right direction…. Thank you for your input Charles

Excellent reviews. I've lived in SFM as a Peace Corps volunteer, married someone from the area and go back often. It feels like home when I'm back there. I've also lived in Sosua and managed a solar energy business. From what I read, the government is trying to move Sosua in a different direction and I hope it works.

Great video and very helpful info...no pictures of Las Terrenas? The views are stunning! I'm surprised...

Your hair looks beautiful, did you learn anything about the Dominican’s hair culture.

Which area appeals to you?! Got more questions drop them below 😊🇩🇴

Great video! The best I seen thus far on Tbilisi. I wish it was abit longer.

I am Dominican, and I approve this message 😅

so I see ur awards and with that I guess u a Bajan, would I be correct?

Very informative, would you go back there again?

You're video was very informative. I agree with everything you say. I do not if the current proposed tax laws will pass, if they do then it's going to be harder to live in DR for Dominicans and others. This is a beautiful country.

As a Dominican , your 100% on point on everything you mentioned.