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July 2005 Headlines in the daily newspapers in the Dominican Republic attest to rising rates of crime, some of a violent nature, a burgeoning drug culture and some 36% of the population living below the poverty line (which means on less than US$2 a day). So, is it still safe to live as an expatriate in the Dominican Republic or is Dominican society falling apart? Can the American and European retirement population still find their piece of paradise in the sun, to make their golden years truly golden, or do they have to surround themselves with high tech security devices in order to protect themselves against robbery........and worse? It is certainly true that the current Dominican Republic is not the same as the one this writer emigrated to more than 12 years ago. Then there were few expatriates, those who were here integrated with the Dominican population, drugs on the streets were virtually unheard of and crime rates were very low. All of that has changed as what is after all, a third world country (or a 'developing country' for the politically correct) struggles to enter the twenty first century. In fact what is happening here is in many ways similar to what happened in other parts of the world 50 years ago and more. A population move from countryside to town, an agrarian economy becoming more industrialised, a switch of focus from extended to nuclear family and, yes, drug vending and associated crime.

Sunset with lightening

If you are sensible.

Unfortunately, some of the newer foreign arrivals would appear to have more money than sense. They can afford an opulent lifestyle in what is, after all, a third world country. Many prefer not to bother to learn the language (Spanish), the culture and the mores of the country they have chosen to call 'home'. Thus they need to buy property near others who speak their language and live in areas which virtually become gringo enclaves. All this demonstrates for economically poorer Dominicans is the lifestyle gap......well, more of a crater than a gap. And not surprisingly, a people who are not resentful of others' good fortune by nature, are likely to have feelings of social injustice, which has been known to manifest itself in some robbery of expatriate homes. But, this has to be put in perspective. It is not a crime wave and there are many other countries which are far, far worse. We had a recent visitor from South Africa who could not believe that golf clubs can be left in a car port of a low walled house without disappearing. And in fact the only crime which impinges upon the expatriate population is the occasional robbery - all easily avoidable with sensible precautions. Crimes of violence are virtually unheard of in relation to the expatriate population; when they do occur, there is always a 'reason'.

Those looking for their piece of paradise could do a lot worse than move to the Dominican Republic. But only after doing a lot of research, making a start on understanding the country and its people and being determined to integrate as far as possible with the Dominicans.

Those not prepared to make these adjustments had better head to Florida!

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Relaxing beach and cafe in the DR

Overlooking the Cibao Valley

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