Large modern city of 2.5 million people, located on the south coast of the country. Tropical climate.

Locals are generally welcoming to foreigners, although being foreign makes you more vulnerable to being a victim of crime. There are many pleasant residential areas and good shopping. Most international foods are available and there is a good choice of restaurants. Some prejudice against gay people but there are groups and venues that cater for this minority. It is a nominally Catholic country. Crime is getting worse but common sense precautions are enough to minimise the risk. Power cuts are common but good accomodation is equipped with backup systems.

Foreigners can live here without residency or work permits. (Editor's note: Please check this yourselves via official channels.) There is a small overstay fine to pay when leaving the country. Residency is recommended for longer-term expats and costs about US$1,500 via a lawyer. A good resource is www.dr1.com.

Expats tend to live in the nicer residential neighbourhoods - Gazcue, Bella Vista, Mirador Sur, Los Cacigazcos, Arroyo Hondo, Naco or Piantini. Rents vary between a few hundred US$ to several thousand depending on the accomodation. You have to pay 3 months in advance and provide a guarantor. There are plenty of places available, some landlords will only rent to foreigners and in US$, but it is helpful to get a Dominican associate/friend to make the initial inquiry to prevent overcharging. Make sure the house/apartment has a tinaco (water tank) and an inversor (back-up electricity) or a planta (generator).

Most people have maids and nannies, some have gardeners and chauffeurs. Expect to pay US$150 per month. Options include live-in, full time, part time. Many apartments and houses have a maid's quarters (cuarto de servicio) but the live-in option is declining, at least among the middle classes.

Relatively expensive but mostly good service from Codetel (landline, cell, DSL internet), Orange and Centennial (cell). Other companies are entering the market. Skype or other VOIP reduces phone bills. Cable/satellite TV is available. Postal service is non-existent so most people use Private Mail Box services - EPS, Business Mail, POBI.

Spanish - it is essential to learn at least some Spanish for daily communication and understanding the culture generally. Some educated Dominicans speak English but it is by no means a given.

Bottled water or filters are essential for most uses. Tap water is OK for washing (except for small babies) and cleaning, and some kitchens use it as long as it is boiled. Local grocery shops 'colmados' deliver 5-gallon bottles. Gas is also delivered by private company. There is no mains gas service. Some apartments have communal gas, others have individual. The electricity service is expensive and poor. Power cuts are common so back up is essential. Costs vary according to consumption. Use of aircon and clothes dryers increase the cost dramatically. Low energy lightbulbs are recommended. Middle class households can spend anything between US$30 (thirty US dollars) and US$600 (six hundred US dollars) depending on consumption!

Foreigners can usually work without problems - there are jobs at private schools, international organisations, call centres - depending on skills and qualifications. Salaries are not great. Knowing Spanish is always an asset. Check jobs website www.aldaba.com, and www.dr1.com also has vacancies.

The local currency is the Dominican Peso RD$ - exchange rate in March 2008 is about RD$34 to the US Dollar. You can open a bank account with your passport.

State health services are very poor. Private clinics vary in standard and insurance is essential. Medicines are available in the many pharmacies. Health concerns include dengue fever (mosquito-borne disease) and intestinal ailments, as well as dehydration.

Good range of private schools, many of which are bi-lingual. Montessori schools cater for special needs students. Unless the school is walking distance from home, children are driven to school by parents, chauffeurs or private school transport services.

Cars are relatively expensive. Gasoline is very expensive. Driving is a challenge, but many foreigners do drive because public transport is not for the fainthearted. Dominican drivers licences are issued to foreigners - if you have a valid drivers licence from your country of origin you might not even have to do a test.

Shopping is very good in Santo Domingo and more and more international chains are opening branches here. PriceSmart, Carrefour as well as good local supermarket chains. Some specialist food items are not available but most ethnic foods, organic and health foods, gluten free etc are available. Ikea is opening a store here soon, other international chains are already here. There are many beauty salons and spas here, most relatively inexpensive.

Baseball is the national sport but basketball and most other common sports are also played. People walk and run for exercise, cycle, play tennis, ride horses and more. Parque Mirador Sur park is one good venue, there are other parks as well as social clubs and country clubs - golf and swimming are also very popular. Entertainment - there are concerts of all types, dancing, cinema and theatre - local and international culture.

There is detailed information on sites like www.dr1.com

The best website about the DR is DR1.com. For information about culture and gastronomy, visit www.dominicancooking.com. Books − 'In the Time of the Butterflies' by Julia Alvarez and all her other books, 'The Feast of the Goat' by Mario Vargas Llosa, 'The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao' and 'Drown' by Junot Diaz, 'Why the Cocks Fight' by Michele Wucker, and many more.

It is a captivating and complex country, not for everyone. Trying to understand the history and the culture will make the world of difference, and knowing Spanish is essential. See too: Our Expat Women Living in Dominican Republic page