What do expats find most challenging?

"The most challenging aspect of the new culture for me has been getting business people to understand that when I pay for a service, I expect to get what I pay for in a timely manner. Example, ( I went to a local bank to open a checking account and I had to come back and forth four times to complete the process) ( my apartment lease includes TV internet and cable. The TV was a 30 year old TV that never worked, the cable only sometimes and the internet is much like waiting for a snail to travel one mile. I requested to have my lease reflect the fact that none of these services are being used due to the fact that the landlord removed the TV during my first week and I had to purchase my own, plus I had to purchase my own internet and cable to ensure that I have service. However, the landlord wants to stick to our original agreement even though he is not providing what is promised in the lease. These sorts of things are very common in Santo Domingo). Beware," said another expat in Santo Domingo, Dominican Rep.

"Expats in the Dominican Republic often find the language barrier to be one of the most challenging aspects of the local culture. Additionally, the Dominican Republic has a very different set of social norms and customs than many expats are used to, which can be difficult to adjust to. Furthermore, the Dominican Republic is a predominantly Catholic country, and many expats may find it difficult to adjust to the religious and cultural norms that come with this. Finally, the Dominican Republic is a developing country, and expats may find it difficult to adjust to the lack of infrastructure and resources that are available in other countries," wrote a member who made the move to Dominican Rep.

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With over 2 million bookable vacation rentals, Vrbo connects homeowners with families and vacationers looking for something more than a hotel for their trip. The Vrbo community offers families an array of rental property types such as condos, cabins, lake rentals, beach houses, and more. Discover properties in destinations that everyone dreams of visiting.
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