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4 Tips for Canadians Buying Property in the Dominican Republic

4 Tips for Canadians Buying Property in the Dominican Republic

Oct 28, 2025 | Expat Life, News, Relocating to the Dominican Republic

If you’re a Canadian looking to trade in your ice scrapers and snowboots for sunhats and flip-flops, you’re not alone. Canadians buying property in the Dominican Republic have become a growing trend, as more expats than ever make their way to the island’s sandy shores. If you’re a Canadian wondering how to turn your dreams of tropical coastal living into reality, we’ve got you covered.

In this short article with Casa Linda, we’ll be highlighting a few of our favourite tips for Canadians buying property in the Dominican Republic. Let’s dive into the details!

Tip #1: Pick the Right Location for Lifestyle + Value

For Canadians buying property in the Dominican Republic, choosing a location is about more than deciding whether you want a beachfront property. Your experience living in the DR as an expat will vary significantly, depending on the region. Bustling cities like Santo Domingo offer unparalleled liveliness and local culture, but sacrifice the relaxed pace that may have drawn you to the DR initially. Meanwhile, prominent resort towns like Punta Cana may offer large-scale amenities, but won’t have the same deep cultural ties you may be looking for.

If you’re a Canadian considering buying property in the Dominican Republic, it’s highly recommended that you visit in person. Not only will you be able to see the community in person, but you’ll also get a feel for what daily life could look like, meet community members, and sit down with the seller or developer to walk you through the process in person.

Tip #2: Consider Cost-Effective Alternatives

The Dominican Republic is among the most cost-effective countries in the Caribbean for Canadians, being over 40% more affordable. This translates into nearly all aspects of daily life. From cappuccinos at local coffee shops to weekly grocery runs, and of course, housing!

There’s no way around it: homes in Canada can be pricey. The average home price in Canada is over $600,000—and readily climbing every year. Take Cabarete, for example, one of the most popular towns for Canadian expats. Here, newly constructed coastal homes can be found for under $280,000 CAD.

But if you’re only able to visit a few times a year, committing to buying a home can still seem out of reach. Fortunately, some DR expat communities offer flexible home ownership programs, perfect for Canadians! One of these options is programs like Casa Linda’s Co-Ownership. Through this exclusive Casa Linda program, you can become a fully-titled co-owner of multiple properties, perfect for those not yet fully retired or still trialing life in the Dominican Republic!

Tip #3: Understand Rental Potential

If you’re a Canadian buying property in the Dominican Republic, don’t underestimate the value of rental opportunities. The Dominican Republic is the second-most-visited country in the Caribbean. In 2024, the country saw a record-breaking 11.18 million visitors—that’s just as many as the country’s population! From the bustling resorts on the island’s eastern tip to the world-famous water sporting competitions in Cabarete, the DR has truly earned its title as the “Pearl of the Antilles.” Properties in highly desirable locations for short-term visitors can afford homeowners a sizeable return on investment. In Cabarete, the average daily rental cost is $159 per night.

Tip #4: Know the True Costs

Canadians buying property in the Dominican Republic should know that the process comes with a few considerations. Unlike buying a home in Canada, most developers in the Dominican Republic require an initial down payment of between 20% to 30% for foreign buyers. While this payment may seem much higher than the minimum 5% rate afforded to homebuyers in Canada, homes in the DR are generally far more affordable.

Along with this, there are other home-buying fees to be aware of:

  • A transfer tax of 3% based on the government assessment
  • Legal fees of 1% to 2% based on home purchase price
  • Ongoing maintenance costs, which cover housekeeping and amenities

Own Your Slice of Paradise

For Canadians buying property in the Dominican Republic, the options are truly limitless. Let’s make it happen, together. Casa Linda is among the most developed communities on the Dominican Republic’s north shores. With over 500 villas and multiple other developments over the years, we’ve been chosen by expats everywhere to enjoy safe, comfortable, and fulfilling living. Start the conversation with us today to learn more about how we can help transform your tropical villa ownership visions into reality.

5 Reasons to Live in the Dominican Republic

5 Reasons to Live in the Dominican Republic

Mar 30, 2021 | Dominican Republic Retirement, News

Tired of dealing with all the chaos that 2020 ushered in and ready to make sure that 2021 is the start of an exciting chapter that brings you years of joy in paradise? If you’re ready to take the leap and make your dream of becoming an expat a reality, there’s never been a better time to move to the Dominican Republic. At Residencial Casa Linda, we know that choosing the right place to relocate to is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make and can often feel overwhelming. Below we’ll cover 5 important reasons to consider the Dominican Republic when moving abroad. Read on to learn more!

1. The Best Dollar Value in the Caribbean

Understandably, one of the biggest factors that informs both your ability to move abroad, as well as your decision as to where to settle is your budget. When choosing the best location, there is a multitude of details that help decide whether or not a location is affordable; from the cost of housing to healthcare (more on that below), daily living expenses and more, knowing that you’ll be able to live comfortably without overextending your budget is crucial to peace of mind.

The Dominican Republic has the best dollar to value ratio in the Caribbean and offers a vibrant housing market full of luxury villas at affordable entry prices. Casa Linda’s beautiful estates start at just $184,700 USD making it easier than ever to build the life you’ve always wanted, and with a low cost of living overall, you can rest easy knowing your dollar will go further than ever before!

reasons to move to the dominican republic

2. Thriving Expat Community

Let’s face it, moving to a new country where you don’t know anyone can be pretty daunting. Fortunately, the Dominican Republic has a vast community of expats that are incredibly welcoming to visitors and new residents alike. Casa Linda is proud to welcome home buyers from all corners of the globe to our gated community, and with plenty of activities and social opportunities available to keep you mingling, forming a new community of friends is easy.

3. Familiar Comforts

If you’re a creature of habit that loves shopping at familiar stores and always being able to find your favourite items, you might be surprised to learn that your favourite items are rarely that far out of reach in the DR. The Dominican is home to many popular retailers and brands you would expect to find in North America, meaning that, in addition to the abundance of fresh produce and new items you’ll find in stores, you’ll rarely have to worry about going without your preferred products.

The DR also boasts an incredibly robust infrastructure system that features high-end electricity and telecom capabilities, as well as high-speed internet. In fact, most of our resident expats remark that the Dominican is just like home…only warmer!

4. High Quality of Life

As we mentioned above, quality of life is one of the most important aspects of choosing your new home abroad. In addition to affordability, the Dominican also offers exceptional healthcare to residents and features world-class facilities with medical experts offering treatment in English and Spanish. Whether you have current concerns or are simply looking ahead to the future, you can take peace in knowing you’ll always be looked after with a viable healthcare system that has your best interests in mind.

5. Breathtaking Beauty and an Unbeatable Climate

Finally, if you’re looking to escape the cold and settle down in tropical paradise, there’s nowhere like the Dominican Republic to start fresh. With daily temperatures that average 28°C (82°F) and miles of white sandy calling your name, it’s time to stop dreaming and start living.

Ready to Heed the Call of the Island?

At Casa Linda, we’re proud to help adventurous spirits find the perfect villa that’s tailored for your exact tastes and needs. Each of our homes is built to the highest quality and designed to provide you with comfort, safety, and (of course) enjoyment. Contact our team today to learn about our available floor plans and more.

Fact or Fiction: What to Know About Moving to the Dominican Republic

Fact or Fiction: What to Know About Moving to the Dominican Republic

Jan 20, 2021 | Dominican Republic Retirement, Expat Life, News, Relocating to the Dominican Republic

If you’re in the early stages of planning to relocate to a warmer destination permanently, you’ve no doubt come to realize that choosing the perfect place to call home is not without its fair share of questions. While everyone has their own unique needs and wants as they look to move abroad, there are common concerns that can help to make your decision a little easier as you research. The Dominican Republic is one of the most popular destinations for expats from all over the world, and for good reason! In addition to our sun-kissed beaches swaying palm trees and crystal blue waters, the DR has plenty of perks for foreign residents to discover.

Casa Linda has been welcoming newcomers to our beautiful shores for nearly 30 years and is always pleased to help provide valuable insight when it comes to planning a move to the Caribbean. Below we’ll highlight 5 Common Misconceptions About Life in The Dominican Republic. Read on to learn more!

1. Owning An Island Property is Way Too Expensive For The Average Person

Almost everyone dreams of escaping to a tropical paradise at some point in their lives, but few will actually take the leap forward to try and learn more. Why? The common misconception is that island living is simply too expensive for the “average Joe”. While it’s true that some locations can be quite expensive, many prospective buyers are pleasantly shocked to learn that building a custom villa in the Dominican Republic is actually far cheaper than anticipated. Casa Linda strives to create stunning residences at affordable price points, and with 10 floor plans starting as low as $199,000, your dream of escaping to the island is much closer to reality than you think!

dominican republic relocation

2. I’ll Be Leaving My Comforts Behind

While it’s totally understandable to feel some apprehension about having to embrace a new culture and style of living, the Dominican Republic is actually quite close to standard western living…just warmer! Our local grocery stores feature the same products you know and love, and your favorite brands can be found in stores with ease. As far as infrastructure, internet, and other daily necessities are concerned, you can rest easy with the knowledge that the DR has the best communication systems in Latin American, as well as exceptional medical facilities and healthcare providers. Simply put, even though there will be a few differences to get used to, you’ll have no problem feeling at home.

3. Safety First!

Contrary to misconceptions, the Dominican Republic is a very safe place to live. Ranked 71st internationally, the Dominican actually ranks safer than other popular expat destinations such as Mexico, Cuba, Belize, The Bahamas, and more. This means that so long as you’re diligent with general self-awareness and best practices, you’ll have no problem enjoying this vibrant community full of first-class comforts. As an added peace of mind feature, Casa Linda offers 24/7 security within the community, which is particularly helpful for those who need to travel home for long stretches of time.

4. Medical Care is Below Average

If you’re worried that you might not receive the kind of healthcare you’re used to upon moving to the DR, you’ll be very pleased to learn you have absolutely no need to worry. The Dominican Republic is home to leading medical facilities and practitioners with service available in English. In fact, the Dominican is so well known for its medical services around the world that it has become an increasingly popular spot for medical tourism. With affordable insurance rates and expert care always available, you never have to worry about is being taking care of.

5. I’ll Have a Hard Time Settling in

Let’s be honest for a moment: relocating abroad is a big change, and with any major disruption to our daily norms, it’s more than fair to feel a little out of place, even when settling into paradise. Fortunately, thanks to the incredibly welcoming community of locals and expats here on the island, any feelings of being “left out” or isolated never last long. Casa Linda is full of friendly faces that have been in your shoes before, and with plenty of activities available, you’ll have no problem finding new ways to get involved and socialize!

Are ready to embrace life in paradise? Contact Casa Linda today to learn more about making your dream escape a reality!

Want even more information? Check out our About DR section now!

Fact or Fiction: What to Know About Moving to the Dominican Republic

Cost of Living in the Dominican Republic: What to Prepare For

Jan 11, 2021 | Dominican Republic Villas, News

Have you and your loved one decided to make the leap and embrace the thrill of becoming an ex-pat? Choosing a new home abroad is one of the most exciting decisions you’ll ever make. Whether you’re gearing up for retirement or simply need a change of pace that allows you to enjoy life at your own speed. For over 30 years Casa Linda has welcomed expatriates from all over the world to our sunny shores and helped them discover their dream home in paradise. With a team that’s dedicated to helping you feel at home, you can trust us to help answer your biggest questions and help you feel at ease.

Below, we’ll discuss one of the most important aspects of moving abroad: budgeting for the cost of living. Many of our homebuyers are pleasantly surprised to learn that the cost of living in the Dominican is significantly cheaper than life at home, meaning that your budget tends to go farther. Read on to learn more about 3 major financial points to consider, as well as what you can expect while living on the island.

Plan For Success

Before we dive into three major areas for financial consideration, it’s worth mentioning that the most important step you can take towards moving abroad is to have an open and honest conversation with your spouse and financial advisor, especially if you’ve not been on top of longterm planning prior. Knowing where you stand will make it easier to plan ahead with confidence, as well as have the information you need to apply for long-term residency.

dominican republic expat communities

Housing

It comes as no surprise that one of the predominant concerns of anyone moving abroad is finding housing that is not only affordable but perfectly suited to your wants and needs. Casa Linda is proud to offer state of the art villas starting at prices as low as $179.6k USD. Nestled on the tranquil northern end of the island, our gated community features ten incredible floor plans to choose from, along with multiple amenities like 24/7 security, activity planners on-site, private restaurants, a VIP beach club and more. Our team makes it easy to embrace life to the fullest in the Caribbean while living in a house you love!

Healthcare

Second to housing, the other main concern for most expats is ensuring they’ll have adequate care when they move aboard. Fortunately, those looking to relocate to the Dominican will be pleasantly surprised to learn that the DR offers exceptional medical care on all levels, and features state of the art facilities staffed with highly qualified professionals that are all readily available. The monthly cost for health insurance can be as low as $100 USD and wait times, as well as procedural costs, are typically much cheaper than they are back home. This means that the Dominican is a safe bet when it comes to taking care of your health today, tomorrow, and in the many years to come!

Daily Necessities

Finally, one of the other pleasant surprises ex-pats find upon settling into daily life in the DR is that daily necessities like food are often much cheaper, including meat and dairy products. With ample fresh vegetation and resources available all year round, you can expect your cost for groceries to drop, meaning you’ll save more while eating fresh!

Ready To Learn More?

Tired of dreaming of palm trees and pina coladas? It’s time to make your vision a reality. Contact Casa Linda today to learn more about taking your first steps, and visit our resource centre for more information now!