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Retire in the Dominican Republic with Casa Linda!

Retire in the Dominican Republic with Casa Linda!

Jul 24, 2024 | Expat Life, News, Relocating to the Dominican Republic

Have you always dreamed of living in Paradise? Retire in the Dominican Republic with Casa Linda and enjoy your well-earned free time in a tropical oasis! 

Retirement is an exciting and freeing chapter in a person’s life, best spent among friendly people, sandy beaches, and warm air. But rather than spending your hard-earned savings at a retirement community residence, invest in your future by purchasing a Casa Linda villa or condo in the DR. 

Below, we’ll discuss a few reasons why owning a home in the Dominican Republic is the best choice for retiring abroad. To learn more, keep reading!

Enjoy Community Without Sacrificing Privacy

Many older adults prefer moving to retirement homes to enjoy the community they provide, as they can enjoy meals, events, and daily activities with friends and neighbours. However, living in a retirement home often means having far less privacy than in your own home. 

In contrast, while our condos and villas at Casa Linda are located in a gated community, you would be the owner of your home – no one will enter your property without your consent, and you’ll have a kitchen to prepare meals instead of a shared dining hall. 

Even better—you won’t have to share amenities! While we do provide some community amenities, at Casa Linda, you can customize your villa to include a pool, jacuzzi, rooftop terrace, pond, and more for your private use.

You don’t have to worry about community recreation areas being at capacity—you have one of your own!

Embrace a Laid-Back & Affordable Lifestyle

A significant draw to retiring in the Dominican Republic is the slower pace of life. Plenty of activities, events, and outings in the DR revolve around enjoying time in nature and embracing solitude. 

Enjoy fun water and beach activities, historic walking tours, and island excursions, which you can engage in all year round. You can take your time exploring and shopping in local markets, chatting with DR residents, and embracing your alone time while relaxing in the sun. 

The cost of living in the Dominican Republic is also much lower than in countries like the U.S. and Canada, making tasks like grocery shopping more enjoyable and indulgent. You can find ripe and juicy fruits like mangos, bananas, and guava, purchase full meals at local cafeterias, and even dine in high-end restaurants at very affordable prices. 

Further, because of the tropical climate, you won’t have to worry about heating bills or purchasing a winter wardrobe—many standard expenses in Western countries are practically non-existent in the Dominican!

Retire in Style with Casa Linda!

At Casa Linda, we want our retired homeowners to embrace Island living in comfort and style. With access to customizable amenities, landscaping, and ten different floor plans, you can create the home you’ve always dreamed of! 

By choosing Casa Linda for your retirement, you can enjoy all the benefits of an all-inclusive resort experience without sacrificing your privacy, and your stay won’t be temporary!

To learn more about purchasing one of our villas or condos, contact us and have all your questions answered. We’re excited to be a part of your retirement plan!

6 Pros & Cons: Retiring in the Dominican Republic as an Expat

6 Pros & Cons: Retiring in the Dominican Republic as an Expat

Jun 25, 2024 | Dominican Republic Retirement, News, Relocating to the Dominican Republic

Do you and your family still reminisce about that unforgettable Caribbean vacation you took all those years ago? Those magical experiences don’t need to remain memories! As you approach the golden years of retirement, why not make those memories a reality and retire in the tropical paradise of Sosúa, Dominican Republic?

If you are on the fence about relocating to the Dominican, Casa Linda has pulled together a comprehensive pros and cons list about life on the island. Keep reading to find out more!

Pro: Cost of Living

Your money will go further in the Dominican Republic than back home in the United States or Canada. You’re probably wondering: how is it cheaper to retire in a tropical paradise and live a life of luxury without breaking the bank? Well, the truth is your US dollar will go much further in the Caribbean than back home.

Everything is more affordable on the island. Whether purchasing a Casa Linda property or going out to eat and shop around town, life in Dominican paradise is a much more cost-effective way to retire.

Con: Hurry Up & Wait

Unlike the fast-paced North American environment, life in the Dominican Republic is tranquil. You will soon realize that time moves differently on the island. There’s no reason to hurry and stress. This can be a culture shock for many North Americans who are used to a go-go-go lifestyle.

What is retirement for, if not to put your feet up and enjoy life at your own pace? Don’t be surprised when things take longer than expected here in the Dominican.

Pro: Delicious Food

Food is a vital part of Dominican culture; if there’s anything you can count on about the Dominican Republic, it’s eating delicious food. We have lush tropical fruits and starchy vegetables naturally grown on the island.

We love to give huge portion sizes because you need to keep your energy up under the hot sun! Dominican food is all-natural, deliciously seasoned, and grown without steroids. Our food’s freshness and quality far surpass that found in North America.

Con: Driving

You will likely experience culture shock in many ways when moving to the Dominican, but driving is undoubtedly the most surprising. While there are rules to the road, Dominican drivers are different from North Americans!

Drivers have to compete with motorcyclists flying down the roads, pedestrians crossing the road wherever they want, pothole-filled rural roads, and so much more! Driving in the DR is a defensive activity; if you aren’t confident behind the wheel, leave it to the locals!

However, Casa Linda offers a complimentary shuttle bus service to Sosua and Cabarete several times daily, seven days a week. If you want to pop into town, we’ve got you covered.

Pro: Friendly People

If you are from Canada, you know the stereotype that all Canadians are so kind all the time! Dominicans are just as friendly and welcoming, if not more, than Canadians! That is especially true in the Casa Linda community, where a steady population of expats has grown over the past 40 years.

Community is everything in the Dominican, and you will be shocked at how quickly you’re welcomed into your new community. Strangers are willing to lend a helping hand, business owners love to chat with their customers, and friends are easily made around the bar, sipping ice-cold cervezas.

Con: Language Barrier

Learning basic Spanish should become a priority if you are considering permanently retiring in the Dominican Republic and plan to live on the island year-round. While most locals do speak English, you should at least have a few Spanish phrases in your back pocket.

Learning Spanish is a sign of respect to the locals, especially if you plan on living at Casa Linda full-time. You can get by with limited Spanish; learn how to talk to service providers like servers, gardeners, shop owners, etc.

Embrace the Trainquilo Lifestyle

Ready to learn more about investing in a modern luxury villa in the Dominican Republic? Contact Casa Linda today!

Understanding Property Tax in the Dominican Republic: What Owners Need to Know

Understanding Property Tax in the Dominican Republic: What Owners Need to Know

Jun 5, 2024 | Dominican Republic Retirement, Dominican Republic Villas, News

If you’ve been considering moving to the Dominican Republic (DR) or buying an investment property on the island, you should understand the basics of the DR’s property tax. Luckily, Casa Linda is here to help! With decades of experience assisting expats in moving to the DR, we understand some of the questions and complexities our future residents may face when it comes to their villa’s property tax.

Below is a quick overview of the property tax in the Dominican Republic. Keep reading to find out more. 

Overview of Property Tax in the DR

Property tax in the Dominican Republic, or “Impuesto Sobre Bienes Inmuebles” (ISBI), is based on the value of your property, with the tax rate varying depending on the municipality. However, the tax rate in the DR is typically around 1% of your property’s value. Your property’s value is based solely on the building and land, not your furniture or equipment. 

When determining how much you’ll pay in property taxes, it’s important to note that the 1% is calculated only for values exceeding 6,858,885.00 DOP (about $150,000. This amount is adjusted annually for inflation). Anything under that amount is essentially free of charge. This means most Casa Linda villa owners only pay between $1-2K yearly in property taxes. 

In the Dominican Republic, real estate taxes are payable yearly on or before March 11. Still, even this is flexible as you also have the option to pay in two equal installments (50% on or before March 11. The remaining on or before September 11). However, these are a few circumstances in which property are exempt from paying real estate taxes. For instance, farm properties, homes whose owner is 65+ years old and has no other property in their name, and properties owned by companies (they pay a separate tax on company assets) are all exempt. 

If you have any questions regarding your potential property tax when moving to the Dominican Republic, Casa Linda can help you connect with a trustworthy and experienced accountant who can walk you through the details. 

Consequences of Non-Compliance

One thing to remember regarding property taxes in the Dominican Republic is that avoiding paying for them can result in steep penalties. A considerable amount of many residents’ property tax payments come from unpaid taxes. So, as an expat looking to invest in real estate in the DR, it is essential that you keep track of your taxes to avoid costly penalties or issues with the Dominican Republic tax authorities. And if you need assistance, working with a qualified accountant is always a good idea! 

Customizable Luxury Villas at Casa Linda

If you want to invest in a property to call home, Casa Linda’s luxury villas are an incredible option! Our villas are entirely customizable to your lifestyle, tastes, and needs. With our in-house design team, we can work with you to craft the luxury villa of your dreams. Our villas have a stunning view of the DR, a pool, terraces, large windows, and high ceilings. With options to add additional bedrooms or a guest house, Casa Linda’s villas are a beautiful home away from home! 

Making Your Dream Home a Reality

If you’ve been considering moving abroad and living a life of luxury in an island paradise, then the Dominican Republic is calling your name! Let Casa Linda help you design your dream home today! 

Contact Casa Linda today to find out more about our customizable villas!

Top 5 Customizations to Maximize Your Retirement Villa in Sosua, Dominican Republic

Top 5 Customizations to Maximize Your Retirement Villa in Sosua, Dominican Republic

Jun 5, 2024 | Dominican Republic Retirement, Dominican Republic Villas, News

Casa Linda is home to a large community of expat retirees who live full-time in the Dominican Republic! If you are packing up your whole life and moving to another country, your new home should be suited for full-time living rather than a vacation home.

Continue reading to learn about the top five villa customizations Casa Linda recommends to any retiree considering buying a villa in Sosua, Dominican Republic, for full-time living.

Walk-In Closet

For Casa Linda’s snowbird owners, a regular closet is okay because they are only on the island for the winter. However, if you and your partner consider permanently relocating to the Dominican Republic, you’ll want all the space you can get!

The first customization we highly recommend to our full-time owners is expanding the master bedroom’s closet into a walk-in closet. Your wardrobe will undoubtedly expand as you establish a life in the Dominican. It’s better to have more storage, even if you don’t need it right now. After all, when has extra storage space ever been a bad thing?

Kitchen Island

A universal truth is that the kitchen is the heart of the home. Whether that’s back in your home country or a new friend’s kitchen in the Dominican, the kitchen is a gathering place! Food is an integral part of Dominican culture, and that comes with the responsibility to host gatherings and barbecues where everyone comes together to eat, drink and be merry.

Trust us– you’ll want a kitchen island if you live full-time at Casa Linda! It adds extra seating, storage and counter space for meal preparation. Casa Linda’s team of in-house architects will guide you through the customization process. Whatever your specifications are, our team will do everything to make your vision come to life!

From the island’s layout to the countertop material, owners have complete stylistic control!

Additional Storage Room

Every Casa Linda floor plan includes a detached service building for the pool equipment and extra storage space. But, as we said earlier, additional storage is always good, especially for full-time residents and retirees. If you love decorating your home with the seasons, you will need a place to keep your decorations!

Adjustments can be made to the service building to increase the amount of storage space, like increasing the overall square footage and adding built-in shelving.

Jacuzzi

What paradise would be complete without a jacuzzi to soak in after a long day of surfing or hiking through the mountain trails? Jacuzzis are a very popular villa addition amongst our retirees, for a good reason! Retirement is all about kicking your feet up, being stress-free and living the good life.

Imagine going for a late-night soak in your jacuzzi: the jets massaging your aches and pains away, a cool tropical breeze blowing through your hair, the twinkling night sky, and an ice-cold cerveza in your hand. Life is good, especially at Casa Linda.

Your Villa, Your Way

Over the last 40 years, Casa Linda has been home to a growing community of expats from all over the world. Casa Linda’s gated community is located between the lovely beach towns of Sosúa and Cabarete on the north coast of the Dominican Republic.

You can choose between 15 different villa models that are customizable to your taste. Outside of your budget, the only limit is your imagination!

Ready to take the plunge? Contact Casa Linda today to learn more about buying a villa in Sosúa, Dominican Republic.

Paradise Found: Why Retiring in the Dominican Republic is the Ultimate Dream

Paradise Found: Why Retiring in the Dominican Republic is the Ultimate Dream

May 29, 2024 | Dominican Republic Retirement, Expat Life, News, Relocating to the Dominican Republic

After a long life of hard work providing for your family and career, it’s time to retire and start living for yourself. You have worked so hard to set your family up for success; it’s your turn to kick your feet up and enjoy a well-deserved life of leisure.

What better way to live your golden years than on a tropical island with all the comforts of home and the luxuries of an all-inclusive resort? Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about retiring in the Dominican Republic at Casa Linda’s gated community.

Just Like Home, But So Much Better

The Dominican Republic shares all the amenities and conveniences of your home country, like affordable healthcare, modern infrastructure, and vibrant communities. Contrary to what you may assume, the DR has an incredibly stable and consistently growing economy thanks to our thriving tourism industry!

The only thing you will miss about home is your friends and family. Other than them, the Dominican Republic has everything you could ever want or need. After all, does your home country have over 200 beaches and a massive rainforest to explore?

The Perfect Location

Casa Linda has spent the last 40 years building an ever-growing community of expats from all over the world. Casa Linda is located on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic, the best place for expats to land and start an exciting new chapter of their lives. Living at Casa Linda, you’re only a 15-minute drive from some of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic.

Are you worried about tropical storms and natural disasters? You have nothing to worry about at Casa Linda; no hurricane has ever been recorded to reach the North Coast of the Dominican Republic. Casa Linda is a safe and friendly community of locals and expats between the lovely cities of Sosúa and Cabarete.

The Comfort of All-Inclusive Within the Privacy of a Neighborhood

Once you have reached retirement age, you’ve done your fair share of driving, cooking, cleaning, landscaping, and much more. Why not live in a place that handles all of that for you? Retiring in the Dominican Republic is much more than moving to a vibrant tropical oasis. It’s about providing yourself the life of leisure you deserve, and Casa Linda wants to provide that for you.

Land ownership works similarly in the DR, as once you own your villa, it’s yours; you can even apply for Dominican citizenship! If you’re used to living in a suburban neighbourhood, life won’t seem too different in our vibrant community. Okay, maybe it will be a little different, thanks to all of the unique perks you get from being an owner at Casa Linda.

Casa Linda’s villa management services are designed to make your life here as stress-free as possible. We offer services like weekly housekeeping and pool & garden maintenance; you could even pay a little extra for a chef to cook all three meals of the day.

Ready to Retire in the Dominican Republic?

Whether you’re looking to retire full-time in the Dominican Republic or part-time over the winter season, Casa Linda is the perfect place to spend your golden years. If you retire at Casa Linda, you are promised a future of soaking up the sun, indulging in fresh tropical fruit and delicious food, immersing yourself in a new culture, and so much more.

Are you ready to purchase a villa in the Dominican Republic and start the rest of your life? Get in touch with Casa Linda today to learn more about retiring in the Dominican Republic.