We Built a House in the Dominican Republic – Series 2, Part #3

A Real-Life Story of Building, Relocating & Living the Dream on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic

Welcome back to our “We Built a House in the Dominican Republic” series — where we follow real clients (and now friends) as they transform their Caribbean dreams into reality. In this episode, we check in with Calvin and Jana, who are building their forever home right here on the north coast of the Dominican Republic — one of the fastest-growing destinations for expats, retirees, and investors looking for affordable luxury living in the Caribbean.

Their journey offers an inspiring look into what it’s really like to build a home in a gated community, relocate to the Dominican Republic, and embrace a lifestyle surrounded by sunshine, ocean breezes, and a warm local community.

From the U.S. to the Dominican Republic: 

For years, Calvin and Jana dreamed of owning a home close to the ocean. But in the United States, high property prices, insurance premiums, and taxes made coastal living unrealistic for their retirement budget.

After visiting Jamaica in 2024, they expanded their search to the wider Caribbean — and that’s when they discovered a hidden gem: the Dominican Republic, a country offering affordable real estate, excellent infrastructure, and a thriving expat community, particularly on the north coast.

After selling their home in the U.S., they temporarily stayed with family while finalizing the sale and preparing funds for their new construction. During that time, DR Property Guys and their chosen developer kept them updated with regular video reports, progress photos, and status updates, ensuring complete peace of mind throughout the initial process.

Their new villa is currently ahead of schedule by nearly 30 days — proof that new construction in the Dominican Republic can be both efficient and stress-free when handled by experienced professionals.

When they finally arrived and saw their new home still mid construction, Jana laughed that the only thing missing was “a bottle of champagne.” They are thrilled with the quality of the build to date, and the flexibility still allowed to make some custom changes — a hallmark of this particular developer on the north coast.

Building a House in a Gated Community on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic

For Calvin and Jana, building their dream home in a secure, gated community in Sosúa offered the perfect balance of comfort, convenience, and lifestyle. They loved the community’s tropical landscaping, well-maintained infrastructure, and sense of privacy — all key features that make north coast gated communities some of the most desirable in the Dominican Republic.

Although the developer offered high-quality finishings, Calvin and Jana decided to take a hands-on approach. With the help of Tay from DR Property Guys, they explored local suppliers in the area and were amazed by the wide range of tiles, ceramics, countertops, and fixtures available locally. Jana said she “felt like a kid in a candy store” picking out stylish non-slip tiles for floors, tile for the pool, elegant finishes for the bathrooms & kitchen, and custom design touches to make their villa uniquely theirs.

They even shipped 15 barrels and 15 large plastic tubs from the U.S., packed with personal items, décor, and home essentials — everything from shower heads and ceiling fans to light fixtures and doorknobs. It’s a great reminder that when you’re building a home in the Dominican Republic, you can combine the best of both worlds — importing favorite items while also supporting local suppliers. A further video will follow with more details regarding the shipping.

Relocating to the Dominican Republic with a four legged Family

Moving to a new country can feel daunting — especially when you’re bringing along three French Bulldogs! But Calvin and Jana proved that with the right preparation & planning, relocating to the Dominican Republic can be smooth and less stressful than they had imagined.

They arranged USDA certifications, rabies vaccinations, and hired a pet nanny to manage travel logistics. To their surprise, what they expected to be the hardest part of the move turned out to be the smoothest — everyone arrived happy, healthy, and ready for Caribbean life.

They’ve since settled into a comfortable rental property in Sosúa, close to their under-construction home, and are adapting beautifully to island life. They both continue to work remotely, supported by Starlink internet (which is also available locally), and they’ve purchased a UPS backup system to ensure uninterrupted power when the grid switches to generator. A preprogrammed fire stick allows them to follow their passion for college football, keep track of the news and still enjoy their favourite programs.

Jana’s advice to anyone planning a move: “Plan ahead — it makes all the difference.”

Living the Caribbean Lifestyle: Sosúa, Cabarete & Beyond

Calvin and Jana are quickly discovering why so many expats are drawn to the north coast of the Dominican Republic. Their weeks are balanced between remote work and weekend getaways by exploring the beautiful beaches and restaurants Sosúa and Cabarete have to offer.

Transportation initially presented a small challenge, but their rental community offers a reliable shuttle service, and they plan to purchase a vehicle soon — with the guidance of DR Property Guys. Cars are slightly more expensive here, but they retain a decent resale value which helps balance the difference.

They’re also learning Spanish together, taking classes, and finding locals incredibly welcoming and patient. While English is widely spoken and most restaurant menus are bilingual, making an effort with Spanish earns big smiles everywhere they go.

Why So Many Are Buying Real Estate on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic

Calvin and Jana’s journey reflects a larger trend — people from around the world are buying real estate in the Dominican Republic for its unmatched combination of lifestyle, value, and opportunity.

When choosing where to buy or build, they focused on key factors every smart investor or retiree should consider:

• ✅ Affordable property prices – Homes and land in Sosúa, Cabarete, and Puerto Plata are far more attainable than in most Caribbean destinations.
• ✅ Cost of living – Everyday expenses, utilities, and services are affordable, allowing for a high quality of life on an affordable budget.
• ✅ Residency and property laws – Foreigners enjoy full property ownership rights, and the residency process is straightforward.
• ✅ Healthcare and infrastructure – Good standard of private medical facilities, international schools, and modern infrastructure make relocation seamless.
• ✅ Proximity to North America and Europe – Direct flights to major U.S., and Canada make travel easy and affordable.
• ✅ Safe, vibrant communities – Gated developments on the north coast offer peace of mind, friendly neighbors, and reliable management.
• ✅ Strong investment potential – Whether for personal use or vacation rental income, properties in Sosúa and Cabarete deliver consistent value growth.

For those looking to relocate, retire, or invest, the north coast — spanning from Puerto Plata through Sosúa, Encuentro, and Cabarete — remains one of the most desirable and high-growth real estate corridors in the Caribbean.

What’s Next for Calvin and Jana

As the end is in sight,, Calvin and Jana are eagerly awaiting and preparing for their move-in day — keeping a close eye on progress, finalizing furniture, landscaping, and custom interior details.

Their story demonstrates how, with the right planning & preparation, plus guidance from trusted professionals, building and owning property in the Dominican Republic can be both enjoyable and rewarding.

Thinking About Relocating or Building in the Dominican Republic?

Whether you’re dreaming of a retirement home near the beach, a modern villa in a gated community, or a rental investment property in Sosúa or Cabarete, DR Property Guys can help you make it happen.

We’re not just real estate agents — we’re long-term residents with over 50 years of combined experience helping clients navigate every step of buying property in the Dominican Republic.

Why Choose DR Property Guys:

• 🏝 Local Experts – We live and work here, with firsthand knowledge of every gated community, neighborhood, and investment opportunity.
• 🧭 Complete Relocation Support – From finding your home to connecting utilities, furniture sourcing, and residency assistance — we’ve got you covered.
• 🔑 Trusted Partners – We work only with reputable developers, ensuring that your investment is secure, transparent, and legal.
• 🌴 Lifestyle-Focused Approach – We understand that buying property in the Dominican Republic isn’t just a transaction — it’s a lifestyle choice.

Whether you’re looking for villas for sale in Sosúa, condos in Cabarete, land to build your dream home, or investment property opportunities across the north coast, DR Property Guys is your trusted partner in paradise.

📩 Contact us today to begin your journey toward owning property in the Dominican Republic — and start living the Caribbean dream you’ve always imagined.

📞 Tay: +1 809 756 7611 — tay@drpropertyguys.com

📞 Phil: +1 809 707 3598 — phil@drpropertyguys.com

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