I'm a Black Expat AMA

[Wiseborn]

For the brehs heading to the Dominican Republic the High season is generally from October to April then prices for accommodations drop significantly and deals can be had.

If you can get around using Airbnb directly do so as the Dominican Government now has an 18% tax on Airbnb’s like the 18% tax on restaurant meals.

This is how the DR makes money.

 

[Wiseborn]

Airline Protip:

People sleep on skyscanner. I do use Tor when searching flights not Consuer Reports did a test saying that it’s only a 7% difference in prices when using incognito mode on the Comp when searching flights.


One thing people never think of is baggage costs. Unless you’re true one bagger you should actually check the baggage prices of flights as part of your comparisons. It could be a big difference depending on the airline we all know how these budget airlines get down.

Dont get got.

Another thing airlines do is some airlines charge you up to 25 bucks more when checking in at the counter so do the online airline check in as soon as possible.

 

[Wiseborn]

More repat news:

 

[Wiseborn]

For those taking long haul Business class trips use the Going.com app

https://www.going.com/deals

It used to be called Scotts Cheap Flights you can save some coin especially if you plan ahead.

 

[Wiseborn]

Money saving pro tips

Reshop if possible

You decide you want to go somewhere and you make plans six months out you budget for the trip and there might be a last minute price drop.

This happens a lot at non chain hotels you can make a cancelable reservation on say Expedia and cancel if and when you see a price drop on the hotel for the same room.

As far as travel insurance I use Continental assist but Safety wing is good too..

For expats to Colombia nu bank gives the best interest rates right now

 

[Wiseborn]

banking pro tips for colombia.

You should move walking around money in Nu Bank ( or any other high interest account) but there’s a tax on transactions 0.4% You can pick one bank to avoid the tax so I’d use Bancolombia for my transactions ( mainly cash withdrawals) and Nu bank as an emergency reserve of cash. That being said taxes are high in Colombia so I wouldn’t put more cash in than I wanted to declare.

The Colombian Insured deposit rate is 50,000,000 pesos or about 13K USD or so if my math is correct.

 

[Wiseborn]

Airline rights #knowbeforeyougo


If you book a flight nonstop and the airline cancels They have to offer you a full refund. They can and will try to finesse you but if you stick to your guns you get the money back.

If you book direct from an airline you have 24 hours to cancel for Airline credit Not a refund but you can book a later flight.

Additionally if you book with an airline directly way in the future and there’s a price drop for reasons usually the airlines will allow you to pay the cheaper fare if you ask the right person. It’s worth asking.

For most domestic flights usually Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Mid August is the cheapest to fly.

Everything I’m saying applies to American Airlines flying mainly domestically foriegn airlines have diffferent customer service rules but some use American best practices

 

[Wiseborn]

Housing Pro Tips.

I’ve been a big fan of Booking especially with their cash at the front desk no deposit option.

Whatever you do don’t get one of those non refundable hotel deals off the apps.

The obvious reason is you can’t get your money back if anything goes wrong and sometimes you don’t even get the hotel room.

Book in person whenever possible.



Apartment hunting pro tips. In Colombia you need a Fiador ( cosigner) to rent a place There’s companies that will co sign a place for you and they’re legit.

That being said the Airbnb long term option and asking the expats on the ground is best. You can ballpark prices by hitting up the Facebook expat groups and discords


Never trust a Facebook expat group post usually it’s a scam or a brokepat is gonna want a fee for pointing you to a place that you could’ve just asked an expat once you got to your destination.

 

[Wiseborn]

Hard incel advice:

If you’re on the trickin’ wave I wouldn’t come to Colombia. Obviously there’s hoes in all country codes but it’s easier to link with hoes in Places like Sosua.

If you need the tricking with extra steps pretend Girlfriend experience I’d head to Africa and Nairobi specifically.

If you are gonna come to Colombia anyway I’d go Cartagena if you wanted a short smashfest

If you wanted to trick with extra steps then I’d head to Cali.

DO NOT USE TINDER!!!

You’d be way safer using the sugar daddy sites like Seeking Arrangement or Glambu

Yes you have to pay for these sites but far less chances of you getting drugged.

I know some old ass dudes that use those sites and deal with Afro Colombians and haven’t had problems.

 

[Wiseborn]

More Real estate advice:

If you’re looking for properties go to the banks and ask for the foreclosure lists. You might be able to snag a deal using this method.

Additionally if you get that deluxe condo in the sky check the bylaws of the community They might not let you sublet at all or they might not allow parties or even bringing girls in.

also get the original blueprints of the building whenevr possible. In the tropics water damage is your greatest enemy. Avoid flat roofs if possible.

If you’re trying to Airbnb a place that might be a problem, You’d want maximum flexibility.

 

[Wiseborn]

Here’s the basic requirements to becoming a Dominican citizen

 

[Wiseborn]

Dominican Uber advice. If at all possible use a regular taxi or even a Publico ( even though a publico will be a hoopty and it won’t move unless it’s 5 passengers in a subcompact). If you use Uber don’t in a hurry to go somewhere because they will try to make you go off the app and charge you more.

You have to look at an Uber driver the same way you look at an Airbnb don’t pick anyone with less than a 5 star rating and check the last 15 or so reviews.

nikka texts you anytime before he’s close be prepared for the okedoke.

Dont ever cancel wait till he cancels or he’ll get a cancellation fee.

Also again Plan your trips If you get a “good deal”. on an Airbnb in the middle of nowhere you might actually spend more on transport and aggravation than if you picked a more expensive hotel in a more central spot.

I got a homie that got a spot in a fly new development. problem is it’s way out I’d spend more in cab fares than a place closer in that costs 200 bucks more but I’d rarely need a cab.

 

[TRBM]

Can you get by with English down there? What is transpo like in Cali? Do you recommend an area to stay or not stay?

 

[Wiseborn]

Can you get by with English down there? What is transpo like in Cali? Do you recommend an area to stay or not stay?

Sure you can get by with English but it will be hard you’ll need to use Google Translate.

Transport is good you got buses that will take you clear across the city for less than a dollar there’s cabs and Uber Didi and Yango ( Yango is usually the cheapest) You shouldn’t spend more than six or 7 dollars to go clear across the city.

If you were coming on Vacation I’d stay in Grenada in the north or Chipichape, The historic district of San Antonio, La Flora or El Penon.

If you were coming to Live I’d live in the south El Ingenio, Ciudad Jardin, Ciudad Capri or Canasgordas.

 

[Wiseborn]

Can you get by with English down there? What is transpo like in Cali? Do you recommend an area to stay or not stay?

what did you want to do in Cali? Meaning what is making you think of coming to Cali?

For example I wanted to live in a place where there was significant Black people including some not on the very bottom rungs socially That had a low cost of living with good infrastructure.