She wants a bilingual school, but also an environment that allows safe mobility, access to activities, and she is concerned about the availability of serious medical centers.
SANTO DOMINGO – It was Saturday morning, and while waiting for the train that would take her to 42nd Street in Manhattan, Brenda pulled out her notebook and looked for her notes. “School for the kids and good clinics nearby. Hospitals there are a nightmare.” The cool autumn breeze brushed against her neck, and her children frolicked a few steps away, oblivious to the whirlwind of doubts that had been swirling around her for months. She felt the true weight of her decision to return.
She thought about her life in New Jersey, the security of her routines, and the certainty that she wanted to close this chapter to begin another, peacefully in Santo Domingo. But she also thought about them: their education, their health, whether she could find a neighborhood where she could give them the stability they already had here.
That contrast, between the icy air of the platform and the warm thought of returning, was the exact point where she began to wonder, with a little more clarity, in what part of the capital she could rebuild her life.
Brenda is thinking about retiring in Santo Domingo and envisions a warmer, more manageable life than the one she currently leads between New Jersey and Manhattan. But she also knows that her return isn't just a return: she has two teenage children who will need a bilingual school and a daughter in college who will likely return to the country after graduating.
That equation—family, services, budget, and expectations—is what, from now on, begins to define where she might settle.
Like many Dominican women who have made their lives in New Jersey, Brenda isn't looking for excessive luxury or dazzling towers. Rather, she's looking for an upper-middle-class area with reasonable access to schools, clinics, shops, and transportation, without entering the high-end neighborhoods like Naco, Piantini, or La Esperilla. She prefers to buy something well-located but sustainable for her retirement.
The doubts of a returning mother:
For Brenda, the choice of neighborhood is directly linked to her children's education. She wants a bilingual school, but also an environment that allows for safe mobility and access to activities. On the other hand, she's concerned about the availability of reputable medical centers, since after so many years living in a country where every district has its urgent care center ten minutes away, she fears she won't have the same ease of access.
With that mental map, she began to explore, asking about areas that combined good schools, reliable clinics, and more reasonable prices. What she found was a wider range of places where she could fit in than she had imagined.
Los Prados
is one of the capital's most traditional upper-middle-class neighborhoods. It blends modest family towers with houses adapted to the city. It's close to several bilingual schools, supermarkets, and private clinics. Its residential atmosphere makes it a safe bet for those seeking stability without ostentatious real estate.
La Castellana
is similar in spirit to Los Prados, but with a quieter urban fabric. Professional families, less congested streets, and a real estate market that offers modern projects without reaching prohibitive prices. For Brenda, it would be a place where her children could move around with relative ease.
El Millón
is a robust upper-middle-class neighborhood with a wide range of apartments, services, cafes, gyms, and community spaces. It has direct access to main roads and is relatively close to bilingual schools, making it practical for a mother who still follows school routines.
Evaristo Morales:
A highly sought-after area for professionals and young families. It's centrally located, walkable, with modern high-rises, and its real estate market still allows for flexible pricing. Proximity to private medical centers is one of its strengths.
Bella Vista:
This neighborhood best balances cost, services, and quality of life. It features parks, shops, ample access, and a variety of developments. Although some areas have become more expensive, it maintains a clear appeal for upper-middle-class families. For Brenda, it would be a strategic location: her children would be close to prestigious schools, and she would have private clinics, supermarkets, and green spaces just minutes away.
Serrallés (upper-middle-class areas):
While some streets have higher prices, it still offers developments that fit within a mid-to-high budget. It's close to shopping centers, universities, and private clinics, making it attractive if her eldest daughter returns to the country seeking opportunities.
Renacimiento:
A more serene neighborhood, dominated by residences and low-rise buildings. Its family-friendly atmosphere and proximity to health and leisure services make it an option for those seeking space, tranquility, and security.
The two determining factors
Once the appropriate areas were identified, Brenda had to consider two aspects without compromise:
1. Bilingual Schools.
The aforementioned neighborhoods are relatively close to institutions such as Carol Morgan School, St. Patrick, Ashton, Babeque International, New Horizons, Lux Mundi, and other private schools with bilingual or international programs. These schools vary in price, allowing Brenda to adjust her educational options without moving to affluent neighborhoods.
2. Quality Medical Centers.
From these neighborhoods, Brenda is just minutes away from renowned clinics such as Hospiten, Abel González, UCE, Corazones Unidos, Moderno, Real, and centers specializing in pediatrics, cardiology, and preventive medicine. For a family that has enjoyed years of affordable healthcare in the U.S., this proximity is crucial.
With the practical perspective of someone who has lived abroad,
Brenda knows that returning isn't just about buying an apartment; it's about rebuilding daily life. The neighborhood she chooses must allow her children to study without long commutes, for her to receive medical attention without disruptions, and for the family routine, after decades in New Jersey, to adapt smoothly to the rhythm of Santo Domingo.
Between Los Prados, La Castellana, El Millón, Evaristo Morales, Bella Vista, Serrallés and Renacimiento, there is a middle-to-upper-class area where you can find exactly that balance: well-located homes, reasonable prices within their range, quality services and a lifestyle that feels neither excessive nor limited.
That is, perhaps, the real decision he now faces: choosing not just an area, but the version of Santo Domingo where he wants to write his new chapter.
