Moving from Romania to the Dominican Republic: My Reasons Why

"A deep sense of love and belonging is an irreducible need of all people. We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong. When those needs are not met, we don't function as we were meant to. We break. We fall apart. We numb. We ache. We hurt others. We get sick." - Brené Brown

There’s a whole chapter from 2020 that I’ve yet to write about – and I hope to share it soon. The most impactful parts of that year include living through the Covid-19 pandemic and the premature birth of my baby boy. But for now, let me jump straight into my 2021 journey!

If the title didn’t make it obvious, my family and I made the decision to relocate once again. And not just anywhere – we’ve moved to the exotic Dominican Republic! For those of you who’ve followed my journey, you’ll know that I lived in Romania since 2015, where the continental weather and landscapes felt far more exotic compared to my home island. Just to remind you – I was born in Haiti (geography fact: Haiti and the Dominican Republic share the same island) and spent a significant part of my childhood and teenage years there. So, yes, the continent has always felt a bit foreign to me, but it also gave me things I craved from island life.

Why Return "Home"?

You may be wondering why I felt the need to go back “home.” First, I don't believe home is defined by just one place (let's not forget I've lived in 10 countries, and I seriously consider half of them my home). But despite the lure of "greener grass" elsewhere, there comes a point when you need to make choices and commit. Some people run from responsibility or relationships, but I ran from home – or rather, the idea of it. The homes I had growing up were never secure or long-lasting, so detachment came naturally. In fact, escaping often felt safer.

There’s a fine line between travelling and relocating, and in my case, it’s been blurred more times than I can count. I have no problem with travel – I’m a curious person with a passion for discovering the world and myself in the process. But relocating, and constantly uprooting my children, weighed on me. Providing a stable life for them became my priority. I don’t know if there are truly nomadic families out there whose children haven’t suffered from the lack of a single home. But for me, I knew that stability was essential.

Choosing Between Romania and the Dominican Republic

If you’ve read my previous posts, Home Is Where The Heart Is and My Dilemma with Choosing a Home Country, you’ll understand more about my identity struggle and why I had to choose between Romania and the Dominican Republic. I won’t go into all the details again, but France – a third option – was eliminated because, although geographically and culturally in the middle, I didn’t resonate enough with its mentality, nor did I want to live in a highly industrialised country.

Why Leave Romania?

Romania was wonderful in many ways. But the negative aspects intensified during the Covid-19 pandemic. To top it off, I went through an extremely traumatic experience with the premature birth of my second child. It was an event that will stay with me forever. You might think, "This could have happened anywhere," but I disagree. The way my situation was handled in Romania was deeply inhumane. I believe fear can make people act in cruel and abusive ways, and the outdated systems in Romania, partly influenced by its communist past, made the experience far worse than it might have been in other countries.

I’m still processing the trauma, but that experience was the final straw. After three and a half months of sheer disbelief at how low humanity can sink, I knew I couldn’t stay. It took me six months to mentally recover (as much as one can) and make the decision to leave.

This was a tough choice. I had fully intended to settle in Romania, and the idea of relocating my children – especially my eldest, who had already adapted to the language, preschool, family, and friends – was heartbreaking. But ultimately, I knew a healthier, happier mother was far better for my family than staying in a place where I felt anxious and depressed.

Why the Dominican Republic?

I had long been conflicted about returning to the Dominican Republic, and the pandemic pushed me to do it sooner rather than later. My husband was initially sceptical – particularly about the economic risks – but he recognised that the situation in Romania had become unbearable. We chose the Dominican Republic because, deep down, I knew it was where I wanted to be.

The People Matter

The people are what really made the difference. Over the years, I’ve realised that the location doesn’t matter as much as the people you surround yourself with. For me, the people I connect with most are Dominicans. Not French, American, Romanian, or even Haitian – but Dominican. They are positive, ambitious, joyful, resilient, and incredibly welcoming.

Of course, I’m culturally tied to many nations, but the qualities I missed most elsewhere are the ones I’ve found in the Dominican Republic. It may sound narrow-minded, but it’s my perspective – and since it’s my life, that’s what matters!

Family and Quality of Life

Another big draw was my sister and her family, who were already established in the Dominican Republic. I wanted my children to grow up alongside their cousins, and this played a huge role in my decision.

Beyond that, the quality of life here is fantastic. The tropical landscapes, warm year-round weather, rich food, joyful music, and vibrant culture are hard to beat. Music fills the air everywhere you go, and people are always ready to sing or dance – it’s such a joyful environment.

And let’s not forget the help at home. You can judge if you like, but having someone to assist with cooking, cleaning, and childcare has been a lifesaver. With two small children, I wouldn’t have considered returning to work without this support.

Punta Cana: A Perfect Choice

We chose to move to Punta Cana, a town that’s both laid-back and rapidly developing. Known for its thriving tourism industry, Punta Cana offers plenty of opportunities for work and business. It’s a mix of vacation vibes and everyday living, with an international community and a strong sense of safety and organisation.

Life here isn’t easier – you still have to work hard – but it feels more like home than anywhere else I’ve lived.

No Regrets

In the end, I have no regrets. The feeling of belonging is powerful, and I’ve rediscovered happiness and peace here. My husband and children feel more grounded and content too. We’re living out our dreams – my husband is finally pursuing his passion for sailing, I’m writing and building my business again, and the kids are thriving in island life, sandy toes and all!

Sarah the Digital GypSea

Dominican Republic, April 2021