freefall2:
She said a lot!
Living there is nothing like vacationing there.
You're living in a foreign country. They have all sorts of residency laws which must be obeyed. They also have many peculiar traffic laws that will absolutely drive you nuts.
Food? You're going to have to adjust. Many folks complain about costs. They are higher, but if you demand highly processed and certain foods, they will be costly. Eat like a local, eat cheap. Buy where the locals shop, buy smart.
You will, when making landfall in the states in Houston or Miami on planned return trips- you will know where the WalMart is, the Home Depot... and oh yes, time to replace that mass of dripping green goo that was once your computer.
It is easy to get sucked into the island sopor. If you go there with high motivations and energy, you may be challenged by individuals with that certain island malaise, laziness, trust fund lethargy and worse. The party/bar life can be inviting.
The bizarre tangle of red tape for any business owner is daunting. Finding reliable help (see above paragraph) can be a challenge. Floor space leases are not cheap.
The legal system including simple liability for accidents, traffic or those around your business, can be frightening. Employemt laws? Welcome to Bizzaro-land.
Housing is not cheap. Advanced Life Support (Trauma Unit) Medical care is largely non-existant other than Nassau, Puerto Rico and Cayman. It deteriorates exponentialy from there. Crime rates (property criimes/burglaries, etc) can be ongoing and maddening.
Other than that it's pretty much so paradise.
(And the land they showed Al? What do "we" want? Oceanfront. Locals don't live there {only squatters}. Why? Huricanes. So- they sell it to NorthAmericans. I have owned several pieces in the Caribbean, I'm one of the "suckers"... loved every minute of it, though!)