Could you really live the island dream?

I did try. It ain't paradise, just the same as any other place but with better weather!

I did for 4 years. I still have moments of intense yearning- and might still retire there. Get some land (my son is a citizen- he can buy it for us) and spend at least most of our time there. I remember sitting on the steps of "the resort" and thinking just exactly that. A year later I was hunting for housing.
but as Raro says, it ain't paradise. There is a great book on "my" island (Palau) called Edge of Paradise. Very very real.

Raro- what drove you away? For me it was the politics both on island and in the states.

Six wonderful, great, neat years in American Samoa. Been back many many times, going back in '08 and '09.
We never let the local politics bother us.

It was a part of my job- I couldn't ignore it. But nice to hear of other of us semi-islanders.

Oh man, I get so bored at times here in American Samoa. And frustrated. I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Benin, West Africa and find it ironic that American Samoa hasn't progressed much further than Benin in many respects (education, pollution, corruption), despite the level of support it receives. Then again, people are driving around in brand new SUVs, taking trips to Hawaii and eating too much McDonald's. Weird. Time to move on for me.
Paradise has to exist somewhere, though...doesn't it??!

Politics, greedy locals, racist locals, inept and racist bureaucrats, church-is-right on everything, and if you disagree you must be hired by Satan, many workers who were unreliable, as well as thieves, and in general a lack of education so they were a nation of sheep, following idiotic politicians for the sole purpose of self-gain (so, I guess not so stupid!), etc etc. Same as the US, but it's all in a small town environment, so you run into sleazebags all the time. Again, I'd say half the people were great, friendly, honest, caring, but the other half was so bad I didn't like living there. Higher percentage of nice people in the area I am now in, and of course, there is baseball and football instead of cricket and soccer!

I may write a book entitled: "The South Pacific: It's a Great Place to Visit, But I Wouldn't Want to Live There!" Peobably wake up a few utopians as to what "paradise" can really be like.

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<hr>American Samoa hasn't progressed much further than Benin in many respects (education, pollution, corruption), despite the level of support it receives.<hr></blockquote>

In this case it is not "despite" - it is because ...

It seems like most people are feeling the same way as me. Actually, I think any small place just gets to you after awhile. With all of us on this site having a traveling bug, it is only natural to feel a bit closed in after a while. I lived in Samoa for 9 years total. Still visit every few years and plan on semi- retiring there. Will still semi-live here in Hawaii too. I think living on a small island only works if you can get off at least once a year. The shopping for one thing, but just to see something different. Politics....mmmmm....the best thing is to not get too involved....be a good citizen in your own way. Apia, as a town, gets worse over the years. Too many tall buildings, cars and people. Out in the countryside is really the Samoa I love. Just walking through a plantation is a peak experience. The only place in Apia that I really like is the agriculture market place. And one thing for McDs there....it is a nice place to sit and cool off and they have a clean public toilet. Aloha