Which is the best Pacific Island for you?

Hi, everybody!

I'm considering to live about one year in a Pacific Island with my wife, but i've never been in any of them.
So, for you who visited some, wich would be the best choice and why?
For best I mean friendly, cheap and not so turistic, but with some development as well.

Thank you for your answer!
Best

American Samoa. Great scenery, genuinely friendly locals, no tourists, relatively affordable. Downsides are pollution, dogs, and limited flight connections.

Fiji would be my other choice. The trade off there is that there are many more tourists, but the available flight connections make it a great base for exploring the S Pacific.

Thank you, tch7

Fiji seems a good bet, what would you say about the independent Samoa?
And Tonga?

American Samoa (and Western Samoa) has had dog problems since at least mid 1960's, you'd think by now someone could figure out the problem..and FIX it!

And I love cats :(

Independent Samoa...No thanks. Don't regret going there, but don't care to ever go back for a number of reasons.

Can't personally comment on Tonga. Good reputation on the TT, but definitely less developed.

They're all great places in their own way but none are perfect-the place OP is looking for-no tourists but developed-doesn't exist.

And none allow a year's residency.

have a look at Levuka, Fiji. its off the turist track, very friendly, and it's a bit "developed" with some infrastruckture such as shops, transport, supermarket, hospital, post office, trips to islands, a club, restaurants..... long term acom at oniviro cottage or at the crows nest

I agree that a year-long stay may pose some legal difficulties - though in the case of Fiji, one could easily stay 3 months, then exit and re-enter.
None of the South Pacific countries is really "cheap", though Fiji is the cheapest one, followed by Tonga. But overall, Fiji is the most visited country in the region, though some corners of it are totally untouristed and undeveloped. I found both Fiji and Tonga friendly enough, but have the feeling the a long stay would be easier to arrange in Fiji.
Independent Samoa is not for me either...

(Independent) Samoa fits most of your criteria very well (in fact all, except cheap). I live here for many years and would never even remotely consider to move to Fiji, Tonga or even American Samoan. I could have done so in the past but I really don't like any of these countries that much, for different reasons. As a place to stay - which is a completely different thing from a touristic visit. From a short-term travel point of view even my preferences would be different.

Because it really is a matter of personal preferences. One year would be a problem in Samoa too, but not too difficult to solve. Main question - in any of these small countries: what are you going to do all the time ...? Especially if you want it cheap, so not traveling around that much.

I'd opt for Fiji as well, but what about Cook Islands? I suspect there'd still be the problem of a long stay, though.

Max time in the Cooks is 6 months. You might consider two or even three different countries.

{quote:title=Ivan1970ivan wrote:}{quote}
I'm considering to live about one year in a Pacific Island with my wife, but i've never been in any of them.

A year is quite a good time to get into the culture of your chosen island Ivan. All islands in the Pacific are going to challenge you, no doubt. Cross-cultural issues are huge when you get off the beaten track, but it's worth it if you push through the pain barriers. You would need a sponsor to go a full year though. Our guests have no trouble because we support their applications but you wouldn't be able to do more than the two months without local support.

So, for you who visited some, wich would be the best choice and why?

I've been in Samoa almost three years running voluntourism programmes and the country certainly has some magic. Hospitality is enshrined in the culture so that you will always get a lovely smile where ever you go. After the first three weeks off the tourist trails though and you will start to get challenged. Try to get a supporting local organisation or local contact before you just arrive - will save you heaps of money, time and frustration.

For best I mean friendly, cheap and not so turistic, but with some development as well.

Friendliness is tops in Samoa. Cheap is relative. Except for Internet costs, the actual costs are not too bad in Samoa if you compare them to overseas costs, but the relative income differences are huge. If you are fully self funding though you will be fine.

Best is relative too. It depends on what you are looking for. If you want a deep experience in Samoa, really getting into the villages, then sign up for a SWAP Ambassador role and your life will probably never be the same again. If you want to just enjoy the place then Beach Fales and a Sunday to'onai with the local families will do you well.
>
> Thank you for your answer!
> Best

Thank you, melbar!

i will do some research, it seems great!

Best

Thank you, Laszlo!

Fiji is becoming my first option, no doubt.

Wksamoa

You said you are living in Samoa for some years, but are you a native?
If not, how does it works?

Is it possible for a non-native to rent a little place and open a bar, for example?

Edited by: Ivan1970ivan

Never thought about the Cooks, guys, biut it's a good tip.
Think I'm gomna do some research there!
Tanxs, watsoff and h2ooh!

Victus, thank you so much!

Your advices are very precious to me, are tops!

Best, :)

Coming to the Pacific, you have to bring all the money you need for your expenses, simple as that. And it is not cheap. Rent a little place and open a bar? As a visitor? You are completely on the wrong track with this. This is about travel, not about migration. Wouldn't work anyway.

No, not really migration, wksamoa,

I'm thinking about one break year in the islands. No more than that.

I already have a bar on Brazil, so I was wondering if I could have one there to help to pay the stay after the initial investment.
But also to have something to do besides of only being in holidays for twelve months.

I think it would be a really different experience to make a little businness in such a place, if it's possible, of course.

thanks

Your plan won't work for the Cooks... they wised up to schemes like your's 50 years ago

That's also the reason that most of the SP is as untouched as it is... it's not the Caribbean, Mexico or South America.

I see, h2ooh, you are right, that was a very good decision.

My compliments on a very gracious reply... I WAS a little harsh..

Running a bar to have something to do during a long-term holiday in the Pacific would really be something new, lol. But no, it wouldn't work. Not legally, not businesswise. Hardly enough people with enough money even to allow recovering your investment only. Which is the reason too why most other business investments would not work either. These are small places ...

But you see it right: what to do all the time? Someone mentioned to have a look at more than one island or country. With a year time you can explore the huge variety of cultures and places in this area quite nicely. That would really be worth doing it. Also no problems with immigration. Rather costly though.

H2ooh,
;)

Edited by: Ivan1970ivan

I got it, wk,
Invest in a businness there, even a little one, would not be very smart in these conditions.

Thank you guys for sharing your thoughts and experiences about the SP.
I really didnt know anytrhing about the islands, so it was very nice to chat and learn something.

Best
Ivan