Quote from hilojack:
I lived and traded for almost a year in Cozumel, Mexico. 45 minute ferry ride from Playa del carmen and mainland Mexico. 1 1/2 hours to Cancun. Internet and cell service were MORE reliable than in the US. Beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, great food-- both Mexican and traditional carribean (seafood). Decent size ex-pat population, but not enough to seem like you haven't left the US. The women were unbelievable. I bought a VW Bug for $2500 US. Sold it back to the dealer for $2200 when i left a year later. Good medical. And cheap. I've been to many carribean islands; there are many others I'd go to to vacation, but few others I'd go to to live.