Our story is quite similar to yours k4adams with the exception of the loss of your best buddy. I am so so sorry for your loss. My wife and I honeymooned the Negril in 1992. Our original plan was to vacation travel every year by going to a hot destination one year and then a ski destination the next and switch back and fourth, hot and cold every year and a different location every time. Well, our first (and last) stop was Negril. We fell in love with this place and came back here every year. 2 weeks wasn't enough so 3 weeks it was, then 2 trips of 2 weeks and so on. Well, fast forward 31 years later and we have never been to another destination ever, with the exception of a couple of cruises out of MoBay. Now retired, we sold our property in Canada and living here full time. Like what Rob said, permeant residence status is obtainable. I'm not sure if I would call it difficult, but you need to have all your ducks in a row, all T's crossed and i's dotted. All documentation must be present and in order. Maybe frustrating might be a better work, but obtainable. That little voice of reason (AKA Rob) is also right when he says come here for a few months and test it out. I might suggest coming here in the summer just to see if you can handle the heat. This summer was smokin hot here.

Another suggestion is, in memory of your best little buddy there, spend some time volunteering at the Negril Spay and Neuter clinic. That might help with the healing process and maybe even put a smile or two on your face. It certainly worked for my dog crazy wife. The work they do there is remarkable as any long timers can tell. Remember all the stray beach dogs back in the 90's.

As to where to live, that's a difficult question. It all depends on what your needs are. We discovered The Point Village in 1992. PV went through a dark time years ago but those days are gone and the place is fantastic. Maybe one of the best if not the best location in all of Jamaica. Again, depending on what your needs are. You can get a cottage of apartment in the West End but check it out first.