Guam..what do you like what to you not like? (sales, for rent)

[AngryIrishman]

For the experts....subject line says it all.

[trench]

Like: Fiestas and Women.
Dislike : The Roads are horrible!

[wantons]

Likes: the beautiful weather, beaches, the fact that the ocean water is not freezing cold, the closeness of everything, the food, no sales tax!

Dislikes: I guess the roads could be better..., no freeways so the speed limit is about 45 and under (but everything's pretty close so it doesn't really matter), slow-paced life.

Also, responding to your post about housing: I would suggest this neighborhood called SUMMER PALACE. It's in Dededo, which is pretty close to Yigo (where the base is located). It's a gated community with a 24 hour security guard. The neighborhood consists of townhomes and single houses. (They're all two story homes too). With your budget of $2000-2800 - you can definitely definitely afford the larger (4 bedroom 2.5 bathroom) single houses which go for about $2400-2600ish. I think the townhomes are 3 bedroom, but I'm not 100% positive. The neighborhood has a pool, tennis court, playground. They're privately owned homes, so I'm not sure where to find out if there are any available for rent, unless you know someone on Guam who can check out the area for you.

Tumon is another nice area to live. It's like about 10 minutes from Dededo. Its like... the "downtown" of Guam. It's mostly a tourist spot - so there's a lot of fun nightlife, shopping around there. It's really close to the beach, which is great.

[team_evans]

Like:

Warm breezes
Rustling palm trees
Dense tropical vegetation
Brilliant blue skies
Sense of being on vacation every day
Kind, friendly, warm Chamorro people
General laid-back atmosphere
Sense of community and closeness
Diversity: white/Hispanic/black folks here with the military; local Chamorros, Filipinos, Micronesians

Don't like:
Horrible public schools and general apathy toward their appalling condition
Endemic patronage system/nepotism in government
Corruption, corruption, corruption!
Seeming inability to manage public funds honestly and effectively
Lack of enforcement of carseat laws (toddlers climbing all over cars going 50 mph and cops couldn't care less)
Distance from the mainland
Concentration of wealth and power in a few families such as the Calvos
Widespread smoking, even around kids/babies
Limited shopping
Miserable condition of only civilian hospital on island; lack of specialist physicians (people often have to go to Hawaii or the Philippines for non-primary care)
Lack of decent Mexican food!

[tropicalislander]

Are there any Chamorros here in EL Paso? we were in Guam for 3 years I love Chamorro bbq and recipes. Can i be invited to one of your parties??? I am from Kosrae Micronesia and live in Northeast El Paso.. I'm looking to meet more islanders here and maybe have a cook out

[joerankinn]

If I plan to visit Guam in the near future, what would actually I need besides that I know I need to get a visa. What else does it actually mean for me to know I am qualified to go? Can't I just get a plane tickets too...?

[johninvegas]

You don't need a visa to visit Guam if you are a U.S. citizen, it is part of the United States. You do need valid I.D. to get on the plane.

[Californiaguy2007]

I like the Culture,People,Food,Fiestas,Weather,Beaches and Laid Back Lifestyle.

I don't like the Earthquakes and Typhoons.

[isaackko]

Originally Posted by wantons

Dislikes: I guess the roads could be better..., no freeways so the speed limit is about 45 and under (but everything's pretty close so it doesn't really matter), slow-paced life.

LOL, speed limit!

I saw some speed limit signs in Guam. I think they are just suggestions.

[WIHS2006]

Endemic patronage system/nepotism in government
Corruption, corruption, corruption!
Seeming inability to manage public funds honestly and effectively

This seems to be a recurring theme in most of the world's 60 or so remaining territories.

You would think that the US, UK, France, Denmark, and the Netherlands would take measures to ensure good governance and proper domestic administration of their overseas possessions/territories/colonies/insert current politically correct term. I seriously question the ability of many of these places to govern themselves without the ruling power being involved in day to day matters.