Best islands to live on

Islands, the magazine, has a top 20 islands to live on list in their July/August issue. While I have lived on an island, St. Martin, West Indies (French and Dutch sides), and spent a lot of time on other Caribbean islands (On getting Island fever; Losing Identity in St. Thomas; St. Thomas USVI; Off to St. John, USVI), I swore I would never do it or think about it again. In my opinion, living on an island is fantastic in theory, but not so wonderful once in reality. I'm torn between this opinion and my absolute love for the ocean and beautiful beaches. So I've concluded that I could be happy with just owning a very tiny cottage on a small lot of land right on the beach. Once again, this is best if practiced in my imagination, because beach front land is so expensive and hard to find. If I ever do carry out this fantasy my requirements are that the island must be easily accessible. Meaning I don't want to have to fly to the main island, then take a ferry to the next island and then take a puddle jumper to the next closest island, then take a tender to my wonderfully secluded beach front getaway on a paradise island. Because what if I forgot to go grocery shopping on the main island and the only store on my island is sold out until the next shipment arrives arrives in two weeks? I guess if my cottage was fully staffed year round with chefs, housekeeping and massage therapists who can think ahead for me I could survive, just like Richard Branson's Necker Island. Where was I going with this? Oh, yeah. Best islands to live on...

The top twenty islands are:
Penang, Malaysia
Dominica
Utila, Honduras
Pico, Azores, Portugal
Aruba
Vanuatu
St. Kitts
New Zealand
Taveuni, Fiji
Long Island, Bahamas
Union Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Big Island, Hawaii
Norfolk Island, Australia
Cedar Key, Florida
Isla Colon, Panama

I've actually considered Dominica, I have a strong dislike of the Bahamas (although the people are nice), and I've always been in love with New Zealand. And why would I want to live on an island that is essentially Florida? Although, I do like Key West, but it's not on the list. I think I could handle New Zealand, but Dominica just seems too small for me.

The factors considered when compiling the list ranged from weather, number of expats, and starter housing prices. Fiji prices started at $50,000 for five acres of land near the beach. Too bad it costs a kajillion dollars to get there! Aruba seems pretty reasonable. I was surprised to learn that a three bedroom ranch style house starts at $85,000. Apparently, it's also pretty easy to buy there as long as you can pay cash.

So, there they are. Twenty great islands that are easy to get to and are reasonably affordable. Shh! Don't tell anyone so that the tourists don't catch on, move all at once and ruin the secret hideaways for us real travelers who truly appreciate these places! Let's just keep telling them how great St. Thomas, USVI is!