What stops you from moving to another state ??

We both have been there, but only on a cruise ship so basically we've visited the island for a total of 16 hours. You are correct though, it is recommended by everyone to do a pre move visit and live like a local for a couple of weeks or more. You are absolutely correct though about your last statement.
How true that is. We have been to several cruises, but if you want to get the real picture of the country, do what the wife and I did in Cozumel Mexico. One year we rented a Jeep to see the rest of the country. No wonder Mexicans are flooding to the US. We witnessed the poorest people living in horrible conditions. It was sad.