Cripes - you're kidding me?! No wonder there are no Americans here :-( I don't think things are that stringent for all immigrants though, it wouldn't seem.
It is very beautiful physically, with the harbours, volcanoes, greenery and birds. Not much chop by way of buildings, but great restaurants and cafes. Not bad in terms of the arts. Houses cost an absolute fortune here at the moment - ridiculous. Anyway, one of our numerous volcanoes will probably explode shortly, and you'll be thankful you couldn't come :-)