Why would somebody apply for residency? Well, I can only speak to the people I know living there full time - heck of a lot easier to work and move around (and actually the work thing is NEW - used to be if you had residency you could NOT work) - and A LOT less expensive than the annual renewal of a work permit.
I could see it but I can't see myself applying for residency status until and if I decide I want to be there longer than 3 or 4 months.
Like Likkle Red, when I'm there I "live". Unlike Medi, where I "live" the rest of the year feels just as much like home as Jamaica does. I move from one soft spot to another and would be hard pressed to never live in Bodega again. If down the road though I decide to spend 6 months there and 6 months here I MIGHT apply just to avoid the trip to MoBay to get the Visa extended. But that's not such a big deal or expense so who knows. I'm on the fence, obviously, lol.
Medi: Life is too short NOT to follow your dream. Go for it girl, you happen to be a PERFECT "candidate" to live in Jamaica comfortably for as long as you like.