The people who keep their job in the US and get a visa here most the time have a company they have paired with down here or a similiar company, NEC, Microsoft, Sun, etc. If your wife gets a job most places will help her get a visa than you guys will be fine. As far as the $1000US/month, I think that is for a family. I was told the new visa fee of $134us was good for 10 years. Also, I do think before you move here that you should come visit, because you can look at the areas before you try to find an apartment. During your visit you can start making job connections, which down here is better face to face. Good Luck.