having been there myself (two tours in GUM plus another one in MNL on the old freighter deal we had with DHL) i would be careful about GUM. virtually EVERYTHING there is substandard from schools to medical facilities to utilities to govt services. on the other hand, if you're excited by not knowing if the lights will work when you flip the switch and enjoy driving on pot-holed roads, not to mention that most of the locals will treat you with disdain at best, then give it a shot.
Wow. When was the last time you visited Guam? Immediately following a Typhoon (which Guam gets a fair share of) the conditions may be 'substandard' but the rest of the time things are OK. Public schools aren't nearly as good as those on the mainland, but there are numerous private schools which are excellent. There was a lot of corrpution surrounding the last governor which helped contribute to the many problems with public infrastructure, however things are significantly improving. Telephones work, the water flows now, and power doesn't go out anymore (except in rare cases).
you will find that all kinds of friends of the gate agents get upgraded ahead of you illegally and there's nothing you can do about it; your complaints will be "investigated" and you'll never hear from them again.
Unfortunately this has not changed. This has been happening for a long time, and to my knowledge there has never been any action taken. I've seen families and buddy passes 'secretly' getting first class before pilots with 25 years seniority. GUM gate agents always write your seat assignment on your boarding pass instead of printing a new one. Next time you think someone got upgraded who shouldn't have, see "Check Boarding" under "Travel Tools" to find out what seats were really assigned.
I'm in Newark, and I'd much rather be in Guam. The weather is better, a nice homes is significantly less expensive there, and the beaches are much nicer than those in New Jersey.