Residence Permit for 3+ month stays?

[davidw]

Can we look at this from the wrong way around perspective for a second.

How long in total are you looking to stay? (eg 4 months 5 months)
How long in any period are you looking to stay CONSECUTIVELY (eg 2 weeks)

The OP has a single major issue :

He can only stay 90 in 180 in a Schengen country (i.e the Visa free period is for ANY mainland EU (and a couple of EEA))

My thinking is this..... if its not essential to stay in the area.... why not break up the looooong stay by going outside the area. The UK / Eire are outside ( and a short train / flight) as is Cyprus, Romaina, Bulgaria Several more Eastern Euro countries etc...

Obviously you'd need to comply with the entry requirements of the non-Schengen country you are visiting, but other than that (and time not spent in the Schengen area) its perfectly ok to do so.