Is it a good idea to move to Hawaii?

Question

i have 2 dogs and 2 cats

Answer 1

First, I suggest you study the islands and decide on which one you want to live on (they all offer something different) based on the kind of lifestyle you enjoy. If you're young I would recommend Oahu because of Honolulu and it being the "happening" of the islands, and it still has plenty of laid back non-touristy areas. If you enjoy a slower pace you should check out Maui, Kauai or the Big Island (which is the island of Hawaii, which the state is named after). You also need to consider what kind of enviroment you prefer because again, the islands are very diverse and offer something different.

Regarding your pets, I would never suggest you part with them. (I have two dogs that are like children to me.) You need to be prepared that it will be a time consuming, expensive process to move them there. There is no rabies on the islands and they have very strict policies in place about bringing pets there. If you are like me and would never quarentine you pet at a facility once you arrive then you will have to have all their shots up to date and a health exam($$). Then you'll have to have a microchip implanted ($35 plus cost of vet visit) for tracking and also so the authorities can instantly scan data from and about your pet. You will have to have a test called a rabies titer which costs about $250. This is a blood test that is sent to a university/government affiliated lab that confirms that your pet does not have rabies. Then, you start a 120 day quarantine period, that thankfully your pet does at home, (and that just means that in that time you can't kennel your animal or allow them to come in contact with any other animals aside from your other family pets). Once your 120 days are up you have an 18 month window to travel to the islands. Two weeks before travel you have to go back to the vet and have a health exam and a health certificate written up by your vet stating your pet is in good enough health to travel. You have to pay to get that health certificate fed-exed to a govt. agency in harrisburgh, pa, which stamps an approval on it and fed-exes it back to you (again at your expense). Now you can travel with your pet and you should qualify for direct airport release when you arrive. Prices for airline ticket range depending on the pets size and can cost anywhere from $150 up to $300 or more. Your pet will have to be in a special crate with non-spillable food and water dishes/feeders. And your pet can't leave any airport, meaning departure, lay-over, or destination if the temperature is 80 degrees F or more (I suggest you fly at night if flying in the summer months.) Consider what it would cost to have each pet. It's kind of a pain in the *** with all the trips to the vet and the expense, but my fuzzy ones are worth it!

I would plan to leave everything behind, except perhaps your most sentimental belongings (like pictures and small personal things you can ship). Fyi: you can get those big blue tupperware containers and pack it with your stuff, duct tape the hell out of it and bring it to the post office and ship it to your new address, I think it's still about $1 per pound.) You can get all new stuff when you get there. And, actually there are plenty of aptartments and houses already furnished (some complete with dishes and linens) if you plan to just rent.

It's hard to tell you to have a job lined up before you go, when most employers want to hire people that are already living there over people still on the mainland. Still there are certain industries there where jobs are available and in high demand always (like police officers, massage therapists, server positions at restaurants where you could get hired immediately upon arrival.) You're also more like to score a job while still stationed on the mainland if you're highly specialized in something that's in demand and you pay to fly there for interviews. Note: 99% of the employers there will NOT pay for your relocation.

There are some books out there like "So You Want To Move To Hawaii" and such, but the best advice I can give you is to go there and visit. Stay a while, live like a resident, not a tourist, explore, check everything out, lifestyles, people, different areas of the island, cause again different sides of the same island are very diverse (one side can be very dry and desert-like while the other is lush rain forest). There are Sam's clubs, Costcos, Walmarts, and car dealerships that carry the same prices there as they do on the mainland, just as there are completely unique local shops, grocers and merchants where you can get a fair price on things(food is usually overpriced mainly in the tourist-y areas). Some things are indeed more expensive there (like rent and property tax) than they are in most cities on the mainland, but other things cost less (like utilities-ie. no heating and very little use of air conditioning). So it balances out. Don't be discouraged. Go and check it out, a couple times if you have to. Then come home and plan, save money and plan some more.

Answer 2

According to the posts here:
1) You can’t afford to buy or rent real estate property here!
2) According to the military, it is a very BORING place to be.
3) You must be rich and enjoy living in a crowd in order to live here.
4) Everything is imported from the United States (huh?) Holy Moely; if cereal is $9.00 a box! How much does milk cost? (see number 1 and 3 above).
5) The volcanoes are active and are erupting! The ground is too hard.
Hmmm… after all these years, I didn’t realize I was having such an awful time here. I’d better get the hell off this godforsaken island! This place is uninhabitable!!!

All facetiousness aside, I totally disagree with the negative posts here. Prices are indeed high, high paying white collar jobs are scarce, and the cost of living is high. But if you have a dream of living here, an objective plan to fulfill your dreams, the determination to stay the course of your plans, then by all means do move here. I’ll be one of the first to welcome you to these beautiful islands borne from the ocean and populated by people from all corners of the world. There is a beauty, a mystique and a fierceness attached to our land and our people that has to be experienced. After doing so, you may find yourself embracing our land, its history, its uniqueness and the warmth of our people.

Aloha and may you find safe and pleasant journeys.

Answer 3

No, it's not. Almost everything's imported from the Mainland, which is the United States. Cereal is like $9 a box too. Real estate prices are outrageous over there. Why would you want to live on a bunch of islands that have VERY active volcanos? The islands are made from volcanic matter that's hardened over the years. I know the Hawaiian Islands are gorgeous. Stick to vacationing there.

Answer 4

I don't know why all these people think they have to right to answer this question, especially when many of them admit that they never came here! I live here in Hawai'i and it is fantastic!

Not everything is imported from outside sources. We have lots of fresh fruit and fish that is grown and caught here.

It is definitely a good idea to get a job before moving here. In addition, it is true that the real estate is very expensive, but it is expensive many other places as well.

In addition, island life is fantastic! Where else in the US can you go that there is beautiful beaches everywhere? I love it.

Answer 5

Have a job 1st, already lined up. And find a place to live before going. Prices are incredibly high in the islands. So be prepared to have to work with a dog to MAKE it.

Answer 6

i know quite a few people that are moving to or used to live in hawaii.. via the military.. cost of living in hawaii is crazy expensive becuase everything has to be shipped there food is expensive, housing is expensive, everyhting... .. and as a just starting out in life 20yr old i really wouldnt suggest it... i mean i would love to move there, i just dont have the money for it..

Answer 7

don't know why you put the dog and cat part. never been there but Hawaii seems like an incredibly beautiful place!!

Answer 8

Dogs and cats don't have a thing to do with it. Have you looked at the real estate prices over there?

Answer 9

Are you very rich and like crowded Island life?

Answer 10

I would not recommend it. I heard it is very boring there and very expensive! It's a great place to visit, but not to live there.