What is Hawaii like????

Question

I want to move to Hawaii in october and have no idea what it's like,please let me know anything from work to housing costs to dating for singles. I'm 25 and looking to check out a new place and see what life and love brings my way.

Answer 1

Hawaii is a tropical paradise, that has been overrun by tourists. There might not be a more beautiful spot on the entire planet. The only drawback is the throngs of tourists, from just about everywhere in the world. The only product that Hawaii has to offer the world, is Pineapples and its beauty, which it capitalizes on, through the tourism industry.
The prices in Hawaii are about 10 percent higher, than anywhere else in the U.S. This is because every product, with the exception of pineapples, has to be shipped there, by air or sea.
As for work, almost every job is tourist related in one way or another. There is work to be had there.
Housing is generally about 10 percent more, across the board, then it would be on the mainland.
As for dating, there are so many people and places to meet up, that dating and meeting other people is incredibly easy.
There a several Islands in the chain of Hawaiian Islands, that are suitable for living and working.
Check out this web sight, it should help you out a lot, and answer any other questions you might come up with.
Good Luck

http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/cameras/index.htm

Answer 2

The housing is very expensive there and it is hard to find apartments if you like to live alone. Those are all very expensive and scarce and most of them rent for at least $900/mth. Go check out http://www.craigslist.org for the rents and you will know. The island is kind of isolated and there are not that many jobs like some big cities do. Those big cities have way more jobs and housing than Hawaii, I think, and also more stores.

The weather is really good all year round, never gets too hot or too cold. The nature and beaches there are beautiful and the air quality there is very good. Public transportation there by bus is quite good and there are many bus routes. Parking spaces are more difficult to find in some areas.

Housing is very difficult and expensive there. There are many tourists and hotels in Waikiki, and the only place where there are all the hotels and tourists. You can see more of the nature and beaches and a lot less of the people, cars, stores and buildings on the other islands. The other popular islands are Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. The Big Island is where you can see volcanoes and the landscape and views there are spectacular.

Waikiki has probably just 1 or 2 night clubs but there really aren't many night clubs around on the whole, maybe less than 10. You can see many people on the beaches and on the streets in Waikiki. There are many tourists from Japan and trolleys that cater to just that. You can also check out http://travel.yahoo.com

All in all, it's a nice place to visit, but an expensive place to live.

Answer 3

You have been given alot of great information already...but I thought I would add a few other thoughts...
I am not sure where you live but if you in California or Florida etc..it will basically be a lateral move for you. Other than that, yep you will think its expensive in some ways. There are like IslandPrince stated jobs for those who have degrees... its more of a problem with people who do not have specific skills to get one job that will support them, hence working two jobs mostly in tourism (basically because that’s what keeps the islands afloat). Its true there is excellent public transportation and alot of it depends where you live on the island on whether you need a car.
Personally before I made the jump..I made many trips over at all times of the year so I could see exactly what I was in for...I investigated (probably over investigated) where I wanted to live...because even though your in Hawaii each town has its own "feel".......I decided on the North Shore because I wanted the country feel...but am still able to drive to the city in 40 minutes when I want to. We have lots of "chain" stores now.. Costco. and Costco prices are basically the same everywhere.. so if you a huge milk drinker buy it at Costco! There is also Safeway or on the mainland its Von's.. it always has specials. There are many farmers markets..and lots of roadside fruit stands. Gas is cheaper than in California (I was just there)..I can't speak for the other states. Clothing is not the same issue as the mainland.. you just don't dress the same..period! And don't need the same kind of clothes or amounts. We have "Ross for Less" here, so you can find clothes reasonable and even a Macy's , Sears, Home Dept, Lowe's, Kmart, Walmart...so see..its ver "civilized" here .
Everyday I walk up even going to work...I am in paradise..I take my board to work and change clothes on the way home I surf!! Can it get better....ummmmmmm.. not sure where!
I wish you all the best.. but do your homework!!
And.. you will meet friends!!!
Aloha!!

Answer 4

Hawaii is truly an amazing place to live. I have been here for about 18 months and am having a spectacular time. Some things you should be concerned about before moving here though.

- Cost of living is very high ($7 for a gallon of milk at SAFEWAY)
- Two seasons: rainy and dry (hard for people used to winters and falls)
- Hard to get a job - most pay minimum wage
- Expensive to move/leave - have to pay to ship everything across the ocean
- Traffic is really bad if you are anywhere near Honolulu
- Expensive to visit relatives (airfare) though many will probably visit you!
- Shipping is very expensive and some companies won't ship out here.
- Some companies don't have branches out here.
- Time difference from East Coast (5-6 hours).
- Maybe culture shock - A LOT of Asian culture here. (I love it though.)

Aside for the above, Hawaii is fabulous! It is beautiful year round with great weather, wildlife, etc. With the exception of cost of living, it really isn't that expensive. There are tons of "nature" activities to do that are free. Surfing, snorkeling, hiking, etc. don't cost a dime and are the true Hawaiian experience. Also many tourist companies offer "locals" discounts if you have a HI drivers license.

Not too sure about the dating scene - I am married. A lot of tourists come through and many are looking for a vacation fling, I think.

Good luck.

Answer 5

you should move to Oahu, that's where I live, and where most of the people in Hawaii live. But if you want more remote living move to the Big Island or Maui or Kauai. I was born on Maui, i like it there.

It is very expensive here!!! i live in a very crappy two bedroom apartment on the second floor and it costs 1200$ a month! and that's the best we could find for a two bedroom on the windward side (that wasn't a ****hole) one bedrooms tend to cost around 1000$/month nowadays.

it is hard to get work here, most jobs suck and don't pay well. and there are no good colleges here, only UH which sucks.

but I'm not a Hawaii basher, it is the greatest place on earth. really, the beautiful scenery and wonderful people make up for all its ailments.

don't fall into the trap of living in Waikiki, that is where all the tourists live and it is suuuuuuuper expensive. You should live on the North Shore (like Ka'a'awa or Kahaluu-- not Maui Kahalui) it is beautiful and fairly cheap. defiantly aim for the Windward side. except Kailua (sucks @$$, where all the stupid rich foreigners live), and Kaneohe is pretty expensive.

Other islands are cheaper though... so you might op to go there.

anyway, moving to Hawaii is a good decision. you might want to know how to swim :D

p.s. not every job here is tourist related, thats just not true
p.p.s try craigslist for a list of apartments and jobs

Answer 6

I visited 2 islands of Hawaii about 15 yrs. ago and I can tell you one thing for sure-it is expensive to live there since so many things have to be imported to them. Also, as far as work goes it depends on what you do for a living. My one guess would be that you know some people there that can help you out getting started. Living in a larger city would probably help better for a job too. The island of Kauai is absolutely beautiful and the smell of flowers is just about everywhere on the island. It is a true paradise! Good luck!

Answer 7

The air smells faintly like flowers. The ocean is exquisite. I went to Kauai for vacation this year. It was amazing but I did not want to live there. It's the most beautiful place I've ever seen, but there are too many tourists and the weather is always between 70-80 ish and I am not summer's biggest fan. To a surfer, it's paradise though. I can see why people love it so much and I would love to go back one day, for a vacation.

Answer 8

I am from Oahu and the prices are no different from San Diego (where I currently live) Hawaii is pretty and there are lots to do. The jobs are the same as in the mainland. I mean we need teachers and police officers and all that other things just like every other state. Have fun!!

Answer 9

I wish you the best. I have only visited Hawaii, Kaui and the Big Island-just passing through. Kaui is beautiful. I have heard that it's expensive to live in Hawaii because of having to import so much. I do know of someone that sold his house in California and bought a nice piece of property in Hawaii. I hope to visit once again, hopefully soon.

Answer 10

hawaii is a really nice place to live..but it is really expensive the houses are expensive..and some of the products are expensive because its all imported by ship from the mainland..so it costs more..honolulu is like any other city but it is one of the safest cities..u dont see many gangs,violence but theyre are drugs but i havent seen any since i been here..and i been here for almost over a year..there are ALOT of homeless people on the streets..and beach parks..like ala moana beach park..because they either have mental issues or drug related problems..honolulu is a fun place tho..there are many places to go to and see..like blue tropix,pipeline cafe..etc..the state fair and carnivals are pretty cool too..for the 2006 state fair we had nick cannon,raven symone, and rihanna come and perform..so it wuz cool..n previously at the sports carnival which was held at the aloha stadium..B5 came to perform..so we get to see many celebrities..but the only thing bad about these carnivals is the prices for food and the rides..anyways..movin on...there are many pretty girls here in hawaii and the island of oahu..is a very diverse place..mixed with different ethnicities..so if ur lookin for love it shouldnt be hard.....and theyre are also military here on oahu..we got the navy,army,air force,and coast guard..sometimes i wish i could be living somewhere back in the mainland tho..somewhere in texas..but i love hawaii and im now claimin it as my home..since my family is military..i been to alotta places..but to me hawaii is now my home..but i will be movin in two yrs..n i will miss it..but if you do move here..i hope u like it..if not u can always move back..butchea anyways..hope that helped a little..