Should we move to Hawaii?

Question

Me and my fiance are currently living in Cleveland; he got a great job opportunity in Hawaii (surgent: over 500 k/ year). Should we forget about boring cleveland and take this opportunity? Can u feel isolated in paradise? Are people relly having so much fun there? how is the nightlife? thanks

Answer 1

GO!
Although I was born in Pearl City, we settled in Dayton, OH (WPAFB) when I was 10. After schooling, college and med school in the mainland, I moved back to Honolulu 4 years ago, with a similar job offer as your fiance's. The worst part of the move, for me, was the acclimation period; mainly the weather - there is no snow nor slush in Honolulu. For about a year, I would break out in a sweat when the temperature reached 70 degrees! I've since become accustomed to it. O'ahu is a large island, isolation is not an issue provided you aren't introverted. There is a nightlife in Waikiki and Honolulu just as there is in Cleveland and Columbus. There are gentlemen and there are creeps just as there are in any other metropolirtan city. There are places to get away from the maddening crowds, there are small communities, churches, and dance halls. There is fun and there is serious work. We have commute traffic problems and downtown parking problems, but who doesn't? I miss Ohio, but I'm happy and fortunate to be in O'ahu, Hawaii.
Aloha and I hope our paths may someday cross.

Answer 2

If you find Cleveland boring to you, then maybe you can try a change and move to Hawaii. Then if you find that you don't like Hawaii, you can always move back later or move some place else. The bad thing about Hawaii is that the housing is really expensive and not nice and you may not be getting your money's worth for the rent as they can be expensive but small and not nice, things like that. Also, Hawaii is considered the 4th overpriced place according to Forbes 2006.

It is also "island" living, different from the "continental" living or feeling where it is bigger and there are more wide open spaces. It is not spread out at all like some places on the continental U.S. like Phoenix, Los Angeles, and so forth.. I think it is more of like the opposite of spread out in Honolulu. But, it also depends where you live. Some areas are more crowded, usually those places near town, but there are many other areas that are not, but those are further away from town and you may have to drive an hour or so to get to town and the traffic can be bad. It is also difficult to find parking spaces in some areas in town and the downtown area.

But Hawaii also has beautiful weather, nature and beaches. It just depends on what you like more. I think you can also make money in Hawaii if you buy a house and sell it off later at a higher price because the housing price seems to be always high there...

But, since it is just an island, it can be quite isolated with limited land, malls, stores, and things. They also have their own local culture there, which can be quite different from other states and places. They have special terms they use for certain things such as they use the term "Haole" to refer to white guys there. Some local people consider "Haoles" to be a separate group from them.

It is not a beautiful place in terms of the building styles. There aren't any antique or traditional looking buildings there.

I don't see many night clubs around either. But, there are many tourists and hotels around in Waikiki and also Trolleys for the tourists. Many tourists from Japan.

But I think that if you are bored with where you are and have some interest in going to Hawaii and you also have a good paying job waiting in line for you there, then you should go there and see what it's like there. Everyone has different standards and like different things, so maybe you would like it there or like the island living, unless you don't like what I have mentioned so far about the island.

Answer 3

I live in Hawaii and just got back from a vacation in Indiana and Ohio which included a free day in Cleveland. I think I have some useful insight.

First of all, the cost of living in Hawaii is much higher than in Cleveland. If your husband is already making more than $320K/yr there, $500K/yr in Honolulu will feel like a cut in pay. (see sources below) Gas isn't much more expensive (surprisingly!), but food is noticably more here and our real estate prices will horrify you.

Cleveland didn't look boring to me. Browns Stadium, Jacobs Field and the Q arena were right in the heart of town. Hawaii has no professional sports team and no major professional sport has a regular-season event here. (Except golf?) The closest thing we have is the Pro Bowl. Lake Erie appears to provides a healthy amount of recreation, even if it's not all year. If you like the outdoors and water sports, Hawaii is probably superior in that regard.

I was there at 9pm on a Wednesday, parked in that lot on the corner of St. Claire and 6th, had dinner and wandered around. There were still lots of people and plenty of activity. The only people you'll find in downtown Honolulu at that hour are prostitutes and drug dealers. There's nightlife in Waikiki, but it's tourist nightlife. That might appeal to you, but most locals stay away from Waikiki. There's local nightlife, sure, but from the short time I spent in your city, I got a feel that Cleveland's nightlife is probably much better.

Ohio has a lot of wide open spaces, so you might feel cramped here. I drove from Indianapolis to Sandusky last week and loved it. You will never be able to drive at freeway speeds in one direction for more than an hour here. Everyday traffic on Oahu (the main island) is some of the worst you'll see anywhere in the US. I got stuck in traffic leaving the Yankees/Indians game and it was nothing compared to daily Oahu traffic. Typical morning commuters take an hour to drive 20 miles. EVERY DAY. I'm not kidding.

You will almost certainly feel isolated from the rest of the country here. More than the 5-hour flight to the mainland, it's the time difference. It's 6 hours between Honolulu and Cleveland now and 5 during the winter. (Hawaii does not observe Daylight Savings) When I come in to work every morning, I have to call east coast people right away since they'll be heading home soon. By the time I come home from work, east coast folks are alseep. Most things on network TV are not live (including many sporting events) and if you do want to catch a live broadcast, you'll have to get up early.

Obviously, though, it's not all bad. The weather and scenery here are beautiful. Again, if you love the outdoors and water sports, you'll probalby never run out of things to do. If you are at all attached to the trappings of big-city life, you may find yourself battling a bit of island fever.

Answer 4

When you look at satellite picture of Honolulu it looks a tiny bit like new york--I mean it is densely populated. It's nice though because that means it is a short drive to the country. HI has lots of jobs. That is why they are looking at you in Cleveland. I say go. It won't be hard to get family and friends to visit you there. remember though 500k buys an 800 square foot one bedroom high rise condo. You are looking at spending 1.5 million to get a decent place to live or 2 to 3 million to have a pretty nice place. If you have nice cars, think about bringing them, cars cost more there too.

Answer 5

Hmmmmm, Cleveland, Ohio (with the snow, ice, sleet, freezing rain) or beautiful, fantastic rainbow, blue blue ocean, lovely tradewinds blowing, smiling faces....Hawaii!!!! Without a doubt!! I wouldn't even think twice about it!!
I have been to Oahu five times, and love it there!! I live in Michigan, soooooo, Hawaii is #1!!!

Answer 6

i say with that job offer, if it is secure enough then i would take it. you can feel isolated in paradise, but only if you can't get away for a while. nightlife there is great, on weekends clubs close at 2. stripclubs at 4, just like partying in cali. so id say go for it.

Answer 7

I say you should. If your fiance gets that job opportunity, I think you should. Besides, Hawaii is probably a very nice place.

As for nightlife, take a look:
http://xrl.us/hawaiinigh

Answer 8

We have friends that just moved there and they are having a blast.
They live on the main island.

For that much money why is this even a question?
:)
Are there any more job openings? My husband is looking for a better career.
Really.

Answer 9

With that much money you can almost buy happiness! Kidding, but it may be a great move for the both of you. Good luck and much success!

Answer 10

GO FOR IT!!!!!!The fun is in all the beauty. I imagine Hawaii has all the problems any town or city does. Follow your heart.