Which island is better to move to initially, Oahu or the Big Island of Hawaii?

Question

I have visited several times and am aware of many small details like tree frogs, dogs, and the difference in culture, but no one really talks about moving to Oahu or moving to the big island first. I am moving from Atlanta and plan on selling most everything before coming over, just unsure of which island to move to or which one first... also I have a wife and a two year old...

Answer 1

In my opinion, that would depend upon what your occupation will be and what your lifestyle is.

Oahu has 3/4 of the population of the islands. Oahu's lifestyle is more reminiscent of the 80's or 90's, whereas the Big Island's lifestyle is more reminscent of the 50's or 60's. Most of us would prefer to live and raise our families in a slower more innocent time. Isn't that part of the island dream?

The best thing about Oahu is there is plenty to do, and the worst thing is traffic. You'll like Oahu if you like beaches, warm weather, shopping, tourists, high-rises, and don't mind a lot of other people. Think of Honolulu like a tropical NYC or LA as it was in the smog-free 50's.

The best thing about the Big Island is economic diversification, and the worst thing is vog and drug use. You'll like the Kona region of the Big Island if you like tourists, people & fishing, and if big beaches are not necessary to your island dreams. If you like solitude, a rural atmosphere, a tropical feel and seek a relatively inexpensive land for farming and lots of rain, then you will like the Hilo region.

I have been to HI 4 times. My goal, just like you are planning to do, is to relocate there. I am a massage therapist and got my original massage training on the Big Island.
I have also spent time in Honolulu and circumnavigating Oahu by car.

Please don't hesitate to contact me with other Hawaiian questions, because I don't necessarily believe in reincarnation, but if there is such a thing, I must have been a Hawaiian in a former life !

Answer 2

I've visited the Big Island 5 times as i have a time share there. I've been to Maui three times, Oahu once. I've spoken to many natives. Visiting is not the same as living there. They have many social problems. The real Hawaiians have their own culture and their own way of viewing their problems. I would advise you to go for a month before committing to relocate. Talk to people. Can you make a living there? It's more expensive than California. Hawaii is far from the mainland.

I love going there for vacation!!!!!

Answer 3

As a born-and-raised Hawaii boy, who lives on Oahu but dreams of living on the Big Island, I vote... Oahu.

Yes, the neighbor islands are less crowded and cheaper to live... sort of. Real estate is cheaper, so rent is cheaper. But, gas is more expensive (and Hawaii has the most expensive gas prices in the U.S.), groceries are more expensive (ever see a $6 box of cereal?), and the like. Rent or mortgage payments are usually the biggest chunk of your budget, so on balance living on the neighbor islands can be cheaper. But that's just one aspect.

Job opportunities are more scarce outside Honolulu, and also the range of careers are more narrow. Oahu offers the full range of industries and businesses of any city. A neighbor island (save, of course, the more touristy parts) generally has a small economy, and fewer white-collar jobs overall. They're also more sensitive to larger economic swings, and take longer to recover from crashes and disasters.

My advice is almost always for a newcomer to start in Honolulu. Especially if you have no local prospects lined up, nor any real experience with the non-tourist Hawaii. You can see the full range of what Hawaii has to offer -- from city nightlife to arts and activities to rural peace and natural beauty -- and there's a lot more to fall back on.