Moving to Hawaii, and looking for some genuine input...?

Question

Hey~ I 'm thinkin about moving out there sometime in the spring ,but I'm wondering a few things before I decide to take the plunge.

Between N.Shore and Waikiki, which is a better, more affordable place to live? Also, does anyone know of a good/affordable place to rent either studios or condos out there ( in both places & preferably furnished)? Thanks for your input! :)

Answer 1

I have a home Hilo side on the Big Island. What BoBo says is correct about much of Hawaii especially Oahu. You might consider the Big Isle the rents are much lower, there are fewer tourists ( windward side anyway) and the life is much more like old Hawaii. Harder to make a living of course but it's a trade off. Much depends on what you plan to do for a living and what costs are where you are coming from. I would do some traveling to various islands to check it out before I considered a permanent move. Unless you are are young and free then I would just Go For It!!! I wish I had when I was a youngster.....

Answer 2

Not only is housing in Hawaii very expensive there is never much for Rent. Unless you want to live in an not so good area it is very hard to find an apartment. With a lot of military on the Island when you go to look for an apartment be prepared to look for a long time. The North Shore does not have many Rentals, Waikiki would be a little easier but with all the tourist activity not an easy place to live. You're best bet would be Aiea, Pearl City or Wahiawa

Answer 3

I also agree with alot of what bobo stated with few other thoughts. Before i decided to make the move I spent alot of time researching. I really did not care for the book" So, you want to live in Hawaii"..I thought it was outdated and a real downer. Alot of it I found when I moved was definitely not valid. Visit the islands you think your interested in...spend as much time as you can. As far as evaluating expenses from where you are and moving to Hawaii..it depends where your coming from. If your coming from a place in the USA like Calif.,Florida or N.Y...then it will be a lateral move. Anywhere else it will be considered expensive. Things have changed quite a bit cost wise..Costco prices are the same all over the world. they have markets that are the same as th mainland now and the "specials" are the same in all of them. You need to ask yourself, "Why am I wanting to move there?" Was it because of a week long vacation? Or are you a die hard surfer that just wants to live a low key life away from th pressures of the mainland? Another important issue.. work....do you have a degree that you can get a corporate job? If not are you willing to possibly work two smaller jobs? You will have health coverage even if work part time, so that is a plus...I hope some of this has helped....

Answer 4

It is a real drastic move--be sure you know what you are getting into. Many many people come from the mainland, and move back the next year. You have to be ready for a significant change in lifestyle. Be sure to spend time here before you make the move.
Big Island is MUCH cheaper than Oahu--- at least Hilo side is. But it rains and rains and rains--- and there are not beaches all over like you find on Oahu.
The islands with the best beaches are (of course!) more expensive--- and wages do not keep up with the cost of living. It is pretty typical for families to live together in one house--gramma, auntie, uncle, and parents with kids. A lot of the living and entertaining is done outside anyway--
The islands with fewer good beaches have less industry (tourist and otherwise) so jobs are scarcer--- but renting and buying is cheaper.
Food is more expensive--- but if you live Hawaii-style, clothes are much less
There are ways to make it here in Hawaii, for sure--- I don't know you, of course, but you may find you need to adjust a lot of your habits and expectations. Be prepared to slow down--- and be sure to respect local customs and traditions.
Like the man said, not much to rent on Oahu--- check out newspaper classified ads on-line.
All that being said, if you last past a year, you'll probably love it and never want to live anywhere else. I thank God for every morning I see the sun come up over the ocean, for each flower-scented breeze.

Answer 5

If you are moving here on a budget, and especially if you have never lived here before, I would highly recommend you seriously reconsider your move. I do not know what is considered "affordable" to you but to me, "affordable" and "housing" when in the same sentence here is an oxymoron, and I have lived here all my life - both born and raised here. The cost of living in Hawaii is exorbiant and continues to rise, especially with the recent raise in taxes and the upcoming rail system. Cost of living, including rent, utilities and food, is a major problem and many people are struggling trying to make ends meet. Rentals for even a shoddy place is expensive and the rental market for finding a place is extremely competitive.

If you have money to spare and really want to come here, I say go for it. You'll at least get to see what living here day to day is like contrasted against the surreal, fantastical images of "vacationing in paradise." If worse comes to worse you can just pick up and leave. If you will be on a very tight budget, I'd tell you to reconsider moving here and very carefully so - make sure that if you do move here - that you don't end up stuck and too broke to leave.

Answer 6

North Shore and Waikiki are opposites. Waikiki has lots of "action". The North Shore is laid back.
Waikiki is very expensive, the North Shore is cheaper(but not cheap)
Hawaii is the best place to live in America. It is also the most expensive.

Answer 7

The most authoritative source book that I have found on the subject is entitled "So You Want to Live in Hawaii" by Toni Polancy. It has many web sites phone numbers & addresses included for first hand information. It has info. on all of the major islands and provides specific assistance without destroying the romance and opportunity that still is Hawaii.

Answer 8

I would say North Shore as far as comforable, but it is very far from the city. Waikiki might be too crowded. Some like to stay in Waikiki and so don't. It's preference.

Answer 9

Your suitable guess is to spend about 3 weeks on the tremendous Island of Hawaii. stay off those expensive islands like Oahu, Maui and Kauai. examine it out for your self. in case you ascertain adverse to it, a minimum of you may have a best vacation.

Answer 10

Some local people have some ads on honolulu.craigslist.org might find something there. Welcome to Hawaii Aloha.