My qustions are how do I go about doing it? What is the job market like there? I want to go somewhere relaxing, where would be a good spot to live? Good schools? By the way, how is the economy there? I( I know gas prices are high, but overall what is it like?)
2007-01-23 10:16:33 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Honolulu
I have lived on two different Hawaiian islands (Big Island of Hawaii and Kauai) and I can tell you that it's very expensive here. I won't reiterate what other posters have already said because they've said it well. But if you own a house in PA and can sell for top dollar, you will probably still have a mortgage in Hawaii. Median single family home price on Kauai right now is about $667,000. I don't work two jobs but we don't have a lot of money for extras...and I rent. I will probably never own a house here -- maybe a condo, but even that is a few years away. (I have a master's degree and work in the schools in case you're wondering about my income.) Not all jobs here are tourism-related, but many of them are. Tourism is our largest industry. The schools overall aren't great but I believe that education is also the parents' job, not just the school's. If you stay on top of what is going on in your kids' classrooms and meet regularly with the teacher and administration, you and your kids should be fine. Unemployment is the lowest in the country -- less than 2%.
That being said, Hawaii is a great place to live. Many activities are based around children and most of them take place outdoors. Beach, hiking, camping, fishing, swimming, etc. Many houses don't have A/C or heat because neither is necessary. (Even so, my electric bill for a 750 sq. foot house for just myself and my young son runs over $150/month!) You don't need designer clothes or bags here -- no one really cares about that stuff. If you have pets, there are very strict animal quarantine laws because Hawaii does not have rabies. We also don't have snakes, but bugs are large and plentiful!
Do a LOT of research before you move. People often move here thinking it is paradise, and it is, but it is also "home." That means having jobs, paying bills, schooling, grocery shopping, living far away from family and friends, etc. Money and missing family/friends are the two biggest reasons for leaving Hawaii and moving back to the mainland. Check out the website below. Even if you aren't planning on living on the Big Island (it's a great island, BTW!), you can get lots of useful information on the topics I've mentioned just by reading the forums and checking out the links on the home page.
Good luck and aloha :)
2007-01-23 15:03:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Life in Hawaii is VERY different from PA--- are you sure you are ready for such a radical move? I would suggest you come out here first and spend some time-- Not as a tourist, in a fancy hotel, but rent a vacation rental for as long as you can. Shop in the stores for your groceries, talk with the local people. The culture is different, the climate is certainly different, being so far from friends and family, while at first seems like it would be wonderful, can be quite difficult after a time. Even the bugs are different--- a four inch centipede just ran across my bedroom floor! No kidding! (My husband smashed it for me!)
I'm not trying to discourage you--- I LOVE living here-- but you need to be prepared. It is a very expensive move from the east coast, and you should be aware that is is more like moving to a foreign country in some ways than moving to another state.
Also, understand that if you have kids in school, they very well may have a hard time adjusting. For one thing, they will undoubtedly be in the minority racially, and depending on the neighborhood you move to, subject to a certain amount of torment. (Doesn't matter what race you are--- they will be new-comers and the kids are often hard on them)
Good luck--- just please don't jump into something that is so hard to jump back out of if it doesn't work out. You'd be amazed how many people move here and then find they cannot adjust and move back, at great expense.
At the same time, the population is growing by leaps and bounds--- so clearly a lot of people who come love it and stay here. Just KNOW before you make such a move.
Also, remember, it is better to run toward something, than run away from something!
2007-01-23 18:30:36 · answer #2 · answered by Rani 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We came very close to moving to the "Big Island".....It was, in our opinion the least expensive and had the most to offer. We were planning on opening our own business. There are not a lot of jobs which pay much! Another thing to consider is the schools, they do not have much to offer unless you can afford to send your children to a private school. Don't get me wrong, we love Hawaii, but decided it was not worth moving so far away from family and friends. Remember how many miles you are from PA, and if you ever wanted to go back for a visit, how difficult it would be. We decided on Florida and we love it. We have the beach, warm weather and in my county, we have great schools. They all have A+ ratings. Yes, there are hurricanes, but I was in a bad hurricane in Hawaii in the year 1991, so they also have some bad storms there also. Best to you in what ever you decide.
2007-01-24 03:38:03 · answer #3 · answered by Rea 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if you've already saved up a bunch of money, have a job lined up, and are willing to live on an island in the middle of the Pacific. While living here in Hawaii is awesome, there are lots of people that come from the mainland that move here with the idea that living in paradise is like a movie (all perfect and honky dory) only to find that living on an island isn't cut out for them and end up moving back to the mainland less than a year after they've arrived. Good luck!
2016-03-14 22:52:05 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I was in Hawaii a year ago I spoke to one of the tourist guides who told me that living in Hawaii is very expensive. Most people have to work two jobs to be able to live comfortably (though not lavishly). A lot of food comes from the mainland so it's more expensive and the rent is expensive as well since a lot of people want to move there. On the bright side, however, you won't be spending lots of money on heating or warm clothes.
I think though he might have only spoken about Honolulu, it seems like it would be quite different in other towns and on other islands. Good luck!
2007-01-23 10:41:42 · answer #5 · answered by Yeva 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your family would love Oahu, Hawaii. The market value on homes/condo are extraordinary, like New York/LA. My friend in his first year real estate escalated to the million club. In Port lock, Hawaii-Kai, and Lanikai the houses boomed to 3,000,000- 38,000,000 million dollar homes. Sell several and retire, the Hollywood personnel love the island and buy and sell constantly. My relaxing area in Hawaii thats reasonable is Kailua, Kahaluu, Kaneohe, Kalihi, Eva Beach, Haleiwa. Expensive areas are Port Lock, Moanalua, Manoa, Hawaii-Kai.
The schools area reasonable public is free, but private schools excel the kids goals like Secret Hearts, Hawaii Baptism Academy, Punahou HS, and University of Hawaii Manoa Campus are the best.
The economy is high depends on your preference on cars/home/food/living expenses. I can have a great time with $20.00 a day dining at Zippy's, Kenny's, Jolly Rogers, and my upmost favorite try the L&L Korean Barbeque Plate Lunches/Dinners. The food in Hawaii is reasonable $20-$30 you can feed a family of 4-5. Cars about the same without car taxes, and reasonable 3-4 bdrm house would be $500,000. The inner land shopping center are the same as the 48 States. Based on my review the economy is reasonable for your peace and quite, relaxation and just to living in paradise is great. ...ENJOY
2007-01-23 21:11:56 · answer #6 · answered by kikaida42 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I too have contemplated this thought for quite some time...and I'm still in my research phase to determine whether or not a move to Hawai'i is right for me...there are several books that I've read and the one I found to be most informative thus far is "So You Want To Live in Hawaii" by Toni Polancy.
2007-01-23 15:28:36 · answer #7 · answered by Amanda R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm from Hawaii. The first thing you should know is the cost of living is very high. If you and your significant other have jobs you might make it there. Go on the net and check it out go to:
www.honoluluadvertiser.com
it's the local news paper, you can look up jobs and see what the housing market is like.
much aloha and good luck to you
2007-01-23 13:46:20 · answer #8 · answered by Joan G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am originally from NJ and I got my original massage training from a true kahuna on the "Big Island" of Hawaii and I am working towards returning there permanently. The best source of info. that I have found is the book entitled: "So You Want to Live in Hawai`i" by Toni Polancy, published by Barefoot Publshing Inc.
This book covers every possible question that you could have on the subject in depth.
2007-01-24 04:51:01 · answer #9 · answered by uwaiu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was in Hawaii. I had the same urge like yours --then I did not follow my impulse and came back to the main land. Jobs in Hawaii are tourist and people related. If you already have friends it helps -- if you like sun, sea and sand it is ideal -- but you need to eat and drink thus -- job is important. You will do with much less clothes than in the main land --worth reading as much as you can before you take the big step or better the big plunge.
2007-01-23 10:24:03 · answer #10 · answered by s t 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋