What is Hawaii like?

[Highwaylizard]

My wife and I have contemplated a move to the Hawaiian islands for a number of years now. Recently we have gotten a little more serious about it so I thought I would post here and see if I could get some feedback from those of you who live there.

What can you tell us about:

• the economy
• the cost of living
• the average or median income
• the crime rate
• the climate
• the typical rental costs for a house or apartment (while we look for a house to buy)
• the median house cost
• public transportation
• taxes
• the culture
• how outsiders are treated or viewed
• what is all this business about a land lease as opposed to buying land?
• anything else a mainlander should know

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

[kaleo]

Hey what's up highwaylizard,

I apologize for not getting back to you sooner, I've been super busy with work lately preparing for easter and such. To answer your questions, I don't live on the big island specifically as i live on the island of 'oahu. There are several members here on here that do though. The only one that I can think of off the top of my head would be member godckr.

As a general for Hawai'i though, based upon your criteria Hawai'i is an expensive place to live. Our economy is, just like the rest of the nation in a little bind too. Especially on the island of 'oahu, we've had several businesses close down that have been around since time began. Lots of local favorites in terms of restaurants have gone belly up all of a sudden due to losing too much business.

Weather is obviously fairly tropical. Averaging from 75-80 degrees for most of the year. Winter seasons you'd probably look at the rare high 50's to mid 60's-70's.

Sorry I can't finish up now, but hopefully other members here will be able to chime in and help answer your questions.

-Kaleo

[Highwaylizard]

Originally Posted by kaleo

Hey what's up highwaylizard,

I apologize for not getting back to you sooner, I've been super busy with work lately preparing for easter and such. To answer your questions, I don't live on the big island specifically as i live on the island of 'oahu. There are several members here on here that do though. The only one that I can think of off the top of my head would be member godckr.

As a general for Hawai'i though, based upon your criteria Hawai'i is an expensive place to live. Our economy is, just like the rest of the nation in a little bind too. Especially on the island of 'oahu, we've had several businesses close down that have been around since time began. Lots of local favorites in terms of restaurants have gone belly up all of a sudden due to losing too much business.

Weather is obviously fairly tropical. Averaging from 75-80 degrees for most of the year. Winter seasons you'd probably look at the rare high 50's to mid 60's-70's.

Sorry I can't finish up now, but hopefully other members here will be able to chime in and help answer your questions.

-Kaleo

Hey Kaleo,

Thanks for the response and no worries on the delay - I can understand how busy you must be with the holidays and your line of work. I had read somewhere that the cost of living in Hawaii is one of the highest in the nation and that the median income is far below the national average. Those two factors really concern me.

Thanks again for the response,

[deluxx]

Originally Posted by Highwaylizard

My wife and I have contemplated a move to Hawaii for a number of years now. Recently we have gotten a little more serious about it so I thought I would post here and see if I could get some feedback from those of you who live there.

What can you tell us about:

• the economy
• the cost of living
• the average or median income
• the crime rate
• the climate
• the typical rental costs for a house or apartment (while we look for a house to buy)
• the median house cost
• public transportation
• taxes
• the culture
• how outsiders are treated or viewed
• what is all this business about a land lease as opposed to buying land?
• anything else a mainlander should know

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

Wassup Highway,

From what Kaleo said, I believe your plan is to move to the Big Island. I'm not that familiar with the Big Island, only visited that place once back when I was in high school. There are a few members though from the Big Island

As for me I am currently living on Maui about 6 years now, originally from Oahu.

I'll do my best to give you idea of Maui and some answers to your questions.

The current economy is bad just as the rest of the nation. The cost of living on Maui is higher than the Big Island or Oahu I believe. To give you an idea, the price of regular gasoline as of yesterday is $2.69/gallon and a gallon on milk on sale at safeway is about $5.00. The median income is roughly a little below $50k, I think. And depending on what you do for a living it, the job market may be bad or good. House or apartment rental costs depends on the area. For a decent apartment or condo it is about $1200 - $1500, not including utilities. Houses are $1600-$2200. Maui and Oahu do have public bus service, I'm not sure about the Big Island. Tax is about 4.167%, Oahu is a little higher.

As for how outsiders are treated, it depends on the community, mostly good just a few bad eggs.

Here is a link that may help explain the cost of living in Hawaii -

Hawai'i incomes fall short | HonoluluAdvertiser.com | The Honolulu Advertiser

Also if you want, PM me your email address. A real estate agent of mines sends me quarterly reports.

Hope that helps a bit. Later

[kaleo]

Tax here on 'Oahu is 4.712%, median price for homes come at around $650k-700k I believe, and it's for an ok decent home. As deluxx stated, the culture and society will depend on the neighborhoods. For the most part people here are pretty accepting and laid back, though there are always those few knuckleheads that think they know better.

Our public transportation is actually rated one of the best in the nation in terms of bus systems. From last time i've looked at it, we actually have the best bus system in the US. Not sure how it is now as i've never ridden the bus in so many years. As for housing, a good way to see what the current trend would be to check out craigslist in the hawaii housing section. This will give you an idea of what to expect to pay for an apartment/condo/house etc.

To elaborate a little more on the culture, we are a bit biased more towards the asian ethnic background. This stems from the old "plantation" days when immigrants from japan and the Philippines would come to work in the pineapple and sugarcane fields. We have adopted lots of things stemming from asian roots especially in our food, but we still maintain a unique identity. From my line of work you will see a lot of restaurants down here that have at least one type of asian inspired dish from ramen noodles down to a specific type of sushi etc...you will also notice that business attire here consists of a nice pair of slacks and a nice print aloha shirt rather then the usual suit and tie for the most part. We usually don't do casual Fridays, but Aloha Fridays which is the island twist. Consider our state a big melting pot of a lot of cultures which include: african-american, indian, hispanic, european, though mostly asian cultures take the lead here. Tourism is big here; it's one of the main driving forces of our states economy so when the whole recession thing started, we took a huge hit financially.

Hopefully this helps a bit more, sorry but I just finished trying to wash and detail my truck for the past 5 hours straight home from work. My brain is toasted and i'm hungry if you have any other questions feel free to let us know. We will try our best to answer them in any way we can

-Kaleo

[Godckr]

Originally Posted by Highwaylizard

My wife and I have contemplated a move to Hawaii for a number of years now. Recently we have gotten a little more serious about it so I thought I would post here and see if I could get some feedback from those of you who live there.

What can you tell us about:

• the economy
• the cost of living
• the average or median income
• the crime rate
• the climate
• the typical rental costs for a house or apartment (while we look for a house to buy)
• the median house cost
• public transportation
• taxes
• the culture
• how outsiders are treated or viewed
• what is all this business about a land lease as opposed to buying land?
• anything else a mainlander should know

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

aloha highwaylizard,as kaleo stated i am from the big island. currently the economy is not that bad and not that good either.a lot of my friends who work construction or at the hotels are getting laid off(they say it is really slow right now) if you have a trade or career skill that will benefit you a lot but there aren't that much job oppurtunities right now cost of living is kinda high compared to the mainland(gas is at $2.57,$5-8 for a gal of milk,$3-5 for a loaf of bread just to give you an idea) but you learn to manage your money crime here is fairly low,but there is a drug epidemic(meth)and with that comes theft/buglaries,domestic violence,etc. the climate is always nice and warm,but gets cold if you live in the upper elevations.vog(volcanic smoke) has also become a problem but the tradewinds usually blow them away. rental of a house/apt varriers with the location but i would check out hawaiicraigslist.com to get some ideas.

there is only one type of transportation which is the HeleOn bus and that bus just goes around the island.the tax is at 4.167%. the culture is all about the "aloha spirit" and mostly everyone is friendly and helpful.very family oriented and loving. outsiders/tourists are welcomed and treated well because they bring in the buisness. outsiders who do move here are also welcomed and befriended but some of them who bring the mainland mentality get put in their place other than that the big island is a beautiful place to live,there is lot to do if your an outdoors kind of person so,i hope that helps a little highwaylizard...and if you do make the move,hit me up

[Highwaylizard]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the responses. I guess I should have been a little more clear in that my wife and I are considering a move to one of the Hawaiian islands - just have no idea which one yet or how to go about narrowing it down.

This is going to be a long research and planning project for us. We are tentatively planning a trip there this winter - entirely dependent on how the business does this year with the economy and all. In all likelihood it will be a few years before we make any firm decisions. I like to take my time on major life changing decisions like this.

Definitely if we are there this winter we will have to meet up and talk everything Tundra.

Thanks again for the feedback and please keep the advice and information coming.

[waveriderz]

hawaii is a different place, people are nice to each other. we are all different but realize that its ok.

[Ty2]

"paradise"

[SE2000]

I lived there for 4 years a while ago. Vacationing in Hawaii is wonderful, living there is another story. Not that it is bad. Everything is expensive, people live close together. You can only drive just so far.
For professionals who have lots of money, and lifestyle is more important than possessions, it can be truly paradise.
If you are the type who is always out doing stuff, it is great. But if you hate bugs, they never go away. Like the Geico gecco? Hope so as they are everywhere. Nobody harms them as they are your best defense against the other bugs.
If you worked yourself up to a very nice large home from a starter home, well plan on going back.
Everyone I knew had their vehicle stolen. I had my car and motorcycle stolen. Got both back, I was very lucky. You think on an island where could the car go but you'd be surprised.
The people are very friendly, think small town friendly. But with little push towards education and a limited market, and mainlanders moving there with education, for some, illegal activities is their only source for income.
May I suggest you seriously think about how you want to live. Figure your budget and then see how well you can live on 60% of that.

[Sanosuke]

I've gone to Hawaii on and off since I was a blithering 2 year old toddler.. ;D I can't say you can quit going to Hawaii yearly when the paradise and watersports always are there waiting fory ou when you get there!!!

Sanosuke!

[gabe74gt]

So far I never visited Hawaii. Its dream for me to visit!!.. I am going to fulfill my dream next year.