Relocation Questions, Please Help
01-24-2003, 08:07 PM
#1
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Relocation Questions, Please Help
Please help with the following Questions:
I am wanting to move from Colorado to sea-level because of my lung disability, and am eager to get away from the selfish self-centered mainland mentality, and I am tired of being unable to anything but watch TV because of the high altitude here. I realise I might be the subject of discrimination as a white boy, but people will learn to love me
I would consider opening a medical practice as a doctor part time, treating pediatric ADHD and behaviour problem patients; while continuing to run SubaruPlanet from there, since all my suppliers and shippers are located on the mainland and I don't need to live there.
1) My wife is a certified pediatric occupational therapist (AOTA), and if she can find work in Oahu with benefits like health insurance, maybe in a hospital in Honolulu, we'd like to move to a smaller town outside of the big city. Anyone know of any job openings in occupational therapy? All we can find on monster.com is one at a mental hospital, which isn't her specialty. Even part time 3 days a week is okay, if full time isn't available. She is currently coordinator of outpatient therapy at the local hospital (i.e. the boss) and she works in the neonatal intensive care with premature and developmentally delayed badies and children. Hourly wage isn't as important as the health insurance.
2) We have need for a 4 bedroom 2 or more bath, and online we see at least 169 houses listed on the island between $225K - $350K, so buying doesn't look like a problem, but where we live will will narrow it down. And, our current house was appraised for $285K a year ago, but we only had 12% equity in the house back then, so we may have to rent and save up a downpayment.
3) Any recommendations for which city's to live in, in order of nicest to least?
4) How are the local schools on Oahu for our 5, 7, 9yr old children, which city has the best schools?
5) If we rent at first, because we might take a beating on selling our house after realtor fees, how much would a 4 bdrm rent for? (or maybe a 3 bedroom if the girls can bunk up together and share a room for a while.) We want air conditioning, central or window unit is okay. Washer and Dryer would be nice for family of 5.
6) I already have a quote for $1,350 to ship my RS-T from Denver to HI, and the car is paid off from the bank. However, we need two cars. We have a 2001 Suzuki XL7 SUV with $445/mo pmt and a 1991 Nissan SE-R with 145K mile motor that wont pass Colorado emissions but it is paid off and runs well. It would be nice to keep the XL7 since it is so new and great condition and reliable. Which one should we take? Maybe neither and buy a second car there? If I put the factory stereo back in the Nissan, I can get $1,750 for it, maybe $2250 with the $900 stereo still in it... Do we have emissions testing in Hawaii? I can remove my up and downpipe and stick the catsection back in for that.
7) We hear Hawaii is expensive to live in. I am not too concerned about that, and we could save $1,000/month when we finish paying off our federal taxes in 4-6 months and if we stopped paying into the college fund for a year or two. We'd save another $445/mo if we sold the Suzuki and took the Nissan with us. Plus, our mortgage here is $1,900/mo. That's about $3,350 available for housing (and what is left over can cover the extra cost of living). Can I have some examples of what groceries, gas and utilities cost in Hawaii?
8) How are the hospitals and doctors in Honolulu? I occasionally have a problem with my left lung bleeding, and the experts take me to the cath lab, insert a catheter into my groin to get to the blood vessels in my lung, and inject plastic into the bleeding artery to clog it up. This is the same technique used in the cardiac cath lab for people with clogged arteries, but instead of opening up a clogged heart blood vessel, they are blocking off a lung blood vessel. This may not be a problem for several years once I get to sea-level and my pulmonary blood pressures return to normal.
9) Any recommendation for things to take with us, like furniture, vs buying new stuff there. Do people take their clothes and pictures, TV, and Stereo, and leave beds and sofas and dressers behind?
10) How bad are the bugs and humidity there? Roaches? I used to live in houston and it was fairly bad. Is there a good season and bad season, i.e. how much does it swing between a winter and summer season. Typhoons or Hurricanes?
Any help with these questions would be appreciated. The dog is gonna cost is $650 to quarrantine for a month, but I can't part with her...
Thanks!
Larry Ganz
PS: Is Oahu agreed to be our best choice, I think so? Another Island we should be looking at?
I am wanting to move from Colorado to sea-level because of my lung disability, and am eager to get away from the selfish self-centered mainland mentality, and I am tired of being unable to anything but watch TV because of the high altitude here. I realise I might be the subject of discrimination as a white boy, but people will learn to love me
I would consider opening a medical practice as a doctor part time, treating pediatric ADHD and behaviour problem patients; while continuing to run SubaruPlanet from there, since all my suppliers and shippers are located on the mainland and I don't need to live there.1) My wife is a certified pediatric occupational therapist (AOTA), and if she can find work in Oahu with benefits like health insurance, maybe in a hospital in Honolulu, we'd like to move to a smaller town outside of the big city. Anyone know of any job openings in occupational therapy? All we can find on monster.com is one at a mental hospital, which isn't her specialty. Even part time 3 days a week is okay, if full time isn't available. She is currently coordinator of outpatient therapy at the local hospital (i.e. the boss) and she works in the neonatal intensive care with premature and developmentally delayed badies and children. Hourly wage isn't as important as the health insurance.
2) We have need for a 4 bedroom 2 or more bath, and online we see at least 169 houses listed on the island between $225K - $350K, so buying doesn't look like a problem, but where we live will will narrow it down. And, our current house was appraised for $285K a year ago, but we only had 12% equity in the house back then, so we may have to rent and save up a downpayment.
3) Any recommendations for which city's to live in, in order of nicest to least?
4) How are the local schools on Oahu for our 5, 7, 9yr old children, which city has the best schools?
5) If we rent at first, because we might take a beating on selling our house after realtor fees, how much would a 4 bdrm rent for? (or maybe a 3 bedroom if the girls can bunk up together and share a room for a while.) We want air conditioning, central or window unit is okay. Washer and Dryer would be nice for family of 5.
6) I already have a quote for $1,350 to ship my RS-T from Denver to HI, and the car is paid off from the bank. However, we need two cars. We have a 2001 Suzuki XL7 SUV with $445/mo pmt and a 1991 Nissan SE-R with 145K mile motor that wont pass Colorado emissions but it is paid off and runs well. It would be nice to keep the XL7 since it is so new and great condition and reliable. Which one should we take? Maybe neither and buy a second car there? If I put the factory stereo back in the Nissan, I can get $1,750 for it, maybe $2250 with the $900 stereo still in it... Do we have emissions testing in Hawaii? I can remove my up and downpipe and stick the catsection back in for that.
7) We hear Hawaii is expensive to live in. I am not too concerned about that, and we could save $1,000/month when we finish paying off our federal taxes in 4-6 months and if we stopped paying into the college fund for a year or two. We'd save another $445/mo if we sold the Suzuki and took the Nissan with us. Plus, our mortgage here is $1,900/mo. That's about $3,350 available for housing (and what is left over can cover the extra cost of living). Can I have some examples of what groceries, gas and utilities cost in Hawaii?
8) How are the hospitals and doctors in Honolulu? I occasionally have a problem with my left lung bleeding, and the experts take me to the cath lab, insert a catheter into my groin to get to the blood vessels in my lung, and inject plastic into the bleeding artery to clog it up. This is the same technique used in the cardiac cath lab for people with clogged arteries, but instead of opening up a clogged heart blood vessel, they are blocking off a lung blood vessel. This may not be a problem for several years once I get to sea-level and my pulmonary blood pressures return to normal.
9) Any recommendation for things to take with us, like furniture, vs buying new stuff there. Do people take their clothes and pictures, TV, and Stereo, and leave beds and sofas and dressers behind?
10) How bad are the bugs and humidity there? Roaches? I used to live in houston and it was fairly bad. Is there a good season and bad season, i.e. how much does it swing between a winter and summer season. Typhoons or Hurricanes?
Any help with these questions would be appreciated. The dog is gonna cost is $650 to quarrantine for a month, but I can't part with her...
Thanks!
Larry Ganz
PS: Is Oahu agreed to be our best choice, I think so? Another Island we should be looking at?
01-24-2003, 08:24 PM
#2
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(1) Sorry, not much help on Jobs on the civilian side
(2) Houses run about that price to MUCH higher. Expect mid $300k.
(3) Outside of Honolulu depends on how far you want to drive. Traffic gets pretty ugly here. I guess for convenience and nice area I'd have to say Waikele. It's not TOO far out, and is nicer. next would be Waipio. A little bit further than Waikele, but still pretty close. After that, me personally would head up the hill to where I live: Mililani. It's a bit of a drive, but a nice area. Others may recommend Pearl City/Pearl Ridge/Aiea and closer to town, but I have very little experience in shopping in that area. Ask some people who have been here longer than me.
(4) I have no love for the Hawaii School system. The best thing I could say is "At least it's not Alabama." This is my personal opinion so none of you flame me.
(5) Renting a house is going to cost you $1500+. A nice 3 or 4 bedroom in Mililani will run you roughly that. The closer you get to town the worse it gets. Once again, ask others who have lived here longer. Window units are cool. Most rental places come with W/D.
(6) Buying a car here is an adventure. Of the 5 cars I've bought here, I felt I got screwed on 3 of them. If you are not used to paying more than MSRP, then get ready for a fight with most dealers. The exceptions are Toyota, Subaru, and your luxury lines. Most dealers will try to charge you $3,000+ for a "local area markup" I have yet to get a consistent answer from any of the dealers I've asked. Nor can they explain Why Subaru and Toyota don't charge it. My deduction is "they do it because they can get away with it and it's PURE profit."
(7) Groceries: add 50% to what your grocery bill is now. If you shop smart, add 30%. If you have access to a Military post, the same. Gas: Gas is between $1.60-$1.80 depending on what grade of gas you get. Utilities: About the same. Our house that runs our A/C non-stop pays $150/mo. W/o A/C it's under $100 usually.
(8) No idea about hospitals
(9) Furniture is VERY expensive here, however, if you go to garage/yard sales, you can find some VERY good deals. Look in the paper for MOVING SALES. Electronics prices here are roughly the same as on the mainland.
(10) The seasons here are all the same. A bit more rain in the winter months, but that's it. It's pretty humid here, but not terrible. they call it PARADISE for a reason. Bugs depend on where you live. Our old place had lots of Cockroaches and centipedes (yuck), but our new place doesn't really have either of those.
Anyone else feel free to add/take away from my info here.
-Greg
(2) Houses run about that price to MUCH higher. Expect mid $300k.
(3) Outside of Honolulu depends on how far you want to drive. Traffic gets pretty ugly here. I guess for convenience and nice area I'd have to say Waikele. It's not TOO far out, and is nicer. next would be Waipio. A little bit further than Waikele, but still pretty close. After that, me personally would head up the hill to where I live: Mililani. It's a bit of a drive, but a nice area. Others may recommend Pearl City/Pearl Ridge/Aiea and closer to town, but I have very little experience in shopping in that area. Ask some people who have been here longer than me.
(4) I have no love for the Hawaii School system. The best thing I could say is "At least it's not Alabama." This is my personal opinion so none of you flame me.
(5) Renting a house is going to cost you $1500+. A nice 3 or 4 bedroom in Mililani will run you roughly that. The closer you get to town the worse it gets. Once again, ask others who have lived here longer. Window units are cool. Most rental places come with W/D.
(6) Buying a car here is an adventure. Of the 5 cars I've bought here, I felt I got screwed on 3 of them. If you are not used to paying more than MSRP, then get ready for a fight with most dealers. The exceptions are Toyota, Subaru, and your luxury lines. Most dealers will try to charge you $3,000+ for a "local area markup" I have yet to get a consistent answer from any of the dealers I've asked. Nor can they explain Why Subaru and Toyota don't charge it. My deduction is "they do it because they can get away with it and it's PURE profit."
(7) Groceries: add 50% to what your grocery bill is now. If you shop smart, add 30%. If you have access to a Military post, the same. Gas: Gas is between $1.60-$1.80 depending on what grade of gas you get. Utilities: About the same. Our house that runs our A/C non-stop pays $150/mo. W/o A/C it's under $100 usually.
(8) No idea about hospitals
(9) Furniture is VERY expensive here, however, if you go to garage/yard sales, you can find some VERY good deals. Look in the paper for MOVING SALES. Electronics prices here are roughly the same as on the mainland.
(10) The seasons here are all the same. A bit more rain in the winter months, but that's it. It's pretty humid here, but not terrible. they call it PARADISE for a reason. Bugs depend on where you live. Our old place had lots of Cockroaches and centipedes (yuck), but our new place doesn't really have either of those.
Anyone else feel free to add/take away from my info here.
-Greg
01-24-2003, 08:25 PM
#3
Pr0n King
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I'll take a quick stab at a few of your questions... Sorry I don't have the knowledge to answer more in-depth about most issues. 
1. It's hard NOT to find a job in health care in Hawaii. I don't think that will be a problem at all.
3. Nicest cities depends... Honolulu is "town" (the city true and proper) - the rest of the island is really residential/agricultural. Hawaii Kai is a very nice area to live. There are nicer areas but are geared towards retired people as the commute is no fun at all with the traffic patterns we suffer from.
4. Public schools in Hawaii are TERRIBLE. They rank among the lowest in the nation when it comes to standardized testing I hate to admit. There are some nice private schools but they are expensive. Education is not one of Hawaii's strongpoints. That being said I know some very intelligent, articulate, and well adjusted people that graduated from Hawaii public schools. If money is no object you may wish to consider Punahou, Iolani, or one of the other private schools.
6. As of right now there is no emissions testing in Hawaii.
7. Interesting page (albeit 3 years old) regarding cost of living in Hawaii: http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-an...ving%2FHousing
You can pay $1.90+ for a gallon of 92 octane.
8. We have state of the art hospital facilities - and only procedures that require cutting-edge specialists are not performed here.
10. Most "mainlanders" have nightmares after seeing the bugs/roaches we deal with on a regular basis. You get used to it. It's one of the reasons I like living in a condo. though.
Our roaches aren't that big - it's just that they swarm and FLY.
We don't really have seasons. I'd say the temperature average varies less than 20 degrees for the most part.
----
Unless you are retiring, Oahu is pretty much your only choice (unless you work in health care - like your wife or the travel/hospitality industries).
Good luck!
Richard...
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1. It's hard NOT to find a job in health care in Hawaii. I don't think that will be a problem at all.
3. Nicest cities depends... Honolulu is "town" (the city true and proper) - the rest of the island is really residential/agricultural. Hawaii Kai is a very nice area to live. There are nicer areas but are geared towards retired people as the commute is no fun at all with the traffic patterns we suffer from.
4. Public schools in Hawaii are TERRIBLE. They rank among the lowest in the nation when it comes to standardized testing I hate to admit. There are some nice private schools but they are expensive. Education is not one of Hawaii's strongpoints. That being said I know some very intelligent, articulate, and well adjusted people that graduated from Hawaii public schools. If money is no object you may wish to consider Punahou, Iolani, or one of the other private schools.
6. As of right now there is no emissions testing in Hawaii.
7. Interesting page (albeit 3 years old) regarding cost of living in Hawaii: http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-an...ving%2FHousing
You can pay $1.90+ for a gallon of 92 octane.
Cost of living is as much as 10-65% more than some places on the mainland (10% than California and 65% more than rual Southern US). In 1998, average Hawaii family paid 42% of their income in taxes. For a bag of groceries that you'd pay $21.16 at Meijer in South Bend Indiana or $20.75 in Shop and Stop in Cleveland, Ohio or $25.45 at Hughes Market in Malibu, California, you'd pay $37.32 at Foodland in Kihei, Maui or $28.54 at Daiei in Honolulu.
10. Most "mainlanders" have nightmares after seeing the bugs/roaches we deal with on a regular basis. You get used to it. It's one of the reasons I like living in a condo. though.
Our roaches aren't that big - it's just that they swarm and FLY.We don't really have seasons. I'd say the temperature average varies less than 20 degrees for the most part.
----
Unless you are retiring, Oahu is pretty much your only choice (unless you work in health care - like your wife or the travel/hospitality industries).
Good luck!
Richard...
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01-24-2003, 08:26 PM
#4
Pr0n King
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Greg,
Looks like we're pretty much in agreement - but you get gas cheaper than I do!
Aloha,
Richard...
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Looks like we're pretty much in agreement - but you get gas cheaper than I do!
Aloha,
Richard...
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01-24-2003, 09:43 PM
#6
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Originally posted by IS2Scooby
Greg,
Looks like we're pretty much in agreement - but you get gas cheaper than I do!
Aloha,
Richard...
Greg,
Looks like we're pretty much in agreement - but you get gas cheaper than I do!
Aloha,
Richard...
01-24-2003, 09:51 PM
#7
First 12sec WRX in HI
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OK, here is my attempt at answering your list.
1) I'm not in the medical field but I do know that this state is really hurting on nurses. They have gone so far as recruiting them from the mainland and even outside the U.S. As far as anything specifically in occupational thereapy I couldn't tell you. My wife works at Kaiser so I'll see if she can get me their internal openings.
2) You don't want to live in a $225K four bedroom home here in HI. You'll understand when you get here. Median home prices are $350K. That gets you a nice four bedroom in a good neighborhood. Hope you don't mind traffic. Mililani has a very nice climate (cool and breezy) but you wouldn't be able to touch anything over 1500 sqft or bigger for less than $400K. Waikele is very nice as well, you'd be closer to town and the price is actually slightly less. Waipio is about the same. As you get closer to town you will notice prices rise sharply higher. Most homes in town believe it or not are valued at $400K +++ and they aren't all that. I live in Ewa, the hottest place on the island and arguably some pretty bad traffic. Every home here has central A/C. The good part is you get the most bang for your buck home wise here. You could actually get a nice four bedroom here for $320K. Happy hunting.
4) My kids are the same age. Decent schools here but the whole school system just plain sucks. Go private if you can.
5) $1,400 plus.
6) No emissions baby, but we do have safety inspections and recon permits. Keep the RS-T, sell the other two. You can pick up a good Island bucket for relatively cheap or buy the STI!
9) BRING YOUR FURNITURE. Furniture here is about twice as much as I paid in California and Washington. Repeat, furniture here is friggin expensive unless you have access to a military exchange.
10) Roaches are not big here, its the centipedes you need to worry about especially with children. Always have your kids wear shoes lots of ring worm problems in the outlying areas. mosquitos are everywhere and we occasionally have Dengue fever outbreaks. some moths are as big as birds. I also believe HI has 90% of the worlds termite population. They are everywhere. temperatures average around 70-90 all year around 70's in the winter months and 90's in the summer. Don't let the temperature fool you, humidity is the killer, it makes summer temps seem 20-30 degrees hotter. But the ocean water is like bath water year round.
P.S. Interest rates for homes right now are about 5.625 - 6.0 %
$150/mo electricity
$50/mo water
$40/mo basic phone line
$50/mo DSL internet connection
$40/mo basic cable
$170/mo home owners ins and property taxes
$1,900/mo house payment (P&I) @ 6% equals a $295K loan
Usually the banks here will take a 5% down payment.
I've found this page to be a pretty accurate and up to date source of info. http://www.hawaiishomes.com/
1) I'm not in the medical field but I do know that this state is really hurting on nurses. They have gone so far as recruiting them from the mainland and even outside the U.S. As far as anything specifically in occupational thereapy I couldn't tell you. My wife works at Kaiser so I'll see if she can get me their internal openings.
2) You don't want to live in a $225K four bedroom home here in HI. You'll understand when you get here. Median home prices are $350K. That gets you a nice four bedroom in a good neighborhood. Hope you don't mind traffic. Mililani has a very nice climate (cool and breezy) but you wouldn't be able to touch anything over 1500 sqft or bigger for less than $400K. Waikele is very nice as well, you'd be closer to town and the price is actually slightly less. Waipio is about the same. As you get closer to town you will notice prices rise sharply higher. Most homes in town believe it or not are valued at $400K +++ and they aren't all that. I live in Ewa, the hottest place on the island and arguably some pretty bad traffic. Every home here has central A/C. The good part is you get the most bang for your buck home wise here. You could actually get a nice four bedroom here for $320K. Happy hunting.
4) My kids are the same age. Decent schools here but the whole school system just plain sucks. Go private if you can.
5) $1,400 plus.
6) No emissions baby, but we do have safety inspections and recon permits. Keep the RS-T, sell the other two. You can pick up a good Island bucket for relatively cheap or buy the STI!
9) BRING YOUR FURNITURE. Furniture here is about twice as much as I paid in California and Washington. Repeat, furniture here is friggin expensive unless you have access to a military exchange.
10) Roaches are not big here, its the centipedes you need to worry about especially with children. Always have your kids wear shoes lots of ring worm problems in the outlying areas. mosquitos are everywhere and we occasionally have Dengue fever outbreaks. some moths are as big as birds. I also believe HI has 90% of the worlds termite population. They are everywhere. temperatures average around 70-90 all year around 70's in the winter months and 90's in the summer. Don't let the temperature fool you, humidity is the killer, it makes summer temps seem 20-30 degrees hotter. But the ocean water is like bath water year round.
P.S. Interest rates for homes right now are about 5.625 - 6.0 %
$150/mo electricity
$50/mo water
$40/mo basic phone line
$50/mo DSL internet connection
$40/mo basic cable
$170/mo home owners ins and property taxes
$1,900/mo house payment (P&I) @ 6% equals a $295K loan
Usually the banks here will take a 5% down payment.
I've found this page to be a pretty accurate and up to date source of info. http://www.hawaiishomes.com/
Last edited by Rexstang; 01-24-2003 at 10:28 PM.
01-24-2003, 10:16 PM
#9
Angry Dan
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This is my $.02
After reading what you wrote, if I was you I wouldn't move here.
Now don't get me wrong I like Hawaii a lot and I have got a chance to get to know some great people here. But if you are moving to hawaii to get to sea level. I'd try Ca, Fl or anywhere else before here. It's going to be cheaper and have better schools.
"and am eager to get away from the selfish self-centered mainland mentality"
Now as far as that goes....Yep you will not have to deal with the mainland mentality. You will have to deal with the island mentality. I'll leave it at that.
After reading what you wrote, if I was you I wouldn't move here.
Now don't get me wrong I like Hawaii a lot and I have got a chance to get to know some great people here. But if you are moving to hawaii to get to sea level. I'd try Ca, Fl or anywhere else before here. It's going to be cheaper and have better schools.
"and am eager to get away from the selfish self-centered mainland mentality"
Now as far as that goes....Yep you will not have to deal with the mainland mentality. You will have to deal with the island mentality. I'll leave it at that.
01-24-2003, 10:27 PM
#11
Angry Dan
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This is the same stuff we told you on your post. A lot of us are here because we are in the Military. This is a GREAT place to be if you are in the Military. I get paid extra $$$ to live here and don't have any kids to go to school here. But I (my $.02) would not live here if I wasn't in the military.
Now saying that I would never give up the time I've had here. It's been very fun.
Now saying that I would never give up the time I've had here. It's been very fun.
01-24-2003, 10:41 PM
#12
First 12sec WRX in HI
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I hope you didn't think this place was utopia or anything. Its nice here but it costs money to live in the middle of the ocean. Also keep in mind, vacationing or visiting the islands is a whole lot different than living here.
It is probably in your best interest to "test the waters" here before leaping in and buying a home. Lots of people love it here but just as many hate it. You've got a good idea about staying here for a year then decide if its for you. I personally like it here because weather is good year round, people are usually pretty friendly and laid back and I've met lots of cool people in a relatively short amount of time. And although I like it here I don't think I'd want to retire here. Cuz "I'm going back to Cali, to Cali, to Cali"
It is probably in your best interest to "test the waters" here before leaping in and buying a home. Lots of people love it here but just as many hate it. You've got a good idea about staying here for a year then decide if its for you. I personally like it here because weather is good year round, people are usually pretty friendly and laid back and I've met lots of cool people in a relatively short amount of time. And although I like it here I don't think I'd want to retire here. Cuz "I'm going back to Cali, to Cali, to Cali"
01-25-2003, 12:16 AM
#13
Pr0n King
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Plus you're going to ship your car here and it'll be .3-.5 slower in the 1/4. 
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01-25-2003, 01:02 AM
#14
Where is my beer?
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dang! You guys are on the ball tonight!!! 
I pretty much agree with what's been said. It's nice to visit here, but of the places I've seen and lived, it's not on my choices of 'future places to live'.
I live in Waikele, and I like it here. It's expensive for just a single guy like me, but I don't like most of the other places I've found that I can afford. Also, being in the Military helps most of us b/c we can shop at the Exchange and Commissary, that saves money over always shopping out in town.
One thing I don't think I've seen written is about your lung problems. Do you have problems with humidity?
I really haven't had that bad of breathing or sinus problems before, but for some reason, here I do.
I run about 10 miles or so a week, which isn't much, but when I first got here, running that much was hell on me (breathing). I have adjusted, but I know if I went back to the mainland, it would be much easier on me.
Have you thought about San Diego? I liked it there, you get better weather than most places I've lived at in the States, and you're not trapped in the middle of the Pacific, and it's a bit less expensive. ..... plus you're not within rage of N.Korea's nukes!!! (did I say that!!??
)
I pretty much agree with what's been said. It's nice to visit here, but of the places I've seen and lived, it's not on my choices of 'future places to live'.
I live in Waikele, and I like it here. It's expensive for just a single guy like me, but I don't like most of the other places I've found that I can afford. Also, being in the Military helps most of us b/c we can shop at the Exchange and Commissary, that saves money over always shopping out in town.
One thing I don't think I've seen written is about your lung problems. Do you have problems with humidity?
I really haven't had that bad of breathing or sinus problems before, but for some reason, here I do.
I run about 10 miles or so a week, which isn't much, but when I first got here, running that much was hell on me (breathing). I have adjusted, but I know if I went back to the mainland, it would be much easier on me.
Have you thought about San Diego? I liked it there, you get better weather than most places I've lived at in the States, and you're not trapped in the middle of the Pacific, and it's a bit less expensive. ..... plus you're not within rage of N.Korea's nukes!!!
(did I say that!!??)
01-25-2003, 06:56 AM
#15
I've lived here since 1986 and I pretty much agree with everyone's comments.
Probably the only reason I can afford to live here and also enjoy my toys is because I work for DOD.
I've seen food and other goods drop in price over the years due to the opening of Cosco, Sam's Club, Walmart, Kmart, etc...
For housing, it's gotten a lot better, but basically the closer you get to Honolulu, the more expensive it is. I know a few people at work who have bought or are in the process of buying and the prices mentioned are right on.
One other thing to mention as it's something you may have problems with. Generally we get strong tradewinds which keeps it comfortable, but there are times when we get what are called Kona winds. These are winds which blow from the South and also bring us VOG. VOG is like SMOG/FOG, but it originates from the Vocanoe on the Big Island. How bad, just depends on the current lava flow status.
Probably the only reason I can afford to live here and also enjoy my toys is because I work for DOD.
I've seen food and other goods drop in price over the years due to the opening of Cosco, Sam's Club, Walmart, Kmart, etc...
For housing, it's gotten a lot better, but basically the closer you get to Honolulu, the more expensive it is. I know a few people at work who have bought or are in the process of buying and the prices mentioned are right on.
One other thing to mention as it's something you may have problems with. Generally we get strong tradewinds which keeps it comfortable, but there are times when we get what are called Kona winds. These are winds which blow from the South and also bring us VOG. VOG is like SMOG/FOG, but it originates from the Vocanoe on the Big Island. How bad, just depends on the current lava flow status.