Relocation Questions, Please Help
01-25-2003, 09:55 AM
#16
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My Dad has asthma and some lung problems and the humidity in Saipan wasnt good for him at all. Atleast Hawaii is better, but coming from the mainland the humidity will probably be worse in Hawaii. Something to consider. He is there now and says its definitely do-able. I would think drier weather would be best with lung issues, but what do I know...
I know 3-4 couples from the past who moved to Hawaii and ended up moving off after a year or so. I guess its about balancing quality of life living there with nice weather and the ocean against having lotsa cash in the bank. Buy a house there for $350k which you could get most places in the mainland for less then $200k.
If my Dad didnt live there I wouldnt consider coming, but its worth a try. Heck dont know til you give it a shot. My wife is a makor optimist which hopefully will balance out my slightly pessimistic attitude...
I know 3-4 couples from the past who moved to Hawaii and ended up moving off after a year or so. I guess its about balancing quality of life living there with nice weather and the ocean against having lotsa cash in the bank. Buy a house there for $350k which you could get most places in the mainland for less then $200k.
If my Dad didnt live there I wouldnt consider coming, but its worth a try. Heck dont know til you give it a shot. My wife is a makor optimist which hopefully will balance out my slightly pessimistic attitude...
01-25-2003, 11:00 PM
#18
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Might as well throw my two cents in:
I have two jobs and I find that the cost of living here takes a big chunk of it. I haven't done anything to my car in months and thats because for me its very hard to save up. Electricity runs me about 80 bucks a month, cable is 110, cell phone+house phone is 80, housing is 800. I just finished paying off the rex so I get one less bill finally but you have to remember the cost of food. Its pretty high here. A loaf of bread is 2 dollars, a gallon of milk is 5, etc etc.
I lived in San Fran also before and I actually think Hawaii is a very nice place to live in. People here actually live healthier and longer. I can't say anything for the public school system though because I graduated from St Louis and been in private schools for 90% of my life.
I've met alot of people who moved here from the mainland and most of them moved back within a year. Cost of living is much too expensive here for most.
I have two jobs and I find that the cost of living here takes a big chunk of it. I haven't done anything to my car in months and thats because for me its very hard to save up. Electricity runs me about 80 bucks a month, cable is 110, cell phone+house phone is 80, housing is 800. I just finished paying off the rex so I get one less bill finally but you have to remember the cost of food. Its pretty high here. A loaf of bread is 2 dollars, a gallon of milk is 5, etc etc.
I lived in San Fran also before and I actually think Hawaii is a very nice place to live in. People here actually live healthier and longer. I can't say anything for the public school system though because I graduated from St Louis and been in private schools for 90% of my life.
I've met alot of people who moved here from the mainland and most of them moved back within a year. Cost of living is much too expensive here for most.
01-26-2003, 01:06 AM
#19
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Being a "lifer" here, Id have to say to live in Kaneohe. But get a house with a lot of room as you will find that there are a lot of people that will want to hang out and have "install" parties here.
-scu
-scu
01-26-2003, 01:51 AM
#20
Originally posted by BoOm
A loaf of bread is 2 dollars, a gallon of milk is 5, etc etc.
A loaf of bread is 2 dollars, a gallon of milk is 5, etc etc.
01-26-2003, 01:58 AM
#21
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Or spring for the $30-40 and get a Costco Membership. I have access to the Military Comissary, and I have a Costco card. I'm a total bargain shopper, and Costco has better cuts of steak... Mmm... STEAK. For the SUPERBOWL!
01-26-2003, 02:33 AM
#22
Where is my beer?
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Originally posted by Scubaru
Being a "lifer" here, Id have to say to live in Kaneohe. But get a house with a lot of room as you will find that there are a lot of people that will want to hang out and have "install" parties here.
-scu
Being a "lifer" here, Id have to say to live in Kaneohe. But get a house with a lot of room as you will find that there are a lot of people that will want to hang out and have "install" parties here.
-scu
01-26-2003, 04:29 AM
#23
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: now on, things are gonna change around here!
Posts: 103
re:schools
there are some public elementary schools that are passable, but you either have to live in their district or get a district exemption (which will allow your kids to attend a school outside your assigned area) which usually have wait lists, and can mean some pretty hellish morning commutes. These schools (surprise surprise) tend to be in more expensive areas to live in.
If you are gonna move here, your kids are still young enough to fit in: but it will be a culture shock at first. I think the difference between a good public elementary school and a good private one is not worth the money. But you gotta find a good one first. Save up your money for private school for 7-12th grades.
Sorry if this all is confusing, hope it helps a little
WillRX
If you are gonna move here, your kids are still young enough to fit in: but it will be a culture shock at first. I think the difference between a good public elementary school and a good private one is not worth the money. But you gotta find a good one first. Save up your money for private school for 7-12th grades.
Sorry if this all is confusing, hope it helps a little
WillRX
01-26-2003, 03:54 PM
#27
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Well,
We are doing okay money-wise and can afford the higher prices, but the one main thing that worries me most with what you all say here is the quality of the schools. We can afford the cost increase in groceries, and utiliries, gas, etc... but not sure about affording private school for 3 kids on top of that (or enjoying heavy traffic.)
The only other issue is buying vs renting. We'd rent at first, & buy if we don't give up after the first year
Especially since we'd only have about $15,000 left over from the sale of our house, after the standard 7% realtor fees apply. We have only been in it 3 years with an 90% mortgage, and only have 12% equity right now. In Seattle a house much nicer than our $285k house is only $240k, and in HI it is closer to $400k We'd have to close our tax deferred savings and 401K retirement to get a $40,000 10%downpayment. Is it worth it?
We would rent forever, but we'd lose the tax writeoff on the mortgage interest, and our out-of-pocket Federal Income taxes would go up $6000 a year. So, a $1,900/mo mortgage would save us $500/mo in income taxes vs renting for the same price. But renting is actually easier and more affordable to us initially, rather than paying $40K down on a house (and losing our retirement money to do it.)
Our only debts are the $1,880 mortgage (7%), one $445 car pmt with (2 cars paid off), $6,000 in 3 credit cards at $150/mo (but we pay 2-3x minimum). Plus $400/mo for med school loans X 20 more years
How much take home income would an average family of 5 need to live in HI anyways?
Larry
We are doing okay money-wise and can afford the higher prices, but the one main thing that worries me most with what you all say here is the quality of the schools. We can afford the cost increase in groceries, and utiliries, gas, etc... but not sure about affording private school for 3 kids on top of that (or enjoying heavy traffic.)
The only other issue is buying vs renting. We'd rent at first, & buy if we don't give up after the first year
Especially since we'd only have about $15,000 left over from the sale of our house, after the standard 7% realtor fees apply. We have only been in it 3 years with an 90% mortgage, and only have 12% equity right now. In Seattle a house much nicer than our $285k house is only $240k, and in HI it is closer to $400k We'd have to close our tax deferred savings and 401K retirement to get a $40,000 10%downpayment. Is it worth it?We would rent forever, but we'd lose the tax writeoff on the mortgage interest, and our out-of-pocket Federal Income taxes would go up $6000 a year. So, a $1,900/mo mortgage would save us $500/mo in income taxes vs renting for the same price. But renting is actually easier and more affordable to us initially, rather than paying $40K down on a house (and losing our retirement money to do it.)
Our only debts are the $1,880 mortgage (7%), one $445 car pmt with (2 cars paid off), $6,000 in 3 credit cards at $150/mo (but we pay 2-3x minimum). Plus $400/mo for med school loans X 20 more years
How much take home income would an average family of 5 need to live in HI anyways?
Larry
01-27-2003, 01:52 AM
#28
Where is my beer?
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Originally posted by SubaruPlanetCom
We'd have to close our tax deferred savings and 401K retirement to get a $40,000 10%downpayment. Is it worth it?
We'd have to close our tax deferred savings and 401K retirement to get a $40,000 10%downpayment. Is it worth it?
Originally posted by SubaruPlanetCom
How much take home income would an average family of 5 need to live in HI anyways?
How much take home income would an average family of 5 need to live in HI anyways?
01-27-2003, 02:12 AM
#30
With all this talk about relocating...
Looks like I am going to be to be looking for a new place to live. I just got word today that the land lord, is cutting the lease on our rental short so that they can, fix the roof of the house. Not sure how much work needs to be done to it, but I have until the 28th of feb to find a new place. My roommate and I are going to start looking.
More than likely the new place the rent will be higher, the part that is I find most irritating is the whole moving part...
argh!
More than likely the new place the rent will be higher, the part that is I find most irritating is the whole moving part...
argh!