Anybody living in or around Honolulu?

[1/2Cuban 0]

My husband and i are considering a move to Honolulu for a pending job offer. We are both really excited about the possibility and craving a return to island life. But it's a big change and a big decision so we are looking for any and all advice we can get on housing, daily routine, jobs, transportation, and well everything! We don't have a lot of big stuff so "moving shouldn't be too big of a deal....

We would appreciate any feed back from people who have made the move.

thanks

[daphne2109 0]

My husband and i are considering a move to Honolulu for a pending job offer. We are both really excited about the possibility and craving a return to island life. But it's a big change and a big decision so we are looking for any and all advice we can get on housing, daily routine, jobs, transportation, and well everything! We don't have a lot of big stuff so "moving shouldn't be too big of a deal....

We would appreciate any feed back from people who have made the move.

thanks

Hi there, I've been living here for a little bit than 1 year, in the same island of Honolulu (Oahu) and it's ok to live, but if you like USA living style than forget about it, because here first of all is VERY expensive everything, second of all it is a world apart, it is not USA, it is not Europe to me, since I'm italian, it is just SO different to me. Since i've been here I haven't made almost NO friends, very hard to make friends here!!!!!!!!!!

And VERY expensive to fly out everywhere you go, we are in the middle of the ocean so it takes ages to reach wherever you would like to go. So I would say that (for me) the only one positive things after 1 year are: my husband and the weather.

Here is nice to come on vacation, that's it.

This is my suggestion, and my personal experience, someone else might speak differently according their own personal experience, especially because everybody is different, right? One last thing, (unless you work in a peculiar place, or you might have a degree) just working in a simple store you can't make it because living cost is SO expensive. The salary is very low compared to the living costs in the islands, at least 3 or 4 times higher than the mainland.

Transportation (if you don't drive like me) works probably better than in the mainland, but since this island is overcrowded, (we are about 1.2 million of people only on this island), the buses take about 2 hrs to go even to a normal place (especially during the rush hours) where usually it might take 20/30 mins.

Regarding jobs, I guess it is not that difficult, but again it depends what you are looking for. They have job agencies like in USA or Europe, so you can look for a job through them, but as I said, it depends on your job back ground, or what you are looking for, so in that casee it is very personal.

I hope my experience might help you, hope you can get more feedbacks, Daphne

[Imua 0]

Ditto what the above poster said. I grew up in Hawaii and lived there off and on until 7 years ago and miss it terribly but don't see going back to live any time soon. The cost of living is on a par with NYC only food costs even more than here b/c everything needs to be brought in by ship. Rents unfortunately are now on a par with NYC but wages/salaries are much less. Most jobs are in the service/tourist/retail sector which pays little, so many people work 2 or 3 jobs just to survive. Two-income families are generally a necessity. You can save some money on food by buying produce at farmers markets, co-ops, etc. You only need a 1-season wardrobe and you don't have to worry about heat. Depending on where you live and your own preference you probably don't need AC in your home - the trade winds do a nice job. Entertainment is cheap b/c you can be outdoors year round. And like the above poster said the bus system is great if you only need to get around Honolulu/Oahu - I never needed to drive and have never learned how. I actually used to walk to work. So if you are content with a downsized lifestyle and really are determined you can live there but it can be very difficult.

[AussieAmerican 0]

The weather and scenery is GORGEOUS. The rest is what YOU make of it. There are some very miserable people out there, but you have to go out there and meet people to make friends. Traffic and the cost of living is harsh, but the price you pay for living in paradise. We LOVE living here, and will be kinda sad when we move back to Australia, but excited at the same time if that makes sense!?!

Good luck with your move. I'd check out craigslist.org to get an idea of housing costs. Beware of dodgy area's also, but you can tell those easy because they're so much cheaper than the rest of the locations.