OT:Thinking of Moving to Hawaii?

Hello Kathy.. I will have to agree with Jane on just about everything she has mentioned.  this is truly a beautiful place, but you get sick of it quick, well atleast I did.  i have only been here since Jan2007, it took me till May or June to sorta get use to it, bored of seeing the same old things, and now, I am OVER IT. There is not too much here on the Island that you would find in the mainland; but then again it would depend what Island you are going to.  I personally have not seen milk priced at $9 a gallon, the highest I have seen was about $5.50.  Buying fruits and veggies is hard, if you buy it you really would have to cook/eat it within 2-3 days or you just flushed money down the toilet.  As for bread, give that up too, it is hard to find good bread.  Gas was $3.39 for a long time, hjust a few weeks ago it came down to $3.07, I buy everything on base, my husband is military.  I did hear about the milk will be going up to $8.99 but when I don't know.  I just read in the paper this morning about the unemployment, it use to be low but now it is not.  There are TONS of homeless people all over especially in Waikiki, crime is high, you have to be aware of where you are at.  Hawaii doesn't like to advertise the crimes because of the tourists. I was here when my dad was in the Navy about 30 years ago, things are completely different.  To be flat honest, you would have to have a good career to live comfortably here, not a job, but a career.  You almost have to be bilingual as well. And YES it is almost like living in another country, hands down! Since I have been here I have only heard about maybe 3 shark attacks, man o wars are terrible here, and in the last month they've constantly been closing the beaches due to boxed jelly fish.   Don't get me wrong it is a beautiful place...Traffic is a nightmare, places are close but it might take you 45 minutes to go 7 miles, you just need to know when is a good time to beat the traffic. If you need to know anything else feel free to e-mail me, I have sponsered several military family members (helping them with info). Hope this helps.. Marie

Hi Kathy, Well I've lived here since 1982 and wouldn't live anywhere else.  I think being non-military has something to do with me liking it here so much.  The prices here are expensive, but like most families on a budget, you have to look to see where the sales are.  We have a great publication here called the MIDWEEK which we get here on the leeward side of the island and that's my "bible" for grocery shopping for the week.  Some deals are even cheaper than the commissary and/or Costco or Sam's Club. Costco is a real money saver for gas also.  When I filled up on 8/24 the price was 2.989, which is one of the cheapest places on the island.  Even though things are pretty expensive here, I kind of see it as a trade off for the things I don't need in some places on the mainland, like, snow tires, heavy wool coats, oil for heating my home, etc.  I love this place for its ethnic diversity, fun people,  and the warm weather--a place where I can wear t-shirts and shorts everyday...haha.  Like Marie said though, we are not without homeless people, crime, etc., but I think you'll find that in any major metropolitan city in the mainland, so no surprise there.  Traffic is my biggest complaint, that and massive takeover of land from developers out to make the almighty buck.  I hate having to plan my day around traffic, but we do have idiots (as with any other city) running our government here who could care less if it takes someone 90 minutes to drive 20 miles. Our beaches here on the leeward side don't get near as much man of war or jellyfish as waikiki and east side beaches do, but we did have an unusual influx this past month of box jellyfish.  Usually the jellyfish influx occurs on south shores on a monthly basis.  They usually come to shore like clockwork 8 to 11 days after the full moon.  More can be read  at either the Honolulu Advertiser or Star Bulletin websites. Just another perspective on life in these beautiful islands, Carmen

I have been here for almost 4 years and I have to say I love and hate it all at the same time. I love the beaches, I love to drive around the island and see the sites. I love the weather.  I hate the cost of housing,the cost of untilities...if you run your a/c all the time be prepard to pay a good 600 dollar electric bill, learned that one real quick.   the time it takes to drive through traffic, the cinnapedes(sp) the millipedes, the scorpians, the roaches..the big flying ones the termites that swarm our house. The fact that I pay 2,000 a month and the people who own this place wont fix crap in a timely manner.

I live on Maui and I love it I have lived between Oahu, Maui and California my entire life. My dad and his side of the family are from Oahu my mom is a cali girl. Hawaii is expensive BUT you make more money here also. I work at starbucks full time I am married my husband works fulltime doing powerwashing carpets ect. We live pretty good money gets tight but whos doesnt. While I am never gonna afford to BUY a house here hopefully I inherit one hehe.