I was wondering how you all can afford to live comforatably yet still manage to keep a G in the garage all in the paradise island of Hawaii... Do you all own your own business? Work for a good company? Or are some of you Don Hoes son ;-) If so Holla !! I wanna move to Hawaii and it might be the biggest mistake I make because I would need to find a job (good paying one) so I can still manage to pay off my G and probably a roomate for now... Is it true the homes run for 500k and stuff? Sounds like over here, but for 500k I can get a nice 4 bedroom in So Cali. So how do you Hawaiian peep's do it?

G35 Mafia Member # 01

 

IMHO, I think for the most part, Hawaii is just as expensive as some parts in Cal. It's a give and take. While real estate is just a bit higher here (San Francisco, is actually a little higher), your auto insurance rates are higher. We don't usually pay for heating (although for some of us, when it gets down to 59 degrees, we think it's going to snow) in the winter or cooling in the summer. I think the general idea of Hawaii being expensive depends on how well you're doing financially to begin with. Believe me, you can get a pretty nice home for under $500K

 

Server lag again I just posted what was ^^^^ there...

G35 Mafia Member # 01

 

The job market's tough right now, but I think that's true of any state. I'm actually between jobs again (my company lost a contract), and currently looking for employment. I think the key to living here on a decent income is to be married, or finding a roommate.

It's all about priorities. The more you make, the more you will spend. I know of couples who make a lot less than my wife and myself get by pretty good. Good enough to have kids.

-Rick
G35C 6MT Ivory Pearl

 

Yes, the job market is tough at this moment, but just have to be persistant. Also, it depends on what position you are looking for. The head hunting company's here aren't like the ones in California, but you still might get decent opportunities. Check the classifieds online with the local newspaper (starbulletin and honolulu advertiser).

 

There are a lot of trade-offs here...if you want a nice big house close to town, you'll easily spend $500K...but if you're willing to live farther out, and sit on H-1 for an hour each way, you can get a decent house for $300K.

 

Cali_Eddie... I actually grew up in Hawai'i and want to move back. But for the same reasons I'm finding it hard to do, I need to find a job. My sister still lives there and they just bought a house a couple of years ago in Waikele, 3 bdrms 1500 sq/ft for 300. She drives into town for work what would normally be about 30-45 mins in traffic up here is about an hour to hour and a half over there. Her drive is about 15-20 miles. Sounds like fun don't it? As they say, for every possitive there's a negative. My biggest prevention from moving back is my wife, she's born and raised up here and doesn't want to be that far from home. Seems ironic doesn't it. Well with the weather as it's been lately, you could go to www.kccnfm100.com and just listen to some local music and imagine you're in the Islands. (That's what I'm doing). I actually work in the film industry and I do have connections in Hawai'i but business is slow out there. By the way I grew up on the Windward side a small town called Ka'a'awa. No place like it! 20 mins to Kaneohe about an hour to town if traffics not too bad. I miss it. Aloha Bruddahs and Titas from the Aina!

Ha'ahe'o O Hawai'i
-Kawika