So, what's one got to make to live well in Kona? (Kailua: rental, appliances)

[lemurdue]

I've been offered a job that pays $21.50 an hour plus bonuses and over time, bringing me around the $50K point. No wife or kids, just two cats. Will it be difficult to make it out there? What are the electric bills like?

[hotzcatz]

A single person should be able to live on that amount, although you'll still probably have to do some adjusting if you're relocating from the mainland.

Electric bills can be all over the place depending on what appliances are used. If you're moving from the mainland, renting will probably be what you'd be doing, at least for the first six months, perhaps you'd be able to find a place with the electric paid as part of the rent? Or do a VRBO for a long term stay, they usually have electric included.

It gets hotter in Kailua-Kona than other parts of the island, especially if you are on the flat areas down near sea level. Palisades area is cooler because it's at a higher elevation. Still, "hotter" is less than 100 degrees since we don't get the staggeringly hot weather like the mainland does.

If you have newer energy efficient appliances, you're electric bill can be reasonable. A top freezer refrigerator that is less than 22 cubic feet and has the ice maker in the freezer is about the most efficient refrigerator around. We were doing fine with electric with a new refrigerator of that size and "curly" bulbs all through the house, solar hot water, solar clothes dryer (hanging it on a line) and a gas stove. The electric was between $65 and $95 depending on what other things were used, although we've never had an air conditioner. However, when a hot tub was plugged in the electric bill went to $225-$275 a month. We've since put solar electric on the house and the electric bill is now $20 a month.

As a renter, though, you're not going to have the option of putting in solar electric. So, when selecting a rental house, choose one with either the electric already paid as part of the rent or choose one with a solar or gas water heater and stove.

Oh, and you've already started the quarantine process for your cats? http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/animal...ormation-page/

[KaraBenNemsi]

Tight budget compared to many mainland areas. Is your overtime guaranteed? The company secure? Are your skills hard to replace? What is the career path on the long run? My handyman charges $30 an hour and he's booked a month in advance. Single dude, rents a studio, barely makes his bills.

If you are single and love the outdoors, I would say go for it. If it is a shaky offer watch out that you don't get stranded. Some jobs are offered to the mainlanders because they burned local bridges and are a tad questionable in how they do business. Ask yourself and the company why they can't find a local here.

[Galactastica]

50K a year for one person? You will have no problem. I survive in Kona for 2 people making 15 an hour with 2 cats. It just depends on what you do and where you want to live, and those costs. I'm pretty sure I could figure out a way to survive on 50K a year anywhere, if i WANTED to be there. I've never even made 50K a year and I've lived in HI and the most expensive part of Texas! Then again, there are some people that couldn't survive on 50K a year no matter where they live, because of their expensive lifestyle. It's all up to you, but it's very doable.

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by Galactastica

50K a year for one person? You will have no problem.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by Galactastica

Then again, there are some people that couldn't survive on 50K a year no matter where they live, because of their expensive lifestyle.

Twenty years ago or more ago, I remember a feature in the LA Times on people who said they simply could not make it in L.A. on $100K a year!

But KaraBenNemsi has a very good point about employment stability in the area... plan for the worst case... live well under your means and save the rest.

[lemurdue]

I eat a pretty consistent diet, with canned tuna being one of the staples. How is the price of it compared to the mainland? In the morning I start with oatmeal, peanut butter and toast, then later in the morning I eat three eggs and a cup of cereal, in the early afternoon I eat tuna mixed with mayo on a slice of toast, in the later afternoon I eat a protein bar, early evening I have frozen broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, brussell sprouts, a chopped turkey (or veggie burger) cooked in olive oil and late evening I have Greek yogurt or cottage cheese. On the weekend I have more variety, but don't eat huge meals. How much more would I be paying for this stuff?

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by lemurdue

I eat a pretty consistent diet, with canned tuna being one of the staples. How is the price of it compared to the mainland?...snip... How much more would I be paying for this stuff?

Compared with where? Food prices vary widely on the mainland depending on where you are. But it doesn't look like you spend a lot on food, so I'd guess $250 a month should be a pretty good preliminary food budget for a single guy, that you can adjust depending on your experience. Cat food, I don't honestly know.

I have one suggestion for a change in your diet plan... You know the saying "When in Rome, do as the Romans do"? Well, when in Kona, do as the Konans do...

I figure that a 12 oz can of SPAM roughly equals 3 small (4 oz cans) of tuna, at roughly the same price, so it would be an economical swap to make, serving for serving. You'd definitely feel more Hawaiian. And in the process you could get your mercury intake back down to safe levels.

[whtviper1]

Some studies suggest SPAM causes cancer - probably not a good staple in your diet. It is definitely is unhealthy.

HowStuffWorks "Spam Production"

[OpenD]

Some studies suggest that humor is essential to good health, and lots of laughter can cure cancer.

[davephan]

Originally Posted by OpenD

Twenty years ago or more ago, I remember a feature in the LA Times on people who said they simply could not make it in L.A. on $100K a year!

I know for a fact that you can live very cheaply in the LA area if you are retired. You can live in a senior trailer park for $700 a month, which includes garbage and water. That's $8,400 a year for the space rent. The senior park is in Santa Ana, about 35 - 40 miles south of LA in a nice area. The trailer park is very quite, safe, and away from the traffic noise. You can purchase a trailer or modular home for $15,000 - $40,000. Add to that other living expenses like food, clothing, car, income taxes (no property taxes because the home value is so low), cable/satelilte or locals/Netflix, Internet, and cellphone. There isn't much land, but you can still have a small garden and a dozen small to medium tropical fruit trees. If you add all that up, that's dirt cheap living way below $100,000 a year. That is today, not 20 years ago.

You could also live in a typical southern California single family home in a nice area for about $500K to $1.5M, property taxes about $12K to $30K, plus all the other living expenses. Many people there like to drive a newer Lexus, BMW, Mercedes luxury car to show off their status to others, even if they can't afford a luxury car - its very common in southern California. Living that lifestyle in the LA area could easily require more than $100K a year income.

Not everyone could afford to live either way. I could live either way. So it becomes choice if you want to spend that much money. Is it worth the cost?

The same issues are going on in Hawaii where the cost of living is really high compared to other areas, but the amazing environment you could live in may make it worth the high cost.