Transfer to Big Island Help (Hilo, Waimea: rentals, condo, house) - Hawaii (HI) -The Island of Hawaii - City-Data Forum

ridia · 08-01-2009, 11:44 PM

My husband may be transferring to the Big Island for work and I am looking to get so advice from those of you who live there or gone through the process. For my husband this would be a promotion and a great opportunity for him, currently we live in Canada. He said he is only willing to go through with it we are both comfortable with the move. I have read a lot on these forums to inform myself and think it would be good for us, I am only slightly worried about the money situation. The company is looking to pay my husband bewteen 70-75K with a relocation package of 5-8k. Is 70-75k a decent salary for a couple with no kids decent. My husband and do not lead an extravagant lifestyle but we do like to be comfortable and by this I mean a decent place to live and eating out 1-2 times per week. Any input an of you may have would be grateful as we need to make a decision within the next couple of weeks.

Thank You All

hotzcatz · 08-02-2009, 12:01 AM

You will be able to live fairly well on that amount of income, the relocation fees may be a bit on the low side, but if you limit the amount of stuff you bring it might just about cover it.

Eating out is inexpensive enough in Hilo, we don't have all that many high end restaurants.

Depending on how you define "decent" you may or may not be able to find what you are looking for. It will most likely be a lot different than you are used to since you are starting out from Canada. During the winter if you want snow you will have to drive to the top of Mauna Kea and it still isn't that good for skiing.

Renting a vacation rental for several weeks will let you be here to look around and find the house you'd want to rent long term. There are some lovely areas in Hilo town and you'd be making enough to live well, although, "well" is a relative term. If you are willing to like Hilo, you will enjoy it here, if you aren't willing to enjoy Hilo, then you probably won't like it here. My niece is appalled that the grocery stores don't deliver. She would never be able to live in Hilo. Another friend of mine adores hula dancing and she is just waiting until she is able to move over here. So, depending on a lot of things, you may like it or you may not.

ridia · 08-02-2009, 12:12 AM

Thanks for the reply, looking at a map online Hilo is on the opposite side of the island where my husband would be working we would be looking at moving to the Kohala coast area would that make a big difference in the standard of living? And by decent I mean a nice clean 2-3 bedroom condo hopefully with a ocean view (not neccessay but coming from Canada and moving to an Island it would be nice to look out a window and see the ocean Ha Ha). What would rent runs us monthly if you have an idea on the Kohala Coast roughly?

Thank You

cynmkolohe · 08-02-2009, 05:55 AM

Hi ridia,

You may want to consider looking into rentals in the Waimea (Kamuela) area as well. It is higher in elevation, but you can get homes with more distant ocean views and be cooler! Look for "dry-side" Waimea in the description (as opposed to wet-side, or green-side, Waimea where it rains a lot).

There are also plenty of rentals available in Waikoloa Village now--that is an area especially hard-hit by the economic crisis in California--many property owners there are people who invested in vacation or retirement homes and have been forced to lower their rental rates due to the slow down in tourism.

I'll dm you with links for two sites you can use to look at rentals...

With aloha,

Cynthia

KonaKat · 08-02-2009, 11:40 AM

Where exactly is your husband going to be working? Somewhere up the Kohala Coast? It would be easier to give you some tips if we knew where he had to drive to for work. Have either of you actually been here before? Is the job permanent or for a couple of years then you may be returning to Canada?

The relocation money is certainly on the low side but you may not be bringing much with you so it would cover your costs.

ridia · 08-02-2009, 12:55 PM

Yes he may be hired to work at the Fairmont resort on the Kohala coast along Kaniku Drive. (As for the job if he gets it, apparently they have had numerous applications). The position would be for a couple of years minimum until the next move up the corporate ladder as is the nature of the hospitality industry. We would be looking to live not too far from the resort and not too far from amenities such as shopping and the beach. He is just worried that I may not be able to find things to fill the days while he is at work and regret the move as I will not be able to work until I get approved for a visa which we need to apply for on our own which is a long drawn out process from what I understand (my husband would have his through his work).

Thank you for taking the time to reply

Bandalero · 08-02-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotzcatz

You will be able to live fairly well on that amount of income, the relocation fees may be a bit on the low side, but if you limit the amount of stuff you bring it might just about cover it.

Yup, I agree. You didn't say WHERE in Canada you live, but a single-income (household) salary of $70-75K on the Big Isle is livable (not excellent, but livable), and the relocation assistance of $5-8K is probably too lean, unless perhaps you live in Vancouver (i.e., direct flights, no overland trucking of household goods, pets, etc.).

Good luck!

KonaKat · 08-02-2009, 01:33 PM

If he's working at the Fairmont, check into rentals in the Waikoloa area. It is pretty windy and dry there, tho so you may not be crazy about it. You could also live up around Kawaihae, Hawi, Kapa'au (small villages north of the resort). Arrange for accomodations for a couple of weeks upon arrival then take your time looking in person. The resort will probably give you a room for awhile, I imagine. I can DM you with a property management company or 2 that work in that area, if you like.

ridia · 08-02-2009, 01:35 PM

Thanks for the reply. When you say 70-75K is not excellent but livable do you mean we would be comfortable? What salary range would be considered excellent for living on the Big Island? I thought this was a pretty decent salary. What are taxes like on the Big Island? Here is Canada taxes are pretty high compared to the US.

ridia · 08-02-2009, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KonaKat

If he's working at the Fairmont, check into rentals in the Waikoloa area. It is pretty windy and dry there, tho so you may not be crazy about it. You could also live up around Kawaihae, Hawi, Kapa'au (small villages north of the resort). Arrange for accomodations for a couple of weeks upon arrival then take your time looking in person. The resort will probably give you a room for awhile, I imagine. I can DM you with a property management company or 2 that work in that area, if you like.

Thanks KonaKat any info you may have is greatly appreciated. Being able to get first hand info from people who live there is so much better than the random reading and website clicking.