Living in the middle, commuting the big Island? (Hilo, Waimea: rentals, house)

[Sub-Blue]

For those that live and commute on the big Island, where have you found to live if your working in Hilo, or for those that work in Kona, do you live near places like South Point, Naalehu? Puna, oceans view, volcano?

Covering the big island like driving the state of Connecticut sounds mind blowing.

Mahalo

[mdand3boys]

Originally Posted by Sub-Blue

For those that live and commute on the big Island, where have you found to live if your working in Hilo, or for those that work in Kona, do you live near places like South Point, Naalehu? Puna, oceans view, volcano?

Covering the big island like driving the state of Connecticut sounds mind blowing.

Mahalo

It might work for a week or two. However, driving on two lane roads for more than about 30 minutes gets real old, real fast. The slightest accident or lane closure can cause that commute to double.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Our house is near Naalehu, and people in our neighborhood do commute to work in Kona. Like mdand3 says, though, it gets old real fast. But, if that's where the work is, then people do what they need to do. Too bad the bus doesn't run more often. Luckily we are retired, so we don't worry about commutes any more.

If it were me and I was working in Kona and couldn't afford housing in Kona, I'd be looking in the Waikaloa area before looking anywhere south.

[hotzcatz]

When the price of gas got to around five dollars a gallon awhile back, there were tons of "help wanted" advertisements in Kona and none in Hilo. It's too expensive for most folks to live in Kona so they live where they can afford to and commute several hours a day to go to work in Kona. However, when the price of gas went up, they couldn't afford the commute anymore so everyone who could shifted their job to Hilo. Do the math, it works out that you have to make four or five dollars an hour more to make up for the time/gas/car maintenance between a job in Kona and a job in Hilo if you live on the Hilo side.

Gas isn't going to get any cheaper, ever. Live as absolutely as close to your employment as possible. Also, live close to sources of supply. Ten years from now when gas is over ten dollars a gallon you will be really glad you chose a spot close to employment and supplies.

[Koale]

Well, we signed our year lease in Waikoloa Village...then one week later I got hired in Kealakekua...ugh...exactly 1 hour commute each way / 5-6 days a week for the duration of our lease. Didn't see it coming. Oh well, very happy to be working.
Koale

[Sub-Blue]

Originally Posted by hotzcatz

When the price of gas got to around five dollars a gallon awhile back, there were tons of "help wanted" advertisements in Kona and none in Hilo. It's too expensive for most folks to live in Kona so they live where they can afford to and commute several hours a day to go to work in Kona. However, when the price of gas went up, they couldn't afford the commute anymore so everyone who could shifted their job to Hilo. Do the math, it works out that you have to make four or five dollars an hour more to make up for the time/gas/car maintenance between a job in Kona and a job in Hilo if you live on the Hilo side.

Gas isn't going to get any cheaper, ever. Live as absolutely as close to your employment as possible. Also, live close to sources of supply. Ten years from now when gas is over ten dollars a gallon you will be really glad you chose a spot close to employment and supplies.

Very good advice and things to consider
Mahalo

[hotzcatz]

We live thirty miles out of Hilo and that's too far to commute, but then I work from home. My DH works at a small town about ten miles away so his commute isn't too bad but we are considering moving closer to where he works eventually.

When we do go to town, we usually either pick things up for the neighbors or take the neighbors with us to consolidate trips to town. Saves on gas if every other trip someone else drives. I have been noticing less and less regular cars on the roads although just lately the tourist rentals seem to be coming back.

[cynmkolohe]

I've done the Hilo-Waimea commute many times, but can't imagine having to do it every day.

I attended a presentation today at Waimea Middle School (the 8th graders were presenting their e-Portfolios, something that will be required by the state for a schools in a few years) and heard several of the soon-to-be-9th-graders say they will be taking the bus every day from Waimea to Keaau next year to attend Kamehameha High School.

If you're working in Hilo and can live within 15 miles of your job, you will have an easy commute.