Favorite Things About Living on Oahu? : ) (Kaneohe, Pearl City: apartments, to rent, houses)

[navy485]

Hi everybody,

I have been sitting here at my computer for almost an hour scanning every "I'm moving to Oahu" post...y'all are so helpful to total strangers and I love it!

I'll be moving to the island next June (2008) to be closer to my boyfriend who's stationed at Pearl Harbor. It's been a good while since we've lived in the same town, (been together since 8th grade...I'm a college grad now!) and he's been stationed there for almost 2 years. Therefore, I'm moving there BEFORE we get married so we can be absolutely sure! I just visited in May so I'm very aware of the prices, the traffic, yadda yadda. Total we'll be there about 2 years so we've just gotta suck it up and make the most of it! The important part here is that for the first few months we will not be living together (until we get married, then we'll probably live on base.) I've already started the preliminary job search so that I'll be able to cover what I need to in the meantime. I've still got one year left in grad school, hence the 2008 move date!

My questions are:
1-What are some SAFE and fairly nice housing areas near Pearl Harbor? (for a "single" 20-something female, $800-$1500 price range..EEK!)
2-What are your FAVORITE things about living there? I've heard enough of the realistic drawbacks...I'm definitely goin, so I want to be EXCITED! Boyfriend is definitely worth it, but I'm getting nervous here!

Mucho Mahalo from Texas

[simon82]

I also want to know.

[cynmkolohe]

Be excited!! I loved living on Oahu. I lived first in Ewa Beach and taught in Ewa. (You'll hear stories, but I was fine!) The traffic is the worst thing if you have to commute. You will find so much to do to enjoy yourself, especially since you have a boyfriend already here and familiar with the territory. Being military can have its perks too--I was lucky to have military friends (access to some of the beach camp sites, private tours of subs and aircraft carriers). So...explore the North Shore. Plan hikes all around the island...(there is a hiking club if that is something that interests you). Then you have options for theatre, music, nightlife that will keep you busy...Ever tried paddling? I went out a few times with a canoe club in HNL. Awesome!

Like crafts? Learn to make ribbon leis. Shopping? You are set--plenty of high-end retail in Ala Moana and Waikiki, plus outlet shopping in Waikele. Flights to neighbor islands are inexpensive enough now that weekend trips are an option again. Need more? Let me know and I'll keep going! Life in HI will be an adjustment in some ways, but if you are up for the adventure, you will find a thousand + things to love! Enjoy!

[HankDfrmSD]

Originally Posted by navy485

Hi everybody,

My questions are:
1-What are some SAFE and fairly nice housing areas near Pearl Harbor? (for a "single" 20-something female, $800-$1500 price range..EEK!)

Mucho Mahalo from Texas

If you want to be close to the base, and in a nice residential area, the area called Foster Village would be good. No apartments, but there are rooms to rent in houses. Here's a sample:

Studio available in Foster Village Home

I prefer (and live in) the town of Kailua, on the windward side. It's a 30 minute commute from Pearl, on the new H-3, which is never crowded. A sample:

1/1/1 Koolau Vista in Kailua

Hank

[honu1950]

Aloha:
I would second the Kailua location. The H-3 was built with Federal money to connect Pearl Harbor to the Kaneohe Marine Corp base and makes for an extremely fast commute from Kailua to Pearl Harbor. If you go on Craigslist, you will find a wealth of private rooms to rent in Kailua for around $800 - $1,000 per month. As the Aikahi/Kailua area has a high percentage of military families living there, you should blend right in.

I would recommend that you look for a job in the Pearl City or Kapolei area so that when you move on base with him, your commute will be minimal.

[navy485]

Thanks so much to those of you who have replied! It's much appreciated : )