Puna/hilo Friends: This Is For Those Who Live In/will Be Moving To This Area (Waimea: estate)

[It's My Turn]

Thanks again for your help. I have to somehow start organizing all these notes, ideas and questions into something I can read. I'll have so many more questions as we get closer to our trip. Have a great day.

Originally Posted by leilaniguy

The entire subdivision is a very pretty area. The only part some consider less desireable is the lower part near Pohoiki Road close to the geothermal generating station that can be noisey at times. The most popular part is the lower Malama Street area with ocean views,(higher priced). Avoid buying a lot with Albizzia trees, huge dangerous giants that drop leaves and limbs almost constantly. They must be cut down before you build, and can cost thousand$ to remove. Centipedes are rare up here, maybe too wet for their liking. We do have the occasional B52 roach come flying by, but only at night, and they don't like lights.

[Hawaii Beth]

Originally Posted by NanawaleJulie

Funny you should mention, I have Maui Revealed on the shelf. I will be moving to the Big Island though so need to get that version. I have been so depressed lately. It is so hot and miserable here that I cannot go outside to exercise or walk, and it is just awful. Imagine 110 with no clouds, full sun. Now imagine this for 5 months or more. I am losin it. Around this time of year, I have been dealing with this for so long, I am at wits end. I actually get borderline psycho angry about it. I wouldn't mind the warmth on the coast there as it is cool compared to here. As a matter of fact, when I go to LA or San Diego, I usually am cold-in the summertime! Imagine going from 110 to 70 in one day's time. My friends there make fun of me all the time when I have a jacket on at the beach. Remind me why you are moving away? I have family in the south-VA Beach actually. Nice, but not for me. I love the green though. It is so brown here in the desert. Mahalo for your words of wisdom and may you find your happy place, safely. Julie

I lived in Houston for 3 mo. and it was 100 with 100% humidity. I can relate. Left there 'quick like a bunny'. The reason I'm leaving is that I will never have the security of purchased property here. I grew up outside Atlanta, spent 15 years in VA (one in Norfolk), and a year on Hilton Head. The lowcountry is home - so I'm going home. I know I can afford groceries, rent, and have seen several high paying jobs. Hawaii is a long way from anywhere. My only nephew is one and I haven't even met him yet.
This has been an awesome experience and I could stare at the Koolau mountains for hours every day. I don't expect to see this particular kind of beauty anywhere else but there are many kinds of beauty. I moved here from the Bahamas and they have some of the most beautiful beaches. Hopefully I'll find the security I crave and can then travel to see more of this beautiful planet.
Hope you're out of that depressing heat soon.
Beth

[Paddywagons]

Aloha!

I just returned from Hawaii - The Big Island - this week after spending 16 incredibly wonderful days exploring every town and scenic location possible. It surpassed my expectations.

The result: I bought!

I did months of research on Hawaii beforehand. I received loads of information & tips from several persons here on the forum. When I arrived, I was prepared and it made it all worth it. I estimate I spent over $10,000 on this trip in Hawaii alone ( you don't have to spend anything like that, but I splurged as it was a make-up honeymoon.) It was expensive, but the rewards were worth it. I am so busy since I got back to Florida, that I haven't got a lot of time right now to get online much. When that changes, I plan to share what I've learned and post as many photos of the multitudes of sub-divisions I visited.

I had hoped to meet with some of the people who were so generous with their time in responding to my many questions while in the planning stage of my trip, but I was non-stop occupied with finding properties & dealing with banks, etc. I hope they will be forgiving and give me a rain-check. Without them this would have been sooo much harder.

Cynthia, the realtor who provides so much information on this forum, was fantastic. She spent so much personal time guiding us through the subdivisions and towns to ensure we knew what was available and would be the most suitable for our family. She is not your ordinarly realtor I assure you. She does so much research before going to see a property, she needs to open a consulting business. I have been investing in real estate for almost 30 years now all over the world; I have never met a person who was so knowledgeable about the market and the individual properties as she is. She does all the legwork, including looking at ALL properties in an area. She never pushes a property her company has the listing for. Even after I had decided on a property she had as a listing, she continued to suggest I look at other properties not with her company ( and some cheaper ), just to make sure I was completely certain and did not have regrets later. My wife & I both came to respect her integrity and professionalism.

Listen to Leilani guy and GenorX, and all the many others who continue to graciously provide you with the knowledge you obtain here. Without it, you would be lost over there if you had investing or relocating in mind. It's a Biiiggg Island as those of you there can attest to, and with so much diversity in people & places. I know I will be living there soon, either full or part-time - it's that great!

Patrick

[Genxor]

Thanks Patrick !

I was wondering when we would hear from you about your lot search. Hope everyone enjoyed the visit and thanks for the 10k.

Anxious to here where you purchased !

Greg

[konacoffee]

[We are looking into the prepackaged homes (Big Island Packaged Homes in Hilo). Prices look very reasonable and it seems like a good idea with still living on the mainland most of the time until retirement. Does anyone have any input on these homes or this company?


HPM has prepackaged homes as does Argus Building Supply. Both are located in Hilo.


I also believe I read that you must own a permitted home for a year before you can rent in Leilani Estates.


I have no idea where you got that info, but it's very wrong. I live in Leilani Estates and just can't imagine where you got that info. Anybody can rent a home in Leilani if there is one available. Personally, Leilani is too far from town for me especially when you have to in Hilo by 8am...traffic is terrible.

[GirlinAZ]

Originally Posted by Hawaii Beth

I lived in Houston for 3 mo. and it was 100 with 100% humidity. I can relate. Left there 'quick like a bunny'. The reason I'm leaving is that I will never have the security of purchased property here. I grew up outside Atlanta, spent 15 years in VA (one in Norfolk), and a year on Hilton Head. The lowcountry is home - so I'm going home. I know I can afford groceries, rent, and have seen several high paying jobs. Hawaii is a long way from anywhere. My only nephew is one and I haven't even met him yet.
This has been an awesome experience and I could stare at the Koolau mountains for hours every day. I don't expect to see this particular kind of beauty anywhere else but there are many kinds of beauty. I moved here from the Bahamas and they have some of the most beautiful beaches. Hopefully I'll find the security I crave and can then travel to see more of this beautiful planet.
Hope you're out of that depressing heat soon.
Beth

Thanks for your good wishes. I wish you well.
I have been to the Norfolk area. My dad lives there. It is nice, but not my thing. (Although it would be better than AZ, I just have to stay here for a bit longer.)
Have a safe journey and hopefully you will find what you are seeking.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Paddywagons, aka Patrick, I'm so pleased to hear that you had a great trip to the BI. I'm anxiously waiting to hear where you bought property. Was it in Ka'u?

[kalena69]

Cannot compare job opportunities here to AZ.........here the demand is more for social services, to work with those recovering from substance abuse, mental illness, welfare, or to work in the public school system, although there are the Walmart etc jobs, and smaller retail stores. No big industries here.

[GirlinAZ]

Originally Posted by kalena69

Cannot compare job opportunities here to AZ.........here the demand is more for social services, to work with those recovering from substance abuse, mental illness, welfare, or to work in the public school system, although there are the Walmart etc jobs, and smaller retail stores. No big industries here.

For the following I am asking about the Big Island:
Do you think there would be a need for hair cutters/nail techs/aetheticians NOT at the hotels? Do the locals use these services regularly? Also, are the social service type jobs you mentioned actually available or are they all full? Is it hard to find a job on the B.I. in general? This is my biggest worry. Mahalo for your reply.

[Brav989]

Hey all. Figured I'd revive this thread. Let's see. As for buses, I do not believe there is a bus service really on the entire island. I've only ever seen tour buses and such. I like HPP quite a bit, though it feels very remote. The red clay roads make me feel like I'm in Australia