Florida to Hawaii (real estate, rent, insurance)

[survivor4596]

The more and more I read about the cost of living in Hawaii, I'm surprised that Florida is catching up. Rent is high, gas is high, homeowner's insurance is ridiculous, and salaries aren't compensating for the increase. We've been considering moving to Hawaii, since we're already shelling out tons of money just to live, why not live in Hawaii? We love the water, but are becoming pretty disenchanted with Florida (even though we both grew up here). It's become dirty, grimy, crime-ridden and expensive. Don't get me wrong, there are still nice places in Florida, but, again you've got to pay out the nose to be there. Any suggestions for considering a move?

[cynmkolohe]

First and easiest: read all you can on this forum. The collection of info here is pretty impressive. Shipping recommendations, analysis of cost of living from different perspectives, and within the posts you will quickly pick up on some of the day-to-day issues local residents face (traffic, etc...)

Also, be prepared for a major adjustment period, especially if you are considering a neighbor island. No one ever has exactly the same experience, but it is certainly a transition and there is always a learning curve. (If you are going to be looking for a home, you will have a few things to explore regarding purchasing real estate on an island.)

Last suggestion: if possible, come visit for as long as you can before you make a decision. Tour the area you are considering living with the perspective of a future resident rather than a tourist. Schools? Roads? Activites? Fire dept? Health care? Everyone has different needs, and you will probably find a place that meets yours specifically, but it may take some time.

With aloha,

Cynthia

[Metaphor]

Originally Posted by cynmkolohe

First and easiest: read all you can on this forum. The collection of info here is pretty impressive. Shipping recommendations, analysis of cost of living from different perspectives, and within the posts you will quickly pick up on some of the day-to-day issues local residents face (traffic, etc...)

Also, be prepared for a major adjustment period, especially if you are considering a neighbor island. No one ever has exactly the same experience, but it is certainly a transition and there is always a learning curve. (If you are going to be looking for a home, you will have a few things to explore regarding purchasing real estate on an island.)

Last suggestion: if possible, come visit for as long as you can before you make a decision. Tour the area you are considering living with the perspective of a future resident rather than a tourist. Schools? Roads? Activites? Fire dept? Health care? Everyone has different needs, and you will probably find a place that meets yours specifically, but it may take some time.

With aloha,

Cynthia

Please consider this statement when reading any and all posts on this forum as it will cause you to have a more objective view from other's subjective experiences and not pollute your opinion.

[Indigoblue92]

Stay in Florida!!!!! I wish I would have!

It's not just the high cost of living that is different. EVERYTHING is different. I agree with the other poster, come visit for a lengthy period and get an idea of what life is like here before making the plunge. It's a lot easier to get here than it is to get back to the mainland!

[William Kester]

There is probably no place in the world that has a greater difference between visiting it as a tourist for a week or two,vs.living there full-time, then Hawaii.
Bill

[Sorcerer68]

Originally Posted by survivor4596

The more and more I read about the cost of living in Hawaii, I'm surprised that Florida is catching up. Rent is high, gas is high, homeowner's insurance is ridiculous, and salaries aren't compensating for the increase. We've been considering moving to Hawaii, since we're already shelling out tons of money just to live, why not live in Hawaii? We love the water, but are becoming pretty disenchanted with Florida (even though we both grew up here). It's become dirty, grimy, crime-ridden and expensive. Don't get me wrong, there are still nice places in Florida, but, again you've got to pay out the nose to be there. Any suggestions for considering a move?

When I moved to Hawaii 4 years ago, my cost of living was 3x what it was in Pasadena (Los Angeles) and I had a good lifestyle there. I lived in a rural area, the more popular areas are more expensive. Don't kid yourself and think Hawaii isn't any more expensive. The job market on Hawaii is a lot rougher as well. Unemployment isn't high, underemployment is. It's not uncommon to find someone who was an exec on the mainland working in 7-11. Make sure you factor in trips to the mainland. 4 a year is about right. If you can't afford to go visit your friends, family and whatever else you miss, it's rough.

As a Realtor in Hawaii, I noted 75% of the people who moved from the mainland were gone in about 4 years. Half of those left in the first year or two. I think the main reason, beyond cost and all that is that Hawaii is it's own kind of place. You have to love it for what it is, not try to change it. Many people try to force their mainland lifestyle on Hawaii and Hawaii just doesn't allow it. Pele is a cruel hostess for those who don't belong in the islands...this includes those who come just to make money. People also have no point of reference because there's no place like Hawaii. It's officially part of the USA but I always say (only half joking) that it's a foriegn country. Also, anyone the least bit racist or xenophobic doesn't do well. Hawaii is a melting pot and Caucasians are mostly outnumbered in most parts of Hawaii which didn't bother me unless I was the only one.

If you want to move to Hawaii, be prepared to change everything about your lifestyle. Become willing to work any kind of job, even something you would have previously considered beneath you. Throw out all your formal clothes and stuffy business wear, you won't need them. For me, I discovered I'm too much of a city boy to live there full time. I'm much happier now that I'm back home. I still love Hawaii, just not 12 months a year. I'm taking a really long break for now. I have a cute vacation house on the Kona Coast that's there anytime I get the urge.

[Lambert]

Well, with half of NJ moving to Florida I would hate it there myself. As a former Jersey girl turned Hula Hottie I have to agree with Sorcerer ... many people try to force their mainland ways on Hawai'i but Hawai'i doesn't allow it. It is the way it is and that's why we love it, that's why we move here. But so many forget to leave the parts of themselves that they wanted to change in the first place back where they came from. They bring themselves with them and end up hating Hawaii for it. It was an adjustment for me. I am, or was, a fast paced city girl. I still have a bit to go on learning to just hang loose and it has been 5 years for my family. But, we got what we wanted. A beautiful place to raise our babies where families and people still count, where what is good for the people is what matters to our local government ... not what is going to line the pockets of our governments families. What kind of work do you do?

[Lambert]

"Throw out all your formal clothes and stuffy business wear, you won't need them."

That is so true, Sorcerer. I was a Realtor with some really nice suits. I would hate to be a pantyhose salesman here!