Job for 12 mo. Plus in Honolulu..alot of decisions! Help! :) (real estate, renter)

[Helloooo]

Hi there,

Hubby was just offered a position near the Punchbowl on the big island for 12+ months so we have to decide today. I hoped I could toss out some of our bigger concerns and invite your replies to help us with this decision.

We own our home here so have that whole issue, besides that we are open to buying a condo there, way cheaper monthly and we would not mind having it as a rental later and our vacation place, but what area do we want or more specifically don't want? We don't mind a commute of around 45 minutes.

We both ride motorcycles, if we ship them over it's pricey, can we pick up some there, even scooters are ok for the year, or will we be paying high prices and should just ship ours. How many days will we be able to really ride? A little rain won't stop us, but we don't really know how much rain it gets there. How high is gas..I cringe as I ask that one! lol

Shipping the car is $2500 round trip so we thought we'd buy one there, but our car is new and the ones there look overpriced, so is it better to just pay the fee?

I would be working temp jobs as I plan to fly home quite a bit to see my kids, anyone know the availability of work thru temp agencies. I am an office manager but will do clerical or reception work to keep busy and get to know folks.

How much more does it cost day to day there? We will be paying for two houses, one sitting empty! lol. Groceries, utilities etc, are they alot higher?

How much to travel between islands? We would try to maximize the tourists inside of us while there.

Those are the questions running thru my mind this morning, thanks so much for any replies asap.

[floridadreamer]

Just curious, but why wouldn't you rent out your home on the mainland rather than have it sit empty?

[MsHell]

I do have a Q to clarify, was he offered a job on the Big Island? Or in Honolulu (Ohau)?

I will try to answer what I can, from my personal knowledge. My answers are mostly based on Honolulu.

Where to buy (or rent) a condo? I would suggest Makiki, Punchbowl, Punahou or Waikiki.

Riding every day? Yes! Even when it rains, it very little. If it happens to be really raining, buy some good rain gear and you will be fine. I know several people who only ride (no car).

Cost of living higher? IMHO yes, I don't have specific examples. It also depends on how much you guys will be making, how much debt you have, and how good you are at budgeting. Can it be done? Mostly likely, yes.

Travel between island? Yes, airfare wars going on between airlines, so you can get a decent fare. Also the SuperFerry is starting up which will take you to some islands.

[Helloooo]

First, renting out my house..well we had it all painted last week and new carpets this week, not knowing about the move..live on 5 acres with elaborate gardens. We decided that the damage a renter could do would exceed the income we might get, decided not to risk it.

Thanks for the suggestions. We will price shipping the bikes and use the bus if needed..how is the bus system?

Working in Honolulu by the punchbowl. Looking to buy a 2 bedroom condo, hope to have company quite often. Financially we are ok, but want to buy in a good area and will want to play tourist as well as come home every 2 months or so, kids are just out of the house, so I am still Mother Hen a bit I guess.

Is it hard to get to know folks? Any bunko groups? I will miss friends and relatives. I hope that some of us "short timers" connect over there to help with the homesickness.

We are just not sure if all the hassle of closing up the house, selling the horses..sigh..goats etc..is worth it for the one year..but then again a year in Hawaii sounds wonderful and something we'd regret passing up later..

Nothing is simple is it!

Thanks again!

[Helloooo]

Sorry..on Oahu..Honolulu..not the big island, rather the medium sized one..

[Jonah K]

Originally Posted by Helloooo

First, renting out my house..well we had it all painted last week and new carpets this week, not knowing about the move..live on 5 acres with elaborate gardens. We decided that the damage a renter could do would exceed the income we might get, decided not to risk it.

Thanks for the suggestions. We will price shipping the bikes and use the bus if needed..how is the bus system?

Working in Honolulu by the punchbowl. Looking to buy a 2 bedroom condo, hope to have company quite often. Financially we are ok, but want to buy in a good area and will want to play tourist as well as come home every 2 months or so, kids are just out of the house, so I am still Mother Hen a bit I guess.

Is it hard to get to know folks? Any bunko groups? I will miss friends and relatives. I hope that some of us "short timers" connect over there to help with the homesickness.

We are just not sure if all the hassle of closing up the house, selling the horses..sigh..goats etc..is worth it for the one year..but then again a year in Hawaii sounds wonderful and something we'd regret passing up later..

Nothing is simple is it!

Thanks again!

If you're only going to be in Honolulu for a year, a "home exchange" might be an option worth considering. That way, you can probably avoid the hassle of closing up your house, selling your animals, shipping your vehicles, etc. By the way, what state do you live in? If you live someplace like Podunk, New York it might be a little difficult to find someone to exchange homes with.

[Helloooo]

Hi there,

We toyed with the idea of a home exchange..but with all the animals, it's a big responsibility..I did peek at it a bit today tho..so many options/decisions.

I am about 45 minutes north of Portland OR, way out in the country..not everyone is suited to being this far out, or to the commute, it's ugly!

Looking at condo's in Hawaii tho, either outrageous in price or in neighborhoods that I'd be leary of. I guess we rent until we have a chance to look around in person..but have to be there by the tenth, so I guess a hotel for now, yeow!

[HankDfrmSD]

Originally Posted by Helloooo

have to be there by the tenth, so I guess a hotel for now, yeow!

Have you looked into a vacation rental instead of a hotel? Try looking for a vacation rental, at this listing. Less expensive than a hotel, and you don't have to eat out three meals a day:

South Oahu VRBO® Vacation Rentals - Oahu Vacation Rental Condos & Homes

click on "Honolulu".

Hank

[MsHell]

Originally Posted by Helloooo

Is it hard to get to know folks? Any bunko groups?

Only bunko group I ever hear of was a military wives group.

IMO - best way to meet people:
Church
Work
Volunteer work
Join a sports team (ie softball, paddling, etc)

[TN2HI]

I would rent to start out (or maybe even for the year). Housing prices are dropping right now, so the longer you wait the better the deal will be. We originally heard that things would level out around Christmas, but the last real estate agent I talked to said that prices will continue to drop for at least another year, if not two. Mortgage companies are having a real hard time and that's making a mess of the housing market.