Decent Places to live near Downtown Honolulu? (for rent, loft)

[starstargem]

Hi, I am moving from NYC to work in downtown Honolulu to help design affordable housing for native Hawaiians. Having grown up in NYC, I really like using public transportation and hope to not have to buy a car and stay within walking distance or short bus ride from work. Just wondering if anyone who currently lives/has lived in or near downtown Honolulu could share please their pros and/or cons of living in the affordable rent areas close by? Please respond only from personal experience living near the dowtown area and not from rumors, impressions, things you've heard, etc. Specifically:

Downtown itself, around HPU
Chinatown
Liliha
Nuuanu
Punchbowl
Makiki

Any other recommendations please? I would add Ala Moana, but seems pretty pricey for rent. If it matters, I am male, East Asian, been mugged quite a few times in NYC and hopefully learned some street smarts growing up in the city. When people say bad neighborhoods (Kalihi for example) do they mean really bad like you'll get mugged, stabbed or shot? Or do they just mean there are a lot of homeless and druggies in the street, in which case I can deal with that for cheaper rent, since I always mind my own business.

Thank you so much to anyone for their help.

[Jungjohann]

You might want to look into the Craigside Condominium on Nuuanu Avenue. I had a place there for years, close to downtown, bustop right in front, and great views if you're on one of the higher floors. The one bedroom units face the Pali and the Koolau Mountains, get a nice breeze and rainfall. I don't know what the rents are at this point, but I would recommend it. Kind of funny, the last project I built here on Maui was affordable Hawaiian housing, didn't realize DHHL was hiring architects from out of state.

Aloha and okolemaluna

[cynmkolohe]

Originally Posted by starstargem

When people say bad neighborhoods (Kalihi for example) do they mean really bad like you'll get mugged, stabbed or shot? Or do they just mean there are a lot of homeless and druggies in the street, in which case I can deal with that for cheaper rent, since I always mind my own business.

(Though I don't fit your profile of "having lived there", this is a very important disucssion, so I hope you will forgive me for adding in and keeping this thread alive...I don't think there there are many contributors on the forum who live in the areas you mentioned...)

There are certain areas of the islands where you need to be aware that violent crime is a recurring reality. And there are areas that make the news week after week. You can easily find articles with a quick Google search "crime + the name of the neighborhood" Or keep an eye on headlines in the Star Bulletin or Honolulu Advertiser for a few months...

On the other hand, there has been much talk in the last couple of years about the renaissance of Chinatown. (Link to a past article: Chinatown renaissance - The Honolulu Advertiser - Hawaii's Newspaper ) I would also love to hear first-hand experiences relating to the efforts and progress. Are there any forum readers in this part of the city? Please join the discussion!

Aloha,

Cynthia

[MsHell]

Originally Posted by starstargem

Hi, I am moving from NYC to work in downtown Honolulu ... I really like using public transportation and hope to not have to buy a car and stay within walking distance or short bus ride from work. Just wondering if anyone who currently lives/has lived in or near downtown Honolulu could share please their pros and/or cons of living in the affordable rent areas close by? ... Specifically:

Downtown itself, around HPU
Chinatown
Liliha
Nuuanu
Punchbowl
Makiki

Any other recommendations please? I would add Ala Moana, but seems pretty pricey for rent. Thank you so much to anyone for their help.

Do you have a range you are willing to pay? You should be able get a nice studio or 1-bedroom for around $1000 - $1200.

One of my good friends lives in Chinatown with her husband. They live in the Honolulu Park Place, which is quite nice. She walks all over, during the day, but not at night.

Personally - I'd shoot for: Nuuanu, Punchbowl, or Makiki.

A quick look at Craigslist rental, I found these:
McCully area (near Makiki) Century Center - Views! (broken link)
Makiki: Tantalus - Large Teak Studio with 1 BR Loft (broken link)
Nuuanu: CLEAN and Private Unit, Convenient Location (broken link)
Pacific Hts (near DT): CLEAN and Private Unit, Convenient Location (broken link)