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Kailua-Kona is the touristy side of the Big Island, so you will experience a lot more of "people living the fast lifestyle" than you would in other places on the island.
Well - given the wish list I don't see Maui being a great option - way way more tourists in Maui than Kona and a heck of lot more stoplights also. Hilo is going to be way to wet - the near 365 day rain would be a shock from what I've read.
I'd almost rate his best options in order as as:
Kauai (but he's never mentioned that)
Big Island - Kailua-Kona side
Maui
Are you looking for a small community (ie small town), with nearby stores, schools, churches, etc? Or, are large lots with neighbors an acre away, and dirt roads, and off the grid (meaning rural), OK with you? If rural, that opens up many other options, especially on the Big Island.
Regarding Hawaii Island choices, I go back to my question. Or maybe I should rephrase it:
How far are you willing to drive to a grocery store?
To a hospital/doctor/dentist?
To the movies?
To a hardware store?
And, are you willing to live off the grid?
Will you accept using a generator?
Water tank (catch system)?
Dirt roads?
On the Big Island, those things matter when looking for a house (especially since you've said condos are out).
Beaches are nearby everywhere. Bike riding is really "iffy", but the Queen Kaahumanu Hwy is well used by long distance bike riders.
Sort of rural but somewhat commutable might suggest the following:
BI -- Kamuela/Waimea area
Maui-- Makawao area
Honestly, It is difficult for me to get a sense of what these good folks
are truly looking for in terms of a community where they can live. In addition,
I am curious if they have ever been to Hawai'i. I don't seem to recall
reading that they had traveled to the islands in the past. If these folks
haven't been to Hawai'i, then I would suggest they use the short, two
week period they are located at either the BI or Maui to carefully use
the time to research their options.
No we haven't been to Hawaii and from what i am reading our 2-3 week trip will just be a research deal and we'll have to go back again to narrow things down.
We have pretty much assumed i'll be going by myself atleast once for employment purposes.
As far as how we want to live....
We want should i say "more rural than city". No we don't want to use generators. But a big city in a large neighborhood isn't what we want either. Hard to give a good description in written word. I didn't mean earlier we want out in the middle of nowhere, just not in town or right outside a big city.
noahj1102 Wrote:
"No we haven't been to Hawaii and from what i am reading our 2-3 week trip will just be a research deal and we'll have to go back again to narrow things down....................How far is Makawao from the ocean and/or major hospitals?"
Sorry, but I can't really give any good details on how far Makawao is from the ocean or hospitals. Not far as I recall. I know this will sound a bit odd, however in Hawai'i they are only as far or near as the person you happen to be following on the road. I've only been to Makawao once or twice (a long time ago), and one trip was for the express purpose of hunting down and purchasing Maui Hotdogs...The really good, crunchy ones. I didn't find the hot dogs, but I found a bakery that makes the best malasada in Hawai'i. Hands down the best, and now I cannot remember the name of the place, but I can still taste those malasada!
Frankly, I hope you take the time and have the opportunity to meet the people of Hawai'i, relax and and really enjoy your trip. Good Luck with your research and have fun.
We want should i say "more rural than city". No we don't want to use generators. But a big city in a large neighborhood isn't what we want either. Hard to give a good description in written word. I didn't mean earlier we want out in the middle of nowhere, just not in town or right outside a big city.
Hawaii Island does not have any "big cities" by most mainland standards. Hilo is the largest at 40,000+. So, you should be comfortable most anywhere here, as far as the population goes.
How about the rest of my questions? These questions really are important considerations when looking at Big Island homes. Perhaps we could be more helpful if we knew:
How far are you willing to drive to a grocery store?
To a hospital/doctor/dentist?
To the movies?
To a hardware store?
And, are you willing to live off the grid?
Will you accept using a generator? [You've said no]
Water tank (catch system)?
Dirt roads?
That small town feel they talk about is bull. Thats what we were told 3 years ago when we moved here and now it's too much. Maybe 41,000 in Parker, but down the road either direction is other "small" towns with 41,000 or more people. Everywhere you look new apartment complexes are popping up. Less than a mile from our house is a huge nursing facility set to open. Add the huge reservoir right across the street from that....not a small town to us.
Nothing against nursing facilities and reservoirs (my wife works in a nursing facility and i'm a RN), but in a residential neighborhood area? That's the type of things we want to get away from.
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