HI vs. Guam - Opinions and input (fit in, sale)

[travelinhobo]

I'm an early 40's female, no attachments looking to enroll in a culinary program. Not currently in the states and haven't been there for 4 years now. I really dislike the idea of returning to the U.S. for "cultural" reasons I won't get into. So... I've narrowed it down to Hawaii or possibly Guam. I've read the history of Hawaii and thus don't see it as being "America". I really need to be around a foreign culture or true metro area with mixed cultures to make me happy, thus the idea of Hawaii. However, I've read too many comments about the negative attitudes foreigners get from the natives (understandable in my opinion).

I've lived in several countries, 3 of them very poor and corrupt, so I don't think I'd have a problem with Guam. In addition to this, the cost of the Culinary program in Guam is half that as Hawaii (and other states). But the country seems to have higher costs for normal every day products, although I found sites to the supermarkets there and couldn't see any difference in the sale items. Everyone says prices are higher there, but nobody actually lists any prices.

I've read as much as I can on both these places - cost of living, prices, pros, cons, etc. Seeing as how bad the economy is worldwide, I'm not counting on being able to find a job, at least not immediately. I don't have a lot of money, so this is the greatest factor (it'll be scholarships and loans helping me). Won't be buying a vehicle - maybe a moped, as public transport in both places seems to leave a lot desired. For those of you out there who have been/lived in both, what are your thoughts on this? I'll cross post this on the Guam page too. Thanks!

[OpenD]

I suggest you do a Search in this forum. There have been a number of posts from people who have lived in Guam.

But be advised, it's not a pretty sight. Basically a very poor third-world type culture, with extremely poor food quality. Just the thought of going to culinary school there gave me the shivers. That may not be a fair assessment, but that was my honest reaction.

Frankly, I think Hawai'i would be challenging for you, due to the high cost of living. But for a cheap lifestyle and high quality food and cooking I think of Thailand, way ahead of Guam.

Good luck!

[CyberCity]

Originally Posted by travelinhobo

I really dislike the idea of returning to the U.S. for "cultural" reasons I won't get into. So... I've narrowed it down to Hawaii or possibly Guam. I've read the history of Hawaii and thus don't see it as being "America". I really need to be around a foreign culture or true metro area with mixed cultures to make me happy, thus the idea of Hawaii. However, I've read too many comments about the negative attitudes foreigners get from the natives (understandable in my opinion).

Hawaii is a wonderful mix of cultures, but it is very "American" too. I do not know how it compares to Guam in that respect, and I'm not sure exactly what you are trying to avoid ("dislike returning to the U.S. for cultural reason"), but I"m wondering if Hawaii will not be "too U.S." for you?

But, it is a great place to live if you enjoy diversity, and as a single person who is free to travel, I think in many ways it would be a fun place for you. It is expensive, but that would be fairly controllable for you as a single person, especially someone who is already of the mindset to not need a car, etc.

On the other hand, if you are going to finance your schooling with loans, the cost of that would be a major consideration. Someday you'll have to pay it back. There are perhaps other locations that have culinary schools to your liking that won't mount up as high a debt?

Good luck.

[Mikala43]

I've known a lot of people who had to travel to Guam for work over the years.

They were never happy about it.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Since you don't want to live in the USA, that leaves Hawaii out and leaves Guam out by 99.9%, also. That 10th of a percent is about how citizenship is inherited, nothing to do with culinary.

Chile is a very nice place. You might consider there. Or Peru. Good cuisine in Peru, and it is cheap to live there. Thailand is cheap and excellent cuisine there.

[travelinhobo]

Thanks for the opinions.
Open - I remembered last night seeing a PBS program a few years back on one of our territories. It showed how not first world it was. I remember that the military was present (as most who were interviewed had disdain for the place), but can't remember which land it was. Could have been Guam. Thailand has no culinary schools (I don't know about uni programs). The only ones I found in SE Asia were in the Philippines and Malaysia. However, I've already checked and wouldn't be able to get any kind of financial aid, thus that option is out.

CC- My state of residence doesn't have any decent culinary program, thus I have to go outside and all programs will be too expensive. However, generally, the ones at community colleges are about the same price and the cheapest to be taken. Maybe I'm very wrong since I've not experienced Hawaii, but due to its drastically different background, culturally it sounds different. I can't imagine that, for example, Portland or Seattle which also have various ethnicities would be similar to Hawaii. Hawaii was originally all Pacific natives, only became a state 60 years ago and while the stats on the percentage of natives left is sadly too low, I do still think it must account for something in the daily lives of people. I think it would be an interesting place to live if viewed correctly prior to arrival.

Oregon- I've done the Latin America thing and don't wish to return.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by OpenD

I suggest you do a Search in this forum. There have been a number of posts from people who have lived in Guam.

But be advised, it's not a pretty sight. Basically a very poor third-world type culture, with extremely poor food quality. Just the thought of going to culinary school there gave me the shivers. That may not be a fair assessment, but that was my honest reaction.

The OP is living in Vietnam though. So, I'm sure she could readily handle Guam.

I haven't personally been to Guam, but the research I've done on it, it certainly doesn't look third world to me. But than again, I really like the third-world look, as I love the accessability of everything, the super conveniences of everything, etc.

But, for some reason, from what little I know of Guam, I assume it's kind of zoned all over the place typical of anything with U.S. influence, and probably not so walkable, accessable, and lacking all those fun and interesting things that people who like third-world places, certainly miss when they go back to the U.S.

[KonaKat]

Try living somewhere other than America on a permanent basis if you can't handle the culture of the USA. You'll be happier because trust me, there are lots of Americans in Hawaii and not a few in Guam.

Thailand has wonderful cuisine and a lot of foodies love it there.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by KonaKat

Try living somewhere other than America on a permanent basis if you can't handle the culture of the USA. You'll be happier because trust me, there are lots of Americans in Hawaii and not a few in Guam.

Thailand has wonderful cuisine and a lot of foodies love it there.

Does anyone read the OP's original messages before responding?

She clearly stated she's NOT living in the U.S., and that she's lived in several other countries, 3 of which were very poor and corrupt. Additionally, her 'location' says Viet Nam under her name.

She doesn't need to 'try' living outside of the U.S., she's already been doing exactly that for quite awhile it seems.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by travelinhobo

I'm an early 40's female, no attachments looking to enroll in a culinary program. Not currently in the states and haven't been there for 4 years now. I really dislike the idea of returning to the U.S. for "cultural" reasons I won't get into. So... I've narrowed it down to Hawaii or possibly Guam. I've read the history of Hawaii and thus don't see it as being "America". I really need to be around a foreign culture or true metro area with mixed cultures to make me happy, thus the idea of Hawaii. However, I've read too many comments about the negative attitudes foreigners get from the natives (understandable in my opinion).

I've lived in several countries, 3 of them very poor and corrupt, so I don't think I'd have a problem with Guam. In addition to this, the cost of the Culinary program in Guam is half that as Hawaii (and other states). But the country seems to have higher costs for normal every day products, although I found sites to the supermarkets there and couldn't see any difference in the sale items. Everyone says prices are higher there, but nobody actually lists any prices.

I've read as much as I can on both these places - cost of living, prices, pros, cons, etc. Seeing as how bad the economy is worldwide, I'm not counting on being able to find a job, at least not immediately. I don't have a lot of money, so this is the greatest factor (it'll be scholarships and loans helping me). Won't be buying a vehicle - maybe a moped, as public transport in both places seems to leave a lot desired. For those of you out there who have been/lived in both, what are your thoughts on this? I'll cross post this on the Guam page too. Thanks!

As a person who has lived in Japan, Korea, Brazil, Spain, and a spent a lot of time in a lot of 'third-world countries'...(about 15 years outside of the U.S.). I can 100% relate to exactly what you're saying about how either Hawaii or Guam would still fit into that 'not mainland USA' thinking mindset that you're seeking out.

I'm equally attracted to Hawai for the same reason. Guam seems like it would fit that same bill of 'not really 100% American' as well.

From my Guam research, I've concluded against Guam because the population size seems too small for me, and the topography is more flat and humid.

That being said, I've known tons and tons and tons of expats and Americans and such who've gone to Guam for vacation from Japan/Korea (where I've lived for many years), and they generally say that Guam has all the shopping amenities of the U.S., and all the chain restaurants. The culture is different, but the 'stores' are very very familiar. Additionally I know many Japanese/Koreans who go specifically to Guam because of the gorgeously beautiful beaches, and 'for shopping and restaurants' purposes.

If you did do the Culinary thing, expect a TON of Korean/Japanese regularly visiting Guam all the time, so you'd probably get some great culinary influence, techniques or something another from that element. In addition, you have the Filipino influnces on Guam, as well as their own influences. Than you have the large American mlitary presense, with their culinary tastes. I'd think it might be interesting.

I also have a friend of mine who is an American ex-military, he ended up teaching English in SOuth Korea for many years, and currently opened up a bar on the beach in Guam. He's been there about 7-8 years, and loves it.

Just met another guy here in Japan. He claims to be 'from Guam' although he looks very 'white' to me. But apparently that's his homeown, and he loves it. He seemed to mostly be into all the Japanese girls on vacation on the beaches there, but such is his life.

I'm just trying to balance out some of this 'Guam is a third-world hellhole' type of posts on here. From the Japanese/Korean perspective as well as the 'American expat in Korea/Japan perspective', Guam is generally considered a nearby and easy vacation for those in Northeast Asia looking for American restaurants, American shopping, and gorgeous beaches.

Granted, Hawaii has all of those many things and much, much, much, much more. Hawaii is definitely the better place. I'd almost go and say that Hawaii is the best place I'd most want to be on this planet. Guam can't compete at that level by any means, but neither can the mass majority of random places on this planet.