Moving to Oahu - Need Advice on Neighborhoods (Honolulu, Kaneohe: Home Depot, theater)

[Berus]

Greetings all,

I will be moving to Oahu next month, and badly need some advice on neighborhoods. Although I have visited Oahu twice, I was not scouting for a place to live, and so don't really know where to begin. I would like to be near Honolulu, and it is important to me that the neighborhood be nice, clean, and safe. I am caucasian, and have been warned that certain areas would not be good choices for this reason. Suggestions on good, somewhat upscale neighborhoods would be very useful.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!


---Berus

[Friend-in-Hawaii]

Kapolei is nice neighborhood 20 min from Honolulu. Its like a second city. It has stores, shop, schools, new police station, theaters, k-mart, home depot, wall-mart 5 min away.

[DBale]

I second Kapolei - almost everything you need is in town, and that which isn't is within 5 miles. Nice people, good schools, two golf courses and Ko Olina (great beaches/lagoons) nearby. Kapolei reminds me of a Southern California town.

[kani-lehua]

kailua/kaneohe/hawaii kai. kapolei is nice, but, friend-in-hawai'i, how are you getting to honolulu in 20 minutes from there? from my own experience (i own a home in kailua and one in kapolei), i have never ever been able to do that. maybe at 3am when there's no traffic?

[Kadena16]

Anyone recommend places in EWA? We are a military family moving this spring. We'll have to commute to Hickam AFB. I have a 6 and 16 yr. olds. How is the schools there? Any suggestions/advice is appreciated

[Friend-in-Hawaii]

I start work at 6am and leave around 5:15a. For most part i make work okay normally around 25-30 min. when there's traffic then i jump in the zip lane (shhhh) but yes morning traffic may be a problem but not leaving 2 or 3 hrs b4 work. Ive been driving to work from kapolei since 1990 when it first opened. One good thing about Kapolei is it's next to freeway onramp as oopose to Ewa Beach which is miles away.

[kani-lehua]

Originally Posted by Friend-in-Hawaii

I start work at 6am and leave around 5:15a. For most part i make work okay normally around 25-30 min. when there's traffic then i jump in the zip lane (shhhh) but yes morning traffic may be a problem but not leaving 2 or 3 hrs b4 work. Ive been driving to work from kapolei since 1990 when it first opened. One good thing about Kapolei is it's next to freeway onramp as oopose to Ewa Beach which is miles away.

making it into honolulu in 20 minutes from the westside communities cannot be done unless of course you had a private jet or magic carpet. 25-30 minutes at 515am sounds about right. however, for those who work the 8-4 or 9-5 shift, you will have to leave app. 1-1 1/2 hours before you start. then, on your way back heading in the westbound direction, prepare for traffic delays. and, if there is an accident in either direction, pull off the freeway and head to the nearest bar.

[lazy1]

Originally Posted by Berus

Greetings all,

I will be moving to Oahu next month, and badly need some advice on neighborhoods. Although I have visited Oahu twice, I was not scouting for a place to live, and so don't really know where to begin. I would like to be near Honolulu, and it is important to me that the neighborhood be nice, clean, and safe. I am caucasian, and have been warned that certain areas would not be good choices for this reason. Suggestions on good, somewhat upscale neighborhoods would be very useful.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!


---Berus

I agree with kani-lehua about Kailua, Kaneohe and Hawaii Kai. If you want upscale check-out Kahala and Diamond Head. Waialae and Aina Haina might interest you as well. Of all of these, Hawaii Kai is the longest commute.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend Kaoplei. It's not close to Honolulu and it's very congested.

[TERRIE]

Where will you be working? This will make a difference in your commute. If I had any pick of neighborhoods it would be Kahala for sure!

[Imdogdazed]

Originally Posted by Kadena16

Anyone recommend places in EWA? We are a military family moving this spring. We'll have to commute to Hickam AFB. I have a 6 and 16 yr. olds. How is the schools there? Any suggestions/advice is appreciated

Hey Kadena16 - We too are military moving this summer to Oahu. My husband was stationed in Kadena (before we married), we're in Germany now. I sent you a direct msg, and put you on my buddy list. Maybe we can pool research?

Imdogdazed