Moving to Honolulu in 2008 (fit in, rentals, insurance)

[Hawaii2008]

Hi everybody!

We are thinking of moving to Honolulu in late 2008. I have a few questions if you can help

1- What is the best time to look for a 1 or 2 bedroom in Honolulu? Can you find affordable housing for 2 people? If not Honolulu, what areas close to beach are suitable?

We are a young couple of 31 and want to be around a community with entertainment, cafes, things to do, the beach etc. We want to be able to meet friends easily and be safe and comfortable in our area.

2- How is the health system in Honolulu? Hospitals etc?

3- How is driving in Honolulu? Can you get everywhere on foot or transit?

4- How is the job market right now? Are there many skilled trade jobs such as painting? Is the hotel job market booming or not?

This would be our first visit to Hawaii and don't know where to go exactly. We only need a nice shelter and wireless to get started. :-) I hope you can offer some advice :-)

Thank you!

[Summering]

Well, I am sure a local will help you more then myself. But, I have been to 4 of the islands and have been to Hawaii a few times.
You realize that Oahu is a city. There is a lot you can walk to or take a cab to.
It is not inexpensive. I found the restaurant pricing on par with the better places of NYC. I could hardly believe my eyes at the Italian restaurant pricing......Whew!
They seem to have good hospitals, everything is up and current.
If you like city life, then the Oahu is good for you. From what I understand jobs are not a plentyfull supply. I'd have one lined up before I go.
If you like less city life, the Maui would be a nice location.
Kauai was my favorite, full of flowering blooms, and much greenery and waterfalls.
I didn't see many job opportunities on the Big Island of Hawaii.
I remember on one boating cruise the host said "you may want to live here, its beautiful, but......the jobs are not in big supply"
That would be your main concern. Housing costs are high, and rentals........I'm sure the Hawaii thread will have areas you can check into on that.
Dig deep into the Hawaii threads and find your answers there.......Good Luck to you.
The Wikiki beach ( swimming area )has rounded rocks that really require some sort of beach shoe to be able to walk on.......that was a surprise to me. But, they are needed for sure.

[MsHell]

My answers are based on my personal opinion, I am sure there are other points of views.

1- What is the best time to look for a 1 or 2 bedroom in Honolulu?
Don't know that is matters too much, although Fall, when UH is starting up - there are lots of students looking for rentals.

Can you find affordable housing for 2 people?
Yes.

If not Honolulu, what areas close to beach are suitable?
You can get a beach from anywhere on Oahu rather easy.

2- How is the health system in Honolulu? Hospitals etc?
Good, as long as you are working and have insurance.

3- How is driving in Honolulu?
Fine, except during rush-hour.
Can you get everywhere on foot or transit?
By foot - depends on where you live.
The Bus - you can get just about anywhere.

4- How is the job market right now?
Fair, lots of entry-level jobs available.
Are there many skilled trade jobs such as painting?
Really don't know.
Is the hotel job market booming or not?
I don't know, but I would guess no - it's not "booming".

[m78734]

Is any one know if the wireless work well in Oahu? I am going to telecomute work from home but need to get on network. Not sure if the DSL or cable as fast as in mainland.

[HankDfrmSD]

Originally Posted by m78734

Is any one know if the wireless work well in Oahu? I am going to telecomute work from home but need to get on network. Not sure if the DSL or cable as fast as in mainland.

I have cable from RoadRunner on Oahu, and it's as fast as my Cox Cable on the mainland.

Hank

[Tough Year]

Moving to Honolulu? I live there now. Beaches are convenient, traffic is terrible during rush hour and gas flirts with $4/gallon on the outer islands. "THE Bus" goes everywhere, but at least the ones that run near my house are jam-packed every day. It's very, very, very tough to fit in here if you didn't grow up here. The paper often features articles about the critical shortage of physicians and I have run into that problem myself a few times. DSL and cable are widely available and very fast. Today's headlines (Honolulu Advertiser, front page) mention that tourism is down 14% and there are a lot of ATA and Aloha workers who are suddenly out of a job and looking in the hotel industry. I really would not think that 2008 would be the best time to move here, and there are many cheaper places you could live that are just as sunny and warm....

[tonrob]

Originally Posted by Hawaii2008

4- How is the job market right now? Are there many skilled trade jobs such as painting? Is the hotel job market booming or not?

You had mentioned before that neither of you are USCs so don't forget that you will need to make sure you can get visas to live and work in the US before making definite plans...