help me decide if hawaii is for me (Honolulu: insurance, job market)

[Stef11001]

My boyfriend and I live in Boston and are very interested in moving to Hawaii. We are both in our mid 20s and work in finance. We love Boston, big Sox fans, but we fell in love with the state while visiting my sister and her fiance, who live there due to military obligations. We are both extremely active and outgoing people, so we know that we will take advantage of outdoor activities and hope to meet people quickly. Our concerns are that we will not be able to find adequate jobs. We both work for large financial / accounting institutions, and would like to apply our degrees for employment in Hawaii. Is this realistic? I know that the cost of living is expensive, ... gas, milk etc. Boston has a pretty high cost of living also though! We share a 1300/ month apt for 400 square feet BASEMENT level, no parkign or yard, or roofdeck included. When we look at the apts available in Hawaii, it appears there are lots of space and gorgeous views for around the same price.. is this accurate?

We are very spontaneous and dont want to miss out on anything in life, yet I am skeptical about moving there because I have heard from many people that the job market isnt thriving. Could someone give us their opinion? My sister and her fiance actually dislike Oahu and are moving to the mainland soon so they are no help. We have considered other places liek Atlanta and Charlotte... we are only looking for cities taht are warmer than Boston, and has more to offer for activities than sitting in a bar or pub.

Thank you!!!

[cynthia007]

Originally Posted by Stef11001

My boyfriend and I live in Boston and are very interested in moving to Hawaii. We are both in our mid 20s and work in finance. We love Boston, big Sox fans, but we fell in love with the state while visiting my sister and her fiance, who live there due to military obligations. We are both extremely active and outgoing people, so we know that we will take advantage of outdoor activities and hope to meet people quickly. Our concerns are that we will not be able to find adequate jobs. We both work for large financial / accounting institutions, and would like to apply our degrees for employment in Hawaii. Is this realistic? I know that the cost of living is expensive, ... gas, milk etc. Boston has a pretty high cost of living also though! We share a 1300/ month apt for 400 square feet BASEMENT level, no parkign or yard, or roofdeck included. When we look at the apts available in Hawaii, it appears there are lots of space and gorgeous views for around the same price.. is this accurate?

We are very spontaneous and dont want to miss out on anything in life, yet I am skeptical about moving there because I have heard from many people that the job market isnt thriving. Could someone give us their opinion? My sister and her fiance actually dislike Oahu and are moving to the mainland soon so they are no help. We have considered other places liek Atlanta and Charlotte... we are only looking for cities taht are warmer than Boston, and has more to offer for activities than sitting in a bar or pub.

Thank you!!!

Read through the many threads from the past six months for so much information on living in or moving to Hawaii. My suggestion to you would be to ask yourself honestly what you are willing to sacrifice to live in Hawaii...a great career? living far from family and close friends? the chance to go on a road trip that takes more than a day? going to a variety of events, concerts, games? It's not that you won't have opportunities to have a great job and meet really wonderful people, but the way you have to go about getting it is different. And some people have a hard time figuring out how to "live Hawaii." Living here is so different than Boston...or Charlotte or Atlanta or anywhere on the mainland really. For those for whom it "works" it is an incredible place to live. However, for some, Hawaii is just too remote, lacks opportunities for particular career growth, too far from family, and too "boring" (not my words, but I have heard it!)

[rk262]

I would be very cautious about moving to HI in your case. I work in Honolulu and have worked in Banking and Insurance as a financial analyst. Its hard to find good jobs in this field. There just are not many available. If you have a CPA, you may have better prospects. I recommend you search monster.com for jobs in HI. Also, this state tends to pay lower than the mainland. People that like living out here like it because of their family ties, love of the ocean, and out door activities. This is probably not good news, but you are better off hearing it in advance. Aloha!

[jimbo13]

it's my opinion that you would be bored stiff in hawaii after less than one year, then have to pay an arm and a leg to get back to the mainland.

[Brav989]

Originally Posted by jimbo13

it's my opinion that you would be bored stiff in hawaii after less than one year, then have to pay an arm and a leg to get back to the mainland.

I think I'd agree. Hawaii is another world in my opinion. If you are to move, you need to be into it 100% and put everything behind it. If you don't, you may be quite unhappy in the end.

Just my two cents

[jlowe308]

I think anytime you move anywhere you are going to have obsticles and challenges if it is out of your norm.But friendships can be made and things can be learned and it may be more expensive but it does'nt mean your totally gonna be at a loss.Just weigh your pro's and con'.Julie

[Mexicobound]

One of you needs to find a job in Hawaii first, and then go! My family and I lived in Honolulu for 4 years and would go back in a heart beat. I loved the people, the culture, the weather, everything! Yes, there is racism. I always said I was the whitest person on the island Most everyone treated me the way I treated them. I learned to be patient, not rush (island time), and be nice. I saw many tourists act as if all of Hawaii owes them a good time. They are demanding, pushy, impatient, and lost! It got on my nerves, I can't imagine how the Hawaiians feel.

Boston is nice, but it's not Hawaii and I can't imagine getting bored on Hawaii. Just know that when you have children you will be paying big $$ for private school. Also, visiting friends on the mainland will also cost big$$.

P.S. If you do go, there are packages to Las Vegas that are just for people who live in Hawaii. Great deal and fun!

[Juan Hau-Lee]

I've read somewhere that around 80% of people re-locating to the Islands (I assume this does not include military personnel) move back 4 years later, on average.

That being said, I am one of the 20% who have stayed, I love this place.

Just remember, "Eh brah, no try change Hawai'i, let Hawai'i change you."

[Waianaegirl]

You have to realize that visiting and living there are like night and day. Coming from the East will be a culture shock. You are living on an island, so there is only so far, and so much you can do. Most people do find that they get "stuck" there, and can't leave when they want to. We lived there 6 years, then moved to Denver. That was VERY hard on us, but my parents had wished to have left there much sooner. It all depends on your personality. Life in Hawaii is very slow. Back east the pace is much faster. That might be hard to deal with, if you are that go, go, go person.

[aquakttn]

We lived there for 2 years and I truly loved the Islands. We hiked, tried to learn to surf (I failed miserably), snorkeled, drove down to the beach during the weeknights for a drink at a beach, etc... We made great friends! I had a good job and made great co-worker friends too.

Heck, the best thing was our community holiday dinners with our neighborhood. How cool is it to have a Thanksgiving dinner outside?

That being said:
1) I got Island fever. There really is no where to go - well, besides a flight to another island or back to the mainland. We're from the east coast and we took weekend trips to Boston, Baltimore, and Ocean City all the time. It feels a bit... tiny when you come from that.

2) My grandfather was dying - and I was a $2000 ticket away from seeing him on his deathbed.

3) It was expensive. My husband was getting out of the military and we knew it would be financially difficult for us to stay.

Really, it was family and friends back on the mainland that made us return. Plus, we really love to travel and it's just far to take a 14 hour flight home. We are looking to move south because I cannot stand shoveling snow or scraping ice off of my car anymore. Hawaii has spoiled me for sure!

It's not for everyone. Ultimately, it was a great place to live and an awesome experience. But we know it wasn't for us forever - if that makes sense.