Tell me about Wahiawa. (Honolulu, Kaneohe: real estate, rentals, sex offenders)

[SocalpalKP]

I'm looking for neighborhoods where rent is somewhat affordable. craigslist has a couple of rentals in Wahiawa. Anyone have experience, stories about Wahiawa? What kind of grocery stores are there? How long does it take to drive to Kapolei? drive to Kaneohe? drive to Kaimuki? Hopefully I'll be able to get a job at one of the community colleges, UH, or Hawaii Pacific. That's why I'm asking about the commutes to Kaneohe, Kaimuki. The husband will work in Kapolei. And anything else you'd like to say about Wahiawa....Thank You!

[HankDfrmSD]

Originally Posted by SocalpalKP

I'm looking for neighborhoods where rent is somewhat affordable. craigslist has a couple of rentals in Wahiawa. Anyone have experience, stories about Wahiawa? What kind of grocery stores are there? How long does it take to drive to Kapolei? drive to Kaneohe? drive to Kaimuki? Hopefully I'll be able to get a job at one of the community colleges, UH, or Hawaii Pacific. That's why I'm asking about the commutes to Kaneohe, Kaimuki. The husband will work in Kapolei. And anything else you'd like to say about Wahiawa....Thank You!

There's a good place to start right here on City-Data:

Wahiawa, Hawaii (HI) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders

[SocalpalKP]

Thanks Hank. Lots of information here. Sometimes you miss what's right in front of you

[HankDfrmSD]

Originally Posted by SocalpalKP

Thanks Hank. Lots of information here. Sometimes you miss what's right in front of you

Here's another good source:

Wahiawa - Google Image Search

[SocalpalKP]

Looks beautiful! I do remember driving through here a few years back. Just wondering what it's like to live there and what the impact of the Dole plantation closing is.

[eureka1]

I haven't spent much time there since I moved to the mainland in '93 but Wahiawa was one my very favorite places when I lived there (in Waialua). It's part scuzzy Army town, part Paradise complete with Hawaiian magic. Because of the slight altitude its cooler than, say,Honolulu, and some of the houses have fireplaces for chilly evenings. If you want a more conventional, "planned-community" kind of place, check out Mililani which is nearby. Good luck!

[susiemisajon]

Lots of red dirt. Don't wear white.

[Ana Fosdick]

I grew up in Wahiawa, but that was in the 1950's. my dad was stationed at Schofield Barracks. I went through there in 2003 and not a whole lot has changed. Mixture of Japanese, white (mostly military living in town) and smattering of Filipinos, Hawaiian and other ethnicities. Laid back and gateway to the North Shore.

regards,
fosdick

[Loysum]

Hello. I grew up in Wahiawa but have been gone for many years. I can tell you that the commute to Honolulu was a bad one when I was doing it and from what I've heard from friends and relatives it hasn't gotten any better since I left. I would live closer to the area where you are going to find a job even it does cost you a bit more. You'll save money in time, gas and frustration. I used to leave for work 2 hours ahead of time in order to not hit traffic or I would sit in traffic for over an hour.

[aha33456]

Wahiawa is a lower-middle class area. The commute to town is very long - expect 2-3 hours average per day.

Anything on Oahu that is 'affordable' is not 'nice' by mainland standards.