moving to hawaii on a shoe string budget (Honolulu, Kailua: real estate, 2009)

[Ghostgecko]

When I first got out the Navy I had my stuff at Kailua Storage...very reasonable by the way! That was in 05. The man there told me him and his wife and baby of four months lived on the beach in a van for the first few weeks...

While it is wise to say to have money to move there, I think that the quote of 3-5k would be good. Depending on what you need to have. Most people don't come back from what I learned for the stuff. It's the place you come with nothing and find everything. Or you don't and you leave. Hawaii really does choose you...

That inspired me to move back if I ever feel the need. Doh! I want to move back now, miss the Koko head hike! Miss Makapuu, darn!

[kc anne]

I have often wondered if there are off the beaten path hotel...that are fairly clean that you can stay for an extended period...I keep finding hotels but some will only let you stay 2 weeks.... I'm sure they are there...I'm just not finding them..

we have thought of staying at a place for a month or so...gives us a chance to find an apt that we want and not just take the 1st thing that comes along!

kc anne

[Ghostgecko]

If you want a good Hawaiian experience, to really feel the place, rent a house out on the Windward side, so you can see the rain and wind side of the island, and go into town to enjoy all of it. You get great views of the Koolau, and at www.honoluluadvertiser.com you should find a good deal.

Especially with the economy right now! Go that route, and you will enjoy your trip a lot more. You'll feel less like a tourist and more like ohana.

Have fun, and don't bring back lava rock!

[HeyJoe]

Originally Posted by kc anne

Hi all


this is my 1st time here...

I was wondering if anyone has moved without alot of cash. no house to sell for cushion...no one there to pick them up from the airport...or to help find a place to live...

hubby and I have been to Hawaii 11 times..and as married there 11 years ago...


I keep finding threads where people move..but have a lot of stuff to sell...we are as poor as church mice...


any suggetions would be great!


anne

Well... I came to Hawaii back in '96 with around 200.00 to my name. Long story short, I stayed in a hostel in Waikiki for several months, first paying 15.00 a night and later working the front desk in exchange for a bed.

In the meantime, I got a job (usually worked 2 jobs) and made some friends. One of those friends happened to own a house up in Kailua, and she rented me a room there (which was a vast improvement over the hostels). I also stayed in a small studio apartment for about 6 months where I paid month to month... this was on Ala Moana blvd.

So... yes it can be done. Is it easy? Nope, but it CAN be done.

[MadRussian]

Originally Posted by HeyJoe

Well... I came to Hawaii back in '96 with around 200.00 to my name. Long story short, I stayed in a hostel in Waikiki for several months, first paying 15.00 a night and later working the front desk in exchange for a bed.

In the meantime, I got a job (usually worked 2 jobs) and made some friends. One of those friends happened to own a house up in Kailua, and she rented me a room there (which was a vast improvement over the hostels). I also stayed in a small studio apartment for about 6 months where I paid month to month... this was on Ala Moana blvd.

So... yes it can be done. Is it easy? Nope, but it CAN be done.

How old were you at that time?

[HeyJoe]

Originally Posted by MadRussian

How old were you at that time?

23 or so!

[kc anne]

sound like a lot of wonderful ideas...I love the house idea...

after 11 times of going to Hawaii..I don't feel like a tourist...hubby and I have been mistaken for locals many times.

thanks for the great suggestions!



kc anne

[bmary]

If you're truly guided to go, then go. However I want to share that last year I left Hawaii (I lived primarily on Oahu for many years) because of the cost of living...I was even homeless for a while. There is a huge homeless population there now. Maybe it's good not to burn your bridges...have a place to return to if things don't work out. Good luck!

[hotzcatz]

If you do decide to try it, keep a return ticket handy just in case. At the moment the economy is doing a nose dive and jobs are going to be really scarce. If you can move over here and not need employment you will have a much better chance than if you need to get a job of some sort. Is there anything you do there that can be done long distance?

It is also much harder to find inexpensive rentals for a couple than for a single female and if you have a dog, it may be almost impossible to find a rental at a rate you'd be willing to pay. No hotels allow pets that I know of.

[isuandme]

this might not help me now but i have a friend from bulgaria and he has worked with me in a cannery and we're looking for a place for him to stay for two months in honolulu and he well work and he has money. im wondering if anyone knows of places that are really cheap to live please respond asap thanks.