Am I crazy to move to HI with this economy? (Kaneohe: insurance, neighborhood)

[KoaHawaii]

Originally Posted by Neko

Please forgive me for being blunt but I've lived here for 16 years and survived because I have a very thick skin. You want to spend 10k cut your salary in half and pay twice as much for a place to live. Why? Those jobs you see will go to locals and unless you are local or related to one your chances are slim. Just this last year Hawaii county was finally "forced" to accept applications from outside Hawaii. A nice way to discriminate and stay within the law. So you will have to work 2 jobs to get by and always be an outsider. I'm not bitter just know how it is to be treated like a non-person because of my race. There are a lot of beautiful places to live and really enjoy the journey.

Neko, I'm sorry that you clearly have had some bad experiences here on the Islands, though I have to ask, what ethnicity are you?
Also not that any sort of discrimination is right but sadly it does go on, everywhere in the world, sadly some people have attitudes like this. On another note though all of Hawaii is not like this and true some people will not be friendly because you aren't a "local" as in lived there, grown up and can speak/understand pigin etc. though there are many who are welcoming and kind regardless of what you look like or who you are. THis is just to let orig poster and others know that Hawaii will be a bit of a shock culturally especially since here the minority rules (we have more Japanese adn other Asian groups than whites). This also allows for a unique and amazing blend of cultures which makes Hawaii the way it is and the reason why so many love the lifestyle, food etc.

Now I'm not saying you did anything to deserve mistreatment but I do know that there have been cases, I've seen them first hand where some people have a very arrogant approach to the locals and that is a huge turnoff. When moving to any new place especially one like Hawaii. You must be accepting adn open to the people and culture. Don't expect locals to change just for you because you are either ignorant, dont like or agree or just dont understand the culture and people. Naturally though if you move there expect to have to ask for help and to be open to learning about what each island has to ffer. That's the only advise i can really give to anyone thinking of moving there. do your research first and expect there to be some difficulties because that's how live is. nothing is perfect, even paradise

[surfagoody]

A economic down turn is a good time to move to hawaii and the fact its hitting real estate hard make it a great time to move. The biggest cost associated with moving to hawaii is the housing. So if you can work out a job and such now would be a good time. There are a lot of people that will tell you how expensive every thing is and compare it to your mainland life style. But the truth is, stuff is expensive in hawaii, but life is cheap! I moved to the mainland about 4 yrs ago thinking that I would make more money and have more opportunity for advancement. But I've found that I spend more money here than I ever did back home. Doing things I've never thought of till coming here. Stuff like motorcycles, campers, cars, trucks, vacation, the list goes on. I do most of these things because life on the mainland has left me with a hole in my heart that I try to fill with crap.
I am currently looking to go home and fill my heart with what it craves. The stuff that doesn't cost money. You don't need much money to live in hawaii and feel like a king. Just the ability to appreciate the simple things. Don't go thinking you can take your same life with you at the same price. But you could have a better life for less.

[uhhdorkable]

it's so expensive to live hawaii! i've been here my whole life but realize i'll never be able to buy a house. i'm actually thinking about moving to the mainland, you get more bang for your buck. anyways if you plan to rent i think you'll be fine! you might get some sticker shock from the grocery store prices. good luck with everything!

[Mililani Gal]

Many long time businesses are closing here. Increasing unemployment, which, may make it difficult to find a job because you're competing with all of the recently laid off. Also keep in mind that when there are layoffs at Starbuck's, Macy's, etc. It will hit Hawaii too, as we have these businesses too. Also, because the City & County of Honolulu, and the State Govt are forecasting large budget shortfalls, there are hiring freezes in civil service positions on Oahu. So, although real estates prices are dropping. Employment is also a factor.

[hotzcatz]

There were more foreclosure listings than help wanted listings in our newspaper last week. Not a good sign, at all!

[MovingAloha]

I have lived in Hawaii (Oahu - Aiea) off and on for 10 years. I am now in Cedar Park, TX (outside of Austin) and I'm missing Hawaii terribly. I too plan on returning this year, probably late Summer, this time for good. I realize the economy takes about a year to show similar affects as it does on the Mainland. I am hoping that from the sale of my home in Texas, I will be able to get something (small) in Hawaii. I plan on returning to Oahu and the Pearl City/Aiea area, because that is what I know and love.
If you are thinking about moving to the Islands, I say follow your heart, but plan ahead; I am saving as much as possible to give myself a cushion to fall back on for the expected medium to hard landing upon arrival.
But..... I can't wait to get back - once you've lived there, no other place can satisfy me! I am African American, and love it. Some of the issues one may run into on the Mainland, don't seem to follow you on the island, unless you are just the type looking for issues.
As I said, if you have it in your heart, plan ahead then follow that dream!

[PacificFlights]

Don't forget all those people who moved to Hawaii on a dream and good wishes and are sleeping in a tent on the beach. Don't forget all those who moved to Hawaii based on someone elses long ago good experience and are begging for relocation money from the state to return home to the mainland. Don't forget that being young egar and willing to embrace a new lifestyle means nothing when there's no work to feed yourself. Don't forget that those cheap houses for sale you think is a great deal still needs to be paid off or it will be your house the next dreamer is buying in forclosure. Go to the airport and listen to the stories of people who ignored the reality of moving to Hawaii, but have found living is not the same as a vacation and a dream.

Hawaii's fastest growing export is jobs and it's unlkely that those non service related companies will ever bring them back once the savings is realized.

If all that matters is the dream - Come on over, the weather is fine, the beaches are bright, the drinks are cold, the pace is slow... and bring your tent.

[almost_hawaiian]

Any general comments about the stability of the banks in Hawaii? If there's a more professional place to look for data, pls let me know. I'm wondering because I'm closing on a house, and the title company says deposits are only insured up to $100k and that's also the total of all of their accounts, so if I'm not their only customer, then chances are my money will be outside FDIC protection. This would be a major hawaiian bank. Don't want to name it.

[mdand3boys]

Originally Posted by almost_hawaiian

Any general comments about the stability of the banks in Hawaii? If there's a more professional place to look for data, pls let me know. I'm wondering because I'm closing on a house, and the title company says deposits are only insured up to $100k and that's also the total of all of their accounts, so if I'm not their only customer, then chances are my money will be outside FDIC protection. This would be a major hawaiian bank. Don't want to name it.

I believe you have misunderstood what FDIC insurance means and what it covers.
FDIC: Deposit Insurance

[almost_hawaiian]

hi thanks for the reply but could you pls say which part I misunderstood? I'm aware that the limit has apparently been raised to $200k.