Waikoloa vs Kona what's your pick (Hilo, Waimea: condo, houses, purchasing)

[KoaHawaii]

Just curious as I'm thinking of purchasing a lot on the Gold Coast of the BI and can't seem to decide between the two. I'm on the wet side and entire family is between Waimea and Honoka'a. I know about the vog and crazy Kona traffic but was just wanting to get opinions from those who may live in Waikoloa Village or Kona (looking at different lots between Kona and Keauhou). If anyone has a recomendation of subdivisions that they live in and really love please let me know.

also I have an idea of current lot prices so that's not really the issue its more of how people like living in Waikola vs Kona area
much Mahalo for your opinions.

[hotzcatz]

What about Kawaihae? Seems nice and dry (very dry) not as busy as Waikoloa. Do you need to commute somewhere each day? That would make a difference, too.

"Get what you like, you can fix everything else." That's actually what a mechanic friend told me about a car once, but it also works for houses/building lots, too.

[KoaHawaii]

true kawaihae is very dry, i really like waikoloa because it is right between waimea and kona and so you dont have to deal with kona traffic. kawaihae could be an option. though i also like the idea that kona and waikoloa have things going on, not as quiet or wet as waimea area. my family is looking for a lot that has proximity to golfing, beaches, shops etc. so when mainland family comes we can all stay closer to airport and be close to all the fun stuff. though really the beaches aren't far from anywhere really haha. i really love kona and the atmosphere it has, i just hate the traffic it has gotten so ridiculous but i suppose it's what you get to live in such a vibrant and popular area

[KonaKat]

To me Waikoloa is so dry, and windy. Unless you can afford a condo right on the beach, I personally would not live there. There is nada in Waikoloa village either, to speak of. Purely personal opinion.
Now, on the 190 from roughly the airport area about halfway to Waikoloa/Waimea, not too bad. Waimea dry side but close to wet side, is a great compromise if you could find something there. Do you only want a lot to build on, or would an existing property with a house suit you too? Your budget of course will largely impact your choices.

[KoaHawaii]

yea im not sure if id like the wind. budget is around $150,000 for a vacant lot. if the right property was available already built on that would be ok too. just trying to decide which area to focus on. waikoloa lots are cheaper at the moment so that's part of the reason id consider it

[Love-aloha]

Just wondering, have you made your decision?
We are considering the same areas, but are Leary
Of kona for the same reason.
My son is 15 and very outdoorsy, so we need
An area with other teens, hopefully with the same interests, skate boarding, trick biking, roller blazing, roller hockey, basketball.......actually
Anything with a ball!
I am hoping his interests will help him make friends.
Please let me know if you made your descion and why.
I would appreciate it very much.

[hotzcatz]

Originally Posted by KonaKat

To me Waikoloa is so dry, and windy. Unless you can afford a condo right on the beach, I personally would not live there. There is nada in Waikoloa village either, to speak of. Purely personal opinion.
Now, on the 190 from roughly the airport area about halfway to Waikoloa/Waimea, not too bad. Waimea dry side but close to wet side, is a great compromise if you could find something there. Do you only want a lot to build on, or would an existing property with a house suit you too? Your budget of course will largely impact your choices.

Is "on the 190" the lower road? I've never heard it referred to with a number? It must have a number on it, I suppose, huh? I'm sure it has a name, too, however everyone I know just calls it "the lower road".

If you can afford it, Puako is nice but it is kinda out in the middle of nowhere.

[HonuMan]

My stepson, a Hilo boy, worked for a year at the Hilton Waikaloa and lived in Waikaloa Village during that time. His main complaint was that it was extremely hot, dry, and windy due to the sun heating up the lava fields. Other than that, he thought it was okay as a place to live, but he prefers the wet side. Vog wasn't too bad, but that was before the Halemaumau vent opened.

[mdand3boys]

I guess it should also depend on what you do for groceries. Kona has the cheap places for food and Waikaloa is pricey and small grocery store (if you can even call it a grocery store) and the Waikaloa Village grocery is very pricey but has lots of Japanese and other ethnic foods.

[KonaKat]

Originally Posted by hotzcatz

Is "on the 190" the lower road? I've never heard it referred to with a number? It must have a number on it, I suppose, huh? I'm sure it has a name, too, however everyone I know just calls it "the lower road".

If you can afford it, Puako is nice but it is kinda out in the middle of nowhere.

No, the 190 is the upper road, or "Palani Road" as it comes out of Kona and goes to Waimea.