Pros and cons of relocating to Hawaii vs. Florida? (Honolulu: rental, good credit)

[wondermint2]

Hi! I currently live in St. Louis, MO and I want to relocate to a tropical climate. I am currently torn between selecting Hawaii or Florida for my move. Have any of you that have lived/live in Hawaii previously lived in Florida (or vice versa)? What would you consider some of the pros and cons in comparing living in Hawaii versus living in Florida? Thanks for your input -

[hotzcatz]

Folks can drive to St. Louis from Florida, where as everyone who wants to visit you in Hawaii will have to fly over and borrow your car. Property values are lower in Florida right now than in Hawaii. Florida gets stinking hot in the summer whereas Hawaii stays much cooler in the summer. Alligators in Florida although I don't think many folks get bit by them. My brother moved to Florida and he really likes it there.

On all the islands except Oahu and perhaps in some aspects, Maui, living in Hawaii is like being stuck in a small town out in a very remote area with no access to a large city. There are a lot of things which just don't exist in Hawaii, a lot of the chain stores and restaurants you may be used to just aren't here. Limited amusements on the line of museums, theater, etc. Limited shopping and it's getting even less as more stores close. On some of the islands, there is even limited roads. So, even though Hawaii is beautiful, it is also very remote and is almost defined by what it doesn't have. Oahu has Honolulu and a lot more amenities, better medical facilities, more amusements, great beaches, no volcanoes (less vog) but it also has higher prices and a lot more people.

Florida and Hawaii are two "default" answers when folks are thinking about warm tropical climates. Are there other answers besides those two? Louisiana would be warmer than Missouri. Arkansas? Even moving to the lower end of Missouri might be warmer?

[KoaHawaii]

everything from food to gas will be more expensive than florida since it is a group of islands and requires most things to be shipped from the mainland. culturally hawaii is something very different, most people have trouble and are shocked when they discover that asians are the majority. the food is also going to be very different. another thing to consider is jobs usually pay less in hawaii and there aren't as many jobs available. that is the biggest issue for locals right now. trying to pay for various expensives on a much smaller budget than those who might pay the same sort of living expenses (think living in california but with a budget from somewhere in the midwest). that takes some adjusting for those who aren't used to that. good news though is that hawaii doesn't have all the hurricanes that florida gets. we do have hurricans but not like the gulf, we have far fewer 'big and damaging' hurricanes. though as mentioned we do have one of the most active volcanos on the planet. big island is where you will have the most vog, though other islands as far away as maui and even oahu have experienced vog from time to time. most of hawaii is rural so that might be something you like or might be something you wouldn't like. again depends on the person.
these are all things that i think are good whereas someone who has never been here may have a more difficult time adjusting to. just depends on the person and if they can adapt to new situations. if you can then you should be fine.
another thing you might want to consider too is visiting first to see if it is right for you and what you want in your new home. it is very expensive to ship your things to hawaii so it is better to visit and know 100% that you want to live here. hope that helps. id research various areas in both states and visit each then go from there

[survivorqt]

So, even though Hawaii is beautiful, it is also very remote and is almost defined by what it doesn't have.

true. No olive garden, ikea, applebees, TGI fridays, Bath and body works, etc

[nwcountrygal]

and Thank God!!!

[VanHa]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

Hi! I currently live in St. Louis, MO and I want to relocate to a tropical climate. I am currently torn between selecting Hawaii or Florida for my move. Have any of you that have lived/live in Hawaii previously lived in Florida (or vice versa)? What would you consider some of the pros and cons in comparing living in Hawaii versus living in Florida? Thanks for your input -

It depends on where you want to live in Florida...Major cities in Florida are concrete jungles...the back country in Florida is mostly swamp. In Hawaii there are no major cities save and except Honolulu (wehre you can still see the water from down town). Making the choice will depend on how you are going to earn your living and what type of life style you want. Hawaii is more expensive and more isolated. You aslo have to learn a new culture, pronouciation of words, dealing with people etc....you have to ask yourself if you want to really do that?

[hotzcatz]

Don't we still have that TGI Friday's over on Oahu? The one next to the graveyard by Thomas Square? The Ghost Tour used to go past that graveyard and the fellow, Glen Grant, would tell the folks there weren't any ghosts in the graveyard but there were some in TGI Fridays. It seems there are several ghost waitresses who will come take your order and then never be seen again.

I don't know if Hawaii has more ghosts than Florida or not, though, so you couldn't use that as a deciding factor on which place to move to.

[KAILANI]

Originally Posted by survivorqt

true. No olive garden, ikea, applebees, TGI fridays, Bath and body works, etc

Are you sure about that??
Ever check out Oahu, Pearl City, Waikiki...
You can get all that JUNK there.. Damn outlet stores, who needs 'em when you can get em at aloha stadium flea mah-ket!!

[Ellwood]

Hawaii doesn't have toll roads like Florida. If you want to go to Sanibel or Captiva you pay $6 bridge toll and then $2/hr to park so you can go on the beach! Hawaii's beaches are all free and much nicer than Florida.

[Jungjohann]

If you really like "flat", then Florida is the spot for you. I mean, IT'S FLAT!!!!!! Look to the north, flat, south, flat, east, well,,,, you get the idea.... And where it's not flat, IT'S SUBFLAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Everglades, subflat, the Gulf, way sub flat....... In fact, history will tell you, that when the first Native Americans arrived in Florida, they actually named it, "Flattida", and due to various misinterpretations of the original spelling over the eons, the name was changed to "Florida". Now, the plus sides of Florida, ex-Flattida, there are no hills, none to speak of really, so, if you like riding your bicycle, but are a tad lazy, this can come in really handy, no uphill stuff to deal with. On the other hand, if you do happen to run out of gas in your car while driving in ex-Flattida, you can't simply coast downhill to the nearest gas station, you will have to get out and push, which can be a real drag, because it doe's have a tendancy to get very hot and humid down there... On the other hand, housing there is very inexpensive these days, so, if you happen to have good credit, and a little money, you can probably pick up a home for next to nothing. Of course, if you happen to have next to nothing, because you used to work for AIG, and have been laid off, with no severance pay, you probably can't afford that house, but there is an upside to that. Ex-Flattida happens to be very close to Cuba, which has about a zero unemployment rate, and is in easy boating distance from the Keys. Now, that may have a downside effect, if you are actually living in the car that you are pushing because you don't have the money to put gas in because you were unexpectedly laid off from AIG, you probably won't be able to afford a boat rental to get to Cuba so you can get a job. Well, there is an upside to that, you could just take that mini spare tire out of the trunk of your no more gas in it car, wait for the winds to pick up a bit, throw out all of your personal ID's, get on top of the spare mini tire, try and remember all the Spanish you learned in Junior High, and, when the Coast Gaurd approaches you way offshore, pretend you're from Cuba!!! The CG will give you a ride, FREE, to Havanna, where you will be all set!!!!! As far as Hawaii is concerned, WHO CARES!!!!!! You're already set up on Cuba, heck, seen one Island, you've seen em all!!!!!!

Just a thought