Giving Up Hawaii for $30,000 More

[EdLo]

Originally Posted by VanHa

AMEN Broda AMEN...Hawaii is one of the most expensive state in which to live....but is Cali any different?

You kiddi'n? Of course it's different. I just offered $85K for a house near the Delta where I have my 31' Regal boat in a marina. I have a nice home in San Jose, but need one near the water so I can stop paying marina fees and park my boat on the property. Show me a house for $85K anywhere in HI.
I've said in other threads, food here is way less expensive. And fresher, imho.
Everything is less! Even HI pineapples.
Sure you can buy a house in nearby Atherton and pay millions, and get a Ferrari in Los Gatos for half mil, or shop only an Nieman Marcus, or Bloomingdale's and pay $300 for a shirt, or you can shop at Costco and Target and Wal-Mart (they have cheap electronics there) and get bargains. Your choice.
Oh, and within 1 mile radius of my house there are four (4) Hawaiian "BBQ" joints if you miss da grinds from HI.
Like I said, HI great to visit, but - - - -
Eddie

[maui08]

Originally Posted by EdLo

You kiddi'n? Of course it's different. I just offered $85K for a house near the Delta where I have my 31' Regal boat in a marina. I have a nice home in San Jose, but need one near the water so I can stop paying marina fees and park my boat on the property. Show me a house for $85K anywhere in HI.
I've said in other threads, food here is way less expensive. And fresher, imho.
Everything is less! Even HI pineapples.
Sure you can buy a house in nearby Atherton and pay millions, and get a Ferrari in Los Gatos for half mil, or shop only an Nieman Marcus, or Bloomingdale's and pay $300 for a shirt, or you can shop at Costco and Target and Wal-Mart (they have cheap electronics there) and get bargains. Your choice.
Oh, and within 1 mile radius of my house there are four (4) Hawaiian "BBQ" joints if you miss da grinds from HI.
Like I said, HI great to visit, but - - - -
Eddie

Exactly. Great post and very honest. I too have read the same posts from people who "get by" on the islands and I just chuckle. The ones who "survive" by living at the farmers market, eating leftovers EVERY day of their lives while in Hawaii and shopping the sales on spam and cup-o-noodles and sweating through the summers in their tiny condo or ohana as they could never make it if they actually turned on the A/C Is this really worth it? We are looking (have been for the past year) for any way off this rock. We too love the beauty of the islands but have out grown our $2,000/month 900 sq ft condo and our $500 elec bill each month! Maybe we should trade in our car for a moped and our costco card for a fishing pole....? The only reason folks make it here is because they shack up and squeeze into a home. Ever seen the typical local families....they have 7+ living in one dwelling and they share one vehicle. At least this is true for the many local families that we know.

Hawaii only works if you have money OR don't mind giving up the luxuries in life (eating out, running A/C, having a vehicle or two, steak for spam ...)

BTW, we are a family of 4 living (surviving) on about $100,000 per year....it just does not go that far here. We live check to check like teenagers here! -Ok, I'm done ranting....off to careerbuilder to look for jobs. Good night

[VanHa]

Originally Posted by maui08

Exactly. Great post and very honest. I too have read the same posts from people who "get by" on the islands and I just chuckle. The ones who "survive" by living at the farmers market, eating leftovers EVERY day of their lives while in Hawaii and shopping the sales on spam and cup-o-noodles and sweating through the summers in their tiny condo or ohana as they could never make it if they actually turned on the A/C Is this really worth it? We are looking (have been for the past year) for any way off this rock. We too love the beauty of the islands but have out grown our $2,000/month 900 sq ft condo and our $500 elec bill each month! Maybe we should trade in our car for a moped and our costco card for a fishing pole....? The only reason folks make it here is because they shack up and squeeze into a home. Ever seen the typical local families....they have 7+ living in one dwelling and they share one vehicle. At least this is true for the many local families that we know.

Hawaii only works if you have money OR don't mind giving up the luxuries in life (eating out, running A/C, having a vehicle or two, steak for spam ...)

BTW, we are a family of 4 living (surviving) on about $100,000 per year....it just does not go that far here. We live check to check like teenagers here! -Ok, I'm done ranting....off to careerbuilder to look for jobs. Good night

There are real issues even in Paradise. The same can be said for most major cities. Try living in NY, LA...etc. without cash! I do get your point though. The question is will your family be better off living in Omaha on $130,000...do your kids get to see things here that they might not see elsewhere, is your family closer here than they would be elsewhere...would moving and more money bring you happiness? Interesting questions...

[EdLo]

Originally Posted by VanHa

There are real issues even in Paradise. The same can be said for most major cities. Try living in NY, LA...etc. without cash! I do get your point though. The question is will your family be better off living in Omaha on $130,000...do your kids get to see things here that they might not see elsewhere, is your family closer here than they would be elsewhere...would moving and more money bring you happiness? Interesting questions...

You forgot to factor in the difference in cost of living between HI and Omaha. You added the $30K to the $100K he would have the *first* year
(assuming the $30K would be used in one year).
The reality is that now his earning power is $125K (compared to HI) for years or until he gets a promotion or pay raise. In four years there would be $100,000 extra (assuming he saved the difference) to save and invest. That's a lot of money to return to HI on a very good vacation, and maybe another one or two to other parts of the world. As for the kids, they might not see the ho-hum same every day things of HI but they would see the wonders of the American West. Ever been to Yellowstone? How about Bryce, Zion, and numerous other National Parks in the West? Like deserts, like I do? There is enough in deserts to see that will enthral even a teen- ager. How about nearby Canada? (before I die, I have to see the Calgary Stampede) Like horses? It would be so cheap to have a horse or two on a property in Omaha that would be measured in acres than in sq. feet like in HI.
Of course there is the weather. But what's wrong with snow skiing, or snow mobiles? I haven't done either but I would think it would be hella fun.
I could go on, but I think you get my point.
Eddie
btw, I used 25% as the difference in cost of living between HI and Omaha. In fact, it might be much more. I am using difference between CA and HI.