hostels? (Lahaina: sublease, apartment, rentals)

[waiverrn]

Any advice on these? Just learning what this is-wouldn't they be more affordable than an apartment or hotel

[whynot?]

I'm extrapolating from your earlier post about taking a job on Oahu for a year and (in that same thread) your other post about hostels that you're asking about a long-term stay?

Hostels are generally set up for short-term stays for explorers (trekkers, European city tours, etc.), and not for residence. They are known for being inexpensive and their quality of accommodations and amenities varies a great deal. We have a few here on Maui. Most do not offer any kind of kitchen facilities or access, for instance, and whether you can even stash your clothes and gear (or need to take it with you every day) depends upon the hostel's rules. Many offer dorm-type sleeping arrangements for the least expensive rates, and private rooms with shared baths at best.

Based on the rates I've seen online for a local one, even a dorm bed (4 or more bunks per room) is $25/night. (Rooms start at $50.) For the same $750/month, you could get a room in a group house in Lahainatown, and I'm guessing in several places on Oahu -- possibly with a private bath -- if you'd sign a year's lease and put down a deposit. (The local hostels also require that you have an outbound ticket when you check in, which kind of indicates that they're not counting on your staying very long.)

Even for a vacation, one has to have a pretty good sense of adventure to really enjoy a hostel stay. There's a lot of guest turnover and that means they can get worn pretty quickly. The constant coming-and-going of new guests can also be interesting or it can just be annoying. They're pretty close quarters, generally, and really just a place to sleep after a day of activity.

Because of the bad economy there are lots of rental options and good pricing right now. But you really need to be here and see any place in person before you rent for more than a week. Better to spend the first week in a hotel or condo than to be stuck in a bad neighborhood or ratty room that looked okay online. Best of luck.

[waiverrn]

I greatly appreciate any information anyone can give me. I get the picture and do not think this is at what I would want.

[TalkingShoes]

Most hostels will not allow you to stay unless you are a tourist. This means having a return plane ticket you can show at check in. There are month to month rentals or find someone doing a sublease. I'd browse the listings on craigslist for some ideas.