possible move to hawaii? worth it? need advice (Honolulu, Hilo: rental car, apartments)

[feedjke]

Hello, I am so glad I found this site. I live in a small podunk town in Ohio. My husband is a traveling nurse and may be up for a 6 month job in Hawaii. There will be different nursing homes on different islands to choose from. We are hoping to travel with him but I need the real scoop. We own a very nice large home with 20 acres here in Ohio. I hate our smal town they treat us terrible since we are outsiders (15 years here!). Almost everyoe here was born and raised here. I didnt realize I was not welcome until my kids went to school and joined sports. We have talked about the Hawaii opportunity with mixed results. I will need to move with myself, my husband and my 3 children and would like to take our 2 boxer dogs. Am I unlikely to find a rental with the dogs? The company will pay living expenses, car, and a food allowance I think like 40.00 a day. We still will maintain our house here in Ohio as well as board our 4 horse and I expect it will leave us with around 1300-1500 a month left. I have this idea of taking my children to the ocean, involving them in environmental issues, relaxing, enjoying a small house to maintain. I figure we wont be spending that much on material items since we will be limited to what we can take back. Am I dreaming? After reading here are there islands to stay away from? Crime? Cost? Drugs? Discrimination? I stayed in Waikiki and didnt see the things mentioned here? I just feel like I want a change on scenery but dont want to get there be stuck and hate it. Thanks

[hothulamaui]

so this would be a temp move for 6 months or so? I would do it for sure if you could work it out. for six months I would see if you can get a cre taker for your farm and leave the dogs at home. rent a furnished rental and see the island/islands. It would be great for your kids to learn about the ocean here in hawaii. moving here full time is another story altogher and just the cost alone to get your dogs here I bet would be at least 2,000 dollars, add that to the cost of all the airline tickets it adds up very fast. do what you can to come with only a suitcase or two. you won't need much clothing as a swim suit and nice cover up is almost all one really needs that isn't working. some areas are safer than others but on the whole you would know that by just the looks of the area. give aloha and you will get it in return. what islands?

[feedjke]

I know there are jobs on the Big Island, Kauai, and Oahu. I have this idea to move for 6 months of a little bit of nothing. I have a house here 3000sq ft , 20 acres, 3 kids (9, 7 and 16mo) 4 horses, 3 barn cats, 2 dogs. I do this all myself except the weekends since my husband travels out of state. I feel overwhelmed. I feel I never get time with my kids since I'm working around here all day long. I'm doing chores right up to bed time. I would welcome a small apartment with minimal upkeep and nothing to do but see the islands with my kids. I just have worries about the crime and drugs since that is something we know nothing about. You dont even have to lock your doors where I live. Does that sound like enough money to live on since the company would help out with the food expenses? My husbands travels will be paid by the company we will pay for me and the kids (not a big deal since we had planned a hawaii vac. anyway) The expense would be the dogs, it might be worth it for the fact the contract could be extented if we wanted to stay for an additional 6 months, or we could be moned to another location or island for 6 more months.

[maui08]

If you are left with $1300 to $1500 to spend....this will probably cover the rent. That's it. I have never seen any 3+ bedrooms (homes, condos, apartments, ohanas) here for this range in a decent neighborhood. Having 3 kids plus the 2 of you would be very hard to squeeze into a 2 bedroom here or anywhere. If your husbands company is paying 'per diem' at $40 a day....what about the rest of you? Utilities, gas, phone/cell bills, basic needs that come up....? Hawaii is a wonderful place....but it can be challenging to stretch the money and when times get tough you are on an island and cannot simply pack up a uhaul and drive to the next city or state. Weigh out your options carefully before deciding. Good luck

[feedjke]

sorry I didnt make it clear rent and rental car is covered by the company as well as utilities. 40.00 per diem is food allowance, so the 1300-1500 will be for us for other exenses. And I have no problem putting my 2 kids on a pull out sofa, I think they would be more than happy to make that sacrifice to live in Hawaii for a few months.

[hothulamaui]

I think you will be fine if everything is pretty well taken care of as long as you budget and not go out to fancy meals and stuff. it is hard to find a rental that will take the dogs but if you can and want to then bring them. just make sure first. I can well see you needing to get out of ohio and all the work you do. this might be just what you need to refresh yourself. the kids will be fine on a pull out. do not worry about crime, it is like in any other place. there are areas that are bad like anywhere, but areas used by everday people to live, work and shop are fine and safe. I would start by researching which island you think would suit you the best. big island is huge. I would guess you would have either hilo or kona to live. hilo is the wetter side. oahu has the most population as well as traffic and other problems but they also have lots to do, great beaches and hiking. kauai is more rural I think it is the most beautiful I would guess lihue would be where your hubby would work which is in between the more dry area of poipu annd the wet end of the island hanalei. you can read a ton of info in the forums at tripadvisor,com about things to do take a look at some websites that will give you an idea of what each island is like. they are all different and lovely

[KoaKine]

I think that you should do everything in your power to make this move happen. The experience for your kids is enough for me to learn about Hawaii and all that it encompasses is a life changing and improving thing.
I am in the process of moving from western NY to Hilo and I feel the way you do with the acceptance thing in only 5 years Im still a southern Cali guy lol.
A couple of questions have I( as Yoda would say) ?
Have you been to Hawaii before?
and which Islands were they?

This will help us help you.
I have been looking into rentals in the Hilo area and your price range will fit very well try looking on vrbo.com then call do not email the owner they will give you a break n the price . just be nice
good luck with your adventure and if you need anymore help just ask or DM me

[maui08]

If the company is paying for those things, you should be okay then. Great experience, just know the schools here are pretty lousy. Staying a few months to a year should be okay though....wouldn't advise planting roots here.

[evanenochs]

hell yeah you should go!! free rent!?!?!?!??! GO NOW! its only 6 months. 6 months that you will grow from and remember forever. and your kids the same. In the future your kids will be able to say " yeah i lived in hawaii" =p

[Catherine Newhart]

Hello... I am an artist, mostly doing wall art, although a lot of what I do is sculptural wall art. I am single, 67, in good health and at a place and time in my life that I could life there for about 6 mos to 1 year being very frugal. I think it would be great fun to be near my only sister who lives in Honolulu close to the Navy housing.

In addition to my art, I do professional organizing, and life coaching to pay my bills here in San Diego.


STORAGE OF MY STUFF HERE
I have a storage facility where I can store my things reasonably for 6 months to a year .

CAR QUESTIONS:
Should I store my 2004 Honda Pilot or ship it there? I just spent a few thousand dollars this past month on new plate fees which are good in CA until next May; 4 new Michelin tires, and getting the timing belt replaced. It has 107K miles, but looks and drives great and I enjoy it.
Does anyone know if I would I have to get it re-plated there?

SAFE LIVING AREA?
I just this morning found a 1 bedroom apartment near 400 Hobron.
Is this a good area?

I already have an American Airlines RT ticket I bought to visit there, and I think I can set the dates up to 1 year apart.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and any responses.