Moving from Mi to Big Island (Hilo, Volcano: rentals, crime rates, no credit check)

[bigislandbrown]

My husband and I, along wit our 2 yr old son, are moving to the Big Island on Jan 1st. We are looking in the area between Hilo and Volcano, it seems to be the most affordable. I am wondering about housing costs, crime rates, and any other useful information. We are using craigslist for the majority of out research for housing and jobs. Is it feasable to rent a 2br home for under $800/mth? Are there jobs to be had? Any info would be helpful.

[tortoise31]

How can you say you are moving on Jan 1st with no plan, no jobs and no place to live? Do you really feel comfortable with this? I really want to know. Have you ever been to the Big Island? To Hawaii?

[Paradise Calling]

Originally Posted by tortoise31

How can you say you are moving on Jan 1st with no plan, no jobs and no place to live? Do you really feel comfortable with this? I really want to know. Have you ever been to the Big Island? To Hawaii?

You obviously don't know how desolate things have become in Michigan. I know of a guy with an engineering degree who has submitted his resume to literally over 100 job postings with not one interview yet. With an outlook like that relocating without a defined plan becomes a more reasonable thing to do.

[tortoise31]

Originally Posted by Paradise Calling

You obviously don't know how desolate things have become in Michigan. I know of a guy with an engineering degree who has submitted his resume to literally over 100 job postings with not one interview yet. With an outlook like that relocating without a defined plan becomes a more reasonable thing to do.

Are you kidding? So the best thing is to drop yourself on a rock in the middle of the Pacific? In a state that is already hurting? Things will be better there? Hello?

[PacificFlights]

It would help if we knew what you expect to find in Hawaii? There has to be something that made you think Hawaii can offer more than where you are now, or anyother place on the mainland.

[Afishwithabike]

To the original poster - Please look at the City by City Island by Island thread pinned at the very top of the Hawaii subforum. I believe there is a review of Hilo. Not sure if the Volcano area is covered but you'll at least get some good info on Hilo.

Personally I think coming to one of the most isolated places on earth without ever having visited or knowing what life is like over here is pretty risky. This isn't Michigan or California or any other state in the USA. It's a whole different way of life. It takes some getting used to. If you don't like it here, it's not like you can get in a car or train or bus and go to another state. You'll have to buy an expensive plane ticket out. Plane fares coming *to* Hawaii are more reasonable than plane fares leaving from Hawaii.

People are hurting in Hawaii too. We're not immune from the recent economic downturn. Many people are without jobs. The State has mandatory Furlough Fridays where public schools are closed so the State can supposedly save money. Jobs here aren't plentiful either, and if you do find a job it alone might not be enough for food, rent, and other living expenses. You might have to hold 2-3 jobs to get by.

I realize this sounds very negative and I'm not trying to be downer but you should know what you're jumping into otherwise you'll be shocked by the cost of living and lifestyle.

[Alohikea]

Michigan is hurting real bad I know, but so is Hawaii essentially. I live in eastern Wa state and we have jobs galore plus very affordable housing. Our area is one of the top areas in the nation for growth and it doesn't show signs of stopping. Unless you have a career that could be of use in Hawaii (nursing is one) then you will be surviving on low paying jobs. A lot of people in Hawaii have more than one job just to make it. I plan to move to Hawaii in the next 10 years but I have a plan and a good career that can let me do it. My soul is in Hawaii and eventually my body will be there too.

[mdand3boys]

Big Island jobs are almost non-existent. The first round of state worker layoffs begin November 20th. You can bet all those local, state people have contacts and will be getting first choice of any jobs. Locals generally get hired first, even if they are lessor qualified than the new outsider.

I suggest renting a vacation rental for maybe 3 months thru a site like vrbo.com. Craigslist is full of rental scams. Vacation rentals can be had for around $1200 a month, will have a very small deposit, no credit checks, etc. and you will write only ONE check each month. Ignore the asking prices on the websites. The economy here is terrible and owners want someone in their house even at a huge discount because that is better than getting zero. Don't email the owners. Almost all list phone numbers. CALL THEM. Explain what you want. The price will drop immediately when they know you are real and sincere.

[hotzcatz]

You might be able to find a rental within that price range, but it may not have things you are used to such as electricity, paved roads, telephone service, rubbish service, water, gas or mail service. It wouldn't look much like what you may think houses should look like, either.

Theft is getting to be a problem as the economy tightens up. Jobs aren't so readily available which is one reason why theft is up.

Our unemployment numbers are rather high right now, perhaps you could search according to unemployment numbers and find a place which has employment possibilities?

Should you decide to continue with your plan, get round trip airline tickets with as long as a return time as possible. Just in case you aren't able to find a job, you'll be able to get back to the mainland.

[bigislandbrown]

There are not many jobs in Michigan. I know people who have been out of work for YEARS. We went to Maui 4 years ago, and knew the dy we arrived that we wanted to live in Hawaii. We chose the Big Island because it seemed to be the most affordable. No, we do not have jobs lined up. I am a personal trainer and my hisband is a laborer, willing to do about anything rather than being a factory rat. We have a place to stay for a short time while we look for more permanent housing. We have many reasons we want to move there. I am aware that everyplace has its issues. We are very friendly, easygoing people who fell in love with "aloha." We don't need or want too much, the basics are fine with us. It seems to me that people either love it or hate it, stay or leave, get sucked in or get spit out. I know one thing...you only get one life, shouldn't you make the most of it?