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60 is freezing cold and we wear jackets! Brrr! Mainland people come over here and wear tank tops and shorts and everyone else is freezing to death. They must have thicker blood over there or something.
Actually I think its because the temperatures are so cold over here in the winter (St Louis is about 14 degrees today with a wind chill of -2 brrrrrrrr) that our bodies are used to the cold and 60 feels quite warm (especially if relocating in the winter time like I am). I bet though, in a year or two of being in Hilo, that 60 will feel chilly to me.
Looking forward to that day!
Nelli
Absolutely 60 will feel chilly. You'll wear long shorts and go looking for socks!
Folks don't change out their wardrobes much during the year here. In the spring, folks wear lighter happier colors and in the fall, darker richer colors, lots of red and green at Christmas but the type of clothes don't change much. Also wardrobes are dependent on where on the island the person is. In Kona, it is almost always hotter so there are more shorts there all the time. Volcano and Waimea are cooler, higher elevations so folks almost always have a jacket handy there. Generally, your car will eventually be equipped with a beach towel and swimsuit, a jacket, an umbrella and a bottle of water. You could frequently use all of them in the course of one day if you were circling the island.
Location: Big Island- Hawaii, AK, WA where the whales are!
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Alhoa
again to everyone i think this poster has it right. If you can live in a small town in mainland you got it made in islands. Used to life in the fish bowl and not needing extras... getting to know people. My experience in HI was incredible.
I was a month on the big island... now the Wow I was in HI is somewhat wearned off... but gota a ticket back on the 28 of this month.
I am soooo sick of the racist thing and I dont even live there. You get what you come with. If you have a good attitude of Alhoa than it will come back to you 10 fold. These posters saying anything else geezz find a new life. And please hate the islands because I don't want to be around you. I found nothing but greatness in people. Absoulte the most incredible people from white grey brown native black whatever --- never saw a question of what you are on outside just inside.
as far as groceries..... I paid attention to home vrs HI..... other than Korean markets that charge more -- beer is the only thing I found more expensive...and I am talking a $1more.... small town do have a safeway but the prices.... geezzzz beef more here. Milk is more expensive but don't drink it ......... and HI ice cream but wow sooooo goood! worth it
I will never each an avacodo here again (wow they really suck with most fruit) other than apple but I will never eat spinich or mushrooms there again either. Calms oysters that such is better deal here but for most part I found even the expensive market cheaper than here _-the farmers markets are the place to buy again. and find friends they will trade with you all in all --- I found HI to be cheaper than where I live believe it or not.
Gas went down while I was there so it was great... don't know what it is now but at home I just paid $1.73 and was very excited. so maybe a little more but again in HI how much do you drive.
Indiana/Kentucky girl moving to Hawaii and in desperate need of advice. Planning budget and making sure I can make it ;)
I normally say Hola but I can't wait to be saying A~LO~HA!!!
A friend of mine is a nurse and has family in Maui and on the Big Island. She and I have decided that we have had enough of the Bluegrass, Whiskey, and Horses . . . (no we are not rednecks lol however we are right across the bridge from Louisville, KY) . . . we are ready to do what we have be dreaming of since HS.
Maui here we come, or so I hope . . . I have 4Qs listed If anyone can help I'd be sooo grateful. I've read a lot of posts but nothing is cut clear enough to ease my mind. I want to enjoy this and not be stressed ya dig? lol
I had Christmas at my house and prepared traditional Hawaiian fare, my apt already looks like a beach house and has since I was 17. I'm ready!
We are 24 yr old single ladies if that helps with the pricing.
~JOB~
She will be set on a job as an RN making close to 90k and having savings. I on the other hand have no job lined up and not much of a savings.
I have a BA in Communications and have tons of diverse experience in administrative, retail, management, event planning, serving, bar tending, hosting events, public speaking, and life guarding.
I have always dreamed of living close to the beach, working on the water even if it means washing boats, seriously!
QUESTION #1 - What kind of money can I expect to be pulling on let's say a server/bar tender job? (I figure they will be the easiest to come by when I first get there)
~HOUSING~
We have been hunting and have found 2bed 1 bath cottages for $1200/mo around 800sqft that are within biking distances to the beach and surrounding shopping areas in Kihei, Wailuku, and Kahului
QUESTION #2 - How much will we be paying monthly for utilities in these areas? (assuming no utilities are included)
~Transportation~
I'm not bringing my car, nor do I have the money to buy one once there.
QUESTION #3 - Is there public transportation in these areas? And if so, how much? Cab per mile, bus per trip, etc?(assuming I can't bike or walk to where it is I'm going)
~FOOD~
I normally have a small breakfast (2eggs w/toast or cereal w/fruit), average Joe lunch (salad or sandwich with yogurt or fruit and veggies), and a descent dinner nothing fancy.
QUESTION #4 - Can anyone share their weekly food expenses for something similar?
I currently make 30,000 a year and pay out 1600 a month in bills, not including entertainment. I don't have much left over after a month but I'm not tightly budgeted either. So, I'm pretty sure I'll do okay there so long as I can get a job that pays similar. Plus I'll have a roommate to help share expenses.
If anyone has any other tips I'd sure appreciate them!
Also, if anyone knows of any rental properties and/or jobs that may fit from what I've mentioned please share. I'm guessing it will be March before I make it down~over.
I normally say Hola but I can't wait to be saying A~LO~HA!!!
A friend of mine is a nurse and has family in Maui and on the Big Island. She and I have decided that we have had enough of the Bluegrass, Whiskey, and Horses . . . (no we are not rednecks lol however we are right across the bridge from Louisville, KY) . . . we are ready to do what we have be dreaming of since HS.
Maui here we come, or so I hope . . . I have 4Qs listed If anyone can help I'd be sooo grateful. I've read a lot of posts but nothing is cut clear enough to ease my mind. I want to enjoy this and not be stressed ya dig? lol
I had Christmas at my house and prepared traditional Hawaiian fare, my apt already looks like a beach house and has since I was 17. I'm ready!
We are 24 yr old single ladies if that helps with the pricing.
~JOB~
She will be set on a job as an RN making close to 90k and having savings. I on the other hand have no job lined up and not much of a savings.
I have a BA in Communications and have tons of diverse experience in administrative, retail, management, event planning, serving, bar tending, hosting events, public speaking, and life guarding.
I have always dreamed of living close to the beach, working on the water even if it means washing boats, seriously!
QUESTION #1 - What kind of money can I expect to be pulling on let's say a server/bar tender job? (I figure they will be the easiest to come by when I first get there)
~HOUSING~
We have been hunting and have found 2bed 1 bath cottages for $1200/mo around 800sqft that are within biking distances to the beach and surrounding shopping areas in Kihei, Wailuku, and Kahului
QUESTION #2 - How much will we be paying monthly for utilities in these areas? (assuming no utilities are included)
~Transportation~
I'm not bringing my car, nor do I have the money to buy one once there.
QUESTION #3 - Is there public transportation in these areas? And if so, how much? Cab per mile, bus per trip, etc?(assuming I can't bike or walk to where it is I'm going)
~FOOD~
I normally have a small breakfast (2eggs w/toast or cereal w/fruit), average Joe lunch (salad or sandwich with yogurt or fruit and veggies), and a descent dinner nothing fancy.
QUESTION #4 - Can anyone share their weekly food expenses for something similar?
I currently make 30,000 a year and pay out 1600 a month in bills, not including entertainment. I don't have much left over after a month but I'm not tightly budgeted either. So, I'm pretty sure I'll do okay there so long as I can get a job that pays similar. Plus I'll have a roommate to help share expenses.
If anyone has any other tips I'd sure appreciate them!
Also, if anyone knows of any rental properties and/or jobs that may fit from what I've mentioned please share. I'm guessing it will be March before I make it down~over.
First of all...good luck with your decision. I breezed through your post and offer the following "opinions"....finding a cottage that is in biking distance to Kihei, Kahului and Wailuku shopping is not happening...unless you REALLY enjoy biking. These areas are fairly close but still a 20-25 minute drive by car from Kihei to Kahului/Wailuku. If you wish to bike your way around...I would strongly suggest picking one area and focusing there.
Pulling down a position in a restaurant/bar is actually quite difficult here because of all the young folks who come here just like you and plan to stay for a year or so and then move on. From what I understand, there is usually quite a list of applicants to choose from. (I have close friends who own some restaurants and they have told me this recently).
Making $30,000 per yr and living in Maui.....I would not want to be in your shoes for very long. This income will not go very far here unless you really enjoy the SIMPLE life! Not eating out (ever), very minimal entertainment budget, no vehicle, don't even think about running an A/C and pretty much dining on PBJ sandwiches and noodles. -I am actually not trying to deter you or make you feel bad....this is just reality of living in Hawaii or even Southern California for that matter. $30,000 just won't go that far here.
As far as your other ?'s, I can't really comment on those as I have little knowledge of the bus system here except to tell you it gets in my way often.
Aloha
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that our bodies are used to the cold and 60 feels quite warm (especially if relocating in the winter time like I am). I bet though, in a year or two of being in Hilo, that 60 will feel chilly to me. 
) . . . we are ready to do what we have be dreaming of since HS. 
I have 4Qs listed If anyone can help I'd be sooo grateful. I've read a lot of posts but nothing is cut clear enough to ease my mind. I want to enjoy this and not be stressed 
ya dig? lol 
