Please Help need Advice about moving and working on oahu (appointed, to rent)

[tori99]

hello everyone im a single female that was offer a job with the state of hawaii on oahu. at this job i will be making 47399 a year and i wanted to know if a single person can make it on this salary and if not is it easy to find a part time job to help out and do know im coming from a small town in alabama...and is working for the state of hawaii a good opportunity? any input u have will help my decision greatly thanks

[Joliefille]

Being single and making $47K, you should be able to live just fine. Somethings like rent and food will knock your socks off, coming from AL but you won't need a winter coat or pay for heating! We lived in Biloxi for a couple years, so have a little experience of the American South. I would say people here do not "dress" like they do in the South. Women don't wear as much make up or get their hair/nails done as often (or ever). So there are some savings for you right there!
If you know how to cook, you'll save significant money vs. eating out. The beaches are free and there are plenty of places to hike or just stroll around & window shop.
If your employer is moving you, I would definately bring your car & any good furniture you have. There are furniture stores here, but the selection is pretty limited and IMO leans toward Asian/Modern styles. I prefer more traditional, so have been disappointed with the offerings.
Good luck!

[lootie]

Hi! Congrats on your job offer, what job is the state of Hawaii offering you ?

[Balad1]

Originally Posted by Joliefille

Being single and making $47K, you should be able to live just fine. Somethings like rent and food will knock your socks off, coming from AL but you won't need a winter coat or pay for heating! We lived in Biloxi for a couple years, so have a little experience of the American South. I would say people here do not "dress" like they do in the South. Women don't wear as much make up or get their hair/nails done as often (or ever). So there are some savings for you right there!
If you know how to cook, you'll save significant money vs. eating out. The beaches are free and there are plenty of places to hike or just stroll around & window shop.
If your employer is moving you, I would definately bring your car & any good furniture you have. There are furniture stores here, but the selection is pretty limited and IMO leans toward Asian/Modern styles. I prefer more traditional, so have been disappointed with the offerings.
Good luck!

That's relative and differs by individual and expectations.

Earning $47K on Oahu is like earning $28K in Alabama; is that "living just fine"?

Not for me.

[tyvin]

I think you could do fine. Because of the fact that you would be a government employee you would have many benefits to help you live. Remember; after taxes you'll be bring home a lot less so you would have to be on a very tight budget; but it's not impossible.

You know that many government jobs will do the 3 month evaluation where you and they decide if it's working. So it is not written in stone as I have seen a few be rejected by the work place as not being the right fit. Check it out and see if this pertains to your situation. They do this because once you become a permanent government employee it is very hard to get fired (the union is strong).

What's the job?

[newUHprof]

Originally Posted by tyvin

Because of the fact that you would be a government employee you would have many benefits to help you live.

I'm not sure what you're thinking of... I'm technically a state employee. I pay *more* for my health insurance (both as a percentage of the cost and in absolute terms) than any employee of a private company in Hawaii would be allowed to pay. There is almost no life insurance... not even enough to allow my husband to move back to the mainland, since we're here for my job. The real benefits of a government job come after retirement (pension!). But for the time you're working, you generally earn less and at least in HI have worse benefits than most people working in the private sector.

[newUHprof]

And to the OP: I would not recommend that anyone move to Hawaii to work for the state. As others have pointed out, we're in a serious budget crisis, and who knows what will be cut next. Your job would be very insecure. It's just not the time to make that kind of move.

[falloutgrl]

Working for any State is rough with low pay. I moved here last year with the federal govt and after a year I have decided Hawaii is better to visit than to live. I was prepared for the high cost, just not the cracker box places to rent. If you have job opportunities elsewhere I would look into those. Don't forget if you want to fly back to see family its still costly. Good luck in your decision...I'm looking to get back on the mainland...I miss Starbucks with drive thrus, I miss the convenience...I miss being able to park! LOL!

[sinky]

falloutgrl -- may I ask what level federal government job did you take in HI? I always thought fed govt in Hawaii would be a good way to live there. Please advise.

[Balad1]

Read the post, she said state job.