can i survive on oahu on 2grand a month? (fit in, coupons)
OahuIncludes Honolulu
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Perhaps I haven't made it clear. I have a definite income even if I have no job I have 2k coming in per month. Probably 3 or 4 when I come simply from being a disabled vet.
I have looked further into the car issue. I think I will sell my car here and buy a new one there.
I am fine with renting just a room. I don't need much space as I will have very little when I arrive.
With selling my car, I will arrive with a week hotel paid for, ticket back, and about 9 grand in my account and a regular monthly income.
I was just wondering if that should be enough for a start. I can always fall back onto my experience in IT to get me a job. I have several certifications (ccnp, mcse, a+...)
I am just wanting a little reassurance before taking the plunge into my dream.
and if it doesn't work out, there'll never be any doubt that the pleasure was worth all the pain.
thank you guys for your help. I will be on a plain to my dreams for my birthday in December!
Perhaps I haven't made it clear. I have a definite income even if I have no job I have 2k coming in per month. Probably 3 or 4 when I come simply from being a disabled vet.
I have looked further into the car issue. I think I will sell my car here and buy a new one there.
I am fine with renting just a room. I don't need much space as I will have very little when I arrive.
With selling my car, I will arrive with a week hotel paid for, ticket back, and about 9 grand in my account and a regular monthly income.
I was just wondering if that should be enough for a start. I can always fall back onto my experience in IT to get me a job. I have several certifications (ccnp, mcse, a+...)
I am just wanting a little reassurance before taking the plunge into my dream.
and if it doesn't work out, there'll never be any doubt that the pleasure was worth all the pain.
thank you guys for your help. I will be on a plain to my dreams for my birthday in December!
There are certain risks but I think you can do it, I lived on Oahu for less than $2k. You have the open ended ticket, you have a decent amount of cash, seems like you are set. Worst case you don't like it or it is too expensive and you go back to wherever you came from and are basically in the same boat you started (maybe minus a car).
Any advice I give is based on living in Honolulu (which is where most of the people and jobs are). Rent is going to be your largest expense by far, it will probably take 50% of your income right off the top (assuming 2k/month). I wouldn't have a car personally (at least not on Oahu) but that is up to you. I would take the bus and rent a car when I wanted to go holo holo because parking and traffic are major headaches. It is a touristy area, rentals are cheap. For food just eat a lot of PB&J, rice, and veggies from the farmers market then make a plate lunch stretch to 2 or 3 meals for protein. My grocery bills didn't change much living there, but my eating habits did change to compensate.
At your budget I would plan on getting a roommate or renting a room from somebody, also plan on paying a full months rent for deposit plus first and last months rent (so you can kiss a good chunk of your $5k - $9k goodbye.) Perhaps a hostel, vacation rental, or week-to-week place would be better while you get settled. People doing what you are doing are a dime a dozen in Hawaii, so if you have cash and guaranteed income (that you can prove) I don't think it would be a huge issue finding a place, especially at a time when a lot of people don't.
I think October is a great time to come, August and September are the hottest times of the year (near 90 everyday, too hot for me) and winter unbelievably pleasant out there (high 70's low 80's during the day/ low 70's high 60's at night). Sure, it rains a little more in the winter, but being able to go out in the sun without sweating your ass off is a welcome trade off in my book.
One thing I would add, since you mentioned being a disabled vet... a lot of things are not so ADA compliant, particularly the older apartment buildings and such. You definitely want to consider that if you have problems climbing a couple flights of stairs.
I too, am a disabled Vet and draw around the same as you. We have no problem living here, wife and I on what I draw. However I must add that we are home bodies and the beach of course and dont go out very often maybe once a month. We bought our place a couple years ago, out of town, so dont have to pay the high rents that are to be expected in town. It can be done if you luck out and get a place well within your budget. Good luck in your search.
Fion, have you ever thought of doing a trial run with your Hawaii budget? For example, write down how much you expect to spend in each category such as food, utilities etc. Then whatever is left over, can be your spending money. Try and live on that in your current location and see how it feels.
The one thing that really does concern me is you seem to feel your can fall back on your qualifications to get a job at will. I think finding a job could be the most difficult task you face. Perhaps those who have or have previously lived the dream might be able to clarify how easy it is to actually gt a job. From what I can see it is a competitive market and not a particularly well paid one compared to the mainland. How would you be coping on your $2k a month knowing it could be difficult to subsidise?
Toula,
That sounds like a great idea. I figure I will be spending about as much as I do now, only it will be one room instead of a 1800 sqft house. Electric shouldn't be more, and I will double what I pay for groceries. I will also put away extra for more gas and other extras. Everything I budget more that what I spend here will go in my new BiG account.
I will give it 6 more months.
I also am starting a new job next week that will allow me to transfer to Hawaii so I will have a job right away.
It will be the hardest 6 months ever waiting.
But probably good idea to give more time here to prepare.
Ffion, Just be careful when you look for places to rent. There are posts in this forum from folks who fell for scams in Craigslist and other publications, sending money to people who weren't really landlords. Watch out for anyone who asks for the kinds of payments like money wires, or who ask for weird fees.
If you can come over and live in a motel for a while while you look for a more permanent rental, that will be the best because you will also be able to drive around and see the neighborhood and what it would be like to commute to work.
Or, if you are transferring to a job here, get in touch with the people who will be your coworkers, and see if they know anyone who has a room for rent at their place or with a friend/family member.
I think I will too, but waiting until spring isn't bad. One last Dallas Stars hockey season, and one more reminder of how cold it can be here.
And a little more planning won't hurt as well as more savings.
Plus a little time to convince my friends to join me, lol.
If you are looking for a rental property I can recommend the following agency:
Oahu Real Estate,Rentals,Oahu Property Management,Waikiki Vacation Rentals,Captain Cook & Associates,Hawaii,Honolulu,Honolulu Property Management,Hawaii Real Estate,Vacation Rentals,Waikiki Long Term Rentals,Honolulu Long Term Rentals,Waikiki Real Es (http://www.hawaiiproperty.com/Web/AR290480/CustomContent/index/5014912?IDXSESS=mot3goa1h5or98h28red7v0o43 - broken link)
I have a condo in Honolulu that I rent thru this group. They did advertise my condo on Craigslist. I see a lot of condos advertised that make me question what is really going on. For starters you should be aware that your landlord must be resident on the islands. However, a lot of mainland owners lie about that to avoid using agents.
I think you are smart making a plan and getting your ducks in a row to speak. Hawaii will still be there in 6 months time, and it would be an added bonus if you could transfer thru your current employer.
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