Been on Oahu for a little over a month...some observations (Honolulu: apartments, lease)

[Dthraco]

Ok, I've been here since the end of January. Moved earlier than planned because I got a job in downtown Honolulu. Thought I would share some observations and big differences from what I am used to (Medium sized town in Washington state).

Apartments:
Yes, it's expensive, I am paying $1,225 for a 9'x26' studio. It was recently remodeled, so it has nice appliances and is clean. But, I wish I had raised my budget. There is no Lanai (portch), or air conditioning. I had to purchase a portable air conditioner because the window style doesn't work with a window unit (not cheap). 3/4 walls are cinder block. Puts a hamper on decorating. The floor is tile like you would see in a school. Cockroaches...see a couple a week, even though they fumigated right after I moved in. I keep a spotless place. Lived in TX for a long time and am used to living to minimize the roaches. The bottom line is that I should have raised my budget when I looked for apartments. And I wish I wold have had more time to select a place. For example...at night the light outside the windows light the whole place up like it was a full moon. That took some getting used to...cinder block walls, can't hang room darkening shades. It took up until a couple weeks ago to get the place furnished. So, even though I have been here, no real time to enjoy it with working and trying to get life in some sort of order. We did not bring anything with us, just my car and what we oculd bring on the plane. After the 6 monthlease is up, at least I'll know what to look for. I need a lanai and a grill.

Getting around:
Even though I am just under 3 miles from the office, it takes on average 20 minutes to get there. Parking is at a premium, and it can be difficult to find it all. The bottom line here is that you have to be patient and it takes TIME to figure out what works and what doesn't. Just last night I was working late at a customer site and my car got locked in their lot. 5 mile walk home at 12:20am in work clothes was NOT fun. Cabs...the city has them, won't make that mistake again.

My only complaints are that of getting used to living in a big city. This place is NOT small by any means.

The first electric bill was under $50, but that was without the A/C. Probably going to average about $200 with running the a/c during the day. The temperature has been about 80 during the day and humid, so the a/c really makes the aparetment comfortable when set at 79. The evnings have been cooler, so we open a couple windows. The room is in a bad spot to take advantage of the breeze though.

Being a caucasian I am a minority. But it has not been an issue at all. Poeple are generally very nice, with the exception of the occasional sneer from already unhappy people.

It's no vacation, working 40+hours a week and furnishing the place leaves little room for exploring...but I have time for that. I am able to make it from downtown honolulu at 5pm to Sandy's for a good 45 of fun in the evnings.

As far as island fever, or rock fever...doesn't make sense to me. After all, how far do people normally travel from home? 20-30 miles?

These are my experiences so far. Hope they are helpful.

[KAILANI]

Thanks for sharing?? What is Sandy's??
Where have you eaten yet? Try Zippys yet?
Find another place!! Up the hill hopefully, its cooler at night!
Have you hit Waikiki beach yet? Good for a swim after work.

[Dthraco]

Sandy Beach, first large sand beach and bodysurfing spot past Haunama Bay.

Zippy's...their spagetti is pretty decent. Nom nom.

My wifeand I like to go to Waikiki beach and go to Yogurtland. The poeple watching is fun and similar to the Vegas Strip, without the porn cards. I hear you can rent a surfboard locker in Waikiki, that might be a fun thing after work once it's lighter longer after work. Gets dark enough to get out of thewater about 6:45pm right now. Saw a 5' shark at Sandy's about that time,a nd that's a pretty good indication that it's time to call it good.

[arsesta]

Thanks for sharing!!! Where is your apartment located?

[Tenzo]

Originally Posted by KAILANI

Thanks for sharing?? What is Sandy's??
\.

It's a beach where all the stupid n00bs go so they can get a free ride to the hospital. If you don't have time to go, just crawl into one off those large laundromat dryers, insert 4 quarters, turn it on and climb in while drinking 4 liters of salt water. Achieves the same thing without the shark.

Jeez oh pete, a shark too?
What's next, having the gun range across the road firing into the surf?

My ER doc wife informs me that it is the Number 1 place IN THE WORLD, for neck injuries. When I was there the second time there was an ER ambulance parked at the lifeguard station, just waiting (I'm not making this up)

On the other hand it's a very unique expierance.
It's the most beautiful beach I have ever seen in my life.
The water is fantastic and it's not crowded, has great facilities and really nice people.

It lends reality to the 'Siren Song'

[lost_traveler1]

Glad to hear that you see it objectively, for what its worth....

Bonus points for you:

-Get Waiola shaved ice in Kaimuki.
-Try the various poke in Catch of the Day. Yelp it to find the location. Order the furikaki salmon, melt in your mouth.
-Rainbow Drive inn, mahi mahi, mixed plate, or breaded chicken with gravy all over, with a large slushy float.
-Get teddy's burger in Hawaii Kai shopping center on your way to Sandy's.

Super bonus:
-Alicia's Market, in the heart of ghetto/industrial area, go to the back and order the roast beef/sweet maui onion ahi poke combo. Its gritty and you might get scared of the customers, but be humble and nice, they will take care of you, and you will get a treat of Hawaiian style surf n' turf!

[haggardhouseelf]

We had Zippy's in Mililani town. The Korean chicken was so good!!! Yum yum!

[jenocide22]

Thank you so much for your first impression! My boyfriend and I are planning to move hopefully soon; been researching and reading through this forum like crazy.

Your description was the kind of insight I didn't know I was looking for!

[Lemming95]

You sound like the kind of folks Hawaii needs. Made lemonaide not Whine out of things lots of folks whine about.

Any chance of walking to work? or is it blocked by freeways and crazy drivers. I do a 2 1/2 mile loop in about 45min and I'm old and slow. Or get a segway if there are sidewalks. how cool would that be..
Tension rods to hang curtains? or those 3M stripes that are supposed to hold 20lbs.

Keep on enjoying the life and the ocean.

[hotzcatz]

Just past Sandy's is Makapu'u. Much less chance of neck injuries since the break isn't into the sand. You'll still go over the falls and through the grinds but when you are being ground, you're still in deep enough water that you aren't mashed into the sand. Why did you think they call it "Sandy's" anyway? Surfers are very literal about how they name the breaks.

Alicia's is still there? Wow! They've been making ono kind grinds in a grinchy neighborhood for decades now.

Yeah, the six month original lease is the best way to relocate. Even though it's not the best place, it gets you on the ground and enough time to learn what to look for and it is just temporary. Can you imagine how it would be if it was a place you'd bought instead of just renting?