Considering a move to Oahu for work... (Honolulu: rental, how much)

[KatTheSquirrel]

We've been considering a move to Oahu for work. A company has offered me a job which pays more than I get here in Arizona. I read somewhere that the cost of living is 43.1 % more than Arizona (yikes!) and the median there is like... $71,000 or so. My questions are posed to those that have lived in Oahu or are currently living in Oahu:

1. How much do you think it would cost for food for a family of 6 per month? (4 kids, 2 adults)

2. Would it be difficult to find a rental house that accepts dogs? (we have a 4 yr old Lab/ Dalmation mix)

3. Am I crazy for even considering this?

[BigIslandBum]

I can't speak to the food costs on Oahu but it is going to vary greatly based on what your family typically eats/drinks. If you plan on keeping the same lifestyle, then think "a lot more" than you currently pay.

The public schools in Hawaii are not very good. I would seriously consider the impact this will have on your kids. You could send them to private schools but that is pretty expensive as well.

Moving a dog to Hawaii requires you to jump through a lot of hoops and requires quite a bit of lead time and cost. Animal Quarantine Information — Hawaii Department of Agriculture

Best of luck on your decision.

[KatTheSquirrel]

Originally Posted by BigIslandBum

I can't speak to the food costs on Oahu but it is going to vary greatly based on what your family typically eats/drinks. If you plan on keeping the same lifestyle, then think "a lot more" than you currently pay.

The public schools in Hawaii are not very good. I would seriously consider the impact this will have on your kids. You could send them to private schools but that is pretty expensive as well.

Moving a dog to Hawaii requires you to jump through a lot of hoops and requires quite a bit of lead time and cost. [URL="http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/ai/aqs/info"]Animal Quarantine Information — Hawaii Department of Agriculture[/URL]

Best of luck on your decision.

Thank you SO much. I work in the aerospace industry and got a job offer from a pretty nice company in Oahu. I have all girls so they eat like birds...but I'm not sure how much that will change once they become teenagers!

I used to work for K12 so I might just attempt homeschooling if we make the move.

The dog was the one I was a little worried about. I wasn't sure how pet friendly the island was and whatnot.

Thank you for the heads-up.

[Kualoa]

You will need Costco and SAMs Club membership for food and gas. Houses are smaller, bunk beds for the kids. Pick an area that has "nicer" public schools. That's a separate topic. You should be able to find a single family home rental that will accept one dog. Hoping you and your spouse make at least six figures combined. Otherwise it's going to be a spartan existence with such a large family. And research the animal quarantine requirements too. Best of luck. Yes I grew up and currently live here on Oahu.

[hln]

More than 40% of households in Hawaii have a dog. However, finding a place that allows dogs is very hard, at least in Honolulu. I speak from personal experience as a dog owner. Browse craigslist to get an idea of potential housing available.

Bringing the dog to Hawaii is the most complicated part of the move. You will need several months lead time if you don't want your dog in quarantine.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by KatTheSquirrel

We've been considering a move to Oahu for work. A company has offered me a job which pays more than I get here in Arizona. I read somewhere that the cost of living is 43.1 % more than Arizona (yikes!) and the median there is like... $71,000 or so. My questions are posed to those that have lived in Oahu or are currently living in Oahu:

1. How much do you think it would cost for food for a family of 6 per month? (4 kids, 2 adults)

2. Would it be difficult to find a rental house that accepts dogs? (we have a 4 yr old Lab/ Dalmation mix)

3. Am I crazy for even considering this?

Before we tell you that you are crazy , let's cut to the chase, what kind of household income are you expecting in Hawaii - 6 people quite frankly seems to me you'd have to have $125K+ household income minimum as a gut feel.