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My uncle and aunt are planning to retire to Oahu next year. There were mostly interested in these parts of Oahu(Diamond Head, Kahala, Hawaii Kai) Could you tell me the differences between the 3, if there are any at all?
They want to be close enough to places like the Neil Blaisdell Concert Hall, Ala Moana Shopping, Zoo, but also don't want to be located in a very crowded part of town. If that is the case, which would you recommend, and why?
There were mostly interested in these parts of Oahu(Diamond Head, Kahala, Hawaii Kai) Could you tell me the differences between the 3, if there are any at all?
They want to be close enough to places like the Neil Blaisdell Concert Hall, Ala Moana Shopping, Zoo, but also don't want to be located in a very crowded part of town. If that is the case, which would you recommend, and why?
Diamond Head - on the side away from Waikiki is a very affluent area closest to the areas you mentioned. Plenty of multi-million dollar homes - and if money is no object, check it out.
Kahala - another affluent area - close to shopping at the Kahala mall - you have choices at being at sea level or in the hills. Kahala is in the middle between Diamond Head and Hawaii Kai.
Hawaii Kai has a US Mainland very surburban feel to it. That will have the longest commute to the areas you mentioned. Easy access to remote parts of East Oahu where it is wide open. Has a very affluent area within in called Portlock.
The 3 areas are so different it is hard to do them justice in a post. A realtor would be happy to show homes in all 3 areas as they really aren't that far from each other. Given a choice with money no object, I'd pick a ocean view in Diamond Head - I've got a rental property in Hawaii Kai and I'd describe it as more family oriented than a retiree community (although retiree's live there also). Hawaii Kai is a huge area - from Hahaione Valley where you can get a lot of rain, to Portlock with multi-million dollar oceanfront houses, to condo's and homes of Lunailo Home Road.
^ Portlock was the specific area in Hawaii Kai they mentioned. Thanks, for your help. Money is always an object, but to them, I think they can afford to live in any area. It appears too, that Diamond Head would allow them close access to everything in Honoulu, and also not be too far from the the Kahala Mall, which I know know they would enjoy. I was wondering, with about 1 million people that live on Oahu, and about 5 million tourists, does downtown Oahu, feel like downtown LA in terms of how insane and busy it can get, or not at all?
Downtown is a business district without a lot of tourists. The tourists mainly stay on Waikiki or other tourist beaches on the north shore or things like Pearl Harbor.
^ That 23 million.....NO WAY! However, they could definitely do that lower end 2.1 million, without batting an eye, and could probably pay cash outright for the home. The thing with my uncle, is that he is such a low key guy, and about as non pretentious of a person you will find anywhere, he doesn't like to mention money. He prefers to, "fly low, and avoid the radar". Even though he could probably afford a super nice car, he drives a Honda, that he has had for 15 years. He's also a very mellow and patient soul.
The thing with my uncle, is that he is such a low key guy, and about as non pretentious of a person you will find anywhere, he doesn't like to mention money. He prefers to, "fly low, and avoid the radar". Even though he could probably afford a super nice car, he drives a Honda, that he has had for 15 years. He's also a very mellow and patient soul.
And this would be why he still has money. Funny how those who act and talk a big game usually live paycheck to paycheck.
^ Love that "lower end" home(i find myself laughing saying that for a 2.1 millions dollar home). Absolutely love the wood floors, love the outside of the home, and love the fact that the backyard looks like it has real privacy. The kitchen looks like it needs an upgrade though, and a few minor adjustments as far as paint and color goes, but overall, looks fantastic. Would this be a very quiet part of town? Anybody know?
Someone from the SF Bay Area would probably look at that home and price and say, yay, count me in.
Homes that close to the oceans have other issues that make the home more expensive then you realize - that home is going to be in a flood zone that may prohibit any financing - or much harsher terms - and the insurance premiums are going to be very high.
Portlock is a quiet upscale community - but it is not a gated community.
A nice gated, private gated community, with homes cheaper in general than Portlock is Hawaii Loa Ridge - that is just east of Kahala - it is in the hillside with great views of the ocean - the biggest downside with hill homes is they can be windier.
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