Living in Oahu (Honolulu, Waipahu, Ewa Beach: transplants, apartment, rentals)

[nehms79]

We are thinking about moving to Oahu within the next year. The reason we are looking at this is my wife is being offered a job. This is in the company that she works for here in Wisconsin. The company would pay for our moving expenses, even the car if we wanted to bring it.

My wife would be working near Ala Moana. We have been looking for rentals mainly for price. What is the Village Park neighborhood near Waipahu like? Is there any other areas that you would suggest? We have a dog and a cat we would move so we would want pet friendly.
Is there public transportation like around there? Everytime I try to look at the bus website it doesn't load.

[mdand3boys]

Originally Posted by nehms79

We are thinking about moving to Oahu within the next year. The reason we are looking at this is my wife is being offered a job. This is in the company that she works for here in Wisconsin. The company would pay for our moving expenses, even the car if we wanted to bring it.

My wife would be working near Ala Moana. We have been looking for rentals mainly for price. What is the Village Park neighborhood near Waipahu like? Is there any other areas that you would suggest? We have a dog and a cat we would move so we would want pet friendly.
Is there public transportation like around there? Everytime I try to look at the bus website it doesn't load.

Have you ever visited? You need to look for a home/apartment/condo within reasonable commuting distance. Traffic on Oahu can be brutal for commuters.
I spent lots of time all around Milwaukee for work and the traffic is no comparison, if that helps. If they will pay for your car, bring it or ask for the $1500+ that they would have spent to ship it from Wisconsin as extra pay.

[nehms79]

We understand the Traffic. We live near Madison and Milwaukee and have never understood why people complain about it. I have done a lot of driving in Chicago and Atlanta on buisness, wich I would think is closer to Honolulu. We would like to utilize the bus whenever we can. We would like to get an ideas os some decent neighborhoods to help us with our search.

Thanks

[melaniej65]

Personally, I would choose Wapio/Waikele or even Ewa Beach/Makakilo/Kapolei over Waipahu. These are communities around Waipahu but may be more 'friendly' for transplants. There are plenty of well priced town homes/homes in these areas but beware if renting because it is not always easy to find places willing to take pets (especially more than one) - it is not impossible but may narrow your options.

The Bus system has won many National awards but be aware that like public transport everywhere there are issues with traffic, etc. although they do try to keep on schedule.

We are working on a rail system (I'll believe it when it is up and running!).

Why not take a short term rental in one of these areas to see which community would suit you best. Traffic is amazing, but LA is comparable if not worse than Oahu.

Good luck with your move.

[nehms79]

Thanks for the information. My wifes company could send us out there for interviews. We would use that trip for looking at some areas. It is really exciting to think that this could happen. We have always said we would like to live in Hawaii. On the other hand it is also kind of scary. A change is always hard, especially one that involves moving so far away.

[hotzcatz]

If your wife is going to be working near Ala Moana, then live near Ala Moana. There is scads of housing available near there, dozens of different neighborhoods and almost all buses go to Ala Moana Shopping Center eventually.

Kaimuki, Makiki, Saint Louis Heights, Kakaako, downtown, even Waikiki might be someplace to look. Waikiki can be pretty noisy at night with all night traffic, though.