Any former Honolulu residents now living in Seattle?? (Bellevue, Everett: sales, rent)

[hanakapiai100]

My husband and I are considering moving from Honolulu to Seattle. I think the job market would be much better, and for us moving in this direction, the cost of living would actually decrease, since Honolulu is so high. My question is this...any former Honolulu residents living in Seattle; what is your opinion on living in Seattle?? And more importantly, how much is a gallon of milk in Seattle? Any other thoughts you could share would be nice.

[jolinn]

lol--everyone I know, from my parents to my friends to everyone--has moved from HI to Seattle or Portland. I kept going East, but now I'm returning too.

Coming from the East, milk is expensive in Seattle. BUT not as expensive in Honolulu. It's maybe a dollar cheaper. You forget that milk is produced on-island so it's not an import item. The best way to tell would be the price of a standard like flank steak/london broil. Right now it's 1.99 pound at safeway. You can check out the prices at safeway on line and key in the zip you're looking at. That way you can get an idea of how much things cost.

I will tell you. I was amazed at how much my car insurance is going up. Turns out Seattle is car theft central. But there's an L&L.

[hanakapiai100]

Thanks for your response. Seattle gallon of milk is 2.69 vs. Honolulu at 5.00. We looked at everything and figured we're saving .50-1.00 per item!! Plus no sales tax on groceries in Seattle vs. 4.166% groceries in Honolulu. Seems like for the same rent we pay in Honolulu gets you more in Seattle, and owning is actually within reach. And I already checked out the L&L online so I know where to get my Hawaii fix.

So in your opinion and your family and friends that have also moved from Honolulu to Seattle, how do they like living there? Overall, are they happier there vs. Hawaii? what about the differences in weather and what do they think about that part of it?

Did you like living in on the East Coast? Why are you moving from East Coast back to Seattle? We have also considered Portland, but after reading many of these threads, feel Seattle is more urban and we like to be in the center of activity and energy.

I'm really wanting to get opinion of people who have left Hawaii for Seattle, and if they regret it or feel it has been a positive move. I left once for Orlando, and did not like living there at all. I felt it was too flat with no scenery, and everything is so spread out with lots of strip malls. Hoping Seattle is more of a fit.

[bmsea]

My family is from central Oahu and we have a lot of classmates and friends that have moved here to Seattle, Everett, Portland. Everyone took a different route (college, military, just moved for the opportunity). I think everyone definitely misses what you would expect - our families back home, the weather, the beaches, the parties, the food, the weather. But you also can get used to living here. Almost everyone tries to go home at least 1 time per year to get our fix. Expect to just feel cold for a year. Even in the summer, when its 75 degrees here and all the Seattlites are running around half naked, you will feel cold.

The good part is that there are tons of asian markets that sell anything you'd want from back home, there is a big Hawaii community here, so not only L&L but other small Hawaiian restaurants (Kauai Family Restaurant in Georgetown, Bobby's in Everett).

It's not for everyone, but the people I know are all pretty satisfied with life up here.

Good luck!

[blesstd]

I've never posted on this forum but thought I'd respond to your post. Our family moved from central Oahu in 2006; we now live on the Eastside. My husband lived on the mainland previously and has family here. I, on the other hand, have lived in Hawaii all my life and have no other family members here.

It's been a great adjustment for me and the first year was especially difficult. Everything was new and every time I went out it felt like an adventure. Things like driving in unfamiliar places, learning where to go for different things, establishing your resources and just feeling comfortable in a new environment, were overwhelming at first and have improved with time. It's all part of the process.

Compared to Hawaii, the cost of living is generally less here.

The best part for me has been experiencing the seasons - I still find it awesome to see the seasons change with each bringing it's own special wonder. This is only our 2nd winter and we're told both have been unusual; I'd say we're learning as fast as we can!

Best of luck to you if you and your husband decide to move! It's certainly a growing experience!

[cinhawaii]

I know this post is kind of old, but I hope someone sees this because I am thinking of doing the same thing. I live in Honolulu, but am a North Shore girl at heart. I hate traffic (I know that sounds crazy from someone in Honolulu) and congestion. Thats why I love the north or windward sides of this island. Are there any suburbs that are more rural? What about small towns abt 30 min away? DO you guys who moved feel that it is dreary there?

[mrman78]

I went to University in Hawai'i and had to move back to Houston (ick!). I'm trying to get up to Seattle, and have a pretty good job lead going on, so fingers crossed! I think milk is actually more expensive here than Seattle! Last time I looked, a gallon was $3.50-ish. Of course, a lot of stuff is way cheaper here, but overall it sucks... you pay less but definately pay for the lack of any sort of elevation, decent coastline, pollution, sprawl, traffic, and horrendous humidity and heat! I really, really can't wait to get out eventually!!! I would love to go back to Hawai'i, but the job market and cost of living is insane... At least flying there will be a little closer from Seattle than Houston

[MangoBoy2960]

Although this may seem irrelevant or not answering your question, I hope you will find my info helpful. I was born in the Philippines and this hapa-haole / military brat moved to San Francisco when I was 12. At 19 I moved to Seattle to attend UW & live in my parents' house (we couldn't afford a house in SF). What they call rain here is nothing like tropical rain. ( folks here DO NOT use umbrellas; strictly Gortex parkas & Seahawks caps & Tevas all year-round!!! To spot the outsiders/visitors, look for the umbrellas!!!) The toughest part of living here for me is the dreary overcast weather from Oct to end of June. I came down with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is basically depression due to withdrawal from numerous sunny days. Symptoms are lack of energy/motivation, sleepyhead & craving carbs. It was hard getting motivated to do anything (like being stuck in Neutral) for years. It took me 20 yrs to get totally acclimated here and finally buying a Sunbox in my 12th year here did the trick. In all fairness the Summers here are beautiful, but there is a price to keep all our Evergreen trees alive all year-round. There are several universities here and 19 junior colleges. There are jobs here and the people are mostly pleasant (but more so back in '79). Yeah, I know... I'm old... Lots of Asian Grocery Stores & restaurants & about 4 Hawaiian (e.g. L&L). Several martial arts schools too. Large Asian communities, mostly Chinese, Vietnamese & Filipino; growing Korean communities. The Japanese here are sansei (been here the longest). There's a respectable size of Hawaiians on the East side (Bellevue, Richmond & Kirkland) & mostly attend the same church (name is Antioch?) Samoans & Tongans mostly live in the South end of Seattle proper (they play Cricket on Sundays in the Summer). We have one of the best (top 10) medical centers in the country (they have patients from Europe who fly here for the specialists!!!) Although I long for the tropical weather (& large, ripe Carabao Mangoes, all in all the quality of life here is very good!!! Oh BTW, the best & most efficient/effective US-made heater is Dr. Heater from Amazon (lowered my light bill 30%) - look it up. My SAD ended around '92. Again, I truly hope this is helpful!!!

[SunAndRain808]

Originally Posted by hanakapiai100

My husband and I are considering moving from Honolulu to Seattle. I think the job market would be much better, and for us moving in this direction, the cost of living would actually decrease, since Honolulu is so high. My question is this...any former Honolulu residents living in Seattle; what is your opinion on living in Seattle?? And more importantly, how much is a gallon of milk in Seattle? Any other thoughts you could share would be nice.

I think you and your husband will be making a good move, if you decide on moving here from the islands.

I am originally from Oahu. Lived in Kailua and also in the general Honolulu area.

The cost of living here is much cheaper than living in Hawaii. However, there are certain areas here in the Puget Sound area where I would rather live. Some neighborhoods aren't too good.

I prefer to live up north in the New Castle, Northgate, Lynnwood/Mulkiteo neighborhood area.

I currently live in the Puyallup, Auburn area, and I dislike certain aspects of living down here. There also seems to be a weird vibe living down here, and there are some redneck type of people I've come across while shopping and working down here. So I don't recommend you moving to this part of Puget Sound (unless you're haole, you'll fit right in).

If you decide on raising a family here, I would definitely raise my children here. The public school back in HI was a complete joke.

The weather here is the bummer though. And if you really like to swim and the beaches back in Hawaii, then moving here may not be the right fit for you. Unless you take frequent trips back to Hawaii, like I do, during the late fall and winter seasons.
It is very dark and gray during the late fall, into the winter season, and into early spring time. Last year during the month of December, it rained a lot, and although it was cold/chilly compared to Hawaii, it was more warm compared to the temperature now, during this time of the year.

It does not snow much here in the Puget Sound region. However, we did have a one-time large snow storm back in February of this year. Won't forget that storm!

If you always want to visit Hawaii, and you end up living here in the Puget Sound area, you can always hop on a plane back to the islands.

Good luck. I hope you and your husband decide on moving here.

[thatguy950]

Strong bump

And really of you’re trying to buy a home in one of the less dumpy Seattle areas, the COL will definitely not be lower than HNL anymore.