|
10-24-2008, 05:39 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2008
70 posts, read 49,328 times
Reputation: 32
|
|
Honolulu Hawaii vs Kirkland WA
We're contemplating a move from Hawaii (HI) to WA. My sister lives in Redmond and has been trying to get us to move for over 20 years. I love HI as we were born and raised here. I love HI's weather but the cost of living is stressing us out. We earn a combined $100K/year but can only afford life expenses (mortgage, maintenance fee, food, gas, electricity, etc.). We would like to take family vacations, send our kids to nationally ranked schools, and have my kids (age 3 and 6) be able to play with their only cousins (ages 4, 6, 8, and 10). Would like to stop our daily 40 mile roundtrip commute of 2 hours. Honolulu has just been named the city with the worst traffic congestion in the US. But, is this enough to warrant "trying" a move to WA? We're hoping to get more information and unbiased feedback. If you want more information about other life aspects to assist in providing information let me know and I'l "fill in the blanks." Mahalo!
|
|
10-24-2008, 06:47 PM
|
|
Visitor from Planet Quatt =^..^=
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Cosmic Consciousness
3,861 posts, read 3,584,635 times
Reputation: 1812
|
|
|
|
|
10-24-2008, 07:55 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2008
70 posts, read 49,328 times
Reputation: 32
|
|
|
Thanks you for the links. I always learn so much from the comments you've left others thinking about making the move to your neck of the woods!
If we decide to make the move, we're keeping our place in HI, and renting for a year. If after a year we decide to stay we'll try to buy a place in or around Redmond.
Why not try it. If we don't try, we'll always wonder "what if?"
|
|
10-24-2008, 11:04 PM
|
|
Visitor from Planet Quatt =^..^=
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Cosmic Consciousness
3,861 posts, read 3,584,635 times
Reputation: 1812
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mililani Gal
Why not try it. If we don't try, we'll always wonder "what if?"
|
You betcha!!  Life can either be a routine or an adventure, eh? Three cheers to both of you! |
|
10-25-2008, 03:06 AM
|
|
Junior Member
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2008
5 posts, read 2,252 times
Reputation: 10
|
|
Living in Mililani too going to be moving back to Seattle/Woodinville soon
Aloha! Ah, well we lived in Seattle's eastside for 13 years and have been here in Mililani for the last year and half. We love the weather, the people, the island. But our pocket books are having a hard time here. We live in a house half the size, on a lot 1/5 the size and twice as far from the husband's work vs. what we had in Seattle. With that said, Seattle is also an expensive area to live, but not nearly as expensive as Hawaii. When we leave here we will look for a 2500+ square foot house on a near acre in Woodinville for the same price as our 1300 sq. ft. house on a tiny lot. I'll budget for a great vacation once a year to a beautfiul sunny location and enjoy the savings we'll have every month, oh yes and I will enjoy not paying Hawaii state income tax too.  Good luck on your decision! |
|
10-25-2008, 06:27 PM
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Seattle area
262 posts, read 269,949 times
Reputation: 78
|
|
|
If you do not mind lack of sun and cooler weather, then give it a try. Seattle is also expensive----would you be able to find jobs???
|
|
10-25-2008, 10:55 PM
|
|
♂♀ *†∞
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2006
4,443 posts, read 4,219,079 times
Reputation: 2495
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by vnodak
If you do not mind lack of sun and cooler weather, then give it a try. Seattle is also expensive----would you be able to find jobs???
|
You may be going from the frying pan into the fire for as vnodak has said, the Seattle area is also expensive --although not nearly as bad as Honolulu-- and also has traffic congestion that is nationally ranked high and is more wide-spread than Honolulu's. |
|
10-27-2008, 01:34 PM
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2007
1,740 posts, read 1,441,384 times
Reputation: 457
|
|
|
The weather difference is probably the most stark contrast, you might have a hard time adjusting, but a lot of people are able to acclimate just fine. Kirkland has kind of a beach town vibe when you get downtown, so it might be slightly reminiscent of Hawaii, although probably not much.
|
|
10-28-2008, 01:09 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2008
70 posts, read 49,328 times
Reputation: 32
|
|
Thank you...so helpful
Regarding work, my husband and I both work in fiscal administration at the University of Hawaii. We're hoping to get hired at Microsoft as we know several people there that may be able to assist us in finding work there.MS has really good benefits. However, we are probably going to be applying for positions at the community colleges, UW, and Seattle U. But our work experience is basically "office" type experience, which, practically every business needs. Our concern is that Hawaii's public schools are not very good. Our older daughter is in K, and our youngest just turned 3. We're not really planning on moving until our youngest is getting ready to start K. So, I guess we've got about a year or so to really think this through.
Thank you again, this information is so helpful. I look forward to seeing what others may have to add to the discussion.
|
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
|
|
Welcome to City-Data.com forum! Make sure to register - it's free and very quick! You have to register before you can post and participate in our discussions with 700,000 other registered members. User profiles and some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your free account you will be able to customize many options, you will have the full access to over 15,000 posts/day about local topics and you will see fewer ads. 
Linear Mode
