Job in Hilo- Where should I live? (Waimea: where to stay, rentals)

[Shuvelhed]

My company is moving me to Hawaii in about a month. I live on the south side of Chicago. I am 39 and single and white. I have a ton of friends here and am used to getting along with the people around me, but then I usually hang out in biker bars so its easy I guess. I will be bringing what I pack on the plane and shipping my Harley so my move will be painless. I have complete freedom in my choices which is why I am writing.
I have never been to Hawaii. EVER! Sounds like a place I will dig but after spending about a million hours reading these forums I am a bit perplexed.
Where to live? Hilo? I will be renting. Should I rent my own place or just get a room? Obviously being close to work is cool but I dont live to work. I like to hang out, ride, meet new people, what ever the day brings Im all about. Im not sure Im gonna dig being in the rain all the time and Im reading alot about racism. So I started thinking it would be cool to find a place a little further away from Hilo. Maybe south to Puna? or north to Waimea?
What about my biker lifestyle? Whats it like there? Im not used to hanging out at home too much. Am I going to make friends? Am I going to be welcome in local bars? I love this opportunity and cant wait to get there but damn I got alot of questions. COOL place to live? Where to meet people? (other bikers) Where to stay away from?
Any help with all this would be really appreciated.

[PacificFlights]

The number 1 thing everyone agrees on is if moving to hawaii and you have never been to hawaii is Get On a Plane even if just a weekend and visit. Hawaii is nothing like any big city especially the Big island.

Couple things, rain isn;t that major a thing because it's not like where it rains all the time and is always gloomy. It may come down alot for a short time or overnight.

Racisim, if your reading the post you should by now learn that racisim isn't as bad as many make it out to be. Hawaii has it but so far less than what many minorities experience on the mainland. Imagine being an American Born Asian in Texas or a fifth generation Mexican in Arizona, you will expeience only about 5% in a year of what those americans experience each day in their own country. If you look for it, you will find it.

Don;t know about biking on the BI, It is big but its more like a dougnut. One big circle.

Many will say to get a temporary long term rental (1 - 3 months) and use that as a base camp for looking at long term places and locations.

Don;t bring over too much stuff right away, you'll be surprised how many people end up high tailing it back home when they find out living and working on Hawaii is nothing like the travel channel or post cards.

[KonaKat]

There are lots of bikers in Hawaii and they have several clubs of all kinds. If you get along w/ bikers you should be fine; take it easy, don't be too quick to prove yourself, show respect. You might consider getting a little cheap car or jeep, as yes, riding in the rain a lot can be a real pain if it is late at night and it's pouring, there are few streetlights that are only a faint amber color, and some roads with no stripes on the sides to help you see where you are. (been there, done that, didn't like it) Oh, and speed limits rarely above 45 in most places. (my, how I long for Arizona and Nevada highways sometimes!)

Arrange for lodging for 2 or 3 weeks upon arrival so that you can look in person at rentals that will suit your needs.

[wxjay]

Over 128" of rain annually in Hilo! Yikes!

[mdand3boys]

Originally Posted by wxjay

Over 128" of rain annually in Hilo! Yikes!

It isn't as bad as it would first seem, at all.

[hotzcatz]

True, ten feet eight inches of rain is a bit of rain but it can rain an inch an hour occasionally so it doesn't take long to get to that number.

[lennybeachboy]

Which island better for old disabled (61) california beachboy ??? Thinking big island (puna/hilo) or maui ???

[jahmalla]

You say your company is moving you to Hawaii and you are asking about Hilo. Is that where they are sending you to? Because Waimea is about an hour away from Hilo. Renting your own place as opposed to getting a room is always better. You have your own space and won't have to worry about roommate problems. Yes it rains in Hilo but it is worse in Puna unless you go Kapoho, Seaview. I see bikers around especially on the holidays. Must you bring your motorcycle. I can not stand the noise of motorcycles. Hilo and Big Island is pretty quiet, especially at night. Thats what I like about there. The quiet(except for when your neighbors are going off)