Advice/Info? Planning on moving to Hilo (fit in, houses)

[DudeSoGood]

Hi, I currently reside in northern Virginia and am a college student of Hispanic descent . I was wondering what Hilo is like, I am planning on visiting before I move, as is the smart thing to do hah. I'm just wondering what life in Hilo is like, what the community and social options are like. Also, is it hard to find a job as a student in the area?

[Momma4Kauai]

Aloha! I left northern Virginia to come to college at UH-Hilo many years ago...and here's my input.

Hilo is very small town, in a lot of different ways. There's not much to do as far as night life (even if you're over 21), other than parties and movies. Like a lot of small towns, getting a job may be a matter of who you know instead of what you know. It can be a lonely place for someone who doesn't know a lot of people, or has a hard time getting to know people. But don't get discouraged yet...there's an upside to everything!

If you're on outdoorsman, the fishing, hunting, camping, surfing, and hiking are unreal! If you're friendly and make an effort to fit in (versus the kind of person who likes to whine about how things were done "at home"), there's an abundance of aloha around...I've got lots of hanai family out there. Families that will take you in an treat you like their own...hanai means to adopt. If you can handle the slow pace of life, Hilo may be your spot...if you're a true urbanite, however, you may want to reconsider.

Let me know if you have any more specific questions, and I'll try and answer the best I can.

\m/

[cynmkolohe]

Great post, Momma4Kauai,

The campus itself is under constant renovation...programs being added and enhanced each year. Active student body, a few new things going on in Hilo...though it can be quiet. But for an outdoor person, the opportunities are endless!

[Sorcerer68]

If your interests are nature related, specifically the ocean, you'll love it. If you like night life i.e. bars, clubs, concerts, coffee houses...that sort of scene is on another island. Activity has more to do with interpersonal relationships, work, school and nature. If you like small town life, you'll probably like Hilo. It's very pretty, crumbling and rains a LOT. Expect crappy jobs and they're not plentiful.