Kona or Austin (construction, income, taxes)

[OpenD]

Oh, yeah... medical care... another biggie difference.

CyberCity just posted a very informative piece about the current care issue in Hawai'i. Check it out here:
https://www.city-data.com/forum/big-i...l#post29237756

Austin, by comparison has a number of top rated major hospitals, tons of specialists, has just begun the building of a new Medical School at UT, and is only a few hours drive away from even more leading edge major care facilities in Houston.

[hotzcatz]

If it were my family, I'd be tempted to choose Austin and just vacation in Hawaii. As folks have mentioned, it's a much bigger place and there's a lot more options. However, if you like small towns and have enough set aside to start over if Kailua-Kona falls through, then it would be worth a try for Kailua. In the islands, a lot of casual work such as landscaping is given to friends and unless the seller were going to introduce you to all the clients or take you along as an assistant for several months until the clients got to know you, I'd suspect that a lot of the client list will evaporate.

[Galactastica]

I have lived in both Austin and Kona. Fancy that! I don't have children, so I know our choices and needs will be very much different. From what I've read, I honestly would say Austin, even though I'm moving back to the Big Island myself. If you are able, I would visit both; I feel like that's always the best way to feel it out. I would bet most people would enjoy Kona more as a visitor than Austin for the most part, but that's as a tourist, not a resident.

I can answer specific questions about each place if it's something I have experience with, since I've lived in both places, if you 'd like. So far you've gotten some excellent answers I would definitely agree with.

[revolve77]

Great!!! Thanks for all of the insight as to what to expect. As far as the landscaping company goes, its been in business for over 9 years and the current owner is willing to still be involved and introduce me as his head guy. He is willing to stay on and assist with the growth and development of the company. Im not sure if that makes a big difference or not but we would hope that helps. One things for sure, the people of Hawaii are extremely kind and helpful and I am ever so grateful for your kindness. Where as in Austin the kindness is not nearly as reciprocated.

What is the Hawaiian peoples take on the current administration and the way things are going? It seems more and more like the government is being oppressive and allowing companies such as monsanto carte blanche.

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by revolve77

What is the Hawaiian peoples take on the current administration and the way things are going?

In Hawai'i Obama is a local hero, a hometown boy who hit the big time... kind of like G.W. Bush is in Texas.

We had a Republican Governor a few years ago. A lot of people believe that was a big mistake, and think that we shouldn't try that again. Currently the administration is so predominantly Democrat that the Republican members of the House can all sit down together around a large table.

It seems more and more like the government is being oppressive and allowing companies such as monsanto carte blanche.

I think that would be a good topic to take over to the Politics and Other Controversies forum.

One things for sure, the people of Hawaii are extremely kind and helpful and I am ever so grateful for your kindness. Where as in Austin the kindness is not nearly as reciprocated.

While I will take flattery wherever I can find it, my personal advice to you would be to not make any sweeping generalizations based on the random interactions of a handful of strangers on an anonymous internet forum. It's only one of many available resources you should consider.

[MaryleeII]

Both places are great, I've lived in both!

Just be aware, the economy is still not too stable. There are more "fall-back" opportunities in Austin than Kona. iF your business fails, there's not many ready opportunities on the islands, as opposed to Austin. Just keep in mind the obvious---if you need to job hunt again, its more practical from Austin than Kona. Also, cost-of-living is much higher on Kona.

[raechul]

DO NOT MOVE TO AUSTIN. We're leaving it for BI next Thursday, actually. On average, 150 people move here DAILY. <b>DAILY</b>. Needless to say, if you have $500k to spend on a condo, there are wait lists you can get on for one of the hundreds being built as I type this.

There's also a lot of turmoil with citizens and businesses as the city has been shutting down a lot of Austin landmarks for condo construction. If you're not a fan of gentrification, Austin is booming there. One of the most popular food trailer parks is being shut down for hotel construction. A lot of the east side bars and restaurants are going to be closing or moving as condo construction is likely to push them out later this year.

Also, UT. If you don't like football, forget leaving the house once the season starts. Avoid the entire city during Texas Relays but don't even be bothered during Rot Rally (if you decide to move here). Those big, tough biker dudes are 10x nicer and more courteous than ANY of the students and families that come in for the relays. Not to mention that there is ALWAYS a shooting during the relays, lots of sponsored "candy car" lowriders being driven by irresponsible idiots (they WILL cause and accident if you're not paying attention), etc.

I think the only redeeming factor with Austin is the food. There are a lot of nationally known chefs and restaurants here that are amazing, a few farmers markets (but I've been to better ones out of state), an unusual number of food trucks/stands/trailers, lots of bars with local and Texas beers (Austin does have some awesome breweries).

There are usually family activities that happen every week (almost always free), but they don't vary that much. I'd say going to the parks/swimming holes are the best, but considering over a million people like those same spots, you get the picture.

[Robin Rossi]

Originally Posted by raechul

DO NOT MOVE TO AUSTIN. We're leaving it for BI next Thursday, actually. On average, 150 people move here DAILY. <b>DAILY</b>. Needless to say, if you have $500k to spend on a condo, there are wait lists you can get on for one of the hundreds being built as I type this.

There's also a lot of turmoil with citizens and businesses as the city has been shutting down a lot of Austin landmarks for condo construction. If you're not a fan of gentrification, Austin is booming there. One of the most popular food trailer parks is being shut down for hotel construction. A lot of the east side bars and restaurants are going to be closing or moving as condo construction is likely to push them out later this year.

Also, UT. If you don't like football, forget leaving the house once the season starts. Avoid the entire city during Texas Relays but don't even be bothered during Rot Rally (if you decide to move here). Those big, tough biker dudes are 10x nicer and more courteous than ANY of the students and families that come in for the relays. Not to mention that there is ALWAYS a shooting during the relays, lots of sponsored "candy car" lowriders being driven by irresponsible idiots (they WILL cause and accident if you're not paying attention), etc.

I think the only redeeming factor with Austin is the food. There are a lot of nationally known chefs and restaurants here that are amazing, a few farmers markets (but I've been to better ones out of state), an unusual number of food trucks/stands/trailers, lots of bars with local and Texas beers (Austin does have some awesome breweries).

There are usually family activities that happen every week (almost always free), but they don't vary that much. I'd say going to the parks/swimming holes are the best, but considering over a million people like those same spots, you get the picture.

Sounds like Austin is the place to be if you are "climbing-to-altitude" in your life. I rememeber how the DFW Metroplex highways were chock full of lumber trucks and Concrete Mixers in the mid 1980s. Seemed like every other vehicle on the road was carrying some sort of construction materials at that time.

Kona seems more like a place to go, at least to me, to spend the post-landing years where living off of the local economy isn't so much of an issue.

I just wonder how long it will be before the "DO NOT MOVE TO THE BIG ISLAND" posts will start appearing, and in what forum!!!

[Robin Rossi]

Originally Posted by revolve77

Great!!! Thanks for all of the insight as to what to expect. As far as the landscaping company goes, its been in business for over 9 years and the current owner is willing to still be involved and introduce me as his head guy. He is willing to stay on and assist with the growth and development of the company. Im not sure if that makes a big difference or not but we would hope that helps. One things for sure, the people of Hawaii are extremely kind and helpful and I am ever so grateful for your kindness. Where as in Austin the kindness is not nearly as reciprocated.

What is the Hawaiian peoples take on the current administration and the way things are going? It seems more and more like the government is being oppressive and allowing companies such as monsanto carte blanche.

One party rule, especially under Democrats has done, and probably will continue to do great harm. For example, the mandatory health care law for full time employees, has cause lots of people to work 2 or more part time jobs, as employers are unwilling or unable to provide health care for jobs at the low-end of the labor totem pole.The same thing is happening in California. More and more statewide offices are all help by Democrats, and the backsliding of this one-great state continues.

A blanced approach would be far better for all parties concerned, except for the Democrats, Hawaiian politics is, IMHO, a legitimate subject for this forum.

[Fredesch]

Oh how I long for Hawaii, the bluest state there is. Dealing with the tea partiers and their embarrassing candidates is very tiring. Stay in Texas if you like the red silliness.