Hunting for a subdivision in BI - please help (Hilo: real estate, insurance)

[jeff9n]

A friend of mine living in Kauai recommends that island because of its lust green tropical and cool weather. Unfortunately there is limited inventory of houses. And their prices are too high for my budget. Thus now I am looking at the Big Island. From the initial research, BI has the lowest median housing cost. But it has an active volcano.

I don't know much else about this island. Thus I am hoping someone can give me a recommendation on a subdivision/region of BI that meet the following criteria.

1) Home price between $250K-$300K with an ocean view if such thing exists Safe neighborhood is very important since my mom takes daily walk. Single story house (3bed/2bath/newer built) is very important because my mom knees are weaker now.

2) Beautiful scenery to distract us from feeling secluded for being far away from families and friends.

3) Lust green tropical and plenty of rains so my mom can plant flowers and fruit trees.

4) Fresh and cool weather similar to the Bay Area (San Jose), California. High summer heat and humidity is bad for my mom health

5) Close proximity to town (no more than 30 minute drive) for shopping/dining. Having Costco nearby is a big plus. Because my mom is over 70 years old, having access to a decent hospital nearby is important.

6) Bustling and friendly community since we don't know anyone here.

7) Preferably in Flood Zone X where we don't have to worry about flooding

8) Far away from the active volcano as possible

9) Reliable Internet access for my work at home

10) Not a long drive (~ 30min) to a nice beach & popular touristy area.

If you have read this far, thank you in advance for your time and the recommendation. I do understand that I might not be able to get everything I am looking for.

[Due]

Best of luck with your search, but my opinion is what you want might not be possible: especially at the price range you've listed....Even on the Big Island.

[hotzcatz]

Sounds like Honokaa to me. You can still find houses in that price range.

Loads of scenery and you'll get new friends pretty soon, some will almost become family. Lots of soil for gardening with sun and enough rain to keep it all green. A little bit of irrigation for a week or two in the summer helps it along, though. Great weather, nice and cool during the summers and not too cold during the winters.

Honokaa is a town in it's own right but also has Waimea/Kamuela within about a fifteen minute drive. Friendly little town that has a touch of liveliness without too much bustling around.

No volcanoes here, haven't a clue about Flood Zone X, but whatever zone that is, we don't have it here. I keep hearing rumors of town wide internet, then you'd be able to work from anywhere in town.

[Due]

Originally Posted by hotzcatz

Sounds like Honokaa to me. You can still find houses in that price range.

Loads of scenery and you'll get new friends pretty soon, some will almost become family. Lots of soil for gardening with sun and enough rain to keep it all green. A little bit of irrigation for a week or two in the summer helps it along, though. Great weather, nice and cool during the summers and not too cold during the winters.

Honokaa is a town in it's own right but also has Waimea/Kamuela within about a fifteen minute drive. Friendly little town that has a touch of liveliness without too much bustling around.

No volcanoes here, haven't a clue about Flood Zone X, but whatever zone that is, we don't have it here. I keep hearing rumors of town wide internet, then you'd be able to work from anywhere in town.

Thanks HC: I stand corrected
Due

[Mark.ca]

Honokaa is flood zone x. I suspect it may have other flood zones next to rivers and streams but it should be mainly x across the map.

[Hilo Girl]

I have to agree with Honoka'a. I am a real estate agent on the island and Honoka'a will met more of your "wants" than another other place on the island. If your mom has health issues, I always recommend that you make contact with your insurance company and make sure that she can get the care she needs here on the island. I know from experience, when relocating, not all insurance companies have presence on the island. When I moved to the Big Island I needed an optometrist and my insurance company didn't have a single optometrist in their network, on the island. I finally got the issue resolved but not without a lot of work.

[laurarice]

Yes, Honok'a would be good. It is not as big as Hilo but cooler.
Laura

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by laurarice

Yes, Honok'a would be good. It is not as big as Hilo but cooler.

Yeah, Honoka'a was listed as Pop. 2,258 at the 2010 census, Hilo at 42,263, so Honoka'a is definitely smaller.