Getting out of the East Coast rat race

[EddieLo]

I have a home in Pahoa, which is in Puna. About 3 miles down-slope from the town. The house is completely surrounded by fence and has electric gate. Bought 10 months ago at the height of the lava flow scare. Had to pay cash, but got a great buy knowing that the scare was mostly unfounded. But prior to buying I did study all about the flow and projections. So far, no problems at all with theft or any other property crime. Great neighbors! Quiet, little traffic, and lots of rain, which I don't mind. I am getting solar soon as rates are rather high. I also have a home in Kapaa but it's hard to get solar there because of the elect. company. Solar is the future for the BI and if that's the field your good in, you have a good future. Just don't expect the salaries like in the mainland. It's far from Hilo and all the good shopping, Walmart, Home Depot, etc. But the road back and forth is good, wide, well-maintained, and safe. So although distances are high, the time to travel there is short. (unlike Kauai where it's mostly one lane each direction all over the island)
I would definitely consider Puna. Prices are low - for land or homes. As for Ocean View, the only thing I've heard of that area is that it's like living on the moon, lol. Kona has VOG, Puna does not as the prevailing winds tend to take the VOG in a NW direction. Sometimes it's so bad that I've heard people as far as Oahu and Kauai can get effected by it while we in Puna just smile.

[EddieLo]

You mentioned insurance costs. When I bought my house there was a moratorium on new or renewing policies. Finally, a few months later when the threat of the flow disappeared, I was able to buy homeowner's. But the only one that would insure in zone 2 wanted $4410.00 a year. Ridiculous! So right now I do not have coverage. The $1200.00 mentioned earlier is probably for an old policy. I would love to be able to pay that price.
btw, I have a huge (7 bdrm) home in Highland, Utah. My homeowner's insurance cost is around $400 a year. Go figure.

[Harpaint]

[quote=HonaunauLove;42233326]When it comes to Hilo, Puna and southern part of island. My concerns would be long traveling to good shopping, higher gas prices, best beaches on west side and all the feral meth-heads that are trying to steal everyterng in sight(not kidding).
You couldn't pay me to live in Puna.[/Q

Me either. Too dumpy.

[terracore]

As I understand it, an insurance company cannot refuse to renew a homeowner's insurance policy unless they are behind on their payments. Business insurance is different, and some companies did try to get out of renewing insurance policies when the lava was threatening. So the housing insurance moratorium was only on new policies, not renewals. That is a common procedure for insurance companies whether the forecasted event is lava, hurricane, etc.