How realistic is a move for us? (Volcano: for sale, insurance)

[zenapple]

We are going to be relocating in a few years and Hawaii came up in conversation. At first it wasn't really a serious consideration, but I started looking into it more. Does it sound like it might be a good fit for us?

- Our incomes our location-independent. Together we would have an income of between 45,000 and about 75,000. This would likely increase when our kids are older and I can work more - but then they'd probably have more needs too, so there's that. We are used to living under our means.

- We have four young kids (ages 1-9) who like to stay active. We homeschool.

- We don't have extended family to visit. We've moved around frequently so we don't really have a home base and are used to having to start from scratch, community-wise. We're pretty multicultural having (between the husband and myself) lived/spent considerable time in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and just about every major region of the USA. I've visited Hawaii several times before, but as a tourist, which isn't exactly the same thing as living there. HOWEVER.. if we move somewhere now, I don't want to move again. I want to pick a spot and stay there.

- Several of our family members do best, health wise, in a tropical-like climate. (Skin issues, cold intolerance, etc.) That's the biggest reason for us to relocate. Hawaii seems ideal, weather-wise.

- We are mostly homebodies when it comes to entertainment. We don't really go out to eat, go shopping for fun, go to a lot of events. When we do go places, it's usually something like hiking or a picnic. OTOH since we spend a lot of time at home we want it to be relatively nice, with a bit of land, garden space, etc. (It's hard to garden in HI, right?)

- We have no debt. Our house is paid off but we know that it wouldn't even come close to buying a comparable house in Hawaii and would at best serve as a down payment. We currently live in a 250K house - maybe we'd have about 200K after selling fees, relocating, and getting a vehicle. We're in our early thirties so we still have some time to pay a mortgage. We wouldn't be paying property tax, either, if that's a factor.

Downsides - Mostly housing costs and natural disasters. Volcanoes make me a touch nervous!

If our family did seem like it might fit well, how much money would we ideally have saved up? What regions should we look into?

Thanks much.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by zenapple

- Together we would have an income of between 45,000 and about 75,000.

- We have four young kids (ages 1-9) who like to stay active.

No. Wait 17 years and come back to us when the youngest is college age. Your income is woefully low for 5 of you - think of your kids first then your whimsical dream of Hawaii.

[zenapple]

How much would you say was a realistic range? For a comparison, We live on about 25k in the northeast, pretty comfortably. it is a different range completely, but I'm genuinely curious. Whimsical or not...

(we also have free health care and our income is not taxable... That helps round the figures up a little.)

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by zenapple

How much would you say was a realistic range?

For FIVE of you - more than double what you stated.

[zenapple]

There's actually six of us...

Aside from housing and food costs, and gas prices, what needs to be factored in that I'm missing? Clothes, but that would be offset with not having to get winter gear. we spend less than the thrifty plan (us charts) for food costs and eat well.

Again, I'm not set on Hawaii. Nor am I trying to be argumentative. But we're used to living well below our means and I'm curious as to how people budget. We also pay almost 10k in property taxes here which is galling.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by zenapple

There's actually six of us...

Aside from housing and food costs, and gas prices, what needs to be factored in that I'm missing?

Even better. SIX!

I think you can afford gas, which is running $2.50/gallon.

What's college going to run, $100K+ a year for the litter......

Retirement?

Emergencies?

Are you all just going to be hermits? No cell phones - no TV - no entertainment - insurance -

and on and on......

How much public assistance are you counting on?

[zenapple]

Their college is paid for already. We have never gotten public assistance. We have streaming tv through Internet. We go to the y and the library. My litter is quite happy, thank you. We don't save for retirement but do have a healthy emergency fund.

[Jane M]

Are you planning on moving to the Big Island or another island?

[whtviper1]

This is the part where you tell us you will grow your own food, kill your own chickens and pigs, shop only at Costco, and my favorite just lead a simple life

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

OP, you will find that White Viper doesn't always agree with those of us who live on the Big Island. So please keep an open mind. It is much more affordable to live on the Big Island than on Oahu. Where I live near South Point, there are nice houses for sale in the upper $200,000; it would be double that for a run down fixer on Oahu.

You really should read through the many discussions on this forum about cost of living in Hawaii.

I'm just curious -- how do you manage to pay no property tax? Also, you mention "free health care". You should check to make sure that your health care is offered in Hawaii. Also, Hawaii, especially the Big Island, is not the place to live if you have any serious health issues or need specialists.