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Hi all, new to the forum. I have a few questions regarding moving to the Big Island from the mainland. I apologize if they have already been answered in other threads.
My wife and I are planning to move to the BI in about three years. We plan to buy a house outright so that we have no house payment and can take the first jobs we can get until established.
I am a semi driver and my wife will take whatever work she can get. She is not a professional. We plan to live as close to Kona as possible as I'm sure we won't be able to afford a place in Kona. Our kids are out of the house, and we have no debt.
Any advice, warnings, suggestions, irregular expenses that may be unique to Hawaii? Anyone or everyone telling us our plan is unrealistic?
Thanks
Last edited by seanalmet; 03-04-2016 at 05:20 PM..
Reason: Add info
"Close to Kona" tends to be every bit as expensive as Kona. How close is close enough?
Be wary of "Leasehold" properties (numerous south of Kona) where you buy the house, but can only lease the land it is on... the list price looks cheaper until you factor in the lease.
The Big Island has many "microclimates" as well as "microcultures", if you will. Make sure to spend a few weeks before making any decisions.
whtviper1,Thanks for your reply. We have been to the big island and love it, we just got back Monday from our second trip. We know what to expect as tourists, I was looking for tips for actually living there.
Lodestone, Thanks to you also. I think any decent house in our price range is going to require at least an hour commute. It looks like there are some really nice, reasonably priced houses in Ocean View. The condos seem affordable until the HOA expenses are factored in.
I highly recommend renting for a while. Jobs of any sort are not easy to find, and many are part time and or seasonal. There is often strong preference given to locals for jobs, but don't get discouraged. Friendships with locals will probably develop slowly, partly because they see so many mainlanders leave after a year or two. There will be things you miss, but try not to compare or talk too much about "home". Be aware that healthcare is very limited on the BI, and you will have to fly to Honolulu for some specialties. Pets are largely not allowed in condos or apts. Living quarters tend to be much smaller than on the ml, and you might want to leave furniture and a lot of "stuff" behind and get get new when you settle in., Anything pressboard will be quickly destroyed by the humidity. Good Luck!
Ocean View has a certain "reputation" for lawlessness, possibly overblown.
Its primary drawbacks are high "vog" and barren lava rock for landscaping. But, the price is right.
Oceanview is one hour and fifteen minutes from Kailua-Kona on a narrow two lane twisty and steep road. Then you have to climb up into the subdivision up to four miles. It could work if you were retired and didn't have to go into "town" every day.
Location: Southernmost tip of the southernmost island in the southernmost state
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I live in Oceanview and commute to work in Captain Cook every day. It's about a half hour drive.
IMHO it isn't bad drive, the road is pretty well maintained and it sure beats commuting on a 4 lane freeway, inching along in gridlock, staring at the tail lights of the car in front of you.
I wouldn't want to commute into Kona every day, but a lot of folks do.
And the lawless reputation of Oceanview is pepetuated by residents to keep others out
Seriously though, yes there is some crime, but I think it's overblown and don't lose any sleep over it.
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