Move from Denver to the Big Island. (Hilo, Kapaa: homes, buy)

[Spencer1968]

Hi everyone,

A job opportunity has us considering a move from Denver to the Big Island around Waimea. We know this will be a huge change for us! We are looking for information about Waimea, how it compares to Kona, options on housing, and moving tips. One of us has a legal background, and if anyone is familiar with the Court system in that area, any info would be appreciated!

Thanks so much!

[leilaniguy]

Aloha. I live on the other end of the isle, but I can tell you a few things about Waimea/Kamuela. It is higher, cooler, greener, less crowded than Kona, a small town, cow & horse country, pretty. Check "West Hawaii Today", the local newspaper, available online for housing, etc. You might check the state website, Hawaii(dot)gov for info. about the court system here.

[Spencer1968]

Thanks so much leilaniguy! We're real excited about the move and I have learned a lot from your postings on this site. All the information you share about the Big Island is so much appreciated!

[josfari]

Hi
We used to live on the big island. We lived in Waikoloa which is between Kona and Waimea. Waimea is cowboy county with Parker ranch( a famous landmark) Everything there symbolizes horses and cowboys. There is a wet and a dry side, quite interesting. You drive to Waimea and you are surrounded by nothing but Lava rocks. I find it quite boring but my husband loves the scenery.
There are TONs of jobs on the big island which is good and bad. Bad because you go to Subway and standing in line forever cuz they need help.
There is not a lot in Wamea( a hospital, blockbuster, 2 grocery stores. ) It is about a little over an hour to Kona where you can go to Wamart and a little more conveniences.
We used to live in kona too.
As far as the legal system, I used to be a social worker and had clients with records. What did you want to know? The biggest prob is speeding. It is probably the fastest you can drive in the state.
We moved back to Maui, little more people and things to do.
If you need more info let me know!

[rcornejo]

Would like to connect with someone that has lived on or is moving to Kauai. We are planning on moving over in July 09. My children live in Kapaa.

[rcornejo]

I would like to write someone who is moving to Kauai. We are moving over in July 09. My children live on the island and love it. I have a new grandbaby and am going crazy.

[cynmkolohe]

You may have more luck getting replies if you use the "New Thread" button and begin a new thread with a title referencing Kauai...there are a few regular posters who live there, but they may miss your thread since this one is titled "Big Island"...

[hotzcatz]

Originally Posted by josfari

Hi
<SNIP>
There are TONs of jobs on the big island which is good and bad. Bad because you go to Subway and standing in line forever cuz they need help.<SNIP>

Not any more, the jobs are gone. There are all of thirteen "help wanted" ads in the Hilo paper this morning and not many of them were for jobs you could afford to live on.

[Kohala Coast tennis]

Originally Posted by Spencer1968

Hi everyone,

A job opportunity has us considering a move from Denver to the Big Island around Waimea. We know this will be a huge change for us! We are looking for information about Waimea, how it compares to Kona, options on housing, and moving tips. One of us has a legal background, and if anyone is familiar with the Court system in that area, any info would be appreciated!

Aloha from Waimea! My husband and I relocated here from Alaska six years ago. How it is different from Kona:
- Much less vog, especially on the "wet" side which isn't so wet anymore (climate change or la nina?).
- It's much cooler as it is at 2500 feet elevation.
- Entry level housing costs a bit less than Kona on the tropical windward side of town, starting around $300K for a cosmetic fixer.
- Half way down the hill towards the beaches, beautiful homes on dry grassland 1+ acres with ocean views can be found around $1M.
- The island's best private school.
- Views of snow capped Mauna Kea (no ocean view).
- The heart of Hawaii Island's alternative medicine community is here.
- Waimea has the island's best hospital.
- It has a clear "sense of place," or community identity (home of the paniolo, or Hawaiian cowboy).
- Just 20-30 minutes to the island's two best beaches, dive and deep fishing charter harbor.
- Home to the island's best restaurant "Merriman's."
- Home to world class astronomers/astrophysists. Don't miss the Keck Observatory's open house.
- It's very quiet. If we had sidewalks they would roll up very early. No nightlife to speak of.

Other thoughts - If you are moving here with a pet, check out Animal Quarantine Information &mdash; Hawaii Department of Agriculture. I found it made more sense to sell the cars and buy others here. Research Hawaii's cost of living. I'm guessing it's 20% higher that the US median. If you have kids research the private schools.

I hope this helps!

[HawaiiboundNelli]

This is an old thread. The OP for this thread was inquiring about moving back in April of 07. Probably already moved....
Nelli