Relocation information-Currently living in Huntsville AL (Honolulu: real estate, house, tech jobs)

[cse780]

Hello everyone!
First off, thanks for taking the time to stop by and read my post question.
Here is the info that I need from those who live in the Hawaii islands or have lived there before, please take your time and let me know the details if you can:

My wife and I are coming down to a place where we might need to move soon from Huntsville Alabama due to the government project I am working on, is sadly running out of funding...I will let you know some things that Huntsville has, so you will know what we are looking for:
Huntsville is a smaller University city and heavy on the computer science and engineering side. It is still southern in some parts but quite international in population, especially with UAH and NASA being in this location. We also have a military base here: Redstone Arsenal, so it allows for good government jobs. Also, we have a great non-denominational church here called the Rock Family Worship Center. Here is there website: [URL="http://www.therockfwc.org/"]http://www.therockfwc.org/[/URL]

Now that you know where we come from, here is what we need and want:

(1) Good Jobs (I am currently in PC Tech/IT/HelpDesk Specialist work and need a new, good-paying job.)
(2) Cheap Housing Costs (We own a house in the county, right outside city limits and it seems to work out great.)
(3) Safe Environment for Family
(4) Clean Air
(5) Clean Water
(6) Good shopping areas (super Walmart, Target, Best Buy or HH Greg, a nice Mall, etc)
(6) Nice Roads (good layout and in good shape if possible)
(7) We would LOVE to be near the mountains and if possible see them on a daily basis up close if possible. I used to live in Colorado Springs, CO next to the Rockies and I was spoiled to it...
(8) We love to hike and I would like to mountain-bike...
(9) Good non-denominational church or similar pentecostal-type church that has a good reputation with the community.
(10) Colorado was increasing with Gang activity and we would like to avoid that if possible.
(11) We plan on Home-Schooling most of the time, so any good home-schooling cover groups would be great.
(12) My wife is an activist for Midwifery and would love a support group in Hawaii as well.

Thats it for now! I know it is a big list, but I know you all can help! The best info comes from those who actually live there

We will be awaiting your posts! Thanks in advance!

[newUHprof]

Originally Posted by cse780

Hello everyone!
(1) Good Jobs (I am currently in PC Tech/IT/HelpDesk Specialist work and need a new, good-paying job.)

Jobs are few and hard to come by here. Almost all of the tech jobs are in Honolulu (on Oahu). My husband works in IT, and makes about 2/3 what he made doing similar work on the mainland. (Remember than cost of living is significantly higher... so pay cut plus higher costs.) Also, all the jobs he was looking at when we moved here 2 years ago have dried up. The university is not hiring anyone. The state is not hiring anyone. The military might be, if you can get a security clearance. Other than that, there's not a lot of tech jobs. Some, but not many. The successful people here in IT are the ones who telecommute to mainland jobs.

(2) Cheap Housing Costs (We own a house in the county, right outside city limits and it seems to work out great.)

You're looking the wrong place if you're looking at Hawaii. Plain and simple. We have some of the highest housing costs in the country, surpassed only by Manhattan.

(7) We would LOVE to be near the mountains and if possible see them on a daily basis up close if possible. I used to live in Colorado Springs, CO next to the Rockies and I was spoiled to it...

If you're looking for a city (based on the IT job and shopping on your list), then you're looking at Oahu. We have lovely mountains, but they're not the Rockies by any means. No snow capped peaks here. You can see snow if you're on the Big Island, and have cheaper housing costs. But of course your job (should you find one) will pay even less than on Oahu.

I can't really comment on most of the others because I have no experience with any of that stuff. But I will say that based on your list, you should not be considering Hawaii. Look elsewhere.

[1freespirit]

I agree Hawaii probally isn't the place for your relocation. You may want to consider North Idaho, It has everything on your list. Like around the Coeur d' Alene, ID area, Spokane, WA is only about 30 miles from CDA (Coeur d' Alene) area and many commute between the two cities for work.

Winters yes there is snow but the temps are not freezing cold and the snow really does not stay on the ground very long during an average Winter maybe 4 weeks or so. It is beautfiul in this area all year round! And with the many mountain lakes, rivers and wildlife there is quite a bit of outdoor activities. (Although North Idaho is not really all that populated as of yet - and I would love to keep it that way , but this earth was not put here nor was each of us given the gift of life so that they could hold claim to a specifc area just because they may have been born there- this earth was meant for all of us to share and enjoy as equals) so alas' I am telling you about North Idaho it truely is one of the last frontiers that has just recently been discovered within the last decade.

Boise, ID also is a larger City for employment and hardly any snow (if any) in Winters although the terrain between North Idaho and Boise area is totally different. If you have not looked at these areas yet do yourself a google and check out both areas and see one might suit your needs.

Good Luck on your search and your new destination & journey in life, I am sure your spirit guide will show you the route to follow. If you listen close enough ~I am sure you will be guided to the perfect place that is right for you and your family..

[Balad1]

I am familiar with where you live now considering I worked with U.S. Army AMCOM and visited there often.

As the previous poster stated, jobs pay less here and I would say the cost of living is 30-50% more on Oahu then Huntsville. The exception as previously noted is working for the Federal government. The Federal government pays the same for each rating/grade regardless of location plus you get COLA or whatever it is now called (you probably already know this stuff). Most all the jobs are on Oahu and there are a few at the missle range (PMRF) located on Kauai.

All things considered your lifestyle (house & disposable income) in Hawaii will not be nearly as good as it has been in Huntsville. A home that is $500K in Huntsville would sell for $2M here; check out the real estate websites.

I believe if I was you I would stay where you're at; job opportunites have to better where you are now compared to here.

Here are current IT positions posted on USAJOBS.GOV for Hawaii:

USAJOBS - Search Jobsi

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

I was reading your list of wants and needs thinking (1) that really doesn't describe Hawaii, and then (2) sounds like front range Colorado cities would be more of what you are looking for. Then you said you lived in Colorado Springs, but you were concerned about gang activity? We just moved from Denver and I Never, Ever encountered or knew of anyone with any problems relating in the slightest to gangs. Yeah, there are gangs in the rougher parts of town, but not in the places you describe. Maybe Ft. Collins would be to your liking?