Moving from Denver Colorado to Hawaii (Honolulu, Hilo: salons, rental, loan) - (HI) - City-Data Forum

adeledurbin · 02-18-2009, 07:55 PM

Me and my husband really want to move to Hawaii. We also have a one-year old son. Where is the best place to live? What is the difference between the islands? Where are the expensive restraunts? I am a hair stylist and he is a fine dining waiter. We were considering Maui and found a house in Hana, but we have no idea where to get jobs. We looked at he cost of food and stuff and its not much different than Denver. I also dont want to be in the ghetto. Does any body know of the jobs in high demand there?

PacificFlights · 02-18-2009, 08:45 PM

Have you every been to Hawaii?

Hawaii is several islands, each with its own feel and flavor. There is no way anyone can say whats good for you without knowing you. You need to plan an extended trip and visit each island and visit as if you are living on Hawaii instead of as a tourist. Hawaii eats up and spits out more people than Hollywood or NYC. Don't want to be harsh but the airport is littered with unprepared dreamers.

KonaKat · 02-18-2009, 10:14 PM

Our unemployment rate is rising. On Hawaii Island it was about 2.8% last year at this time and now is around 9%. Your first priority would be to secure employment that can support your family. Also do you have a lot of savings, perhaps 5 or 6 months' worth of living expenses to tide you over?
Housing and rental prices have declined as well but are still high compared to the overall wages in Hawaii. Many people live with family, and work 2 or 3 jobs to make ends meet. Beauty shop visits and fine dining are luxuries that many people do without except for the posh resort areas with lots of tourists. However, vacation bookings are also down in many places.
Give this a lot of thought and research, and good luck!

Blakeyboy1 · 02-18-2009, 11:10 PM

Cheers adeledurbin! My partner and I are west of you in Salt Lake City and also planning to move to Hawaii. We have been planning, researching and talking to people for some time now. As everyone will tell you do your research and spend plenty of time there. We are not moving for another year and a half and have at least 5 more trips either booked or in planning. Good luck and keep us posted!

Dreaming of Hawaii · 02-19-2009, 11:10 AM

Adele, I am in Denver too. We are planning to move to the Big Island next year and like everyone else we have done lots and lots of research and visiting. We built our house there in 2003 and will be retired when we move so, luckily, we don't have to worry about jobs.

I would be happy to talk with you further if you email me privately through the forum.

hotzcatz · 02-21-2009, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adeledurbin

Me and my husband really want to move to Hawaii. We also have a one-year old son. Where is the best place to live? What is the difference between the islands? Where are the expensive restraunts? I am a hair stylist and he is a fine dining waiter. We were considering Maui and found a house in Hana, but we have no idea where to get jobs. We looked at he cost of food and stuff and its not much different than Denver. I also dont want to be in the ghetto. Does any body know of the jobs in high demand there?

There isn't much in Hana and you can not commute to restaurant/hair stylist jobs from there. When I say there isn't much in Hana, take that literally. If you had ever been on Maui or ever been to Hana, you'd know exactly why it won't work.

Jobs in high demand are jobs which have degrees or rare skill sets. At least, jobs which pay enough to live on although these days any jobs are few and far between. Hair stylists and servers are jobs which can be done by unemployed relatives of the restaurant owner and considering how few jobs there are, the owner's relatives and friends are lined up to be hired before newbies from the mainland. The restaurants are also closing and folks aren't getting their hair done much anymore because they don't have the money. All the employees from the restaurants which have already closed and are closing already have local references, too.

Before uprooting your family and quitting your jobs, take a vacation and at least visit first. There is an appalling amount of ignorance about the islands which really needs to be turned into knowledge before moving here becomes something you should consider doing.

To be in a ghetto sort of assumes there is a city nearby, doesn't it?

fshngrl · 02-22-2009, 08:43 PM

I have lived in paradise for 5 years, and I am ready to get out!!! I am originally from Denver, too. As for the people who recommend a vacation first, don't bother. Vacation here is GREAT! living here is (can be) HARD.

I live on Oahu and am very familiar with it. I have also vacationed a lot on Maui.

Maui is THE spot for high end vacationers. You could probably get a job at a nice hotel spa/salon and your hubby could certainly find work in a nice restaurant. The price you will pay is VERY expensive gas and food (try $9 for a gallon of milk!) and you will NOT be living on or walkig distance to a beach...you won't be able to afford it. Hana is AMAZING, but like the other responder said, there is NOTHING there. People take the 3.5 hour windy road to get there to vacation because there is nothing there...but it would be serious culture shock for you to live there and you would be hard pressed to find a job.

Big Island is great. If you are moving from the mainland it is more comfortable because it's not so tiny. However, finding well paying jobs in your field, decent housing and amenities you are used to (i.e. Safeway and Starbucks on every corner) might be tough.

Oahu is probably your best bet. We just got our first Whole Foods here and a Target is opening in March! Again, you won't be living on a beach...you won't be able to afford it...and milk is still $9 a gallon. Makakilo and Kapolei and up and coming and lovely communities. Close to Ko Olina where your hubby might find a job and there are a few salons such as Bella Via. Otherwise, like almost everyone else on the island, both of you will have to commute to Honolulu. The 20 mile drive will take 45 minutes minimum. I live in Aiea, HI. It's not glamorous, but the rental pricing is good (if you think $1400 for a 500 sq. ft. one bedroom is good!HAHA!) and it is a shorter (30 minute) drive into town.

Look...I'm not trying to be a Debby Downer. It's just that it's very expensive to live here and it can get a little "small" feeling like you have cabin fever. If you have a lot of money saved and love the beach, then go for it!!!! But make it a 3 year adventure...don't expect to want to live here forever!

mangobay · 04-13-2009, 04:57 PM

We lived on the Big Island for 5 years and created a web site about our experiences making the move. You might find it useful: [url=http://www.mangobayhawaii.com/moving-to-hawaii.html]Moving to the Big Island of Hawaii - Tips and Suggestions on Making the Big Move[/url]

I would echo what other people have written. Have a healthy bank account, try to get a job before you arrive, and rent before you buy so you have an opportunity to experience different parts of the island. Every area has a different vibe. My wife and I are partial to the Big Island. Housing is more affordable, not as many tourists (Hilo side), and it's what Hawaii was like 20 years ago. Visit our web site and let me know if you have any questions I can answer.

melaniej65 · 04-13-2009, 06:16 PM

It just cracks me up that everyone says "nine dollars for a gallon of milk"- where the heck do you all shop??? I live on Oahu and pay $4.65 for a gallon of milk, and my best friend on Maui says it can be had for $5-6 regularly.

Yes, there are things and services here that are more expensive than some parts of the mainland- but unless people are coming for very rural areas prices are certainly in line with much of the Nation.

Our unemployment rate is currently one of the lowest in the Nation and our housing is holding remarkably well (probably due to the fact that our local banks did not get involved with the sub-prime loan market).

I certainly agree that people who 'dream' of living here must do in depth research before uprooting their lives- Island living is not for everyone; just as living in the places I have lived on the Mainland were not my cup of tea (we were Military and went where the Army sent us).

Research the areas carefully, as well as plan your budget realistically (do not forget an 'escape plan' should you find Island living is not up to your 'dream'.). Good luck to you- I hope you find what you are looking for-

Donna L Moss · 04-16-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adeledurbin

Me and my husband really want to move to Hawaii. We also have a one-year old son. Where is the best place to live? What is the difference between the islands? Where are the expensive restraunts? I am a hair stylist and he is a fine dining waiter. We were considering Maui and found a house in Hana, but we have no idea where to get jobs. We looked at he cost of food and stuff and its not much different than Denver. I also dont want to be in the ghetto. Does any body know of the jobs in high demand there?

I am a hairstylist. My husband and I just relocated from Hawaii to Denver CO. (we lived in Oahu)It is much more expensive in HI. Maui is particuliarly expensive. Really do your due dilligence before making this move. We were there for 3 1/2 years and lost money the entire time. The upside is the weather is beautiful 52 weeks a year and that means 52 weekends of vacation on the beach. I beleive you will have more opportunities in Oahau.