moving to kauai (Kapaa, Lihue, Wailua Homesteads: transplants, apartments, rentals)

[kauai1]

Husband got a job in Lihue. So, we'll be moving there in a few months. We want to rent for about 6 months before buying a home. Any suggestions about neighborhoods and housing? Our children are grown, so schools are not that important.

I am quite excited about the move.

[Sweetbeet]

More details would be helpful - how long a commute is acceptable? Do you like it wet, lush, green, or dry and dusty? Do you want an apartment or house? Will you have a car? What do you want to be near - grocery, church, job, etc., or would you prefer to live more secluded and "away from it all"?

We moved here in July '08, so I'm still a bit of a noob, but I do know my way around (I live in Wailua Homesteads on the east side and have an office in Lihue), and I'd be happy to answer any questions. Can't really say much about 'neighborhoods' until I know more about what you're looking for.

Renting is a good idea. You can see some ads on Craigslist Kauai, or check out the Garden Island newspaper online (google it).

[Balad1]

I recommend you rent short term for 2-4 weeks until you get the lay of the land and are able to take your time and decide were you want to live.

Try looking at VRBO.com for a short term, fully furnished rental:

Kauai Vacation Rentals - VRBO® Kauai Vacation Rentals by Owner (http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/hawaii/kauai - broken link)

The economy is tough here so don't worry about what people ask for a short term rent and offer a third to half less.

I would live in a neighborhood that has other transplants too and not a straight local's neighborhood.

I would consider the Koloa, Kalaheo and Poipu areas in the south. I am not too familar with neighborhoods in the other areas.

Housing in Hawaii is like no other place I've lived and you have to have eyes on to rent anything other than 30 days or less.

I would not considering buying here at this time. The market is down which is good but then you'll have a VERY difficult time if you need to sell.

[Mar0]

I agree, wait till you come here. Maybe you will want to be in Lihue or Kapaa, closer to the stores. Or maybe you would like to be in the south shore, which is a bit more residential. Or you can find something in Wailua/Kapahi, something with more space. I think that housing on the east side gives you the best bang for your buck. You will have your choices of houses, condos, apartments and ohanas (seperate parts of houses). You can look at craigslist or kauaiworld.com.

[kauai1]

Thanks for the good advice. We'll rent first. We did get flown out there for the interview in December. A realtor took us around to the Wailua area, Kapaa, and the newer neighborhoods around the golf course in Lihue/Puhi. We'll be bringing two cars but I like to be in walking distance of stores. To me walking distance is up to 2 miles.

We heard that traffic can be terrible but it didn't seem much worse than we have in our city. Is it truly worse than mainland city rush hour traffic?

My husband prefers a short commute, but it looks like the decent homes are in the 600-800 range in Lihue. We could swing it but do we want to. We're keeping a house on the mainland.

I'll put Koloa and Kalaheo on my list of towns to check out.

I know that the first year will be an adjustment year. I may be flying to Oahu for a bit of city life every couple of months. My daughter is a bit worried about me being on a small town island but I've always felt comfortable in Hawaii, so I think I'll be fine.

[Mar0]

Traffic really isn't THAT bad- especially compared to traffic on Oahu. However, they are doing work on the bridge in Wailua, which is make traffic pretty bad. I work in Poipu and have a coworker who lives in Kapaa. She lives around 4 and it has been taking her 2 hours to get home. This is obviously not the norm, though.

I really like Koloa and you could find a place to live in walking distance to Big Save, the post office, the library and shops. It might not offer all the stores that Lihue does, but it suits your basic needs.

[kauai1]

Koloa sounds great. I do like to be in walking distance of shops and especially the library.
Today we got a call from the company. They are arranging for us to move our stuff over. They are paying but I'm wondering just how much I should really bring over. Even though I got rid of lots of furniture in our last move 6 years ago, it looks like we still have too much stuff.
And we've got a baby grand piano---does that travel well?

[Balad1]

Koloa is a nice area and not far from both the beach and Lihue.

[tortoise31]

Originally Posted by kauai1

And we've got a baby grand piano---does that travel well?

I'm taking mine.