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I agree (after living on Maui for 10 years). Most of the extra expense really is the post-Oahu shipping, which includes groceries, gas, and everything else (including utilities: electricity, water, propane, etc.).
That said, rent appears to be "cheaper," but there's NOTHING like Honolulu/Waikiki here. More like Oahu's North Shore and *maybe* Kaneohe/Kailua. Maui is much more rural and has NO cities and only a few towns, some of which are $$$$$ resort areas.
IMHO, if your move hinges on the last 10%, you probably aren't ready for Hawai'i expenses. No matter where you end up, you have to be really flexible and prepared to pay.
Location: not sure, but there's a hell of a lot of water around here!
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Of course Seattle is comparable to Oahu. Suntan boothes and thermal wetsuits alone are a major financial setback that has to be taken into consideration. And Laulau doesn't grow on trees...
Whynot? is right, post-Oahu charges add up to a little extra expense on Maui, but you couldn't pay me to live in Oahu. Oahu is a great place to live if you are 20 something and looking to party. If you are looking for the beauty and relaxation go with Maui. Oahu is just a big sunny traffic jam with bars that stay open until 4 pm. If cost is determining your move to Hawaii in general your not moving to Hawaii for the right reasons anyway. Hawaii is not about money, it is about a better more relaxing life.
Also remember that after slashing your clothing budget by 85% you may be able to afford Hawaii
I think it is also because there are fewer competing -anythings- on Maui than Oahu. Fewer jobs, fewer stores, fewer restaurants. Competition can bring prices down, but without much competition (as on Maui), prices can be whatever someone will accept.
Also I would guess a higher visitor to local ratio on Maui, although I haven't looked up the numbers. If visitors are willing to pay $xx for a loaf of bread, because they are on vacation, then prices can stay up there. But on Oahu, there are probably more neighborhoods where there are still the stores but fewer visitors, so the prices are set for local pocketbooks. But that's a big generalization.
Rent being cheaper on Maui is only an illusion. It's because of the high amount of ohana units that are available. In some neighborhoods on Maui, practically every home has an ohana unit! There is no where on Oahu that is remotely similar to that situation. For the same price, you'll find a real home on oahu to rent, while on Maui it's going to be some rinky dink 1br in the back of the master house.
Rent being cheaper on Maui is only an illusion. It's because of the high amount of ohana units that are available. In some neighborhoods on Maui, practically every home has an ohana unit! There is no where on Oahu that is remotely similar to that situation. For the same price, you'll find a real home on oahu to rent, while on Maui it's going to be some rinky dink 1br in the back of the master house.
I pay $850 for an Ohana. You're telling me I can get a whole house on Oahu for that price?
What is the cost per sf for home building on Maui, average quality, nothing fancy just tile countertops and some tile flooring with pergo also? House size roughly 1500 sf. large back lanai covered.
Are more contractors taking on work or have they left the island, how available are they?
Anyone have recent expierence to know how long to get a project started through permitting etc?
Mahalo!
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