A couple wanting MUCH needed info and opinons on moving (real estate, rental)

[Jus10x]

I'm 30 & my wife is 29. We are 2 blue collared factory workers that live in Southern Ohio. We have around $30,000 in our savings. We've been to Maui twice, recently last september. My wife & I love it there. Us moving to maui has been discussed every week since last september. We are 2 people that are willing to do anything to completely start our lives in Hawaii. We have 2 cats, and have done the research on what to do to be able to bring them. I really started this thread to get info on if thats enough money to start a new life in maui. WE both are willing to work any jobs or multiple jobs to get by at first, but to eventually be able to settle down some in maui. The only bills we would be bringing with us are our cell phones, car payment witch total about $500. Is it too much of a dream, or can our dream become a reality?

[whtviper1]

Do you have college degrees? Or, Do you have a special skills like a carpenter? What kind of income are you targeting? The savings are less relevant than what kind of jobs you can get and the income to support you.

If you are making $10/hr, that is over 50 hours of working just to pay your car payment.

[Jus10x]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

Do you have college degrees? Or, Do you have a special skills like a carpenter? What kind of income are you targeting? The savings are less relevant than what kind of jobs you can get and the income to support you.

If you are making $10/hr, that is over 50 hours of working just to pay your car payment.

Neither one of us have college degrees. i have a fork lift license/certification. In ohio our combined income totals about $75,000. we both would love to have that same amount in maui. But know realistically that it could be considerably less and are willing to adjust to that. We live pretty comfortable here. Here in Southern ohio average income is $25,000. Both of us are willing to work any type of job in Maui to have a life there.

[CyberCity]

Originally Posted by Jus10x

We have around $30,000 in our savings.The only bills we would be bringing with us are our cell phones, car payment witch total about $500. ?

Originally Posted by Jus10x

In ohio our combined income totals about $75,000... Here in Southern ohio average income is $25,000.

Why not try to live on the "average Ohio" income of <$25,000, and save the extra $50K per year. The experience would help you get a feel for if you want to live somewhere (such as Hawaii) where your income might be very close to the actual cost of daily life.

With that extra $50K, you can pay off your car loan prior to moving here. And if you put a 2-year plan into effect, you can have saved $100K before you leave Ohio, which will make your move here smooth as silk!

[whtviper1]

You are not only likely to make less money in Maui - but your housing expenses will be much more. It'll be like living in San Francisco on a Ohio paycheck.

I like the idea of trying to live on a reduced income in Ohio and saving even more money. Your income in Maui may be much less than the average Ohio income of $25K each for one or both of you.

[Jus10x]

Originally Posted by CyberCity

Why not try to live on the "average Ohio" income of <$25,000, and save the extra $50K per year. The experience would help you get a feel for if you want to live somewhere (such as Hawaii) where your income might be very close to the actual cost of daily life.

With that extra $50K, you can pay off your car loan prior to moving here. And if you put a 2-year plan into effect, you can have saved $100K before you leave Ohio, which will make your move here smooth as silk!

We own a home here (& can sell it, with no problem), and have other bills. we are able to put back between $1000-$1500 per month in our savings.

[whtviper1]

Perhaps just one of you should move first and see if you can get employment and test if the income is sufficient.

[CyberCity]

Originally Posted by Jus10x

We own a home here (& can sell it, with no problem), and have other bills. we are able to put back between $1000-$1500 per month in our savings.

I still recommend that you consider sitting tight for a year or so, and sock away the money. Hawaii will still be here, waiting for your joyful arrival. If you bring a nice big savings account, and you'll find the move waaaaay less stressful, especially if you cannot find work right away, or you need to rent a high-priced place while you find something cheaper or look to buy, or you need to pay for your own medical insurance for awhile, etc.

But to answer your original question, yes you can probable make the move work out fine with $30K in savings. It just seems a shame to not take advantage of your current opportunity to work for a year more and have an additional $12- $18K to start your life in Hawaii.

Good luck.

[hothulamaui]

the only way you will know if you "can make it" is to try. you have 30 grand which is more than enough to get settled. as the above posters said wages are low, jobs are hard to come by and real estate is way expensive but it is doable with a little luck. start out in a long term furnished rental to get your feet wet and to look for work. give yourself a time limit so you don't blow all your savings. call the state board that is equivalent to the one that oversees your fork lift license and see what you have to do to get it transferred or the testing needed to become certified in hawaii. good luck

[McFrostyJ]

Originally Posted by CyberCity

Why not try to live on the "average Ohio" income of <$25,000, and save the extra $50K per year. The experience would help you get a feel for if you want to live somewhere (such as Hawaii) where your income might be very close to the actual cost of daily life.

With that extra $50K, you can pay off your car loan prior to moving here. And if you put a 2-year plan into effect, you can have saved $100K before you leave Ohio, which will make your move here smooth as silk!

This is EXCELLENT advice! Wish I could give you some more rep points.