Just arrived in Hawaii, looking for an apartment. Help! (Honolulu: apartments, rentals) - Oahu - (HI) -Includes Honolulu - City-Data Forum

Yankees555 · 05-12-2012, 04:51 PM

Hi, I was offered a job near fort shafter for around 85k and I have just arrived to Hawaii today from NYC. This is my first time to Hawaii. I'm sure I will be staying here for at least a year. Right now I'm in a hotel searching Craigslist but seems like finding an apartment is more difficult than in manhattan, although prices are much cheaper 8) . Yeay. I like high rises with balcony's (I lived on 43rd floor apartment in. Manhattan) Should I rent a car and check out neighborhoods, or find a place around Waikiki where my hotel is? My finance will be joining me in a couple of months, she is a teacher. What other resources are available to find apartments other than Craig's list? Also, what neighborhoods should I look into and which ones should I avoid. My monthly budget for rent/utilities is around 2k/month. Id like to keep commute under 45 min on average. Thanks!

jim503 · 05-12-2012, 05:19 PM

We found that even though they post on craigslist, seems they do not really want to be talking to anyone or doing business. Takes forever for people to call you back. Our best luck was going to the condo's themselves and a lot of them have post it boards in the entryway. We live in Makiki, about a mile from waikiki maybe and we are on the 18th floor, have a pool, hot tub and sauna all bills paid. We love it here. There is Kukui plaza which is 4 buildings just off Nuuanu and Bertania, maybe? Just off Nuuanu anyway. Seems down Wailana Coffee house around there in Waikiki they had some post it boards as well. We have the name of a couple of agents that we use that handle some rentals if you want to check them out. I can private message them to you. Just let me know. Good luck!!

whtviper1 · 05-12-2012, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yankees555

Hi, I was offered a job near fort shafter for around 85k and I have just arrived to Hawaii today from NYC. This is my first time to Hawaii. I'm sure I will be staying here for at least a year. Right now I'm in a hotel searching Craigslist but seems like finding an apartment is more difficult than in manhattan, although prices are much cheaper 8) . Yeay. I like high rises with balcony's (I lived on 43rd floor apartment in. Manhattan) Should I rent a car and check out neighborhoods, or find a place around Waikiki where my hotel is? My finance will be joining me in a couple of months, she is a teacher. What other resources are available to find apartments other than Craig's list? Also, what neighborhoods should I look into and which ones should I avoid. My monthly budget for rent/utilities is around 2k/month. Id like to keep commute under 45 min on average. Thanks!

Can you elaborate on your difficulties? In Oahu - craigs is fine or try the newspaper. It is the weekend - don't be shocked if you don't get a lot responses on a Saturday.

Yankees555 · 05-13-2012, 02:03 AM

Hi jim503 thanks! Can u send some contact info of agents.

jim503 · 05-13-2012, 02:39 AM

OK sent...hope it helps!!

hotzcatz · 05-13-2012, 01:29 PM

Go to where you work and start looking in that area. Find a building you like the location of and ask if they have any units available. Ask the other folks at work if they have any recommendations. Go out into the real world and follow the easiest path from work. Go out from where you work until you find the area you want to live in and look there.

Koale · 05-13-2012, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yankees555

Hi, I was offered a job near fort shafter for around 85k and I have just arrived to Hawaii today from NYC. This is my first time to Hawaii. I'm sure I will be staying here for at least a year. Right now I'm in a hotel searching Craigslist but seems like finding an apartment is more difficult than in manhattan, although prices are much cheaper 8) . Yeay. I like high rises with balcony's (I lived on 43rd floor apartment in. Manhattan) Should I rent a car and check out neighborhoods, or find a place around Waikiki where my hotel is? My finance will be joining me in a couple of months, she is a teacher. What other resources are available to find apartments other than Craig's list? Also, what neighborhoods should I look into and which ones should I avoid. My monthly budget for rent/utilities is around 2k/month. Id like to keep commute under 45 min on average. Thanks!

When I was looking for a rental I posted my own add on Craigslist and was surprised at the responses I received. I was able to pick and choose the areas being offered. Found good rentals available.
Koale

lonelytraveler · 05-13-2012, 04:40 PM

I am somewhat running into the same issues as yankee with regards to cl. Jim, Would it be possible for you to forward the contacts you have to me as well? I am in a similar situation (young professional looking for a place close to downtown).

Also since you mentioned Kuikui Plaza, which is actually a building that I was looking at. Do you (or anyone else) have any comments about that building (eg good location, Landlord quality, Condition of building, safety of area, etc?)

jim503 · 05-13-2012, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonelytraveler

I am somewhat running into the same issues as yankee with regards to cl. Jim, Would it be possible for you to forward the contacts you have to me as well? I am in a similar situation (young professional looking for a place close to downtown).

Also since you mentioned Kuikui Plaza, which is actually a building that I was looking at. Do you (or anyone else) have any comments about that building (eg good location, Landlord quality, Condition of building, safety of area, etc?)

I do not know anything about that building, just that we wanted to live there. When we were looking last time, the units available were too high for us. Now we came back making more $$ but could not find any available or they would not return our calls, and we needed it with in days.

newinthe808 · 05-16-2012, 11:58 PM

I just moved here and so far like living in the Moana Pacific in Honolulu. It may be above your budget. My budget was originally about the same as yours but after looking at many places that were older, saw bugs, looked too dark, etc, I went with this building. I like the pool, the gym is ok (I'm not a gym person) and the building is pretty safe and secure. The building goes up to floor 48 or something.