Moving for school at UH Manoa (Kaneohe, Ewa Beach: rentals, low crime, credit check)

[WreckDivr]

I am looking for a little info about places to find good housing around the UH campus. I am hoping to be accepted next year to the PhD program and I am taking a trip out there this fall/winter. I have spent a lot of time on Oahu as I was there as a Marine at K-bay in the late 90's. I have returned several times to visit but never with housing in mind. I need a place that can fit my wife, myself and three children. Also, being a student I am not rich but think I could handle about 2K-2.5K a month towards housing. The most important factor to me is low crime and good schools. My wife is an LPN/LVN and so proximity to a hospital would be nice but tertiary to the first two. Lastly, I dove a place out there in the 90's near Shark Cove, it had an awesome wall, anyone know if the diving in that spot has changed for the better/worse. Thanks

[wooliemonster]

I'd skip the PhD, unless it's something you need on a spiritual level.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by WreckDivr

I am looking for a little info about places to find good housing around the UH campus. I am hoping to be accepted next year to the PhD program and I am taking a trip out there this fall/winter. I have spent a lot of time on Oahu as I was there as a Marine at K-bay in the late 90's. I have returned several times to visit but never with housing in mind. I need a place that can fit my wife, myself and three children. Also, being a student I am not rich but think I could handle about 2K-2.5K a month towards housing. The most important factor to me is low crime and good schools. My wife is an LPN/LVN and so proximity to a hospital would be nice but tertiary to the first two. Lastly, I dove a place out there in the 90's near Shark Cove, it had an awesome wall, anyone know if the diving in that spot has changed for the better/worse. Thanks

That budget gets you at best a small 2 bedroom around campus. Likely not sufficient in size with 3 children. You will probably have to extend your search to places west of downtown like Kapolei or Mililani but you'll have a brutal commute. Make sure you have a very reliable car with good gas mileage. If you can bump your budget a bit - Kalama Valley is an option with a more reasonable commute.

[CyberCity]

Originally Posted by WreckDivr

I am hoping to be accepted next year to the PhD program and I am taking a trip out there this fall/winter.

I hope things work out well for you. An education is a wonderful tool!

You might be able to find something, but near campus you'll have for competition a ton of current residents/students who are also looking for the same thing. I'd suggest you visit some realty offices that handle rentals while here on your next visit and get established with them (credit check, references, etc). If they know you, you might have luck with them keeping you in the loop when it is time for you to start seriously seeking a rental.

[grizz1y]

Aloha Diver,

Housing. Agree with Viper's recommendation to try to expand your housing budget so that you can find a place closer to the eastside of Oahu. You might be able to find a place reasonably near Manoa with your current budget, but you will more than likely need to be lucky or make some kind of sacrifice (e.g., very small rooms, lots of repairs needed, etc.). Just for reference: I own a 3 bed, 1.5 bath, detached single-family house in the Waialae Nui area rented out for $2400/month-- the rooms are small & the house is old.

Schools. The public school district on the eastside (Kahala to Hawaii Kai) is generally "good." You also would be able to avoid most of the traffic in getting to UH if living east of Manoa.

Other. Property crime exisits throughout the island, but I think the only not-so-safe area on the eastside (Kaimuki to Hawaii Kai) may be Palolo Valley (near the public housing). Your wife as a LPN should also consider employment at one of the Assisted Living Centers/communities--check out Kahala Nui (www.kahalanui.com). Sharks Cove is still a very busy spot for diving/SCUBA-- can get quite crowed in the summer months with several dive shop vans in the parking lot there.

best of luck to you!

[WreckDivr]

Woolie, I want to teach and continue my research on invasive species controls.

This is my condition, after 12 years in the Marine Corps and 5 deployments 4 of them to either Iraq or AFG, I was put out on disability. I bring in 3000 a month from that, then I get paid 900 a month by the VA to go to school, I will make around 1500 a month from my work. I am not sure what LPN's make on the islands but here in Michigan my wife brings home about 1500 a month. for a total of 6900 a month. I have always used the rule of thirds for budgeting, a third to housing, a third to living expenses, and a third split between savings and retirement.

I would be willing to go as high as 2600-2900. the high end of that though needs to have some expenses included like water/sewer, trash, etc.

Also I am a Divemaster so I thought I might be able to get some part time work with a dive charter to help with the income.

I don't care so much about the size of the place, although I would prefer a detached house, but my family is used to military housing so they can adapt pretty well.

One last area of worry, last time I lived on the island there seemed to be a lot of resentment around Kaneohe for the Haole, was that just because we were young and stupid, getting in trouble, or is that a common feeling toward mainlanders who relocate? I just don't want my kids suffering because I moved them (again).

@Viper, Cyber, and Grizzly, thanks for that info!

edit: I almost forgot, at K-bay the commute wasn't an issue because I was single in the barracks, I have been told the Ewa Beach would be a nice area and in our budget but that it is impossible to commute to UH daily from there, is it that bad? If so what time does the traffic start to get thick? I am an early riser so if leaving the house at 6am to beat the traffic would work then I'm all for it, but if we are talking i'd need to be on the road by 5 to get there on time (8 am), that doesn't work.

Thanks again

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by WreckDivr

I would be willing to go as high as 2600-2900. the high end of that though needs to have some expenses included like water/sewer, trash, etc.

Also I am a Divemaster so I thought I might be able to get some part time work with a dive charter to help with the income.

I don't care so much about the size of the place, although I would prefer a detached house, but my family is used to military housing so they can adapt pretty well.

One last area of worry, last time I lived on the island there seemed to be a lot of resentment around Kaneohe for the Haole, was that just because we were young and stupid, getting in trouble, or is that a common feeling toward mainlanders who relocate? I just don't want my kids suffering because I moved them (again).

@Viper, Cyber, and Grizzly, thanks for that info!

edit: I almost forgot, at K-bay the commute wasn't an issue because I was single in the barracks, I have been told the Ewa Beach would be a nice area and in our budget but that it is impossible to commute to UH daily from there, is it that bad? If so what time does the traffic start to get thick? I am an early riser so if leaving the house at 6am to beat the traffic would work then I'm all for it, but if we are talking i'd need to be on the road by 5 to get there on time (8 am), that doesn't work.

Thanks again

Your revised budget will make a big difference not only in the quality of the residence but also the location. You can rent a decent home in Kalama Valley with that budget and it isn't a bad commute to UH. It is a good area for kids with parks and near the beach. Nice homes at that budget will be available but they tend to go fast. Hopefully you don't have a pet as that will again limit your options significantly. Kaneohe is also a good option but may cost you more that Kalama Valley. Generally, the only expense you will have is electric.

Ewa Beach isn't really a good option. 90 minute commutes will be common. The traffic is already pretty thick at 5:30am. The afternoon commute is often worse as it starts earlier and is constant. You really want to stay on the east side if you can. Also, H1, the major freeway starts major construction soon to last 16 months.