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Yeah I wish it was June of 13' But it being 14' I have more time to plan which is a good thing. You saying you're an outdoorsy person tells me you'll love it there in that aspect. The traffic isn't always terrible I generalized. Just in the morning, lunch, and evening rush hour. haha
I think being open and accepting is the key to getting along with others on Oahu. Going there with an open mind and realizing you're a guest in their culture. Adaptation is definitely key. That's is where I've seen guys go wrong and get into trouble they move to Hawaii with pre conceptions of their own paradise the hard fact is it is it's own animal that you must accept and adapt too. But, like I said for some people it's easy, I found it easy but I moved around my whole life and am easily adaptable. Plus I am big into the surf scene which Oahu is pretty much the epicenter of the world. Oh and places mainlanders shouldn't go. Hmmmmmm.
You will hear people say don't go to Waianae, But I went there pretty regularly to surf Makaha, I didn't have any issues. Maybe stay away at night.
I had a few issue in Downtown Waikiki at night waiting to catch a cab. Just some locals looking to pick a fight. But, I'm a chill guy so I just said I didn't want any trouble and walked away. I think those type of people are looking for agro Marines to fight, they didn't follow once I expressed no want to fight.
My biggest surprise was that I heard of all the localism at surf spots and I never once in two years had an issue. But, I've seen people get punched in the face over waves. Key there is to show respect to the locals and NEVER EVER drop in on someone.
If you want a car buy it there, there is a ton of good cheap cars for sale. Lots of military move there buy a car and leave it along with every other transplant who comes and goes. I do recommend blending in car wise! later model toyota tacomas are flipping everywhere on that island and they are a good offroad car if you're into that sorta thing. I also recommend a car alarm! with a random killswitch! I had my car stolen twice while I lived there. It was just a toyota flat front island van. But, they would drive it till it was outta gas and ditch it and I would got it back twice. After the alarm and killswitch they did try again but were unsuccessful.
I know that sounds bad but I also lived in dt honolulu and that crap happens just gotta roll with the punches. haha
So, an alarm may save you some heartache, even if it's on a p.o.s. It used to make me laugh arming my alarm on my crappy van.
I wanted to mention. When I lived there I was making about 3800 a month. My bills were food,cell phone, car insurance and rent which was 400 a month.
I was living with my gf and another couple thats why it was that cheap.
Honestly though if you can match that income and with the 2295 from G.I. Bill it's more then possible you will live comfortably even if you pay 600-900 a month. I was spending money pretty frivoulously and still saying 400 a month. I recommend going to summer school also so that BAH doesn't stop. I know they hit ya during Christmas break but just have a savings account for those situations.
Yeah, I completely forgot about security for my car, which is an issue because few years back when I was living in Milwaukee someone smashed my windows and the window repair guy the insurance company sent out did a completely terrible job so there's a little bit of space where the window has a crack that can allow tiny objects through - definitely a NoNo! So, yeah, hopefully the place I find will have secure parking of some sort. Maybe hide a GPS tracker on it, but that probably won't do much good if I only find the part with the GPS tracker on it. I'll probably just weigh the risk and costs.
Definitely stoked to immerse myself. I'd love to surf more, but its hard since Florida has no waves. I paddle board, but that is way too expensive to bring with me. I'm pretty non-confrontational myself, so I can usually not escalate a situation I know that is begging trouble.
I don't think I'll be making 3800 a month before I graduate, but, somewhere around 2800-3000 is definitely doable and seems like it will be plenty. I'm pretty minimalist so it won't bother me. As long as I have internet, a way to get around, a cheap o gym / weight set and not eating ramen 24/7 I'll be fine. I actually forgot about my papers not going all the way through the VA for my first semester, so I'm going to head down today to talk to my VA school rep and get that in again so I can get paid for that. That should add 3600 ish to my total, which makes it a lot easier on me. Let's just hope that, that doesn't take 6 months itself. haha.
So, yeah, looking forward to it. Maybe you guys can recommend some nice spots to hike / watch sunset etc. Local spots and stuff.
I would vote with those saying ditch the car, dude!
You'll probably save even more than you're calculating (there are tons of random expenses beyond the shipping itself being covered, consider registration, insurance, parking, fuel, maintenance, other unforseen issues). Oahu is an easy place to live carless especially anywhere near Honolulu (otherwise known as "town"). If rain is a concern carry around a small umbrella. If you're going grocery shopping, bring some water-tolerant sacks like a couple of Chico Bags. If there's really any issue for social needs like dates and stuff, you can always just rent a car (maybe even a sporty/fancy one) for that occasional day trip around the island or remote picnic or whatever you want to do with a significant other. Besides, I have a hard time believing that anyone who's overly concerned with whether you own wheels or not is really worth the effort, you know?
DISCLAIMER: happily married over a decade to a girl who loves videogames, movies, and good beer
I would vote with those saying ditch the car, dude!
You'll probably save even more than you're calculating (there are tons of random expenses beyond the shipping itself being covered, consider registration, insurance, parking, fuel, maintenance, other unforseen issues). Oahu is an easy place to live carless especially anywhere near Honolulu (otherwise known as "town"). If rain is a concern carry around a small umbrella. If you're going grocery shopping, bring some water-tolerant sacks like a couple of Chico Bags. If there's really any issue for social needs like dates and stuff, you can always just rent a car (maybe even a sporty/fancy one) for that occasional day trip around the island or remote picnic or whatever you want to do with a significant other. Besides, I have a hard time believing that anyone who's overly concerned with whether you own wheels or not is really worth the effort, you know?
DISCLAIMER: happily married over a decade to a girl who loves videogames, movies, and good beer
Oh, I know I would save a lot of money not to mention obtain a significant sum, but....I guess it'll be dictated by my finances come the last 3-4 weeks before I plan to move. If I see I am on track for enough to sustain myself for at least 3 months without a job then I'll bring it, otherwise, I'll probably sale it. Another option is just to find a 3 month lease with a roomy that is cheap <500 and then when I get a job/school I can start looking for a better place (save money elsewhere to allow me to bring my car). I was looking at car prices and they are seriously expensive in Hawaii. There's no way I'd find anything comparable there for what I would sale it for here, so that must be taken into account too. My car is pretty reliable and I've just had some maintenance work so deciding to sale it and buy something that is most likely a lot less reliable there is...a choice I suppose.
The car will mainly be used for social activities, so that cuts down costs. Maintenance costs are negligible and I won't be using much gas since my main transportation would be hoofin' it and a bike (which I'll need to buy once I get there).
Rain's not a problem. I live in Florida, and am used to thunder storms and rain appearing out of no where.
As far as dating....sure, I'd love to find another Aloha girl who isn't so materialistic, but does enjoy some comforts, but I've found that the perfect can be the enemy of the good many times. We all have our shallow biases.
How do people get out of the military with only $5,000 to their names? With all the bonuses they are throwing at people, free or subsidized housing, just about everything subsidized, it just seems odd to me to only have enough money to - as you put it, have enough to sustain yourself for only 3 months without a job. And then by the way, be flat broke.
That just seems odd to me when people are in their late 20's have only $5,000 to their name especially when they get out of the military. Where I'm going with this is - if you only managed some pretty meager savings so far in your life - how does one manage finances in one the expensive places in the United States coming from an incredibly cheap area?
And by the way, want to date Asian women - even more important to have a car - not only important to them, but to her mother.
Also, front page of the newspaper today - under a huge font size, the headline today reads "DEVASTATING CUTS" referring to the looming mandatory budget cuts coming to the military.
How do people get out of the military with only $5,000 to their names? With all the bonuses they are throwing at people, free or subsidized housing, just about everything subsidized, it just seems odd to me to only have enough money to - as you put it, have enough to sustain yourself for only 3 months without a job. And then by the way, be flat broke.
That just seems odd to me when people are in their late 20's have only $5,000 to their name especially when they get out of the military. Where I'm going with this is - if you only managed some pretty meager savings so far in your life - how does one manage finances in one the expensive places in the United States coming from an incredibly cheap area?
And by the way, want to date Asian women - even more important to have a car - not only important to them, but to her mother.
Also, front page of the newspaper today - under a huge font size, the headline today reads "DEVASTATING CUTS" referring to the looming mandatory budget cuts coming to the military.
No, I had much more than 5,000 when I fulfilled my contract obligations. It's been almost a year and a half since I got out, and me being the dumbass as I was at the time blew through a fair bit of my savings starting school a bit later than I should have. (Missed a semester)
Also had a few emergencies that popped up that cost a fair bit too. That's funny about asian women considering my last GF was not at all materialistic and her Mother was from Japan. Duly noted however.
Also, I just turned 26 at the end of December, which is hardly late 20s, and I didn't make the greatest decisions for the first few years after High School (post-poned college, and just did CNA thing which getting paid 12-14$ when you're 19-20 isn't too bad at that time in my area I suppose). **** happens. My specialty in the service doesn't really do jack **** for employment opportunities in civilian life. Should have been a MK or IT. Oh well. I've always been pretty frugal with my money, so I can make due with what most people would balk at.
The sequestration is over blown. It is just a bunch of contractors pissy about not getting over paid for **** you could buy for 1/15th the price at any National chain store. I'm not in the military anymore, and I don't really see them retroactively denying folks GI Bill, unless of course, the currency collapses, but at that point I have more to worry about than the GI bill. Social strife anyone?
I'll probably end up doing this if my networking doesn't come through. All I need is a few days, and this seems like a great way to defray costs and meet new people.
I'll probably end up doing this if my networking doesn't come through. All I need is a few days, and this seems like a great way to defray costs and meet new people.
As someone that is active in Couchsurfing (the website is Couchsurfing.org, not couchsurfers although looks like they picked up that redirect), I'd like to offer a few words of advice. If you are thinking of going this route, join now and become active in the community. It is offensive to active couchsurfers for someone to just randomly create a profile only looking for a free place to stay as that is not what the community is about. Hosts also do not like to be used by someone trying to move to the area as they are not a moving service. I know I would never host someone in that situation. I'd also never host someone that hasn't taken time to fill out their profile and engage in the community. Just my thoughts...
As someone that is active in Couchsurfing (the website is Couchsurfing.org, not couchsurfers although looks like they picked up that redirect), I'd like to offer a few words of advice. If you are thinking of going this route, join now and become active in the community. It is offensive to active couchsurfers for someone to just randomly create a profile only looking for a free place to stay as that is not what the community is about. Hosts also do not like to be used by someone trying to move to the area as they are not a moving service. I know I would never host someone in that situation. I'd also never host someone that hasn't taken time to fill out their profile and engage in the community. Just my thoughts...
Will definitely do, but I don't quite understand the hesitancy of hosting someone who is moving there. You get to meet a new person regardless and you never know you might happen to become good friends, not to mention that I am always open to recipocracity so if the person who was so kind and nice to me I would offer assistance to them if they ever needed it. I know that's probably not the norm, and thus, the 'bad' apples would spoil it for us. Also, they're being 'used' for vacationing, which is the same intent as moving - to meet new people in the area, and keep costs low.
Just a question - as someone who has never couchsurfed before how likely is it that someone would host me, provided I have quality references and other documents to show I am reliable / trustworthy? I will definitely fill out everything to the best of my ability since I want my potential host to know as much as they can since it is a big decision for host and hostee.
P.S. All I am bringing with me is a few pieces of luggage (Clothes + Laptop) + back pack and that is it. I imagine a vacationer would have no less either.
Will definitely do, but I don't quite understand the hesitancy of hosting someone who is moving there. You get to meet a new person regardless and you never know you might happen to become good friends, not to mention that I am always open to recipocracity so if the person who was so kind and nice to me I would offer assistance to them if they ever needed it. I know that's probably not the norm, and thus, the 'bad' apples would spoil it for us. Also, they're being 'used' for vacationing, which is the same intent as moving - to meet new people in the area, and keep costs low.
Just a question - as someone who has never couchsurfed before how likely is it that someone would host me, provided I have quality references and other documents to show I am reliable / trustworthy? I will definitely fill out everything to the best of my ability since I want my potential host to know as much as they can since it is a big decision for host and hostee.
P.S. All I am bringing with me is a few pieces of luggage (Clothes + Laptop) + back pack and that is it. I imagine a vacationer would have no less either.
Unfortunately, it's the bad apples that cause people to not want to host others that are moving. It's much more likely that things can turn sour in those situations. Couchsurfing is getting more national attention as of recently and people may try to use it with alterior motives. I knew of a host when I lived in Hawaii where her surfers refused to leave the apartment at the set departure date - they were trying to move to Hawaii. They refused to give the keys back and leave - the girl ended up having to call security and police to escort them off the premises. Sticky situations can happen - say you only plan on staying there a few days but then you can't find a job or a place to live... then what? It's just not an ideal situation and most hosts will not be ok with someone moving... although I'm sure there are some that would.
The intent of Couchsurfing is NOT to keep costs low. That way of thinking will put off a host for sure. While keeping costs low is a benefit, that is absolutely not what Couchsurfing is about. Read this - Couchsurfing - About
In Couchsurfing, everyone has to start somewhere and alot of people are hesitant to be someone's first host. Things that will help - fill out your profile completely and thoroughly, post pictures, engage in your local community (through meeting up with other CSers at events/activities, offer to host people, etc). When you do look for a host it is VERY VERY important to send a PERSONAL message NOT some copy/paste stuff. Select your potential host carefully and send them a meaningful message explaining why you want to surf with them specifically.
I have hosted several people and have only myself surfed once. I started hosting when I was in Hawaii but now am in the Syracuse NY area and am glad to get the occasional request now and then. I went to The Bahamas for my birthday a few years ago - I solo traveled and couchsurfed. I surfed not to save money, but to have the best first solo traveling experience. I carefully did my research and there were only 2 people on the island that I wanted to spend my birthday with. One of them had other plans and it worked out that the other host was available. To this day, that birthday trip was one of the best experiences of my entire life! I can't wait to do it again in another location.
From a hosting perspective, I refuse to host the following - copy/paste requests, non-personal messages, people that think I'm in NYC (Syracuse is 5 hours away), no information in their profile, joined that day, it's clear they want to use CS as a free place to stay and not for the experience.
I got a message from a guy a few months ago who had been on CS for a few years but never used it or engaged in his community. He was finally going on a trip and wanted to surf, but had no references or experiences to build his profile. So here he was messaging people in the area asking for a reference so that people would host him. I was totally put off by that and never responded. Again, someone using it for the wrong reasons.
Sorry this is so long. Feel free to DM me with questions. CSing, if used the right way, can be absolutely amazing!
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I recommend going to summer school also so that BAH doesn't stop. I know they hit ya during Christmas break but just have a savings account for those situations. 
For wegandi
