Educate me about a few areas (pac heights, mak heights, tantalus) (crime, houses)

[lebdman]

Hi!

Looking at moving to oahu. Wanted to get some thoughts on a few areas I have chosen. My ideal situation is to NOT be in a suburb type situation, where I look into my neighbors windows- But I also want to be in a nice area crime-wise and not too far from the city.

Areas I like + my thoughts (please add your own thoughts)

Pacific Heights: Awesome views, seems to be relatively crime free. Older homes. (My first choice)

Tantalus: Awesome views, major seclusion, lots of rain, long drive to/from downtown

Makiki Heights: Super expensive, ok views, little crime- Mostly surburbia

Kahala: Super expensive ++ , Fancy neighborhood, suburrrrrbs (not sure i could afford anything here)


Thoughts?

[whtviper1]

Pacific Heights does indeed have a lot of older homes and there are buying opportunities if you up for renovating. Many of the homes have large trees which can be a downside since many of the houses I've seen need serious tree trimming or removal - I wouldn't be surprised if some of the people with those trees were nervous with the high winds we've been experience. No grocery stores - so you have to head down the hill. Rains a lot. Does have nice views. Not near beach

Tantalus - again, no stores, and a potentially brutal drive depending on high up you are - one of the few places on Oahu that you may need to heat in the winter. Again, biggest downside is the swithback driving, especially at night. Not near beach.

Kahala - if you can afford this is a very upscale community with a nice balance of close to the city, beach, shopping, and propoerty always appreciates here.

Makiki Heights - pretty similar to Pacific Heights - just on the other side of the Pali Highway. Going to get rain, far from beach, stores, et.

[lebdman]

So mak heights and pac heights are the same? I thought mak heights was 'safer' than pac heights?

[whtviper1]

I've looked at property in both areas - I didn't get the sense Pacific Heights was an unsafe area. The only reason that kept me out of the areas was the properties tend to be old and just about every property I saw needed serious rehab - but there are some nice properties sprinkled in here and there.

You aren't going to have homeless up there - typically no tourists - expensive houses - so, those factors tend to keep crime down than lets say Waikiki.