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The guy that warned me about the drive had a good point. He said that he would typically spend $400 a month in fuel driving over from the Pearl Ridge area (he has a Mini). When he and his wife had enough of the drive they did the math. They took the $400 a month and increased their target price for a condo in town. He took it to the extreme and bought a condo across the street from the office. He said that in the end he was paying more for the new place, but by factoring in the savings in fuel, it wasn't that drastic of a difference. Plus, he mentioned the condo appreciated faster than the one he had with the drive.
We used to live about twelve miles out from Honokaa and while traffic really isn't a concern on this island we've saved tons on gas and commuting time.
Not only that but the quality of life is amazingly nicer living in town. Instead of a fifteen to eighteen minute commute every time we wanted to do anything or go anywhere it's one or two minutes. Getting to work can be done by car, bicycle or walking although the walk takes about twenty-five minutes. Grocery store, post office, hardware store, restaurants, library, swimming pool, bank, hospital, quilting group, etc., etc., is either within walking distance or less than two minutes away by car or scooter, about ten minutes by bicycle and electric bicycles level out the terrain so going uphill isn't a problem anymore. We do a lot more things now than we did before since we can just decide to go do it and not have to factor in commute times. We more than save the increase in mortgage from living in town from what we save in gas. Plus more friends drop by to see us since they are either closer now or they were already coming into town so they drop by to see us, too.
It's a total win-win situation living closer to things. Our whole car-centric U.S. lifestyle is flawed but folks have so much invested in it that they are gonna cling to their cars, no doubt.
Its getting to the point where some people might start getting apartments in town. Stay in the them during the work week and commute home Friday for the weekends. They do it on the mainland all the time. It, saves on gas, cuts down on wear and tear on your car, and yourself.
Scott
Its getting to the point where some people might start getting apartments in town. Stay in the them during the work week and commute home Friday for the weekends. They do it on the mainland all the time. It, saves on gas, cuts down on wear and tear on your car, and yourself.
Scott
I don't think Oahu is big enough for that and the wages in Honolulu wouldn't support it. But, I can tell you that there is a whole contingent of commuters who go back and forth from South Florida to NYC. Everything from Wall St Brokers to Union Construction Workers. The 5:30 am Monday morning flight from Ft Lauderdale to NYC is full of Wall Streeters on their way back to work!
I don't think Oahu is big enough for that and the wages in Honolulu wouldn't support it. But, I can tell you that there is a whole contingent of commuters who go back and forth from South Florida to NYC. Everything from Wall St Brokers to Union Construction Workers. The 5:30 am Monday morning flight from Ft Lauderdale to NYC is full of Wall Streeters on their way back to work!
I agree with you. There are times when there is a accident on the H-1 Freeway and the traffic backs up into
downtown Honolulu, its a mess. Like the time, a few years ago when a over-sized truck hit the overpass in Aiea on the H-1, and the police shut down all West bound Traffic on the Freeway, it was like a parking lot on the freeway. It even made the News on the mainland that time. The only alternative is to drive the other way around the Island to get home, if you live on the West side of Oahu. A lot of people spent the night in town that occasion. There were a few other times similar.
Scott
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