Some relocation advice (Honolulu, Kaneohe, Ewa Beach: condo, crime, townhouse)

[jamesia]

I have been considering a move to Hawaii when I graduate (undergrad) in June. (hooray! graduation!) ... My degree is in chemical engineering, and I've interned for 1.5 years in the areas of civil & environmental engineering. Does anyone know how difficult it is to get an engineering position? I hear the western side of Oahu is more industrial... maybe it's easier over towards there? I've sent my resume out, and had a couple bites -- but they seem to want to wait until I've officially arrived on the island.

Two people will be coming with me, so I won't experience loneliness... One has an English degree, which means he's been working as a supervisor in a call center for three years since graduating (very useful that English degree is )... and the other is my significant other who's a clerk in Whole Foods market. How difficult is the job market for customer service or non-degree people?


We were thinking of living in Ewa/Ewa Beach/Kapolei areas. I'd honestly rather be in Kailua town, but I think it's more expensive. We will all three live together in a 2BD place... are any of these places doable for around ~$600-$800 per person?


Sorry for kind of going all over the place with this post... mostly I'm concerned with the job situation (for engineers). I want to make sure I don't end up in a too racist area (two whiteys and one latino here). I go to school in Cincinnati, and crime is REALLY bad, so I can handle bad stuff mostly -- I just don't want to be a hate crime victim!

mahalo to you all, thank you

[Sundance325]

I would recommend Kaneohe because of easy access to all parts of Oahu. You should be able to find a 2-3 bedroom townhouse for 700-750 per person. Kailua is also nice but a little more expensive. It would be almost impossible to get a job until you are on island for obvious reasons. Your field is specialized but, as you have received some bites, you should be able to find employment. However, I do not know much about your field and employment opportunities. Service and non-degree jobs are readily available. Be warned that Honolulu traffic from Ewa/Ewa Beach/Kapolei is a real bummer. I wouldnt be worried about being 2 whites and a latino in Honolulu any more than anywhere in the mainland US. However, as in ANY city, there are areas that anyone should stay away from. Good luck.

[surfmonkey17]

Originally Posted by jamesia

We were thinking of living in Ewa/Ewa Beach/Kapolei areas. I'd honestly rather be in Kailua town, but I think it's more expensive. We will all three live together in a 2BD place... are any of these places doable for around ~$600-$800 per person?


mahalo to you all, thank you

I lived in Mililani for awhile and really liked it. I liked that it was inbetween Honolulu and the North Shore. I spent a lot of my days off going up to the North Shore. There were 3 of us and we rented a house for $1800 ($600 apiece). But as the poster said above, the traffic going into Honolulu is awful. I worked in Kahala and it was a heck of a commute, but it was nice to come home to a nice house at the end of the day versus the crappy condo in Honolulu that I lived in before that.