Pet-unfriendly rentals in Oahu (live, centers, health)

[Dthraco]

We flew 3 cats to HI under the plane. We prepared ahead of time so that all the tests/fees were squared away. Picked them up with no real wait after landing. In 2011 that overall cost was about $2,200. (cat tickets, tests, fees, etc.)

Originally Posted by Plumeria20

May I ask why you’ve moved back to mainland after a decade in Oahu?
Plumeria20

Why we moved back…It boiled down to the common reasons why people move to the mainland:

Cost of living
Be closer to Family
Tired of the compromises
Long term impact on retirement

10 years was a good clip to enjoy living there. We both made sure to be present and appreciate the experience as we lived it. I truly miss my friends, the food, and the ocean. Hawaii will always have a special place in our hearts, but the time was right for us to make a change.

[Plumeria20]

Originally Posted by Dthraco

We flew 3 cats to HI under the plane. We prepared ahead of time so that all the tests/fees were squared away. Picked them up with no real wait after landing. In 2011 that overall cost was about $2,200. (cat tickets, tests, fees, etc.)



Why we moved back…It boiled down to the common reasons why people move to the mainland:

Cost of living
Be closer to Family
Tired of the compromises
Long term impact on retirement

10 years was a good clip to enjoy living there. We both made sure to be present and appreciate the experience as we lived it. I truly miss my friends, the food, and the ocean. Hawaii will always have a special place in our hearts, but the time was right for us to make a change.

Hi Dthraco,

Did you sedate the cats to prepare them for the flight?

I understand first three of your reasons to move back to mainland/Virginia.
As for the "long term impact on retirement," what do you mean?
I’m presently concerned about retiring in the state of CA due to its high taxes, and thinking perhaps the tax situation for retirees may be better in Hawaii than CA.

You’re probably not quite there to worry about retirement any time soon.
Believe it or not, I’m actually gathering information that shows the tax situation during retirement may be better in Hawaii than CA. Possibly all the states in the country offer better tax than CA…


Plumeria20

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by Plumeria20

Believe it or not, I’m actually gathering information that shows the tax situation during retirement may be better in Hawaii than CA. Possibly all the states in the country offer better tax than CA…

As a former 15 year resident of CA - any tax savings in Hawaii won't cover the increased daily cost of living.

If one is truly looking to save money from CA and enjoy a moderate climate, one goes to Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Carolina's, etc. Not Hawaii.

[WaikikiBoy]

I have also looked into the tax impact on various types of retirement income in various states. I’ve primarily looked at Oregon, Washington and Hawaii as I have properties in all three states and am approaching retirement.

Hawaii has some advantages IF your retirement income stream has a traditional employer paid defined benefit pension. And to a lesser extent on your shared contribution 401K income. Neither CA or HI taxes your income SS.

My take is this: Unless you have a very large traditional pension, or if large % of your income stream will come from sources other than SS or a ER paid pension, then the net impact of the tax differences is not substantial after calculating out your adjusted taxable income and all income sources.

There are other factors as well: for example, in HI you will pay tax on your groceries, prescriptions and rent. You won’t pay that tax in CA.

If the net impact of the income makes a big difference in your ability to retire comfortably, then I’d say trading CA for HI still will put you on the margins and the tax you pay on groceries, prescriptions, rent, etc will offset some of your 8ncome tax savings.

If it were me, I’d look to a state with no income tax, no tax on groceries or rent, and a low cost of living and low rent state … like Nevada (Las Vegas or Reno).

But if you’re sure about HI, I’d factor in the tax on groceries, prescriptions and rent … in addition to tax on income types … when comparing your actual difference in taxes paid when living in one state vs the other.

Just more things to think about.

[Dthraco]

Originally Posted by Plumeria20

Did you sedate the cats to prepare them for the flight?
Plumeria20

Did not sedate them. They were about 4yrs old at the time.

Originally Posted by Plumeria20

I understand first three of your reasons to move back to mainland/Virginia.
As for the "long term impact on retirement," what do you mean?
Plumeria20

I can’t speak to the items the others have chimed in on as I am a bit from retirement age. Great info though, much appreciated.

What I mean by long term impact is that the extra cost of living diverts what would be investments into the future. At some point that becomes a big impact on what retirement looks like.

[Plumeria20]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

As a former 15 year resident of CA - any tax savings in Hawaii won't cover the increased daily cost of living.

If one is truly looking to save money from CA and enjoy a moderate climate, one goes to Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Carolina's, etc. Not Hawaii.

whtviper,

Yes, I’ve considered Reno area (out of 9 tax free states), lived in AZ for a several years in the past.
I’ve lived in Hawaii too. Basically grew up in the island of Oahu (junior high, high school, 4 yrs of college).
That’s one of the reasons why I’m considering Hawaii to retire.

Plumeria20

[Plumeria20]

Originally Posted by WaikikiBoy

I have also looked into the tax impact on various types of retirement income in various states. I’ve primarily looked at Oregon, Washington and Hawaii as I have properties in all three states and am approaching retirement.

Hawaii has some advantages IF your retirement income stream has a traditional employer paid defined benefit pension. And to a lesser extent on your shared contribution 401K income. Neither CA or HI taxes your income SS.

My take is this: Unless you have a very large traditional pension, or if large % of your income stream will come from sources other than SS or a ER paid pension, then the net impact of the tax differences is not substantial after calculating out your adjusted taxable income and all income sources.

There are other factors as well: for example, in HI you will pay tax on your groceries, prescriptions and rent. You won’t pay that tax in CA.

If the net impact of the income makes a big difference in your ability to retire comfortably, then I’d say trading CA for HI still will put you on the margins and the tax you pay on groceries, prescriptions, rent, etc will offset some of your 8ncome tax savings.

If it were me, I’d look to a state with no income tax, no tax on groceries or rent, and a low cost of living and low rent state … like Nevada (Las Vegas or Reno).

But if you’re sure about HI, I’d factor in the tax on groceries, prescriptions and rent … in addition to tax on income types … when comparing your actual difference in taxes paid when living in one state vs the other.

Just more things to think about.

Thanks for good info/suggestions, WaikikiBoy

Besides considering NV, Oregon and having lived in AZ (also in northern VA) in the past as I’ve mentioned to whtviper, the island of Hawaii used to be my "home" where I’ve spent teenage years under the hot tropical sun; hanging out at Magic island on weekends, in flip-flops (called slippers) year long, speaking in pidgin like the local kids…

Too much to think about at the moment.
But, keep the info/suggestions coming. Thank you all.

Plumeria20

[knit2purl1]

Plumeria20,

Please also factor in the medical care situation. For many major medical problems, patients are referred to the mainland. Doctor shortages are a growing problem.

Hawaii is a great place to live, great people, great environment, great lifestyle. Staying here is chosen because we love it, we can't afford to move or we have such a great financial situation that we can afford nearly anywhere. If running the numbers and deciding if it is financially better to live here than other states on the mainland, nearly always the mainland wins.

[Plumeria20]

Originally Posted by knit2purl1

Plumeria20,

Please also factor in the medical care situation. For many major medical problems, patients are referred to the mainland. Doctor shortages are a growing problem.

I wonder what major medical problems that the island has to refer patients to the mainland?
Experiencing shortage of doctors, especially of primary care physicians, in Hawaii doesn’t sound surprising.
In CA, only half of primary care needs were met in 2022. The worsening of physician shortage is an issue across the country (www.ksby.com > local-news, Feb.9, 2023).

Plumeria20

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by Plumeria20

I wonder what major medical problems that the island has to refer patients to the mainland?

A friend of mine has cancer of the appendix - it is treatable with surgery - they will not treat it in Hawaii - now on a waiting list at a hospital in San Diego.

If you need something treated by a specialist - that specialist may or may not exist on Oahu - and if the specialist does exist on Oahu - you might be so far back on the waiting list you may need to go to the mainland anyway.