Living in Hawaii: What To Expect

One question I’m asked, What’s it Like to Live in Hawaii?

This is a sparkly topic. And I’m working on a book so you can learn how to do it.

Many people want to move here but just don’t know where to start.

My advice is: sell everything, get your own business going or try to get a job before you come, and be open to have your life change dramatically.

You’ll encounter unusual food, daily rainbows, a variety of cultures, and stunning beaches.

Living in Hawaii: the above 4 things was what kept me on the islands for 3 years.

And this was my first home on Oahu, after landing in Hawaii from Thailand, read the post here.

But be sure to explore an island before making it your home. Don’t do what I did, which is come to Oahu after never having been on the island.

This style is not for the faint of heart. Do a discovery trip first and then decide.

But I visited Maui 5 times before landing solo on Oahu in Honolulu. So my heart yearned for the Hawaiian Islands.

 

 

I lived on 3 islands in the 3 years I lived in Hawaii. 

Oahu, Big Island Hawaii, and Kauai. 

Each one of the islands is an individual country and is radically different than all the other islands in Hawaii.

This is what convinced me to move from Oahu to the Big Island of Hawaii. Read the post here.

So you have to visit the island you’re most interested in to make a final decision.

You may love the rural nature of Kauai, the big city feel of Oahu in Honolulu, or the volcanic lava on the Big Island and being able to swim with wild dolphins. 

But you have to explore and discover this answer on your own.

And its fun to research!

 

Do you want the amenities, employment, and entertainment opportunities of Oahu where 1 million people live? 

Oahu is a gorgeous island. But traffic is dense.

Choose wisely where you’ll live as the traffic will affect your life; getting to work, and moving around.

But Oahu has the best medical, beautiful beaches, and a University.

Do you like surfing? Waikiki is a great place to learn.

If you don’t want to buy a car you could use The Bus on Oahu, which is the best transportation system in the USA for people who don’t drive.

I did it and you can combine it with bike travel as you mount your bike on the front of the bus to get you home.

 

Hawaii: Your New Home

It’s not for everyone.

But if you’re called to be in Hawaii you’ll know it.

When I used to visit Maui I never wanted to return home to California.

But living it up in a luxurious style on island is not real life in Hawaii.

Housing isn’t abundant. The available options are often substandard.

But if you have the money you can rent something decent. But it won’t have the amenities you might be used to. 

Landlords know they can always find tenants so you’ll hear this:

You can’t have visitors, you can’t work at home, you can’t cook as there isn’t a kitchen, and wifi is strong when it isn’t. 

This is the reason I left Hawaii, I was tired of looking for decent housing. With a fully functioning kitchen.

So be careful. And find out if the barking dogs next door will bother you before signing a lease. 

Check out this playlist of videos I madw while living in Hawaii.

Or you can move to another island and see what’s available in a new place. Exactly one day after I moved to Kauai, I got a call from Big Island Hawaii. 

I’d asked to be notified when my dream apartment (I’d never seen it but it was perfectly located) became available. $1100 for a small one bedroom near my favorite beach and it had a tiny private terrace.

Maybe I should have returned. But I stayed on Kauai and made a life there. 

2 Years Later

I left Kauai but this the time I lived on island is a cherished memory. Maybe someday I’ll go back but now I see how fun and practical it is to experience affordable living and housing with my own kitchen in Sicily!