Living In Hawaii (2023)| The Ultimate Predeparture Guide!
I moved to Hawaii a few years ago, and it was perhaps the best decision I have taken in my life. The hot Calcutta summers, the equally cold winters, and the seasonal depression that follows – I was just done! I didn’t want to live in a city that was so inconvenient – it was the annoying summer months that FINALLY chased me out of the city.
I was only 15 when I first landed in Hawaii, and boy, it was beautiful – I have always been drawn to water. Being a water sign, I think it’s only natural. The contrast between the weather of the two places literally implanted a bold thought inside my 15-year-old brain – one day, I’ll be living in Hawaii.
And Thank God, I never really gave up on my Hawaiian dream! Once I graduated college, there was no looking back – I was going to be living in Hawaii, and nobody was going to stop me!
The other one of my oldest friends told me about her plans to move to Hawaii – obviously, I was overjoyed. But I also realized it was time I wrote about moving to Hawaii instead of always gushing about my adventurous trip to Stairway to Heaven!
So, here we go!
Before You Move To Hawaii:
There are multiple people out there who are interested in adopting a Hawaiian lifestyle – whether they like a slower-placed lifestyle or they love waking up to the sound of waves crashing against the rocks.
Living in Hawaii comes with its perks, including warm weather throughout the year and absolute access to some beautiful natural scenes in the whole world. The lifestyle of the island is absolutely relaxed and laid-back, and there’s a solid sense of connection as well as community to the land.
One of the great things about the Hawaii lifestyle is the abundance of different outdoor activities, which is a stark contrast to where I grew up.
Whether you have a knack for hiking, snorkeling, surfing, or even just sunbathing, Hawaii has something for most people. The state also happens to be home to multiple conservation areas and national parks, all of which provide opportunities to explore the unique fauna and flora of the islands.
What’s So Great About Living In Hawaii?
So, what is it like to live in Hawaii? In fact, what is so great about moving to Hawaii? Scroll down to find out now!
1. Sunshine Land:
Living in Hawaii feels like living in a sunshine land, considering there’s nice, tropical weather throughout the year. Even on a rainy day, you will spot the Sun doing its job somewhere on the island. And when the rain stops, there’s almost always a pretty rainbow to greet you!
2. Food Paradise:
Life in Hawaii is incomplete without all the tropical food you can enjoy here! Farmer markets and grocery stores are ALWAYS stocked with fresh tropical fruits, veggies, and seafood. The restaurants here have some of the best Pacific and Asian Islander cuisine featuring seafood delicacies.
3. Adventure Hub:
Hawaii is home to a variety of hiking trails and beaches for individuals with all skill levels making it an ideal adventure hub for EVERYONE! There are tourist attractions such as parasailing experiences, zip-line tours, and whale-watching excursions.
4. Community Island:
Each of the islands has a solid sense of community and comes with plenty of networking opportunities. There’s a tight-knit community – you will feel like having an instant bond with people who were born and eventually raised here.
5. Slow-Paced Life:
As opposed to the fast-paced lifestyle offered by most cities, living in Hawaii is simply relaxing and slow-paced. People do not really like rushing around, and they appear to be relatively carefree, which makes the environment on the island more peaceful and restorative.
What’s Not So Great About Living In Hawaii?
Living in Hawaii does sound like fun, but of course, there are certain things you might not like about living in this island state, especially if you have been thinking about figuring out how to move to Hawaii.
Scroll down to find out what’s not so great about living in Hawaii!
1. High Living Costs:
Prices are always high in places known to be popular tourist spots, and the same applies to Hawaii, where most things are imported from the mainland United States. For example, a gallon of milk can cost significantly more than eight dollars, and you can expect to pay $3000 as rent for a studio apartment.
2. Heavy Traffic:
Hawaii’s traffic conditions can be compared to that of Los Angeles, even though LA’s population is larger. There are so many parts of the islands that have access to just one route, Honoapi’ilani Highway (Hawaii Route 30), which connects the whole island to West Maui. If this road closes due to some reason or other, then you will be stuck overnight on one side of the island.
3. Over-Tourism:
Beaches that used to be a secret are now completely overpopulated with tourists, with multiple restaurants having unbearably long queues. Plus, disrespectful visitors make the place and its residents even more disdainful.
4. Dating Is A Challenge:
Dating might be difficult anywhere, but especially on an island where you get to see the same people consistently. Plus, it doesn’t really help when mostly everyone is looking for casual flings. If you are fortunate enough to find a potential match, it always comes with the risk of eventually running into them.
5. Unnecessary Commercialization:
Your lineage might not be indigenous to Hawaii, but the commercialization of the Hawaiian lifestyle is absolutely heartbreaking. Now, it is a major spot filled with restaurants and shops that accommodate tourists.
6. Island Fever:
Although being separated from the rest of the world sounds liberating, it can soon turn into what we call Island Fever. It’s a phenomenon related to psychological stress that is born when you feel trapped over a period of time. It is possible to long for road trips, changing seasons, and other luxuries after living on an island surrounded by the ocean for some time.
Cost Of Living In Hawaii:
So you have a fair idea of the pros and cons of living in Hawaii, but what about the expenses? The happiness of living in Paradise is anything but cheap, and obviously, you are in for a shock if you thought that moving to Hawaii was a pocket-friendly idea.
It doesn’t matter whether you are living in Oahu or you are in living in Hilo, Hawaii; the expenses are high everywhere. The cost of living in Hilo, Hawaii, is as high as the living expenses in Oahu. The real estate market in Oahu, for instance, is intense, considering it happens to be the most populous island in the state.
Inspite of a drop in population recently, average real estate prices are at an all-time high. A single-family home will cost you about $987,000 in Oahu in 2023 on average, while a condo will cost you about $480,000, as per data collected by Dwellhawaii.
Certainly, there is more than one housing option below these steep prices, but scarcity is a serious matter on any island. There are housing shortages, but people do want to move here – the demand-supply graph is naturally not balanced as a result.
In terms of rent, you are likely to find studio apartments in Oahu for about $1300/month in rural areas, while studios in high-end areas or luxury apartments can easily cost up to $2600 in Kakaako. Proximity to beautiful views and the beach, as well as access to extra amenities, will obviously increase rental costs, with average rent prices hitting the $2000 per month mark.
While considering occupational prospects on these islands, it is vital to understand the local industries are your best shot. Of course, tourism is at the top of the list. Apart from that, there’s also a solid military presence on the Hawaiian islands.
Additionally, the manufacturing and fishing industries are also relevant places to find jobs on these islands.
Jobs:
Of course, there are pros and cons to living in Hawaii – your decision to move here has to be on the basis of the pros and cons of doing the same.
Tourism is the biggest industry in Hawaii and accounts for a big portion of the island’s economy. Hawaii did welcome more than 9 million tourists and visitors in 2018, who spent around $17.5 billion during their stay.
The entire tourism industry supports a wide collection of jobs and businesses, including retail shops, restaurants, and hotels.
Another important industry here is agriculture, with Hawaii being a huge producer of pineapples, sugarcane, and coffee. Additionally, Hawaii also grows a huge collection of flowers, vegetables, and fruits for both exports and local markets. The agriculture industry supports hundreds of jobs and actually contributes to the economy of the state.
The Paradise Island is also home to several research institutions and technology companies, all of which have contributed to the island becoming a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation. The tech world is growing here, with so many companies selecting to locate here simply due to the favorable business climate of the island and the access to a skilled working group.
Additionally, the island state is also home to multiple defense contractors – these defense contractors provide goods and services to the military. This is because multiple military bases are located in the Hawaiian islands.
Transportation:
Inspite of certain improvements in terms of bus systems and public transportation on at least some islands, Hawaii continues to stay car-centric. This means everything that you have most probably heard or read about Hawaiian traffic, especially on Oahu, is absolutely true.
If you do want to cut down on your travel time in Hawaii significantly, then you have to know when to avoid rush hours. In case, you do want to travel between islands, then the easiest way to do that is to simply catch any regional flight from one island to go to the next.
You can also opt for passenger ferries if regional flights aren’t your option. For example, if you are residing in Maui, then you will be able to access Lanai or Molokai on various passenger ferries also.
Healthcare:
Hawaii’s healthcare system is high in terms of quality, most of which you will find located in Oahu. Hawaii has multiple hospitals as well as medical facilities that provide a collection of services to visitors and residents.
One of the biggest hospitals in Hawaii is The Queen’s Medical Center, located in Honolulu. It’s a non-profit organization that provides a wide range of medical facilities, including specialty care, surgery, and emergency care.
Another non-profit hospital is The Kuakini Medical Center, also situated in Honolulu. Plus, Kuakini Geriatric Care provides specialized care for elderly adults.
Then there’s another hospital in Honolulu, commonly called Kapiolani Hospital, solely dedicated to the care of women, children, and infants. The hospital provides multiple services like maternity care, pediatric care, and neonatal intensive care.
Apart from these major hospitals, you will also find several smaller medical facilities providing essential healthcare services to Hawaiian residents. These facilities are inclusive of community health centers, primary care clinics, and urgent care clinics, which serve many patients as well as communities.
So, Is Hawaii A Safe Place To Live? Crimes In Hawaii:
So, is Hawaii a safe place to live?
We often think that Hawaii is a tropical paradise, but Satan did enter paradise, and so did evil. Just like any other place, Hawaii also has its own set of crimes that occur here regularly.
As per the latest data from the FBI, the total crime rate here is relatively lower than the basic national average. For instance, in 2018 alone, Hawaii witnessed a crime rate of around 2.1 violent episodes per thousand people compared to the national average of around 3.7 episodes.
The crime rate in terms of property is also relatively low. Its 19.6 episodes for every 1000 people as compared to the national average of 29.1 episodes. However, there are certain types of crimes that are so much more common in these islands as compared to other places.
The biggest concern in Hawaii is the really high rate of drug use as well as abuse, especially crystal methamphetamine. In 2018, more than a thousand drug abuse violations were reported in the Hawaiian islands.
Out of these 1000 cases, almost half of them involved methamphetamine. This, in turn, increased the rate of drug-related crimes such as violence and theft. Property crimes like vandalism and theft are also common in Hawaii. In 2018, more than 12,000 episodes of theft and more than 2,000 episodes of vandalism were reported in Hawaii.
Overall, the crime rate in the Hawaiian islands is low compared to the national average. But at the same time, it is vital for both visitors and residents to take protective precautions for keeping themselves as well as their properties safe.
This obviously includes being familiar with your surroundings, locking your windows and doors, and not leaving any valuable items entirely unattended.
Tips To Stay Safe:
Living in Hawaii safely should not just include crime rates – it should also include general safety when you are living your best life on an adventure island.
Of course, the ocean is breathtakingly beautiful, but it can definitely be dangerous. You need to be aware of normal ocean activities, such as changing tides and rip currents. If swimming is not really your skill, then don’t force it, and definitely practice when a lifeguard is around.
The weather here is unpredictable, but that doesn’t mean I hate living in Hawaii – I love it! Just wear sunscreen every day and save yourself from the random wrath of the Hawaiian Sun.
When you are hiking, it is vital to stay on all the designated paths. Be attentive to posted signage, especially when you are around overlooks and cliffs. During the summer months, biting pests and mosquitoes are the most active – so you need to take care.
And It’s A Wrap: The Islands Are Calling!
The living in Hawaii Reddit threads have been my favorite stuff to read on the internet since I decided I wanted to move to the islands. But once I moved, I realized there was so much more to island life than just sunbathing by the ocean.
When you move to another corner of the world, there’s so much to consider, like jobs, healthcare, crime rate, and the like. But what, according to you, are the most crucial elements when you think about moving to Hawaii? Is it a safe environment? Is it the isolation of island life? Or is it your adventurous nature?
Feel free to share your stories, experiences, and, most importantly, thoughts about living in Hawaii in the comments below.
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