A step by step guide to moving to Hawaii
Having personally moved from California to Hawaii in 2005, and also having helped many others make the move across the ocean, I know what it takes. It's not easy, but if you know what to expect, your move to paradise can be a lot less stressful than you think it might be. This is a 7 step guide, so read along and don't be afraid to contact me if you have questions, especially if you plan to buy a house anywhere on Oahu.
Let's talk about your move to Hawaii
Step 1 in moving to Hawaii - figure out if you can afford it. Of course you will want to see how much Honolulu homes are, so use my property search to see if you are even in the ballpark. Hawaii is one of the most expensive places on Earth to live! Remember though, property taxes in Oahu are quite low, so while the prices seem high, your monthly payments could be a lot lower than you would think, especially if you've come from Texas, New York, or California. You will probably pay around $700k-$1.5 mil for a house, but your property taxes will be about $150-$200 per month. Our property tax rates are 5 times less than CA!
Hawaii is particularly expensive if you live in East Oahu, where real estate prices are even higher than the rest of Oahu. I'm talking about Hawaii Kai, Diamond Head, Kahala, Aina Haina, Kailua, and Kaneohe. These are very nice areas, where the average sale price is over $1million as of 2020. While you can still expect to pay $7~$9 for a gallon of milk at Foodland or Safeway, we have 4 Costcos on Oahu, so prices are close to normal for many things. Surprisingly, gas prices are about the same as California a lot of the time.
Of the thousands of people who move to Hawaii every year, one thing that is on the mind of every one of them is probably the difference in the cost of living. But we don't usually use our AC, we never have a heating bill, and we wear a lot less clothing. I own 1 jacket, I wear it a few days a year. You will save money just by not trying to compete with everyone on how they dress and the car they drive. If anything, a lot of people will look down on you if you are too showy here. Some of the richest people in Hawaii wear T-shirts and board shorts every day and drive a pickup truck (like me.)
But what about other expenses? Just assume everything will cost 10-20% more, except for used cars. For some reason we have too many cars here and used car prices are sometimes lower than many areas of the US mainland, especially if someone is moving off island and they need to sell their car quickly.
Bottom line is - if you want to live here, you might have to change your lifestyle a little bit, but it's worth every penny. I'm about to go surfing with my kids, at a beautiful empty beach, and the water is 75 degrees.
Our Listings
First time on the market! A once in a lifetime opportunity to own apartment 503/504 in the Gold Coast exclusive Coral Strand building. This is a two-bedroom two-bathroom ...
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 202020087 MLS
- Coral Strand Ltd Bldg.
- 73 DOM
Timeless Treasure designed by Vladimir Ossipoff & Sid Snyder on the slopes of Diamond Head. Pleasant ocean views from open garden lanais creating a spacious outdoor livi...
- 4 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 202008136 MLS
- 191 DOM
MODERN LUXURY on world famous Waialae Country Club Golf Course, home of the PGA Sony Open. EXTRA WIDE 130 Linear feet of Golf Course Frontage! Enjoy the best of both worl...
- 6 Beds
- 5 Baths
- 202023677 MLS
- 41 DOM
Begin each day with 180 degree ocean and shoreline views from Diamond Head to Koko Head. The corner lot home is offered furnished with Tommy Bahama style and other famous...
- 4 Beds
- 5 Baths
- 201930026 MLS
- 319 DOM
Estate Size Oceanfront Lot. Opportunity to build your own home on 28,775 sqft premium oceanfront land in East Oahu. Create your Dream Estate. CPR Approved!!
- 201828688 MLS
- 720 DOM
RIM LOT HOME WITH UNINHIBITED OCEAN VIEWS. Be the very first to live in this exceptionally designed residence in the newest of the luxury ridge communities in Honolulu. ...
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 202011724 MLS
- 119 DOM
MINI FOUR SEASONS! Gated Community of Hawaii Loa Ridge. Architecturally designed by James Mayo Macari. Koko Head, Diamond Head & Ocean Views. Kitchen features top of the...
- 4 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 202015197 MLS
- 114 DOM
Farm to Table Living- Here's an opportunity to own a completely OFF THE GRID, custom built home. 5+ acres of ocean-view, AG-2 land, and so much more on the North Shore. E...
- 4 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 202024292 MLS
- 31 DOM
Perched on a large 15,797 sf lot with unobstructed Panoramic Ocean, Surf & Koko Head Views! Well laid out 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath floor plan. Situated on a quiet street at th...
- 4 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 202021870 MLS
- 49 DOM
This townhouse offers the best of both worlds: the benefits of a single-family home combined with the amenities, security and ease of ownership of a condominium! Treat yo...
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 202020806 MLS
- Kalele Kai Bldg.
- 65 DOM
This townhouse offers the best of both worlds: the benefits of a single-family home combined with the amenities, security and ease of ownership of a condominium! Treat yo...
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 202020581 MLS
- Kalele Kai Bldg.
- 65 DOM
You'll love this gorgeous custom built home on a private acre overlooking the famous Sunset Beach on the North Shore of Oahu! Enjoy the privacy of the country and stunnin...
- 3 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 202006789 MLS
- 212 DOM
Great value! Partial 2019 renovation with fresh paint inside & out, new floors, new AC's, new Anderson windows & sliding doors! Large Chef's kitchen, remodeled master sui...
- 5 Beds
- 5 Baths
- 202000705 MLS
- 252 DOM
Beautiful ocean view unit in one of Waikiki’s most desirable condominium buildings. Step from the ground floor right onto the white sands of Waikiki Beach! Large living r...
- 1 Beds
- 1 Baths
- 202006843 MLS
- Waikiki Shore Bldg.
- 215 DOM
Spacious Multi-generational home consisting of 3 bedrooms 2 full baths upstairs, open beam ceiling and beautiful ocean views and covered Lanai. Down stairs 3 bedrooms 2 f...
- 6 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 202023437 MLS
- 30 DOM
Enjoy city and sunset views from this beautifully kept mid-century modern, St. Louis Heights home with architecturally beautiful bones. Its owners have the refined taste...
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 202025616 MLS
- 11 DOM
WOW! Move right in to this fully furnished elegant condo in one of the most sought after communities in Honolulu. Discerningly curated furnishings and art pieces by a pro...
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 202025132 MLS
- Ae'o Bldg.
- 17 DOM
PANORAMIC VIEWS! Kamaaina charm meets spacious ISLAND LIVING with picture-perfect views of Diamond Head, Waikiki and the ocean. Located halfway up Wilhelmina Rise this ho...
- 6 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 202017785 MLS
- 83 DOM
Inspired Living. Preferred Corner end '01 unit. Positioned along a quiet stretch of the Ala Wai at the entrance of Waikiki, this 2/2/2, enjoys unique soothing trade winds...
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 202025583 MLS
- The Watermark Bldg.
- 15 DOM
Perfect place to live & vacation! Desirable corner unit w/two lanais to enjoy tropical breezes & sparkling city lights. Beautiful hardwood floors installed in 2015 after ...
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 202020274 MLS
- Ilikai Apt Bldg Bldg.
- 73 DOM
Experience the waterfront lifestyle at the "Peninsula At Hawaii Kai", a masterfully designed gated community surrounded by the beautiful marina. Rarely available, this a...
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 202023180 MLS
- Peninsula At Hawaii Kai 1 Bldg.
- 32 DOM
Breathtaking oceanfront views from this modern, 2nd floor villa in the Ocean Villas at Turtle Bay. Immediately adjacent to over 600 acres of scenic, undeveloped beachfron...
- 1 Baths
- 202012186 MLS
- Ocean Villas At Turtle Bay Bldg.
- 143 DOM
$96K UNDER LAST COMPARABLE SALE! Previously rented for $3600/month. Luxury living in the heart of Kakaako. Located between Ward Village and Ala Moana Shopping Center, Koo...
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 202010933 MLS
- Koolani Bldg.
- 159 DOM
This high floor corner unit offers the best view in the building. Enjoy the Beautiful panoramic Ocean View and Diamond Head. Excellent Location!!!, centrally located New ...
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 202025495 MLS
- Kapiolani Residence Bldg.
- 17 DOM
Prime Location! This is rim lot with unobstructed panoramic ocean, sunset, city and mountain views! Located down a lane and off the main road. Create your own style and t...
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 202027560 MLS
- 2 DOM