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.
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 ...
Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.
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...
Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.
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...
Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.
Kealia Farm Lot. CPR Subdivision has county electric and two private water systems stubbed onsite to each parcel. Agricultural zoning allows for a variety of agriculture ...
Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.
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...
Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.
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!!
Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.
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. ...
Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.
This highly desirable, "F" Unit, Hokua condo in Kaka'ako offers unobstructed, panoramic Diamond Head and Ocean views from the main living area and bedrooms. The condo ser...
Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.
Hawaii Kai's beautiful marina front home, in one of the most desirable neighborhoods, "Kealaula Kai", is perfectly situated on one of the widest Hawaii Kai Marina. This e...
Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.
Privacy gates open to an inviting entry walkway that fans out to a quiet lawn under a canopy of tropical trees & tiled pool. Beautiful patio w/high vaulted roof frames th...
Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.
The meticulous home you thought you would never find! This move-in condition home is SINGLE LEVEL with 4 large bedrooms all with great storage. The entire home is perfect...
Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.
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...
Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.
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...
Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.
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...
Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.
Imagine living in a perfect home built for today's changing lifestyle! Artfully designed, this inspiring home offers separate areas for comfortable living, remote work, s...
Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.
Ready-made beach bungalow getaway in the country. Walk to the beach from this gorgeous remodeled home, with engineered Tigerwood floors, marble tile in bathrooms, Lon Kl...
Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.
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...
Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.
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 ...
Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.
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...
Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.
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...
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Looking for SPACIOUS and MODERN Kakaako living? Look no further. This rare fully renovated three-bedroom 1,400 sq. ft. unit offers panoramic ocean, city, and mountain vie...
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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 ...
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Multi family living with with 3 separate entrances. 3 bedrooms and 2 baths upstairs in the main area, 3 bedrooms and 1 bath downstairs and 2 bedrooms 1 bath over the gara...
Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.
Great Opportunity to Build a new home 2 lots away from the ocean on 10,000 usable level square feet. Great location across from Aina Haina Shopping Center. CPR Approved!!...
Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.
New Price ! A'eo is a Luxury Ward Village condo. Located above the flagship Whole Foods and close to great Restaurants and shopping. This large one bedroom one bath on t...
Listing courtesy of Corcoran Pacific Properties.