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Things to Consider if Moving to Hawaii

Living in Hawaii is very different from living anywhere else in the United States. It is a beautiful island filled with adventure and opportunity. It is exciting, but all the emotions can overwhelm you.

You need to look at a host of things before the move. You have to look for a moving company, deal with car shipping companies, and pack your things. But before all of that, have you considered what to expect when you get to Hawaii?

Continue reading below for the tips you have to know before considering making a new home in Hawaii. 

Choose Your Island First

Hawaii has several islands. The most populated is Oahu. The island is where you will find the famous Waikiki beach. It is also home to several high rises and large shipping centers. As such, most jobs are here.

The actual island of Hawaii is the largest in the group. It is known as the Big Island, and it thrives on tourism. 

Maui is a more laid-back island while keeping several entertainment options. It is known for tourism as well as agriculture.

Kauai is not as famous as the other islands. It is the most laid-back among the islands. A nightlife scene is starting to develop here, though.

There are several other islands in the area. The main point is to research and understand what part of Hawaii you want to be in.

Logistics Is Different in the Middle of the Ocean

You have to understand that living on an island has unique challenges. Things you take for granted on the mainland are much more expensive here. A good example is online shopping. It costs more to have packages shipped to your island address. And it can take more time.

FedEx overnight shipping, for example, can take an additional day or two to get to your address. Almost anything you have shipped into the island or shipped out would take at least two days. 

Even with Amazon, some items would be a challenge to ship into or out of the island.

The same can be said with stores on the island. It may take a few days for them to restore items that are currently out of stock. You do not have the luxury of driving a couple of hours to another city to see if it is available there.

Do not expect the same convenience with things you are used to.

Paradise Has Problems Too

Visiting a place is different from living there. Your point of view can be skewed when you are on vacation. While Hawaii offers warm weather all year round, amazing beaches, and a unique lifestyle, it is not without problems. You can find traffic and crime on the islands too.

Living in Hawaii can give you a unique perspective. The scenery, nature, and people are very different from mainland United States. But it is far from perfect.

High Cost of Living

Compared to other American cities, the cost of living on the islands is higher. The main contributing factor to that is logistics. It takes more time, money, and effort to get things into the cities. You can expect to pay up to 30% more for items here.

The median for single-family homes has been going up over the years too. That means rent is increasing across the board in Oahu.

And if you plan to purchase a property, it is important to know that Hawaii has strict zoning. You cannot build a home in certain parts of the island. That is something you will have to research and learn about ahead of time.

Employment Opportunities

The job market in Hawaii is somewhat concentrated on a few industries such as:

  • Tourism
  • Healthcare
  • Agriculture
  • Service Industries

The main source of income for the islands is tourism, so most jobs revolve around that. Typical office jobs and professions may have limited opportunities. Unless you already have a job offer, which is why you are planning to move to Hawaii, you may want to research job opportunities for your field first.

Manage Your IDs

You can use your American driver’s license in Hawaii as long as it is still valid. But if you are going to live on the island, do not forget to change your out-of-state license into a Hawaiian one. That way, you can renew it with just a written test. 

You should strongly consider getting a state ID as well. It comes with several benefits such as discounts and a PO Box. 

Conclusion

The island life is different from any state in the continental US. While you should also expect traffic, crime, and other normal problems, you should prepare most for learning. There is an entire culture and language for you to immerse in.

Not to mention the fact that since this is a tourist island, you have the opportunity to meet a lot of people from all walks of life. 

The beaches are beautiful. But what makes Hawaii a paradise are the people you meet along the way.