I've been reading a lot on these boards about moving to Hawaii and I'm scared to death! My husband and I, along with our cat, are moving to Oahu at the end of August. Our kids are grown and won't be joining us.
This wasn't our "dream" like so many others, although we are excited about it. My husband was pursued by a construction company that has done work on the islands for many years - primarily on the military bases. They offered him a good position with a significant increase in salary that, due to the increased cost of living in Hawaii, will make the move pretty much a lateral one. We are certainly not rich. We did a ton of research before we agreed to the move and had a provision put in his contract that the company will pay to move us back to the mainland if it doesn't work out for any reason. The company will pay to ship our cars and our household goods and for our travel for the move including temporary housing until our things arrive. They also included four round trip airline tickets per year so we can go back to the mainland to visit friends and family or have our boys come for a visit. We feel like we covered all the bases.
So much of what I read here seems to discourage people from moving to Hawaii but maybe what's really happening is a reality check. I get the impression that a lot of people (young and not so young) want to sell everything they have, pull up stakes and head over to "paradise" on a wing and a prayer. I agree that would be foolish - and not just in Hawaii. I'm way too conservative to even consider anything like that.
I've read a lot about how difficult it is to find rentals that allow pets. I've found A LOT of places that say "Pets OK." Of course I don't have three dogs like the lady whose posts I was reading this morning. I'm sure that would make a huge difference. We are coming over week after next to find a place to live.
I'm sorry this is so long. I've just been feeling a bit overwhelmed with all I've read here. We are originally from Texas where newcomers are welcomed with open arms. Of course Texas has a lot more "wide open space" left than Hawaii! My husband and I hope not to be viewed as intruders and will do our best to be good neighbors and citizens. We are looking forward to finding a new church home and making new friends. We will be respectful of the land, the culture and everything that Hawaii has to offer.
This wasn't our "dream" like so many others, although we are excited about it. My husband was pursued by a construction company that has done work on the islands for many years - primarily on the military bases. They offered him a good position with a significant increase in salary that, due to the increased cost of living in Hawaii, will make the move pretty much a lateral one. We are certainly not rich. We did a ton of research before we agreed to the move and had a provision put in his contract that the company will pay to move us back to the mainland if it doesn't work out for any reason. The company will pay to ship our cars and our household goods and for our travel for the move including temporary housing until our things arrive. They also included four round trip airline tickets per year so we can go back to the mainland to visit friends and family or have our boys come for a visit. We feel like we covered all the bases.
So much of what I read here seems to discourage people from moving to Hawaii but maybe what's really happening is a reality check. I get the impression that a lot of people (young and not so young) want to sell everything they have, pull up stakes and head over to "paradise" on a wing and a prayer. I agree that would be foolish - and not just in Hawaii. I'm way too conservative to even consider anything like that.
I've read a lot about how difficult it is to find rentals that allow pets. I've found A LOT of places that say "Pets OK." Of course I don't have three dogs like the lady whose posts I was reading this morning. I'm sure that would make a huge difference. We are coming over week after next to find a place to live.
I'm sorry this is so long. I've just been feeling a bit overwhelmed with all I've read here. We are originally from Texas where newcomers are welcomed with open arms. Of course Texas has a lot more "wide open space" left than Hawaii! My husband and I hope not to be viewed as intruders and will do our best to be good neighbors and citizens. We are looking forward to finding a new church home and making new friends. We will be respectful of the land, the culture and everything that Hawaii has to offer.
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