Some advice on moving to Hawaii

[leelee2223]

Hello to All!!

My husband and I are moving to Hawaii and I've been trying to do my homework, but I thought that maybe asking the locals or people who have made the same move, might help in acquiring some better, more tangible information.

My husband and I are both in the banking industry and would like to know if anyone knows what the average wages are for a personal banker, teller, and/or asst. Managers. Even so, what would be the best jobs to keep, over there?

I am also trying to figure out which island would meet our needs the best? I was thinking of moving to Oahu. We are looking for housing within distance of town that are not outrageously expensive. We wish we could live quite close to the beach, but I know it is much more expensive. Also we want an island that's not to quite and rural, but not so hustle and bustle.

Also would anyone be able to tell me what might might be best: bringing my car over or buying one when we get there?

Anyway...this is just a few of many, but I can't seem to bring them into words yet.....

Well thank you to all of you in advance.....for all your help and advice and suggestions. I really appreciate it alot!!

With regards,
LeeLee

[tutusue]

Re: Some advice on moving to Hawaii

[...]My husband and I are moving to Hawaii and I've been trying to do my homework, [...]My husband and I are both in the banking industry and would like to know if anyone knows what the average wages are [...]

What brings you and your husband to Hawaii? May we assume that both of you have yet to line up jobs? Knowing the answers to these questions will help the HT denizen offer up some advice!

[Karen]

Re: Some advice on moving to Hawaii

If you both still have to find jobs, why not look on the big Island? real estate is much more affordable and in fact has gone down while our island has risen, recently. You won't have so much cement and congestion there, either.

[leelee2223]

Re: Some advice on moving to Hawaii

First of all...thank all of you again for taking the time to answer my questions and try and help me out.

Well, why Hawaii?? Myself, personally, I was born and raised in Houston, Texas and have been not too many places. We wanted to move to another state, but everything here small town or big, is all the same, but Hawaii, Hawaii is like a whole 'nother country within the US!! It is much different from the mainlands **Good different** Maybe Ill feel more at home there than here. My mother is Filipina and there are many Filipinos there. Aside from that, Hawaii is rich in culture, traditions, ethnic backgrounds, and so on. I have ALWAYS loved learning and emersing myself in different countries, cultures, traditions and people!!

As of et, we have not lined up a job there. (Tutusue, I have read other threads and I believe it was you who recommended a book to read on moving to Hawaii) and from my understanding, it is very hard getting a job unless you have plane ticket in hand and date set. We don't have that yet. We are still eyeballing where would be the best islad, how long it would take to save for the move...we were thinking late January to Feburary next year, but hopefully sooner!!

OK..I also would like some opinions on which of the islands would be the best to reside:
I want somewhere where there is alot of activities and things going on, where housing is not as expensive and maybe able to live by or close by a beach, jobs are easier to find, I was looking into either Big Island or Oahu, but you guys would know better. Some advice?

[DKP]

Re: Some advice on moving to Hawaii

Although real estate is v.expensive here, you might want to choose O'ahu for a few reasons.

- Waipahu/Kunia/Ewa have many Filipinos and it is their cultural center of the entire island chain. You may not want to live in those areas specifically, though, as it is hell to get to town in the morning and going back in the evening (not as bad) thanks to traffic. My girlfriend lives in Kunia and has to leave at 5 a.m. and she sometimes doesn't get to town until 2 hours later. To give you perspective, w/out traffic, I can make the trip in 15 minutes. She is full Filipino and heavily involved in culture, and her family just recently assisted the opening of the Filipino Cultural Center in Waipahu (? or Ewa?) There are places closer to town w/out taking all your $$$, such as Pearl City, Salt Lake, etc. Generally, the closer you get to town, the more you pay.

- I've worked in bank vaults and branches for 2 different banks and 1 credit union. All the companies are based on O'ahu, and their headquarters are all in downtown Honolulu...but...there are still many open positions on outer islands. There are many jobs in finance/banking avail. (always!), so don't worry. Both the credit unions and normal banks here pay about the same for positions.

For starters, check out the positions at:

www.boh.com
www.americansavingsbank.com
www.centralpacificbank.com
www.fhb.com

For credit unions:

www.thehawaiichannel.com/creditunions/index.html
(most are listed)


* Personal bankers (which there are usually open positions for), ususally start you off around 38,000 and can get you upwards of 65,000 (maybe more dep. on your exp.) This is enough to live comfortably, esp. if your spouse is doing the same.

* Tellers usually start around 8.50/hr. If you are peak time, expect around 11.50, but you won't get benefits and your hours will be capped, most likely at 19 hrs./wk. If you are full or part time and are successful at referrals, expect your hourly to go up pretty quick (after the initial 6mos., but more frequent after that). My coworker was a teller for 15 years (full time), and making about $15/hr., good or bad depending on how much material things you want in life.

Most every large bank here offers great benefits. You might not be able to afford what you want on a teller's salary. You might as well work 'New Accounts' as you can make a good commission off bank products, whereas, if you are a teller referring clients to 'New Accounts', you are just helping your chances of getting a raise...but not getting the commission off each product.

* Asst. Managers (branch) make about the same as personal/private bankers.

One thing to enjoy about the banking environment here...we aren't as formal as many parts of the mainland! Expect a fun environment (of course, it all depends on the Branch Manager), but for the most part, it's cool.

I left the industry because I felt I'm needed more for native habitat conservation/invasive species control. Big tradeoff in kala ($$$), but worth it

[DKP]

Re: Some advice on moving to Hawaii

Oh, forgot to mention: If you folks are planning on purchasing and becoming owner-occupants, most banks here as an employee-benefit, offer very low interest rates on their mortgages...I think between 3 and 4 percent, fixed. I haven't been in banking since 2003, but that is (if I remember correctly) what I was offered. That benefit alone can be worth it

I've always told friends who were struggling here to try and get into finance/banking as there are always jobs.

[leelee2223]

Re: Some advice on moving to Hawaii

Hey thanks DKP....That was quite helpful.

The Filipino community isn't totally the decision maker for where I want to live, but it is def. something I would love. I am actually half filipina and polish and israeli. I had a chance to explore my israli and jewish background, but not my Filipina background. I mean hear the stories and I got to visit twice for only 2 wks each, but in school it was very hard to mix with the filipinos because I wasn't full blooded Filipina. I just want a chance to submerge myself with my mother's background to be able to be proud of my heritage and to have a good understanding and when I eventually have children, to be able to pass that heritage on.

What exactly is the Filipino Culture Center? Do they have events? Maybe it would be a great deal of help if I could even keep in touch with you and your girlfriend (if both of you are ok with that) SHould I decide to move to Oahu....It would be really nice to have someone so involved within her cultural community, and even more to have some friends in a place where we are starting over!!

See I'm between Oahu and Big Island. Which is more of a "happenin" island...more to do, but still not very very busy ( I guess compared to Houston, anywhere there is not very busy eh?) Because Honolulu is in Oahu and is the capital, Im pretty sure that cost of living would generally be higher, right? I'm leaning more to Oahu, but I don't know...

My husband would def. be suitable and interested in moving into bankin (he's been in that industry for over 5 years now) Myself I have about a year total experience as teller and about 6 months of that as a lead, or supervisor, teller. Now, I don't neccessarily have to work in the banking industry, but it would be nice. I don't mind doing other jobs. What is your take between a (hopefully) FT teller (or supervisory teller) position and a personal banker (or even asst. manager) position, would our income be able to cover cost of living? **We would prob. be shipping over our car, which at the moment we pay $385/month and Im sure insurance would cost alot too**???

And thank you soooo very much for all your help any other adive..let me know!

[tutusue]

Re: Some advice on moving to Hawaii

[...]I want somewhere where there is alot of activities and things going on, where housing is not as expensive and maybe able to live by or close by a beach, jobs are easier to find,[...]

Leelee...if you find that place please let all of us know where it it!!! That sounds like paradise!

[leelee2223]

Re: Some advice on moving to Hawaii

Okay...I guess it was wishful thinking hahaha, but I guess ya know what I mean?? But there's something close to it in Australia...Perth maybe. I guess maybe the closest you can get

[DKP]

Re: Some advice on moving to Hawaii

Personally, I've been to the center once. My girl's father is rather prominent in the business and cultural fronts (he's Filipino talk show host on the radio), and she tells me (only jokingly, now)..."It's a place for Filipino businessmen to get together and talk sh*t." :P Seriously though, I know of some youths who are allowed to do organized break-dancing, learn languages, other dances, etc. I guess it's basically a community center w/emphasis on culture. There are choke (many) organizations aside from this place that have festivals/cultural courses all the time, most free, otherwise cheap. If you wanna learn, you won't be disappointed. Other islands probably have many events too, cuz like you said (and are correct about), there are many longtime and new Filipino residents all over the chain.

As an ex-Lead Teller, you'll have lots of opportunity to become Teller Supervisor (I think they make around between 32,000 - 45,000, could be wrong). At 3 of the branches I worked at, we were always in need for Teller Supervisors. I think they get progress incentives as well cuz you'll be competing against other branches for referrals. Not a bad job, from what I hear. Also, you shouldn't have a problem working 'New Accounts' w/your exp. One guy I knew was making about 50k from commission because of his location (new subdivision). He used to be a stevedore for Matson (they make BANK here), and he didn't want to go back.

I love Hawai'i island (Big Island). Less nightlife but MUCH more unspoiled natural enjoyment (my real interest, I'm just part-urban cause it's around me), but I'm the kind of guy that sometimes spends days alone in the mountains (honestly). I've only visited Mau'i, Big Island, and Moloka'i...many times, but haven't lived there longer than a month at a time, so I'm not the one to answer about those places (I know real estate is cheaper in certain areas, don't know by how much.) I do know that most everything other than real estate costs MORE on the outer islands, cuz most things are first shipped here, then there. Gas is more costly on outer islands (on O'ahu, cheapest on the West Side...aside from Costco).

There is more food processing/distribution done on O'ahu, so food tends to be cheaper here too. Locally grown produce might be cheaper on outer islands, not sure, but there is less land avail. here for agriculture. Locally caught ocean life is also probably cheaper on outer islands (more abundance there).

O'ahu is definately the urban center and nightlife place...but we still have some 'boonie areas' (and I mean that in the most positive way possible), but if you work alot and don't live near the boonies (if even interested in that stuff), you may only be able to visit on weekends (b/c of traffic/time constraints).

As for beaches, they are everywhere...shouldn't be too much of a problem. We have a state law that noone can own the land makai (seaward) of the high tide line...or breaker line (though some try to extend their properties with vegetation, fences, etc...bastards, especially the ones that destroy the areas with limu!), but access usually isn't a problem.

PM me for contact info.

[leelee2223]

why not look on the big Island? real estate is much more affordable and in fact has gone down while our island has risen, recently. You won't have so much cement and congestion there, either.

what ya mean by cement and congestion? LIke...it's not as busy an island? How much is housing...on average there "RENT v.s. OWN" Youre knowledge is most appreciated

DKP...

Maybe you might have really helped me in my decision. Seeing as Texas is one of the biggest cities in the mainlands, there is alot more night life. and to make for a smoother transition, especially for my husband *he likes the night life* it may be a good idea to go to Oahu. But then again I love nature. I have a green thumb, just like my momma, So I love all the flowers and greenery in untouched land...so this may be a toughy!!! I don't know. Plus housing is a huge chunk of your income right? And agricultural areas are more likely to produce alot of veg. & fruits, therby those items would be cheeper.
But I would definitely love seeing the natural enjoyment your islands have....Is there at least some really nice ones in Oahu?

As it is....I don't really get to do much until the weekends anyway, but I bet over there with the beautiful weather, the beautiful eco scenery, I'd be aching to just leave work early!! and I've been aching to catch some great waves *don't get the idea that I'm a grand surfer, but ever since I went to visit my parents in Australia, I've really been wanting to learn to surf**

It would be great to be around my fellow filipinos coz I don't know why, but I feel at home it makes me cry and laugh all at the same time!!! I think that community center would be so wonderful!!!

Again, I know I say this alot, but thanks so much for your help

[Leo Lakio]

Re: Some advice on moving to Hawaii

Seeing as Texas is one of the biggest cities in the mainlands

Texas is one big city now?

[Karen]

Re: Some advice on moving to Hawaii

LOL Texas still has huge sprawl and more land than uh, anything, but Texas.....is a whole other nation, heck, it seriously was a nation, and is the only state of the 50 that can legally fly its flag as high, equally with the US flag, I believe as long as it's on its own flagpole, cuz mostly I still see the texas flag under the US, when there and paying attention.

Leelee, here's the official real estate link for all islands. You'll dig the difference in ours and the Big Island, and yes, big island is real country, where as ours is so crowded that one of my friends came here even twenty years ago and she was diasppointed how crowded this place is.


http://hicentral.com/

[timkona]

Re: Some advice on moving to Hawaii

Most folks who move here love the ocean and ocean sports and activities. That is what keeps my sails filled. Warm, friendly oceans rule.

If you find yourself NOT going to the beach, or if you hate sand in your car (or your cracks for that matter), or if you don't swim at all, then those are the folks I see who move back to the mainland.

As far as jobs go, if you show up on time, have a clean pee test, and come back to work after your first paycheck, you can pretty much work wherever you like.

[leelee2223]

Re: Some advice on moving to Hawaii

Leelee, here's the official real estate link for all islands. You'll dig the difference in ours and the Big Island, and yes, big island is real country, where as ours is so crowded that one of my friends came here even twenty years ago and she was diasppointed how crowded this place is.


http://hicentral.com/

ours...meaning you livve in Oahu?And so crouded compared to where? And how crowded, where you, as a long time resident don't even feel the eco beauty and beach, crowded? or crowded as in to many shops and houses crammed in one tiny little area?