Moving to Oahu
note: this is a reposting of two forum questions and answers
My husband and I are moving to Oahu and would appreciate suggestions from kamaaina on how we can adjust from life stateside. We have a lot to learn, and we’ve started reading Hawaiian newspapers and visiting online forums about the island.
I have a job lined up, and my husband will keep his current telecommuting job. We plan to rent for at least a year so we gather our wits before house hunting. (Even then, we’re not sure we’ll be able to afford a home.)
I’m Asian American and grew up on Guam, which is a friendly, culturally diverse, easy-going place, so I think Hawaii will feel like home in many ways. My husband is a shy and easy-going haole tech nerd from Silicon Valley. We would appreciate everything from practical tips on neighborhoods to general insight on life in Hawaii. We’re so looking forward to being a part of the community. Thank you for taking the time to share advice.
from Lisa: Where you want to live depends largely on your job, in my opinion. The commute from anywhere into Honolulu is excruciating starting early in the morning and lasting till about lunch, and then at around 2:00 traffic gets all snarled on the way out of Honolulu to anywhere. So, take this into consideration if your job is in Honolulu and during normal business hours. (there is no public transportation other than TheBus at this time)
Other than that, I like anywhere on the windward side or north shore - look in and around Kailua and Waimanalo. There is a lot of construction and nice homes in the Ewa Beach area (plus Barber’s point and other old military installations) but I don’t like that area - too hot and dry.
In regards to ‘life in Hawaii’ - I think it will be extremely similar to Guam, although I’ve never been there, the geographical and industrial and cultural similarities are so prevalant - I don’t think you will have any problem. I was a haole from the mainland decades ago, and I never had one problem. Most of the people here are so accepting and kind and mellow - it’s a nice place to be.
Just find a nice church, and if you don’t go to church find a nice paddling group, and you’ll have your community very shortly.
from Wendy
I’m also planning on moving to Oahu in the next 7 months. I am a divorced mature lady and live in Chicago. Although I had thought about Maui, I read that it would be too hard to get around by bus. I’m also looking for a rental apt. so any suggestions or ideas would be helpful. I hope to land a job in a law firm in Honolulu.
I found Hawaii magazine today at Border’s - pick it up. I called a moving service after I saw their ad. Someone mentioned apts. in Ewa Beach and Pearl City. I’m still researching.
My family and I are planning to move to Hawaii within the next year or two. We love the feel of Maui, but after looking into housing for rent it seems almost impossible, is there areas of Oahu that would be more laid back like Maui, but within a decent distance to Honolulu? I am a Massage Therapist so I think that is where most of the jobs would be for me.
from lisa Check out everywhere outside of Honolulu - Ewa Beach, Kailua, the North Shore - just be aware that the commute into Honolulu is a monster.
from mieko I’m not a kamaaina, but a newcomer to Hawaii from California (I’m originally from Japan.). I just arrived in Oahu the day before yesterday with my dog. My haole husband (who will come to Hawaii next week with our son) was a successful engineer in Silicon Valley, but was laid off 2 years ago and hasn’t found a steady job since then. (He’s one of the many engineers in SV who were displaced from a job due to the offshoring trend of the semiconductor industry.) Moving to Hawaii has been my husband’s biggest dream. After several years of paying high costs of living in Silicon Valley without a job, we decided to sell our house in CA and move to Hawaii. We managed to sell our house in CA in April, bought a house in Hawaii Kai, Honolulu and we are transitioning from “Silicon Valley” to “Kalama Valley” in Hawaii Kai.
I was just surfing the net this morning, wondering how other folks moving from mainland to Hawaii are adjusting to a new lifestyle and found your site. So you have already move to Oahu and settled in? Have you found a new job and friends?
Moving can be really hard, because you leave your familiar surroundings and friends. I and my 8-year-old son are having a hard time leaving long-time friends in California. I still don’t know yet if this is a place I’ll stay for the long years to come, but I will do my soul searching as well as going out to meet people and make new connections. I hope that you and your husband are enjoying Hawaii and your new community if you are alreay here. It’s beautiful here and people are really nice and friendly, so I’m sure you like it here. Whatever challenge you may be facing, I wish you the best of luck with your new endeavers.
I’m trying to find ways to meet new people and make connections, so please let me know if you have any knowledge on groups that may be a good fit for intermarriage couples like us who came from the mainland. Thanks!
from bethany Aloha, all. I too am planning on moving from California to Oahu in May of 2007 and was wondering if any of you could answer a few questions.
I currently live in Los Angeles and work a 9-5 desk job in a stuffy corporate office. I am really wanting to move to Oahu’s north shore, possibly near Haleiwa, and to find some type of job that is outside and physical. Most of my work experience for the last 8 years has been behind a desk and I really want to get out of that life. I want to live in a mellow area and just be able to pay my bills.
Any suggestions on places to look for work on the north shore? As well as which towns to look for apartments in?
2nd question
from Aurea January 07, 2003
My husband and I are moving to Oahu in June of this year. I would like to know how soon should we start sending out our resumes? Will our resumes be ignored because of the address(mainland)or should we wait until we are there? Is it hard for people of different ethnic backgrounds to find employment or apartments on Oahu (Honolulu)?
from Lisa: What kind of employment are you involved in? No, don’t even worry about ethnic backgrounds. You have never seen so many different ethnic backgrounds as you will see in Hawaii. Here on the Big Island, I am a major minority (caucasian).
from GoLowDrew I would also sign up with major temp agencies to make sure you have some work right away. Many of the big name have offices in Honolulu. So in other words, you can take whatever test, application/resume here on the mainland, and have it sent. I was offered that option when I moved from Hawaii to the mainland. Find an agency that is willing to do this.
IMO, local company will less likely call a reference on the mainland. Manly because it’s long distance and the time difference. Phone tag with your mainland references may not help. I’m not saying they don’t just less likely IMO.
If you could start with a temp job right away, at least you have some local contact as references.
P.S. Hawaii pay will be lower than the mainland in some cases. I’m sure you probably already know that.
22 Responses to “Moving to Oahu”
1 Brandi May 25 December 2006 @ 9:05 pm
I am moving to Oahu with my new husband on Jan 2, 2007.He is stationed at Scholfield base. Any help you could give would be great. Places to eat that are local chains and places to shop. My family would like to give us gift certificates but we dont know of any restraunts or places to shop. Thanks
2 jennie 5 January 2007 @ 10:19 am
my husband and i are making the move to hawaii- the hard winters that hinder my husbands health coupled with the lack of employment here drove the move. I have an associates in business (emphasis in paralegal) and he is a steel fabricator/welder. any advice? we realize the cost of living is awful but it is not much better in GR- housing here runs about 1000-1200 for a so so place here too.
3 C 16 January 2007 @ 9:23 pm
My family and I moving to Oahu as soon as we can find a home we are able to rent.
People have told us to try and stay away from the southwest side of the island as it is not the best or safest place on the island for a family.
We did like the Mililani area very much and would like to stay closer to Honolulu rather than North Shore.
Could you please tell us which other towns would be a good place to live?
4 lisa 16 January 2007 @ 9:47 pm
I visit my friends who live in Ewa Beach a lot and that seems like a nice place. They live in the old part, not the new million dollar homes that are going up all over the place. My husband used to rent a house there when he was in the military so it must be affordable. If you liked Mililani maybe you would like Wahiawa just above it? Or maybe Aiea or Pearl City. I wish you luck!
5 CRTC 7 February 2007 @ 1:30 pm
Well as I can see many of you guys are having the same problem as me and my boyfriend. I need some advice since most of you guys are probably alot older then me. We are 17 years old and will be moving there when we are 18. He will be attending the University of Hawaii and I will be working. I was wondering living in Oahu, will it be a struggle for us to survive. As young as we are, will the move be worth it in the end? PLEASE help me as to what it would be like. thank you.
6 Tamaya 13 February 2007 @ 1:56 pm
Bethany, I am planning on moving to Hawaii in May as well! I too am just sick and tired of being behind a desk pushing papers! and I have always wanted to live in Hawaii and I am finally going to do it! I currentl live in Newport Beach California, and however the beaches are nice here…I just want a different life style. I am currently looking into a Loan Officer position in Oahu just to have income coming in, but I would like to do something outside too…
7 laura 15 February 2007 @ 11:41 pm
hi i also have a question for anyone living in oahu, i want to move there maybe in october 2007 and im 18 and will be saving as much as i can to get started, im wondering what kind of jobs hire the most and i was thinking of bartending possibly, is that in demand? also, do a lot of people have roomates? and where can u find a decent reliable one? im sure i wont be able to afford an apartment on my own..
8 lani 1 March 2007 @ 9:57 am
Born and raised in Kaneohe moved to the midwest 13 yrs ago. Hubby got a chance to transfer there june 2007. We went back to HNL in Jan 07 to really check it out and make sure that we can afford to live there. They only thing that cost the most there is Housing rentals are probably higher than your mortgage. If you shop at costco and sams it is the same or close to it. Gas is higher but you dont drive very far get a fuel effecient vehicle the roads are smaller and parking is small unlike the mainland. My gas bill for heat this month was $172 you dont have that there but electricity is high there so learn to hang your clothes and use your dryer just to fluff it up thats what most locals do. You wont need seasonal clothes and no one cares how you dress there so you will save on that. For us giving up homeownership is hard but the lifestyle and FOOD and family makes me want to make those sacrafices. We got 3 highschoolers and they look haole (white) they just need to not have an attitude, learn to slow down and accept everyone as they are, smile say hello to everyone and try the food when they are offered it. Always say thank you and dont call adults by there first name aunty , uncle or mr & mrs. they will be fine.
9 sarah 17 March 2007 @ 4:52 pm
Hi there,
Wow it looks like a lot of poeple are packing up and heading to paradise! My husband I have brought a one way ticket, have a hotel for 7 days and thats about it for now. We leave mid April and will hopefully have some condo listings in place to view upon our arrival. Does anyone know roughly how long it takes to get into an apartmet, once found? Also we are actvely looking for work, anything right now that will cover the bills until we get settled. We need a 2 bedroom place but not quite sure what area yet? Honolulu appears to be the most fav place to find work but we are open to anything right now. As long as its in a safe, clean place that is.
well if anyone has some info for us we would realy appreciate it.
Good luck with all of your moves- maybe we should start a ‘new comers’ club!
10 AshleyMadsen 4 April 2007 @ 3:16 pm
I am moving to Hawaii from Denver CO. I am just moving for the summer. I am looking for a bartending job for three months. If someone can give me a little direction I would love it…
11 GoLowDrew 6 April 2007 @ 1:14 pm
To find a job, start here:
http://starbulletin.com/monster/
The same site should also help in finding an apt to rent.
12 paul moly 29 July 2007 @ 4:56 pm
My wife and I are moving to oahu soon . I work in construction but also hold rescue diver card. I was wondering about job opertunities or if you could steer me in the right direction to work as a rescue diver.What buisnesses would be best to talk to in your area. I worked at sea trek in a water park for a full season where we take people down with snuba gear where i worked as a safety diver.Are there opertunities in your opinion in this field. your help would be greatly appreciated.
13 lisa 29 July 2007 @ 6:20 pm
I’m not sure what a rescue diver is, but if you mean emergency rescues underwater, you could seek a job with the fire department, or with a scuba company, or with any boat that does snuba or scuba - they all have to have safety divers like you have had experience with. There is also Sea Life Park and there are shark dive outfits on the north shore. Your opportunities are probably pretty broad, IMO. I can’t say for sure because I don’t know the industry, but I do know there is boat after boat operating tour after tour all around Oahu and all the islands. Best of Luck!
14 Jeremy 24 August 2007 @ 5:19 pm
I recently found out I am getting transfered to Oahu around the first of Dec and will be looking for a place to live. What are my options considering I will be working in downtown Honolulu? I would be looking for some sort of house/ anything witha fenced backyard to rent due to the fact that I have a medium sized dog? How bad will the commute be from the diffrent locations?
15 Shanna 10 September 2007 @ 8:17 pm
My husband & I are moving to hawaii in October 07 and we’re going to need an apartment that we can afford-no more than 900 a month. We’re both 20 years old & my husband will be doing either window washing or installing wood floors. I will probably work in retail for a while until I get my massage therapy license. We’re not sure whether to move to Maui or Oahu, any advice? We both surf and love the beach and snorkeling so whichever one has the better beaches and where we can find good jobs. Also, is it really hard to find a reasonable car?
16 Van 12 October 2007 @ 3:13 pm
My wife and I were thinking of moving to Hawaii for a year to see if we’d like it there or not. However, after careful some research and careful consideration, we decided to go to Oahu for a couple of months (July-Aug when the kids are out of school). I’m thinking of renting a condo and car for a couple of months and explore the island. I want to check out: (1) the various parts of the island to see which area would fit us, (2) check the schools to see how they perform, (3) check to see where the most of the jobs are (which part of the island) and (4) see if we’d enjoy the lifestyle if we’re not living in hotels. We’d appreciate any advice you can give regarding the areas I mentioned above. Thanks in advance.
17 lisa 17 October 2007 @ 5:11 pm
Hi Van, the performance of the schools is generally amonng the last in the nation. Many people who can afford it out their children in private school. Most jobs are in Honolulu, just because it’s the most populated part of the island - it’s the central hub, and located around the biggest tourist area on the island.
You are smart to realize that you need to discover if *you* would like it - everyone is different. good luck! Maybe come back and let us know what you discover.
18 Ben Gordon 26 January 2008 @ 11:39 am
I am currently contemplating taking a job at the Polynesian cultural center. I would like some advice like how is the commute from anywhere? Where would be the best area to live? etc.
19 lisa 26 January 2008 @ 12:14 pm
Well, if you lived anywhere near Honolulu you’d be going in the opposite way as most people are going so that’s good. The PCC is near the north shore. You could live up there or somewhere near Kailua.
20 GoLowDrew 18 February 2008 @ 4:12 pm
Keep in mind, even if you live on the opposite direction of traffic, there is still traffic. Anywhere in Honolulu would be bad, just because you still have to make your way to the hwy. If you work in PCC, Kailua (mentioned above) or Kaneohe would be good just be cause major shopping, schools, more choices in housing, etc. is all there. You’ll have a pretty smooth (still far) drive to PCC.
21 Kate 25 March 2008 @ 2:25 pm
My boyfriend and I are hoping to move in March of 2009, right now we are both in the hospitality industry and thought that it would be fun and not to difficult to find jobs that are simular to what we have here in Minnesota. If anyone has a tip on where will be the best places to check out I would love to hear some feed back.
22 Catherine 30 March 2008 @ 4:00 pm
I will be graduating in May 2009 with a dual B.S. in Chemistry and Biology. Does anyone have any ideas what kinds of jobs are offered? I love the coast, and have considered a masters in marine chemistry. If anyone has advice/feedback I’d love to hear it. I want to find an area that is right for me.
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