Oahu is home to Honolulu (and Waikiki Beach.) When you live on an island you run into the same people over and over, it makes island life a bit more gentle. Although there is traffic, honking car horns is not really a thing. The island has two seasons – summer or the dry season, (May to October) and winter, which is the rainy season (November to April). Temperatures are warm year-round with gentle trade winds. 85° in the summer and 75° in the winter is about what you can expect year round. Nights are not much cooler.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Being able to combine the benefits of city living with a beach-y year-round lifestyle is a rare find.

Aggressive Type-As aren’t a great fit for laid-back, easygoing Honolulu, where everything happens at a slower pace. People walk slower. Drivers let other cars merge. Speaking of slower, traffic in Honolulu is, officially, second only to Los Angeles. Honolulu has a limited number of roads but an endless number of cars and yours will need to be shipped over. Also, living near the water means you’re going to be in traffic going to work unless you're a WFH'er. 

Hawaii often finds itself at the top of various healthiest states in America lists. It’s not surprising given the beautiful weather, easy access to the ocean, and many hiking trails around the islands. People of Hawaii truly love spending time outdoors and although they do have real lives, they manage to sneak in a pre or post work surf or the like. Ocean water temperatures around the state of Hawaii average 82° in the summer and 77° in the winter. That’s a lot warmer than the ocean waters along the US west coast, including Southern California. Plus, clean air may be a good reason to start considering Honolulu as your new home. Your lungs will love you. 
Living in Honolulu, you become accustomed to seeing the ocean everywhere, yet it also never gets old and is a reminder that you’re home is paradise.

Here's a local's list of pros on living in Honolulu:
*-The ocean*
*-So much tasty food*
*-Boats*
*-Old-style houses with lots of windows that open*
*-People are nice*
*-No snow (except on Big Island)*
*-Honolulu is a small city, but cultural diversity gives it more interest*
*-Everyone isn't caught up in the rat race*
*-The ocean*

City Meets Beach

The Best Thing About Honolulu?

Unless you’re coming from a big, expensive city like New York or San Francisco, the cost of living may astound you. Housing, food, and even the cost of shipping – it’s often called the “paradise tax.” It’s incredibly high -- 82% above the national average. 

Here's a local's post about the cost of living here:
*Hawaii's cost of living index is 193.3, the highest in the nation, meaning the cost of living in the state is nearly twice the average. The state is also the most expensive in the U.S. across all metrics except healthcare. Hawaii's housing costs are three times the national average, with a typical single-family home averaging $730,511(now it's $1.1M). Renters pay an average of $1,651 (2,000 or more) for a two-bedroom apartment in the state. Groceries also cost 50% more than the national average, as most goods have to be shipped to the island.*

The Worst Thing About Honolulu?

Like any big, capital city Honolulu isn’t any one thing in terms of lifestyle but for anyone considering the city from the mainland it feels crazy not to start with the outdoor activities. Honolulu is filled with stunning beaches, surfing, kayaking, hiking, running, golf, tennis and presumably pickleball. The city is also rich in cultural attractions, with art museums, music, dance and theater all amazing for a relatively small city. 

While much of the culture is built around native traditions, it is important to remember that Honolulu is over 50% Asian American and Pacific Islander with the largest ethnic groups including Japanese, Filipinos, Chinese, Koreans, Native Hawaiian and Vietnamese so the experiences are often a melting pot of Hawaiian and eastern cultures that make the city feel more international than most other U.S. cities. The food scene is incredible with all ethnicities represented in world-class dining, and while there are plenty of retirees in the area the large population of students from the University of Hawaii and young professionals give the city a younger city vibe with tons of bars and clubs available for those looking to stay out late. 



Lifestyle Of Honolulu

Honolulu has four major economic sectors: tourism, trade/transportation, military defense and agriculture/aquaculture. Since the city and islands are at the crossroads of the west and east it serves both tourists and business for both Asia and the United States. While the economy in the city and area is strong and in some sectors recession-proof, the cost of living is crushing for many who otherwise would consider moving here. Some of the wfh migration patterns that are driving growth in less expensive U.S. cities are hard to imagine for Honolulu. 


Worklife Of Honolulu

Honolulu - particularly East Honolulu - has the highest livability rating in the state, and is number 29 in the nation. This is due to low crime rates, high graduation rates, lots of local amenities, and a stable housing market. It is also No. 13 on a list of the 30 happiest cities in the United States, according to Gallup’s Healthways Well-Being Index.

Honolulu is a rare place that appeals to students, millennial families and retirees. And anyone who loves a good Poke Bowl.


Livability

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**The Good, The Bad and The Ugly**

Oahu is home to Honolulu (and Waikiki Beach.) When you live on an island you run into the same people over and over, it makes island life a bit more gentle. Although there is traffic, honking car horns is not really a thing. The island has two seasons – summer or the dry season, (May to October) and winter, which is the rainy season (November to April). Temperatures are warm year-round with gentle trade winds. 85° in the summer and 75° in the winter is about what you can expect year round. Nights are not much cooler.


**The Best Thing About Honolulu?** 

Being able to combine the benefits of city living with a beachy year-round lifestyle is a rare find.

Aggressive Type-As aren’t a great fit for laid-back, easygoing Honolulu, where everything happens at a slower pace. People walk slower. Drivers let other cars merge. Speaking of slower, traffic in Honolulu is, officially, second only to Los Angeles. Honolulu has a limited number of roads but an endless number of cars and yours will need to be shipped over. Also, living near the water means you’re going to be in traffic going to work. 

Hawaii often finds itself at the top of various healthiest states in America lists. It’s not surprising given the beautiful weather, easy access to the ocean, and many hiking trails around the islands. People of Hawaii truly love spending time outdoors and although they do have real lives, they manage to sneak in a pre or post work surf or the like. Ocean water temperatures around the state of Hawaii average 82° in the summer and 77° in the winter. That’s a lot warmer than the ocean waters along the US west coast, including Southern California. Plus, clean air may be a good reason to start considering Honolulu as your new home. Your lungs will love you. 
Living in Honolulu, you become accustomed to seeing the ocean everywhere, yet it also never gets old and is a reminder that you’re home is paradise.

**The Worst Thing About Honolulu?** 

Unless you’re coming from a big, expensive city like New York or San Francisco, the cost of living may astound you. Housing, food, and even the cost of shipping – it’s often called the “paradise tax.” It’s incredibly high -- 82% above the national average. 

**How You Living?** 

Honolulu is high-density living but options range from new condos (high HOAs), waterfront homes to luxury estates. Housing for UH students is better searched for out toward Kahala, Diamond Head, and Hawaii Kai. Prices compared to many areas in the continental US, will generally be higher, and that should be no surprise to anyone. Oahu is, after all, an island, and space is limited since demand is high. If you’re going to UH, look on Craigslist for off-the-beaten track, less luxurious rentals. Accessible neighborhoods include Makiki, but also look at Manoa, Kalihi, Diamondhead, and Moili'ili. Waikiki is extra pricey. 
Homes located on any of the ridges, like the popular Hawaii Loa Ridge, are not only centrally located and close to many of the Honolulu amenities, but also have beautiful ocean views. In fact, many of the homes and condos in Honolulu have amazing views. 

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** 

Honolulu - particularly East Honolulu - has the highest livability rating in the state, and is number 29 in the nation. This is due to low crime rates, high graduation rates, lots of local amenities, and a stable housing market. It is also No. 13 on a list of the 30 happiest cities in the United States, according to Gallup’s Healthways Well-Being Index.

Honolulu is a rare place in that appeals to students, millennial families and retirees. And anyone who loves a good Poke Bowl.


Manoa is where the main campus of the UofH is located. Tons of apartments, cafes, cars and restaurants make it and nearby Makiki the centers of off-campus living. While nothing is cheap in Honolulu these neighborhoods have the best options for rentals. Also consider Kahala/DiamondHead although options in this fancier neighborhood are harder to come by. 
- Manoa
- Makiki
- Kahala/Diamond Head


College Students

Manoa

Downtown Honolulu is an obvious first stop for young professionals looking for a place to live. Tons of condo and apartment options within a walk to work from the professional center of the city alongside plenty of food options means an easy work/life balance. Ala Moana is the best option for young professionals who want to be close to downtown but who favor more social options than downtown provides. It’s 10 minutes to Downtown and just 5 minutes to Waikiki Beach but you are also located along Ala Moana Beach Park for daytime play and tons of restaurants and bars for nighttime play. 
- Downtown 
- Ala Moana
- Waikiki
- Moilili


Young Professionals

Downtown

Waikiki is the center of the LGBTQ+ community in the Honolulu area. Just 15 minutes from the big city it’s not only where the community lives but also home to Queen’s Surf Beach, the unofficial gay seashore. Daytime brings gay locals and travelers to the beach and the nearby LGBTQ+ bars are a short walk away. Within the city proper the neighborhoods of Hawaii Kai and Makiki draw LGBTQ+ community looking for beautiful homes but without the noise of Waikiki. 
- Waikiki
- Hawaii Kai
- Makiki


LGBTQ+

Waikiki

One of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Honolulu is Kahala. Massive single-family homes on huge lots, line wide beautiful blocks sit on white sand beaches. It isn’t a touristy area so everything is chill here. More modest homes are available off-beach but even these are in great quiet blocks, perfect for raising kids. Add in three beautiful parks with plenty of room for hiking, running, riding and general kid play and you’ve got a premier option for those with the $$$ to spend. 
- Kahala
- Manoa
- Hawaii Kai


Families

Kahala

Honolulu

**Worried about living in Honolulu, HI**

Yes. Shit is expensive. Your standard of living will take a hit because you'll be paying more for rent and food.

Take a breath though and remember that all those people want to be in Hawai'i for a reason. It's beautiful and lovely year round and the people there are wonderful.

The best thing you can do is 1) Try to live as close to UH as possible to minimize commutes 2) Get outside. The beach doesn't cost a thing. and 3) Join the community

Look at Makiki. It's right on the #4 bus line so he can take the bus to school. It's super convenient and parking there is a nightmare.

1a) Look at Waikiki. You can walk to the beach and it's still close enough to UH to bike. A bus ride will require a transfer. *#13 bus works here too. You can find 1 bedrooms for 1000-1500. Just don't do your grocery shopping there. Everything is 3x more expensive.

2) Walk to the beach. Learn to surf. Go diving. Make friends and crew a sailboat. Learn to dive.

3) Absolutely join a community. If you go to church, go to church. If you don't, join another community: Do crossfit, join a martial arts dojo. The spirit of aloha is the real thing, but you have to be willing to engage. There are lots of people who cycle in and out of Hawai'i: tourists, military folk, university people like you. Some people fall in love and never want to leave, some people feel alienated and can't wait to leave. The difference is how engaged they are in the community.

**Worried about living in Honolulu, HI**

Normally I'm not inclined to jump in and offer my advice which would be based on my own experience (what neighborhoods I like, how I like to handle transportation, etc.), but you and I are roughly in the same situation income wise. I make about 55k before taxes and my partner is a graduate student at UH who makes about 30k (astronomy, so they pay RAs better).

We live a pretty comfortable life in a basically new/remodeled 2 bedroom in a great neighborhood in town (it's safe, we walk everywhere, stuff is close). We have a car, a moped, and parking. It costs $1450/mo and our electricity is about $75/mo since we have a window AC (you should get one, too, for both the hot summer nights and the noise of living close to neighbors). I don't think car insurance is much more than what I paid on the mainland, but you can always ask your company to run a quote using a HNL zip code as reference.

My advice is to skip the apartments with websites--which is what I'm guessing you're seeing by mentioning reviews--and instead stick to Craigslist. I personally stayed in a super cheap hotel for a week while I put in full days finding places, going to see them, and then waiting for move-in. I didn't find a perfect place the first time (small, expensive, and in Kaimuki which wasn't very convenient), but after a year I knew exactly what I wanted and how to get it.

While I moved here 7 years ago, I have family on a neighbor island and had some idea what life was like. I wasn't super excited initially, but I've grown to really love Honolulu and all of it's quirks. It takes work sometimes, but it's important to put the effort in if you want someplace to feel like home--even temporarily.

**What advice would you give to someone who is moving to Honolulu?**

Get all the facts you can from someone who lives in your potential neighborhood—life is drastically different for people who live only blocks away from each other. It is crucial to understand what you are going to face as a resident.

Make sure you know exactly what your income will be.

Don’t bring your old way of life with you. In Hawaii, you are doing well if you can pay your rent and manage some air conditioning on really hot days. People in Hawaii don’t care about outward signs of wealth and success as they do on the mainland. It is refreshing and, at first, a bit strange. You will come to appreciate this aspect of life here more than anything else.

Go to the Honolulu Costco on a Monday and the wealthy retirees all drive up in their Bentleys, Ferraris, Maseratis, Mercedes-Benzes, etc. And they walk around the aisles at Costco wearing jewelry you simply wouldn’t see anywhere outside a fund-raising gala. I happened upon the display one Monday when a business meeting took me to town—it was astonishing. The Costco door guy explained what was going on. Since nobody in town really cares much about these cars and fancy rocks—they put on the display for each other.

Life here is very, very good. But it is really beyond most people’s concept of “expensive.” Don’t wait to arrive here before you realize your food budget is easily two or three times what it was on the mainland and your utility bills are easily the same multiple higher than they were before.

**What advice would you give to someone who is moving to Honolulu?**

As someone who moved to Honolulu from Los Angeles more than 10 years ago, here are a few practical things you should consider — seriously:

- Be patient. By that, I mean, patience on the road, patience in lines, patience in services, etc. If it’s not a life or death situation, there really is no reason to be in a hurry or expect rapid response from anybody.

- Drive within the 25 mph speed range within the town. The roads, unlike in mainland cities like LA and Houston, are not straight and wide. By driving fast, you won’t have enough time to react to any potential road incidents. There are lots of tourists who drive aimlessly or couldn’t read road signs. There are also older locals who shouldn’t be driving anymore. There are lots of people who just cross the streets from nowhere and bicyclists that expect the right of way at all times. Your low driving speed will help you prevent any potential accidents.

- Drive with Aloha. Be patient and polite on the road. Locals are generally forgiving as they’re understanding of drivers who may be lost or are plain slow drivers, or just jiving along in their car’s music. They let other drivers get in front of them on an already busy lane. Again, the thought is, you’ll all get there eventually…it’s not worth it to be upset or ruin your day with something so trivial.

- Groceries are generally more expensive. For example, a dozen eggs in the mainland that costs 99 cents will be between $3.99 - 5.99. I have seen organic eggs in the $7 range; one large lemon in mainland can be had for 69 cents. It will be at least $1 here. I could go on and on. It helps to pay attention to sale deals at selected markets or grow your own if you can.

- No one cares about what you do or how much you make. In most gatherings, you’re all equal so enjoy the food, conversation and company. It’s a small island so you’ll quickly understand that respect for others and maintaining a reputation is quite important. Don’t gloat, bloat or try to impress with your wealth or wisdom. Locals are generally quick to pick up on things without stating the obvious.


Honolulu, Hawaii

The Big Pineapple

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