The Idea of Moving to Hawaii

It must be nice.  It’s being reported that actor Owen Wilson is moving to Hawaii.  He made a couple of movies here, likes the place and decided to move here.  Just like that.  Why not?  He’s not the first celebrity to do so.  Roseanne Barr Drew Barrymore, Pierce Brosnan, Kelsey Grammar, Woody Harrelson and Oprah Winfrey all have done the same thing recently.

The thought occurs to just about everyone who visits the islands that living here would be great … if.  Those celebrities work wherever their work takes them and can “live” anywhere they choose.  They can afford to.  “Average” people enjoy the thought, consider the cost, and usually dismiss the idea almost immediately.

Not so fast.  Average people do move to Hawaii regularly.  The people who find it easiest to move here are the rich (of course), military personnel, and younger adults who don’t mind working second jobs as, say, bartenders, and whose worldly possessions can fit in a duffel bag.

Okay, but what if you have a lot of stuff, just a moderate amount of money, don’t want to work two jobs, and don’t have Uncle Sam to pay for or help you with your residence?

Consider the following good stuff:

There’s a very low occurrence of person-to-person crime compared to other areas around the country.  Even in Honolulu, which qualifies as a large American city, the violent crime rate is very low.

Health care is superb.

There’s always a whole lot to do, especially for kids.  Even if you aren’t a beach lover, you can still do practically anything you like every day.  Outdoor recreation is a way of life.

People are really friendly in the islands.

Need we mention the weather?  It never gets too hot or cold.  Whenever it’s raining, it’s going to be sunny elsewhere on your island.

Yes, housing, groceries, cars and gas cost more than they do on the mainland, but you need only one wardrobe and it can be relatively light.  And you’ll use less gas (You can’t drive far on an island).

Hawaii’s population doubled between 1960 and 2000, and it’s still growing apace.

So if you vacation in Hawaii and decide you love the place, don’t dismiss out-of-hand the idea of re-locating.  Go ahead and think about it.

All the Hawaii-Aloha agents are extraordinarily familiar with our islands.  They live here, or were raised here.  They can answer — honestly — any questions you might have about living (and certainly visiting) here.  Pick one from the Hawaii-Aloha.com  Web site or call 1-800-843-8771.

Published by Bruce Fisher

Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.

Entry Filed under: Oahu

September 1st, 2008