Almost everybody watched the series Lost at least once, or the movie The Pirates of the Caribbean. Imagine seeing on your daily route to workplaces all locations this series and many other movies were filmed. Well, living in Hawaii can provide you this delight. Many big-city residents probably dream of relocating to distant lands with beaches and shores, where the sun shines all year long. However, before you start packing up your bags, let’s see what you should be aware of before you step on Aloha State’s ground.
HI Is Very Diverse Spot
When you are preparing to become a Hawaiian, you should learn a thing or two about your new location. Starting with the basics, you should be aware that HI is the only U.S. state completely made up of islands, 132 to be exact. However, only seven islands are inhabited: Hawaii (also called the Big Island), Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, and Niihau. It is also known as The Aloha State because that is a Hawaiian way to say Hello and Goodbye. The capital and the biggest city is Honolulu.
The diversity HI nurtures can be seen in the languages spoken in the area. This is the only U.S. state with two official languages: Hawaiian and English. There is a third language spoken, Hawaiian Pidgin. This happened because these lands were populated with Chinese, Japanese, and Portuguese who were seeking work in sugar cane fields, and they mixed the language that nowadays is called Pidgin. Many locals like to consider it as an official language, but it’s not. However, if you’re struggling with English, moving across the world to HI will help you overcome the language barrier.
Living off the Grid in Hawaii Will Be an Adventure to Remember
If you’re planning on relocating during the Covid-19 pandemic, there are some things you should know and learn beforehand. Once you have all the necessary information, you’re probably asking yourself what’s it like living in Hawaii? Over 9.3 million visitors come to these islands each year. However, if you plan to stay for a while, you should know some things and get to know the good and bad sides of your new environment. Moving to the HI guide might be helpful to get the whole picture of what you should do before and after the move, no matter if you’re relocating for love or alone.
If you are looking for sunny beaches, welcoming people, a slow tempo of lifestyle, and beautiful wildlife, this is the place for you and call home. However, you should be prepared financially, and you should arm yourself with patience for the traffic jams.
Living in Hawaii Can Be Expensive
Life in paradise is not free, and knowing the cost of living in HI could help you manage your finances and organize better. How much money do you need to live comfortably in Hawaii? This is maybe one of the first questions you ask yourself, and it’s better to have a clear picture about housing, groceries, gas, and other expenses before you pack up your bags.
How much is enough is hard to establish since everyone has a different view of the term comfortable. However, you’ll need to earn around $122,000 per year, and you should keep in mind that income tax rates are one of the highest in the U.S. Still, looking for the cheapest places to live in HI is not a strange thing to do when you’re relocating to an area with such high expenses. Especially if you’re relocating with kids, you’re probably searching for the best place to live abroad with a family, as well as an affordable one. It’s good to know that there are many smaller locations on the Paradise Islands. Those smaller towns and villages are much more affordable than Honolulu, for example. Here are some places you should consider if you’re relocating on a budget:
- Kapaa – This is the largest city in Kauai.
- Kaunakakai – The unique city on Molokai.
- Hilo – Cultural center and the most affordable place to live in the HI.
- Waianae – Located on the Oahu and expenses are lower at 11% than the Hawaiian average.
Housing Costs Might Put a Dent in Your Budget
The answer to the question is it expensive to live in Hawaii is yes. When you’re moving abroad to HI, it is essential to have some savings apart from important documents for moving overseas because housing costs are very high here. Every year there are more homeless people because they think they’ll manage here without any money set aside. When it comes to housing options, for starters, renting might be the right choice. That way you can save some money and explore the islands and decide which one suits them best.
Consider Food and Groceries Expenses When You are Relocating
Most of the people who moved to HI are wondering why groceries are so expensive. Concerning the prices on the Mainland, here are much higher because almost everything is imported. However, you can check the local markets, and every vendor will give you a discount. Notice, you’ll probably eat much less meat and much more fish and vegetables and local fruits. So, you might save up and start eating healthier all at once. Here’s a video on how to save money on the Paradise Islands:
If You Love Nature and Crowd at the Same Time, Oahu Can Be the Island for You
Considered the wildest state in the US, you might think that Paradise Islands don’t have much to offer when it comes to starting a new chapter in your life. You’re wrong. Everybody can find something on each island they find interesting.
The Oahu island is also known as ”The Gathering Place,” and it’s the third-largest HI’s island. The capital city Honolulu is located on the south shore. There are smaller places to settle in, where you can get the same feeling as you would get by relocating to the metropolis. However, all Paradise Islands are very distant so you should know how to keep in touch with your friends.
Give The City of Honolulu A Chance to be Your New Home
If you’re looking for a crowded city with an opportunity for a job but at the same time a location where you can spend some free time in nature, you’ve found it. Honolulu is the biggest and busiest city, and there are many landmarks you could visit and enjoy. Here are some of them:
- Waikiki Beach,
- Pearl Harbor,
- Waimea Waterfall,
- Diamond Head volcano,
- Bishop Museum,
- Hanauma Bay State Park.
Consider You Won’t Find Everything You Love as in Mainland
Because the Mainland is far away, you need to be prepared not to find everything you used to find there. From food to everyday supplies. You can always order, but you’ll wait and pay a great amount of money for the shipping. So, if you’re relocating overseas, you might consider hiring professionals that could take care of overseas vehicle shipping, for example.
The Main Reason Why Most People Want to Settle Here Is Weather – Sun All the Time
Imagine the sun every day for the whole year, without sweaters and trousers. Well, if you hired an international moving company for your relocation to the Paradise Islands, you’ll be needing only summer clothes because it is warm all year round. In this case, knowing what to pack when relocating abroad is the key. Decluttering can surely help you not to bring unnecessary stuff. However, some parts have more extreme weather. For example, if you’re planning on living on the Big Island, you’d better get used to rain, so don’t sell or donate that raincoat just yet.
Joining the Local Island Community Can Help You Gain Friends
People here are very friendly and welcoming, but you should be considerate of their customs and lifestyle. You’ll be accepted after a while, and don’t despair in the beginning if you don’t. Take your time and get used to the slower pace of life.
Another good thing to know is that there is not much internet advertising. Word of mouth means everything. So, you should forget all about social apps and start making friends by going out as soon as possible. Knowing locals will make adjusting to a new country and culture that much smoother. However, it’s important to find active expat communities to share your recent experience and gain some advice on how to feel at home.
There Are Some Cons in Living in Hawaii
Every good side has its bad one. Why living in Hawaii is a bad idea? The biggest problem on the Paradise Islands is healthcare. The lack of doctors is the biggest problem here. According to the Workspace Statistics, in 2020, HI was 287 short in doctors. Although The Big Island last year had a 44% shortage of doctors, the number of needed medical experts is continually rising due to people’s constant migration.
Furthermore, if you’re planning on relocating with pets to HI, start preparation in advance because there are some specific requirements you should take into consideration. The first is that HI is the only rabies-free state in the whole country. Knowing that you’ll have to be sure your furry friend is healthy.
If You Don’t Mind Commute, You’ll Find Your New Paradise
Traffic in the Paradise Islands is not so great, especially when all the tourists come. You’ll have to arm yourself with patience and try to avoid the rush hour. This is much easier to be said than done, but another helpful tip is to pay attention to the weather reports. That way you can walk to your work and avoid the commute.
Moving Internationally to Hawaii Will Be Worth All the Trouble
After all the pros and cons we went over, you’re probably wondering, is it realistic to live in Hawaii? Of course! You’ll just have to learn to be in tune with your needs and find the place that suits you best. To make that happen faster, you should hire a reliable overseas shipping company that will provide everything from packing services to excellent storage services with different shipping container sizes and help you handle the moving stress like a pro. No matter if you’re international relocating by air or prefer international relocating by sea, call the professionals and enjoy the new adventures on the Paradise Islands.
