is there a relatively inexpensive & most importantly; SAFE place to live in Hawaii?
cupidgirl. asked:
preferably to purchase a small home or condo
any of the islands- Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kauai
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preferably to purchase a small home or condo
any of the islands- Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kauai
December 25th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
What is relatively inexpensive? Hawaii is expensive.
December 26th, 2008 at 9:25 am
inexpesive?? in hawaii???
a typical 3 bed/2 bath home in hawaii can easily cost over half a million dollars.
December 26th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Define “relatively inexpensive”. I don’t think you’ll find much of anything, even a small condo, for under 300K. I don’t know much about the neighbor islands, so won’t even try to respond to that. On Oahu, how far away from Honolulu are you willing to live? If you don’t mind a commute, then I would think about a townhouse or ap’t in Mililani.
December 27th, 2008 at 5:16 am
In relation to the rest of Hawaii, your least expensive and relatively safe place to live is Hilo on the big island(Hawaii). Just take a look at craigslist.com to compare prices of rental and real estate between the islands and you will be convinced. I was at an auction 3 years ago in the housing boom days and a 3 bed house in Hilo went for $130,000. That is a bargain even if it needed rehabbed!
December 30th, 2008 at 4:53 am
Hawaii and Kauai will be the lowest cost for housing usually, but like all places it depends on what you are looking for, how picky you are, and your lifestyle. There are so many variables. Any place close to the tourist areas will be high, $300,000 would be the low price. A small condo by Waikiki will start at $500,000. Move into areas where the real locals live you can pick up a small house for $150,000. You do need to keep in mind what a small local house can be like. No aircon, small yard, no views, little space, lots of bugs, and roosters. If you have any Hawaiian blood you can pick up a nice house for around $100,000, when I lived on Oahu in a $350,000 house the locals were picking up an identical house for $45,000 partly paid by the government. Small condos can be found for around $100,000 away from the tourist or business areas. Maui and Oahu can both have some good deals but you need to know how to look, and who to look with. As far as safety, most all areas are relatively safe except the drug areas and that changes. I felt comfortable going anywhere day or night however; having said that, if you act or behave like a tourist or a non local, things will be different. Most non locals will pay double the price of a local in almost everything including food. If you have a limited budget, I would suggest renting, get to know the various areas and find out where you fit in. Then select a location to live. If you can’t assimilate with the locals (Hawaiians, Japanese, Filipinos, etc.) then you need to locate where the transplanted mainlanders or military live. If you can assimilate, you will find some great deals and good friends. I lived in several areas that were cheap, safe, and friendly, areas that most non locals would never dare to live. My wife and I were the only white folk around; we assimilated and did well with our neighbors. The best buys I have seen for non locals have been auctions on the big island of vacation homes mainlanders no longer can afford or couldn’t complete building. That’s where places like Craigslist comes in handy. The key thing is if you want a good low price you need to first
go there and experience the culture and find your place within the culture. Coming in blind and you will be certain to pay a higher price and not be allowed to see all the options. A small out of the way no frills condo may start around $100,000, one with all the usual options may be more around $200,000. Hawaii doesn’t have to be expensive, but you need to be assimilated to get the good deals. I’ve found that many mainlanders don’t want to live in a village of Filipinos or Hawaiians and that’s one reason they pay more for housing. I paid less for housing and food in Hawaii than I did in Utah.
January 1st, 2009 at 3:11 pm
omg no. Hawaii is one of the most expensive places to live. A two store house is around $50,000 dollars, am apartment with 2 bed rooms is around $3,000 a month. Hawaii isn’t really a safe place to live anymore, it might be safer then some parts of the main land but over all it’s not that much safer.