Waikiki
Have you ever been to a vacation place and loved it so much that you wondered what it would feel like to live there! Well, you can make those dreams come true in Waikiki. In 1901 when the very first hotel, Moana Surfrider, was built it officially became the gathering place for visitors and a playground for locals. And with good reason! Today many people love calling Waikiki home. It's fun-sized surf break, world-class shopping, and entertainment make it a place where you can spend your entire life and it will still never feel like enough time!
Where to Eat and Shop?
Waikiki has two main strips, Kalakaua and Kuhio. Both made for wandering in and out of shops, restaurants, and people watching. Living in Waikiki, you can also conveniently rent a “biki bike” on any corner to get to your destination quicker. Plus, in Waikiki, the stores and shops open a lot earlier and close a lot later than most places on Oahu. If you love Brunch as much as I do, these are some of the best spots:
Goofy’s Cafe and Dining, known for their freshly baked taro bread.
Hau Tree Lanai, located in the recently revived Kaimana Hotel, Hau Tree Lanai highlights fresh island flavors in every dish.
Dukes Restaurant, the most famous restaurant in Waikiki offers an amazing breakfast buffet daily until 10 am.
What to do?
While many locals say they try to avoid Waikiki, in reality this just isn’t true! I know many locals who currently reside in Waikiki. Each of them loves it, for different reasons. Waikiki provides a vibrant lifestyle and endless activities. Most famously, the beaches of Waikiki offer all-year-long perfect swimming; most locals make it a priority to get in the ocean at least once daily. For the adventurous, it is world known for the surf breaks. In-between ocean dips you can shop at the amazing designer stores and fulfill your “pretty woman fantasies.” The last iconic Waikiki activity I’ll mention here is sunset sailing. Whether you want to charter a private boat, hop on the Na Hoku Catamaran, or invest in your own sailboat and learn a new hobby, watching the Waikiki skyline glow as the sun drops from the middle of the ocean never disappoints. You might even see a green flash!
What to Expect - The Market
If you're considering living in Waikiki then you're considering a metropolitan lifestyle that comes with a variety of different condominium choices. From $300,000.00 studio short-term rental investments up to multi-million-dollar penthouses; Waikiki is your oyster. The Median Condo price in 2021 was $424,000 up 8% from 2020. Waikiki followed Oahu’s real estate trends overall, selling most listings in a speedy 15 days for 98.1% of the asking price. When perusing Waikiki listings on the internet you’ll want to be mindful of three things. First, Leasehold Ownership- a type of ownership for a predetermined period of time dependent upon the lessor. (see leasehold blog for more information on this). Second, Parking- It’s the equivalent of gold in Waikiki. Third, Condominium association and maintenance fees- It’s important to ask questions about how the building has been maintained and if there are any upcoming increases in fees. All that said, Waikiki truly is the perfect dose of ‘Aloha’ you just might be looking for, with walkability, fine dining, and more!
If you're considering making Waikiki your second home, continue your search here!
