Relocation Guide

When deciding what neighborhood is the best fit for you, first ask yourself about your desired lifestyle and budget (Visit my neighborhood pages for more explanation). Oahu is divided into 5 main regions, each providing their own unique charm. Besides using the map above, I highly suggest heading to google maps during peak hours and revisiting at different times of the day to plug in and check how traffic may differ on your new commute.

South - If you are a socialite or working in the hospitality industry you may find yourself here. The Southern part of our island includes world-famous Waikiki beach and spans to Hawaii Kai with residential neighborhoods filling in between. The majority of business,  shopping, and nightlife are in this region.

East - If you are drawn to Hawaii for those gorgeous Ko’olau Mountain views and a slower pace then the east side may be for you. The east side encompasses Kaneohe and Kailua and is known as the “rainy side.” This comes with the amazing benefit of lush green surroundings all year round and has one of the most beautiful turquoise sandy beaches in the world, “Kailua Beach.”

Central - The central part of our island might be most desirable to you if you are looking for great school districts and an easy commute in any direction. The central part of the island includes Pearl City and Mililani which are amazing family-oriented neighborhoods.

West - “The New Honolulu” these suburbs are the most up and coming and are comparatively more affordable. Depending on your work schedule you’ll want to plan your commute because at peak times (ie.6-9am, 3-6pm) your drive time can double if coming to and from the south.

North - A surfer's dream. The majority of people flocking to the North shore are truly seeking peace and a deeper connection to the island. Here, you will find the famous Pipeline break and the majority of residents' wardrobe only consists of bikinis and boardshorts.

Yes, the rumors are true. There is an increased cost of living in paradise but rarely do people come and say that it’s not worth it. This is also relative depending on where you are coming from. Prices are comparable in California and New York.  An excellent tool is Numbeo, you can compare the cost of living in your current city to any desired city. According to the Department of Business, economic development & tourism per capita personal income in 2019 was $57,015. Not to fret though, there are many tips and tricks to overcoming a higher cost of living in Hawaii. Most residents have Costco memberships where costs are comparable across all states. If you buy in bulk and buy local produce at farmers' markets your wallet will thank you. Additionally, many families spend their free time catching rays at the beach, paddle boarding, surfing, or hiking which are all provided free by the island. There are a lot of great restaurants that will not cost you an arm and a leg as long as you stay away from heavy tourist areas like Waikiki. Finally, once you commit to the big move, be sure to get a local Hawaii ID right away so you can be sure to get all the “kama’aina discounts.”

There are a few major differences in Island lifestyle and culture shock may depend on how you approach your new adventure. You’ve made the decision to leave it all behind seeking that desirable tropical climate, pristine beaches, and all that Hawaii stands for;  now my best advice is to embrace this fully. Trust the process and come ready to lean into your decision wholeheartedly. This means having an open mind to things you are not used to. For example, it may come as a shock that people really do live on island time. If a meeting was supposed to start at 4pm and it's 4:15 “it's all good.” Expect a slower pace and take that as a welcomed opportunity to slow down yourself and be present with the island. This slower pace applies to not just meeting times but almost everything on the island. Say goodbye to Amazon overnight shipping, because Amazon is on island time. Packages will come in 5-7  business days. 

Local people truly do live with Aloha as long as you come willing to deliver Aloha in return. There is a saying “Malama da Aina” which means respect and take care of the land. Commonly seen at hikes and beaches is a reminder to attendees to pack out more than they packed in. This saying goes deep in Hawaiian roots and is generally known that if you Malama da Aina, the Aina will take care of you in return. A welcomed reminder that applies in every aspect of life but perhaps is a little more noticeable in Hawaii to come with respect and you will be treated with respect. This leads to another big change that is more recent Hawaii news.  Plastic bags have now been banned due to Bill 40. This was a motion embracing sustainability, being that we are surrounded only by water and increasing waste can be difficult to manage. Remember to bring your reusable bags to the grocery stores or there will be a .15 cent charge for each paper bag. Last lesson in Aloha- a shaka while driving goes a long way. Honking and road rage should be left in the mainland.

Getting rid of our belongings can be emotional. It is tough to decide what you want to hang on to and leave behind. For this matter, I suggest turning to expert Marie Kondo. If it doesn’t spark joy, thank it and leave it behind. By nature of our small island, you likely will need to downsize significantly. The average single-family lot is about 5,000 sq. ft with about 1,500-2,000 living sq. ft and 3 bedrooms. This may be different than what you are used to in your current city. It will be cheaper to move with less so only take the essentials. What you consider essential will be unique to you. Another thing to consider is how you are going to execute your move. Some will prefer to hire a company to box up the house and put it in a crate, this will be a less affordable route. If choosing this route be sure to separate the day-to-day items, such as birth certificates, personal files you may need for lenders and new employers, and keepsakes like valuable jewelry. Your crate may take up to a  month to arrive so be prepared to live without it at first.

Most homes are sold with major appliances so you can leave those behind. Others may prefer to sell everything except what can fit in your suitcases. Nothing wrong with this. Remember Oahu is casual, so you won’t need all of your suits and heels, you can trade them in for Aloha shirts and slippers. You may choose to ship a few of your favorite hard to part with items like beloved espresso machines and trusty air fryers, in which case I’ll note it's cheaper to pay for a 3rd and 4th check bag than shipping boxes due to the fact that price is calculated on weight. Overall, it’s best to get a fresh start on the island, say goodbye to the old and hello to the new.

Of course, you cannot leave the extended furry family behind. However, it is important that before moving to Oahu you fill out all necessary paperwork early on and correctly in order to avoid quarantine periods, where pets must stay inside until their status has been confirmed by state health officials as rabies-free. Hawaii is a Rabies-free island and there are strict protocols in place to keep up this standard. Make sure your pets are healthy and vaccinations up to date. Check out this Complete Guide to Moving Your Dogs, Cats, and  Other Pets to Hawaii to ensure the smoothest transition for your four-legged companions.

You’ll need to decide if this makes sense for you financially and what type of car you would like to drive when you get here? Specifically speaking to our “new normal”  in 202, new cars were hard to come by on the island. If you love your current car, it may make sense to ship it. The cost is roughly $1,200-$1,800. Once on the island, apply for a local license plate as soon as possible so people know you are here to stay. Check here for more information. Note, if you have owned it for less than 90- days you may want to wait as you will have to pay sales tax again once it arrives in Hawaii. If you are not in love with your current car there is an abundance of used cars on the island you can sell yours and reallocate those funds to buying once you get here.

Island fever, relocation involves not just oneself, but also family members who may not want to move far away from friends or loved ones back home. Make sure everyone involved is excited and ready to embrace any challenges that come with change. Island fever affects some more than others. Remember your old home is only a flight away and family members back home are always excited to have a place to visit on the islands once you are settled. The best way to combat island fever is by making a new Ohana on the island. Settle in and get involved. The island is happy to have you. Once you have arrived, there are a few safety notes and island etiquette to be aware of. First, the ocean draws a lot of people to the islands but it is important to stay humble and aware of its power. If there is no one else swimming in an area it could be because of rip tides. When in doubt, don’t go out. A good place to check if you are unsure is Surfline. Next, although Honolulu is a major international hub it is a  small local economy and there are a lot of small businesses in need of your support. If possible, shop local and attend farmers' markets. You will see the gratitude 10 fold; this is a part of embracing your new island lifestyle. Last, be kind. Have you heard of the Kevin Bacon experiment that proved everyone has 6 degrees of separation? Locals like to say that on the island it is more like two degrees of separation. There is a little local secret called the coconut wireless and it's how word gets around. Kindness will carry you a long way if you desire longevity on the island.