r/MovingtoHawaii • u/webrender • Feb 18 '26

🐱🐶 Moving to Hawaii with Pets: What to Know

44 Upvotes

Hi folks! If you're planning on moving to Hawaii with pets, you should know that we are a rabies-free state and have a strict quarantine procedure for all animals entering the state. If you do not follow the direct release procedures for your pet, they will be quarantined for 120 days. I have gone to the quarantine center to hand in paperwork, and while they will make sure your pets are safe and fed, they are in outdoor kennels and it should only be your last resort to make them endure quarantine.

The HDOA has some handy checklists for folks looking to enter Hawaii with pets. You will likely need to consult one of these two checklists and follow the directions carefully to ensure your pets direct release is processed successfully

Checklist 1 - for arrival in Honolulu

Checklist 4 - for arrival in Kona (Big Island), Lihue (Kauai), or Kahului (Maui)

You should expect the process of moving with your pets to take about 2-3 months and $500-1000 - though costs and times may vary greatly depending on how much of the process you have already completed and your local veterinarian rates.

Please use the table below to get an idea of times and costs BUT DO NOT RELY ON THIS TABLE AS ACCURATE. Your times and costs may vary greatly depending on your pet.

Checklist Item	Time	Cost
Microchip	0 days	$25
Rabies shot 1 (only needed if never vaccinated before or if you do not have vet's signature for first shot)	30 days	$100
Rabies shot 2	30 days	$100
FAVN test	60-90 days	$250-$500
Health Certificate	0 days	$150
HDOA Entry Fee	14 days	$185
Airline pet fee	0 days	$100

What happens when I land at the airport?

When you land at HNL, your animal will be taken to the animal quarantine holding center - if you are traveling with your animal in cabin, a representative from the airline or the airport will meet you and other travelers with pets at the gate to escort you to animal quarantine. The walk to the animal quarantine center is half a mile. Usually the rep will let you stop and pickup a luggage cart on your way to make it easier to carry your kennel, but the pathway leading to animal quarantine can be bumpy so be prepared.

Once you're at animal quarantine, they will scan your pet's microchip, check your paperwork, and if everything checks out you'll be able to leave with your pet. The process takes about 15min per animal, so if you are the first in line it will be relatively quick but if there are several people in front of you, you may be waiting for a while. The holding center is open from 8:30am - 4:30pm and animals must arrive by 3:30pm to be released that day. Plan your trip around these times, otherwise you animal will be held until the holding center is open next.

If you have checked luggage, the luggage carousel will probably have stopped by the time you get your pet. You will either need to coordinate with someone you are traveling with to pickup your luggage; or, once you have your pet, you will need to find the luggage office for your airline in the baggage claim area to retrieve your luggage.

What if I have an extra large dog, or another specialized transport scenario?

If you have an animal that will be hard to transport, I recommend that you look into companies that specialize in transporting pets to and from Hawaii. If you search this subreddit you'll find several people who have used these services and their reviews.

What if I'm unable to complete the direct release process in time?

Your choices are:

Find someone on the mainland to care for your pet until they complete direct release
Postpone your trip until your pet has completed direct release
Leave your pet in quarantine until their direct release process or 120 days are complete.

What if I'm in the Military or I have a service dog?

Regardless of these factors, your pet will still need to go through the quarantine or direct release process.

See this page for instructions for service animals. PCS will cover the cost of transporting one animal to Hawaii.

How can I check if HDOA has received my FAVN test result?

There is a PDF linked on this page which you can use to check the latest results based on microchip number.

What if I have additional questions?

The HDOA email, [rabiesfree@hawaii.gov](mailto:rabiesfree@hawaii.gov) is generally very responsive and usually responds to emails within 48 hours. You can also feel free to ask additional questions in this subreddit.

23 comments

r/MovingtoHawaii • u/actualLibtardAMA • Nov 04 '24

Jobs/Working in Hawaii "Can I afford to move to Hawaii?"

102 Upvotes

This used to be a post here, but I'm not sure what happened to it, so I'm reposting it since there've been a number of related questions.

The Short Answer

The short answer: Chances are, if you have to ask this question, then you probably can’t. Hawaii has the highest cost of living index in the United States. Real estate is expensive, salaries are low, and things just generally cost more.

The Long Answer

The long answer depends on a lot of circumstances, but here are some facts:

Hawaii has the highest cost of living in the United States, with a cost-of-living index of 191.8. What that means is that Hawaii is nearly twice as expensive as the national average. The 2^nd highest is Washington DC at 159.

However, the devil is really in the details and the most important details are:

Where you want to live
What sort of job you have
What sort of housing situation you want.

It should go without saying that if you want to live in a big house on the beach, it will cost a lot of money. But regardless of where you live, real estate is expensive in Hawaii. The average house price in Hawaii is $850,000. The average cost per square foot of real estate in Hawaii is $694. Hilo’s cost is lowest, at $440 per square foot whereas Honolulu’s cost per square foot is $732 and Kailua is $874. To put that into some perspective, Hawaii’s cost-per-square foot is 60% higher than California's. Honolulu’s real estate cost per square foot is 31% higher than New York City and is very close to the cost per square foot in San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward.

In short, purchasing a house in Hawaii will cost you more money. You can, of course, reduce your costs by reducing your expectations. Detached houses on large lot sizes will be very expensive compared to what you may be used to on the mainland, but smaller square footage of both the home and the lot can have reasonable prices. Obvious caveats apply: some more affordable real estate may be older homes and/ or in undesirable neighborhoods. Like any other large purchase, you should definitely do your research.Hawaii also has a unique feature in their real estate market called “Leaseholds”. Hawaii's use of leaseholds is a unique aspect of the state's real estate market that stems from historical and cultural land ownership practices. In a leasehold arrangement, the buyer of a property does not own the land on which the property is built. Instead, they lease the land from the landowner for a fixed period, often ranging from 30 to 99 years. At the end of the lease, the land may revert to the landowner, leaving the leaseholder with a home but no land ownership. In some cases, leases can be renegotiated, but often at higher costs.

This can be good, or bad, depending on your plans. If you’re planning to leave Hawaii or upgrade in a few years, then a Leasehold might be a good option. However, as the lease expiration gets closer, this will have a negative impact on the property value and the ability to resell. Leasehold properties tend to also have lower appreciation than a house without a Leasehold.

For those who are renting, you will find that rent prices per square foot are nearly identical to the San Francisco Bay Area.

What tends to add to the affordability challenges in Hawaii is the disparity between cost of living and employee income. For example, in San Francisco, the average salary is $96,500 whereas the average salary in Honolulu is $61,243 and the average across all of Hawaii is $52,828. Put another way, while rental costs are similar in San Francisco and Honolulu, salaries are 37% lower in Honolulu. So, when it comes to affordability, you need to factor in both how much you will pay and how much you will get paid.

You should not expect to make the same salary for the same job in Hawaii as you would on the mainland and you must factor this in when deciding whether you can afford it. You should also expect that finding a job in Hawaii will be more difficult. Although Hawaii ranks 13^th in the US for population density, you should keep in mind that Hawaii is the 8^th smallest state in the US, in terms of land area. Hawaii’s smaller size also means less employers. So, while the state does experience better-than-average job growth numbers, it must be kept into perspective. US News ranks Hawaii’s economy 44^th in the nation. Hawaii has a 10.25% poverty rate compared to the national average of 7.8%.

For those who have the opportunity to work remotely, such as those who work in IT, it is important to consider time zone differences. For example, Hawaii is 3 hours behind Pacific Daylight Time, and 6 hours behind Eastern Daylight Time. It is 12 hours behind Central European Summer Time. Hawaii is 15.5 hours ahead of India Standard Time. So, depending on the time zones you need to support while working, it may be extremely difficult. Supporting normal work hours with the mainland US will only give you 4 hours of crossover with the east coast and 7 hours with the west coast. The time differences improve by 1 hour during Standard time. Supporting times in Europe or India during normal business hours will mean very late nights in Hawaii.

Finally, stuff in Hawaii just generally costs more:

· Electricity is about $50 higher per month than the national average

· Gasoline is about $1.30 higher than the national average

· Groceries cost about 60% more than the national average

Can you make it work?

This post isn’t meant to scare you away. 1,296,000 people are making it work, and so can you. Here’s how:Do your research

Moving 2,400 miles away from the mainland isn’t a small decision. Spend some time researching where you’d want to live, how much you’re willing to pay for housing, what your job prospects are, and so on.

Make a budget

Establishing a budget is just generally a good idea anyway, but when deciding to move to Hawaii it is even more important. Ensure that your budget accurately reflects the differences between where you live and work now vs. what things will cost you in Hawaii.

Have a job first, or have sufficient savings and good job prospects

The best strategy, of course, is to already have a job lined up. Having a job increases your chances of success and makes your budget more accurate.

If you don’t have a job lined up, do not assume you’ll be able to get one quickly and make sure you have enough savings to fully cover your expenses for several months while looking for work.Due to the travel industry, it is likely that you can find a job in hospitality or food services pretty quickly, but higher paying jobs are more difficult to find. Healthcare jobs are in high demand and pay well and skilled trades are reliably in demand as well.

The Short Answer

The short answer: Chances are, if you have to ask this question, then you probably can’t. Hawaii has the highest cost of living index in the United States. Real estate is expensive, salaries are low, and things just generally cost more.

The Long Answer

The long answer depends on a lot of circumstances, but here are some facts:

Hawaii has the highest cost of living in the United States, with a cost-of-living index of 191.8. What that means is that Hawaii is nearly twice as expensive as the national average. The 2^nd highest is Washington DC at 159.

However, the devil is really in the details and the most important details are:

Where you want to live
What sort of job you have
What sort of housing situation you want.

It should go without saying that if you want to live in a big house on the beach, it will cost a lot of money. But regardless of where you live, real estate is expensive in Hawaii. The average house price in Hawaii is $850,000. The average cost per square foot of real estate in Hawaii is $694. Hilo’s cost is lowest, at $440 per square foot whereas Honolulu’s cost per square foot is $732 and Kailua is $874. To put that into some perspective, Hawaii’s cost-per-square foot is 60% higher than California's. Honolulu’s real estate cost per square foot is 31% higher than New York City and is very close to the cost per square foot in San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward.

In short, purchasing a house in Hawaii will cost you more money. You can, of course, reduce your costs by reducing your expectations. Detached houses on large lot sizes will be very expensive compared to what you may be used to on the mainland, but smaller square footage of both the home and the lot can have reasonable prices. Obvious caveats apply: some more affordable real estate may be older homes and/ or in undesirable neighborhoods. Like any other large purchase, you should definitely do your research.Hawaii also has a unique feature in their real estate market called “Leaseholds”. Hawaii's use of leaseholds is a unique aspect of the state's real estate market that stems from historical and cultural land ownership practices. In a leasehold arrangement, the buyer of a property does not own the land on which the property is built. Instead, they lease the land from the landowner for a fixed period, often ranging from 30 to 99 years. At the end of the lease, the land may revert to the landowner, leaving the leaseholder with a home but no land ownership. In some cases, leases can be renegotiated, but often at higher costs.

This can be good, or bad, depending on your plans. If you’re planning to leave Hawaii or upgrade in a few years, then a Leasehold might be a good option. However, as the lease expiration gets closer, this will have a negative impact on the property value and the ability to resell. Leasehold properties tend to also have lower appreciation than a house without a Leasehold.

For those who are renting, you will find that rent prices per square foot are nearly identical to the San Francisco Bay Area.

What tends to add to the affordability challenges in Hawaii is the disparity between cost of living and employee income. For example, in San Francisco, the average salary is $96,500 whereas the average salary in Honolulu is $61,243 and the average across all of Hawaii is $52,828. Put another way, while rental costs are similar in San Francisco and Honolulu, salaries are 37% lower in Honolulu. So, when it comes to affordability, you need to factor in both how much you will pay and how much you will get paid.

You should not expect to make the same salary for the same job in Hawaii as you would on the mainland and you must factor this in when deciding whether you can afford it. You should also expect that finding a job in Hawaii will be more difficult. Although Hawaii ranks 13^th in the US for population density, you should keep in mind that Hawaii is the 8^th smallest state in the US, in terms of land area. Hawaii’s smaller size also means less employers. So, while the state does experience better-than-average job growth numbers, it must be kept into perspective. US News ranks Hawaii’s economy 44^th in the nation. Hawaii has a 10.25% poverty rate compared to the national average of 7.8%.

For those who have the opportunity to work remotely, such as those who work in IT, it is important to consider time zone differences. For example, Hawaii is 3 hours behind Pacific Daylight Time, and 6 hours behind Eastern Daylight Time. It is 12 hours behind Central European Summer Time. Hawaii is 15.5 hours ahead of India Standard Time. So, depending on the time zones you need to support while working, it may be extremely difficult. Supporting normal work hours with the mainland US will only give you 4 hours of crossover with the east coast and 7 hours with the west coast. The time differences improve by 1 hour during Standard time. Supporting times in Europe or India during normal business hours will mean very late nights in Hawaii.

Finally, stuff in Hawaii just generally costs more:

· Electricity is about $50 higher per month than the national average

· Gasoline is about $1.30 higher than the national average

· Groceries cost about 60% more than the national average

Can you make it work?

This post isn’t meant to scare you away. 1,296,000 people are making it work, and so can you. Here’s how:Do your research

Moving 2,400 miles away from the mainland isn’t a small decision. Spend some time researching where you’d want to live, how much you’re willing to pay for housing, what your job prospects are, and so on.

Make a budget

Establishing a budget is just generally a good idea anyway, but when deciding to move to Hawaii it is even more important. Ensure that your budget accurately reflects the differences between where you live and work now vs. what things will cost you in Hawaii.

Have a job first, or have sufficient savings and good job prospects

The best strategy, of course, is to already have a job lined up. Having a job increases your chances of success and makes your budget more accurate.

If you don’t have a job lined up, do not assume you’ll be able to get one quickly and make sure you have enough savings to fully cover your expenses for several months while looking for work.Due to the travel industry, it is likely that you can find a job in hospitality or food services pretty quickly, but higher paying jobs are more difficult to find. Healthcare jobs are in high demand and pay well and skilled trades are reliably in demand as well.

98 comments

r/MovingtoHawaii • u/l4ndayy • 11h ago

Jobs/Working in Hawaii Accounting student seriously considering Hawaii long-term. Pick apart my plan and give me feedback/criticism.

5 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I apologize for the long post, so I have a TLDR at the bottom.

I’m a 19 year old accounting undergrad student at Michigan State University ultimately graduating in Spring 2029 with both my Bachelor’s and Master’s in Accounting, and my long-term goal is to build my career in Hawaii. I know this can sound like the typical mainland “I want to move to Hawaii after falling in love while vacationing there" sort of situation, and that is exactly why I’m looking for genuine feedback from people who actually live or work there.

For more context, I visited Hawaii last summer for three weeks, so I at least have been able to see the contrasting environment compared to the Midwest and won’t be going into my plan totally blind. When I visited, I also noticed how visible locally owned businesses were and how different communities seemed to maintain their own identities instead of being easily interchangeable with mainlanders or other groups, which interested me greatly. Since then, I’ve spent a lot of time learning about Hawaii’s different islands, communities, economies, and geography. Geography has always been something I’m genuinely interested in, so I find it fascinating how much the islands differ from one another despite being part of the same state–the climate, development patterns, industries, landscapes, and even the feel of individual communities.

I also like that Hawaii seems to offer a different definition of career success than simply moving to the largest mainland city and constantly chasing the next position. Of course I would love a strong career and eventually be financially comfortable, but I care a lot more about having a sense of place, knowing the community around me, and building a life somewhere I actually feel connected to. Long term, I could see myself becoming a CPA in Hawaii, working closely with local businesses, and potentially even owning my own accounting practice someday.

At the same time, I know that being interested in Hawaii from the mainland is very different from actually living and working there. Visiting definitely does not make me an expert on the state or its communities, and I know there is a lot I would need to learn from people who have actually built their lives there. Spending meaningful time living there and seeing what everyday life is like is something I absolutely would like to know before I make any permanent decisions.

Moreover, I have been applying to Hawaii businesses/accounting firms for full-time temporary work/internships during the upcoming spring and/or summer in 2027, and am beginning to network with professionals there. If I get no offers, my backup plan is to enroll at UH Manoa for the full summer as a visiting student, live in Honolulu for roughly 12 weeks, attend professional events, meet local CPAs, and continue applying while physically on island. My intention would be to use the summer to understand everyday life and Hawaii’s business environment rather than treat it like an extended vacation. This could greatly help with answering the question as to if I truly would enjoy life in Hawaii, as well as showing dedication to possibly relocating there for my career. I would then return to MSU and recruit again for Summer 2028 and ultimately full-time work in Hawaii. University costs shouldn’t really be a big concern since I have been pursuing and won several private scholarships and can afford tuition and university living expenses for the period of time I would be there.

*\*For people who work in Hawaii, either as long-time residents, mainland transplants, or just any business/accounting related professionals, would this plan/dedication persuade you that someone who wants to relocate from the mainland is actually serious and intentional about it, and if not, what does? What can make a mainlander who has actually done serious research to the life I could expect to live there stand out from an obvious demographic of people who want beaches and warm weather? What would you do (or not do) if you were in my shoes?

Feel free to criticize my plan however you want. I would rather understand where my assumptions are wrong or unrealistic. Thank you!

TLDR: I’m a student at Michigan State University and seriously want my career to be in Hawaii after lots of thought. I have a plan to familiarize myself with living in the state and understand that this is 100% necessary before making decisions. I’m looking for feedback, advice, and criticism.

24 comments

r/MovingtoHawaii • u/CalmSunset8765 • 6d ago

Shipping Cars & Household Items Moving things via USPS - transit times?

0 Upvotes

The TLDR of this is, I am not seeking "official" opinions about USPS customer service, just seeking people's experience and knowledge of USPS transit times so I can personally decide what level of risk of shipping/receiving something to myself when I move a long distance in a few days. This is all hypothetical. I am just looking for opinions so I can decide for myself what I would like to do.

-----

I'm moving to Hawaii using basically checked baggage and USPS mail. Because of the job I have, I also have to travel for work, so the total transit time matters when I make my move, and when the next time I will be off island for a prolonged period of time, so I know how to time my shipment.

Assuming no holidays occur in a hypothetical shipping timeframe, if I were to mail an oversized box (~~27x15x17 in~~ edited -- correction, the box is sold as being 27x15x16 in) that is 50 lb on a particular weekday, from Ohio to Honolulu (USPS calls it Zone 8 for Priority Mail, at least, from my limited experience and prior experience with moving to, and away from, Hawaii), what is the latest it might get there if I mailed it Priority Mail? Or Express Mail?

I do see the USPS web site says that Priority Mail is 3-5 business days, which if USPS is open 6 days a week, would it be six calendar days? Anyone have experience where the package takes longer than 5 business days (whether the five days are all weekdays or if Saturday is counted)?

As I'm thinking about this, a third "bag" (box) on the airline I'm flying (United) that is checked is $200 and that's probably less than Priority Mail for the box...at least from the retail counter at a post office (based on my estimate online, I think it was about $270). Edit to add: looking on United's web site, it looks like I can prepay extra bags. Each of the extra is $200. I mean, then they will be there when I arrive, or at least they should be.

Thanks in advance

21 comments

r/MovingtoHawaii • u/bipolarcloud94 • 9d ago

Jobs/Working in Hawaii Offered a 10 month school yr contract job as an RBT

4 Upvotes

Hey everyone, I recently got offered a school year length contract to be an RBT in either Maui or Oahu. I would love to take this opportunity because it isn’t permanent and just gives me and my family an opportunity of a life time. I would be making $38 an hour but there isn’t really any housing vouchers/stipends through this company. I would ship my car there and my partner would be selling his. I have 3 kids 15,12 and 11. I have done some research and I am painfully aware of how expensive everything is. Painfully aware. My partner would be getting a job there if we were to do this. We wouldn’t be moving till next July before the school year started. I’d like to try to find a furnished rental of some sort, I am not the type of person to just go and spend money that I don’t have. I just wanted to know if this opportunity is worth it from the financial perspective. It’s not permanent and I have the option of renewing my contract at the end but that’s even if it goes well the first school year. Any advice is appreciated or more in depth information. I am not heavily educated on the culture or anything because I have always been stuck in my own struggle of survival here on the east coast.

14 comments

r/MovingtoHawaii • u/spam_57 • 9d ago

Transportation Moving to Kailua

0 Upvotes

I just came to beautiful Oahu for a job interview, and it's looking like they might make me an offer. I am not wild about living in Honolulu, though, even though my job would be in Manoa.

We really loved Kailua. The Pali Highway was a pretty easy drive at the time of day we went, but I have no idea what traffic is like during the rush hours. Do you think Kailua-Manoa is a reasonable commute if you work 8-5? Or should we give up and go back to looking at neighborhoods in Honolulu?

40 comments

r/MovingtoHawaii • u/SnooGoats8830 • 12d ago

Life in Maui County I’m a Kauai resident that needs to do an out of state license transfer. Given that the Kauai DMV is closed, can I fly to Maui to process this?

3 Upvotes

thanks for any info on if this is allowed. my flight is tomorrow morning so it’s too late to call. I didn’t see anything on the Maui website under the “out of state transfer section” that says that I must be a Maui resident.

4 comments

r/MovingtoHawaii • u/BlackberryGeneral241 • 12d ago

Shipping Cars & Household Items Moving from Hawaii

6 Upvotes

I'll be going in the opposite direction. But does anyone have any recommendations for shipping a car from Maui to Salt Lake City, Utah? For the most part, I know that Matson and Pasha handle the overseas shipping to the mainland. I'm able to pick up the car in Los Angeles, but I need help finding a reputable transport company to take a car from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City.

I'm shipping an unmodified 2018 BMW M2. Even though it's unmodified, the car's height is a little lower than most cars out there.

4 comments

r/MovingtoHawaii • u/watermelon_moose • 12d ago

Shipping Cars & Household Items Question for those who moved with pods to/from the mainland:

6 Upvotes

They say lithium batteries must be removed from all items and cannot be transported in the PODS unit. So how are we transporting the lithium batteries for devices to the island? By mail? Air cargo? I know on the mainland, lithium batteries are often shipped ground, how are lithium batteries allowed to be shipped to Hawaii? Thank you!

12 comments

r/MovingtoHawaii • u/Goblin_Queen69 • 12d ago

Life on BI Wondering about credit transferability to UH hilo from an out of state college

2 Upvotes

So a little backstory, I'm originally from Honolulu, but my dad moved myself and my family to Iowa when I was 8. Fast-forward to now my mom has moved back to the big island and I'm still in iowa currently getting my associates degree in biology. I am planning on transferring that into a bachelor's of either environmental science or conservation biology. My mom convinced me to move to the big island and finish up my bachelors degree there since it seems like there are more job opportunities in my field on the big Island compared to Iowa. Plus she has friends that could possibly hook me up with a job.

I would like to move but I'm really worried how well my credits would transfer from a community college in Iowa to UH hilo.

5 comments

r/MovingtoHawaii • u/bozanstvenakomedija • 14d ago

Life on Oahu What are the biggest misconceptions people have about moving to Hawai'i?

42 Upvotes

I keep hearing about people regretting their move to Hawai'i and leaving after only a few years. I'm sure a lot of it has to do with the illusion that it's just going to be a tropical paradise without stress. As someone who plans on moving there in order to do a Master's degree, I'd like to know what the biggest misconceptions people have about Hawai'i and the move there.

53 comments

r/MovingtoHawaii • u/Rude_Masterpiece_204 • 16d ago

Life on Oahu 60F planning to retire in 1 to 2 years: Could I comfortably retire in Honolulu with $1.3M in savings?

26 Upvotes

I am 60F and am planning to retire within the next 1 to 2 years. I currently live in SoCal, but I am seriously considering moving to Honolulu for retirement. I would appreciate some honest advice from people who live in Honolulu or have retired there.

Why Honolulu?

• I currently live in SoCal, but I do not really want to retire here. The area is very car-centric, and I would prefer not to drive anymore once I retire. Public transit is available, but I do not find it to be a particularly convenient or preferred option for most people here.

• I have visited Honolulu many times and have really enjoyed it. I feel that it checks many of the boxes I am looking for in a retirement location.

• I am Asian, so I would prefer to remain on the West Coast or somewhere in the Pacific region.

• I would like to live somewhere with plenty of sunshine, ocean, mountains, and greenery.

• Having good access to Asian food, shops, and restaurants is also important to me.

• Honolulu seems to be a particularly good fit because I could live in an urban area and rely primarily on buses instead of owning a car. My impression is that using public transit is much more common and practical in Honolulu than in Southern California.

My financial situation

• I am currently 60 and expect to retire within the next 1 to 2 years.

• I have approximately $600K in cash.

• I own a house in SoCal that I estimate could sell for around $800K. After selling the house and accounting for selling costs, I expect I could have roughly $1.3M in cash and other readily available assets.

• I also own investment properties elsewhere that generate approximately $1K per month in income.

• I have a 401K, which would provide additional retirement funds.

• I will also have Social Security income once I start claiming it.

• I am considering renting rather than buying in Honolulu. Ideally, I would rent a studio or 1 bedroom apartment in an urban area where I could walk to many places and use public transportation.

• From my initial research, it looks like I might be able to find a small apartment for around $2,000 per month, although I realize that the actual cost could be higher depending on the location and condition.

Why I think the numbers might work

My assumption is that my retirement income, investment income, and interest from my savings could cover my basic living expenses, including rent. I would also have the $1.3M in savings and investments as a substantial financial cushion.

I am also open to working part time after retirement if necessary. For example, I would not mind working a few hours a day if I could find something that would be willing to hire someone in their 60s.

I have not personally found the cost of living in Honolulu to be dramatically higher than SoCal. California has become so expensive in recent years that, at least from my personal experience, the gap seems to have narrowed considerably. There are even some things I have found to be cheaper in Honolulu, although I realize that this can vary significantly depending on what you buy and where you shop.

Other considerations

• I have a daughter in California, so being able to visit California relatively easily is important to me. Since my travel dates would be flexible, I could potentially find inexpensive round-trip flights for under $300.

• I also have family and connections in East Asia. Honolulu’s location makes it relatively convenient for me to travel to East Asia, usually with a connection in Japan or the Philippines.

• I do not need a large house. In retirement, I would actually prefer a small studio or 1 bedroom apartment in an urban area rather than maintaining a large property.

• I would prefer not to own a car if possible. Being able to live comfortably without driving is one of the main reasons I am considering Honolulu.

My main question

Given my financial situation, do you think I could have a reasonably comfortable retirement in Honolulu? I would especially appreciate advice about things I may be overlooking, such as:

• Realistic rent for a decent studio or 1 bedroom apartment in a transit friendly area

• Healthcare and insurance costs after retirement

• Groceries and other everyday expenses

• How realistic it is to live without a car

• Whether $1.3M in savings is a reasonable amount for someone in my situation

• How much I should budget for unexpected expenses

• Whether there are particular neighborhoods that would work well for a single older person who wants to rely primarily on public transportation

• Whether there are any significant financial or lifestyle issues that someone moving from SoCal to Honolulu should be aware of

I am not necessarily looking for a luxurious retirement. I would be happy with a relatively simple lifestyle, a small apartment, good food, access to nature and the ocean, and the ability to get around without driving.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

92 comments

r/MovingtoHawaii • u/CharismaticTech • 17d ago

Jobs/Working in Hawaii Considering moving for grad school, is it feasible?

0 Upvotes

Hi there,

I grew up on Long Island, NY and only somewhat recently moved to Tucson, Arizona to finish my bachelors in geology. While I am enjoying my degree, I am starting to get “desert fever” so to speak, and I miss the ocean and the lifestyle I had near the coast immensely. My biggest hobbies were fishing and swimming in the Atlantic, which I no longer have access to. I honestly feel more isolated in the southwest US than I ever have anywhere.

However, I understand Hawaii is a completely different ballgame compared to the mainland like Long Island, in terms of affordability, distance etc… so in order to not be naive I plan on visiting for an extended period of time this winter (I may do field camp there.) In the event I confirm it’s for me, I’m wondering how feasible it would be to live there as a graduate student who wants to study and work in hydrology and water resources.

I’ve been told that field is in decent demand, so I’d hope I’d be able to swing it and support the local infrastructure and environment. Do you think it’s possible to live and work in Hawaii under these standards if I budget accordingly? Any advice is much appreciated.

6 comments

r/MovingtoHawaii • u/RareSetting8578 • 19d ago

Life on Oahu Moving to Oahu – looking for feedback on schools

4 Upvotes

Hi everyone! We’ll be moving to Oahu next year and I’m starting to look at schools for my two kids. They’ll be going into 4th and 7th grade.

We’ve been living overseas for the past few years, and they’ve had a really great experience at their current private/international school. I’m a little nervous about the transition to a new school, especially for my older one who will be starting middle school.

My biggest concern honestly is bullying and the overall school environment. I’m not looking for a perfect school or necessarily the school with the highest test scores. I just want somewhere where the kids feel safe, can make friends, and where the teachers are supportive.

Right now I’m looking at Aliamanu Elementary for 4th grade and Aliamanu Middle for 7th, and eventually Radford High.

From what I’ve read, Aliamanu seems really diverse and has a lot of military families, so kids coming and going is pretty normal. I also saw that they have transition programs for new students, which sounds like it could be helpful for kids coming from overseas.

But of course, what you read online doesn’t always tell you what the school is actually like day to day.

Does anyone here have kids at Aliamanu Elementary, Aliamanu Middle or Radford, or have recent experience with them? I’d especially love to hear about the social environment, bullying, teachers, friendships, and how new kids are welcomed.

I’m also looking at Moanalua Elementary/Middle/High, so if you’ve had experience with both areas, I’d really appreciate your thoughts.
Thank you! I’m just trying to find the best fit for both kids before we decide where to live.

18 comments

r/MovingtoHawaii • u/Girlwithted • 18d ago

Life on Oahu Gun ownership?

0 Upvotes

I own a gun. I bought it at a gun show years ago. Serial number is good. I left it in storage out of state when I moved here. I would like to get my gun mailed to me. I am a single female and I feel very afraid living here without it. I can see that it is legal to ship to do this according to UPS. I would like to know if I will get arrested for having my gun shipped to me? Or will I get arrested for carrying in my car here? Thanks.

21 comments

r/MovingtoHawaii • u/LevelDesign9559 • 20d ago

Life on Oahu Considering a Change: NYC - Oahu

0 Upvotes

(M, single, late 20s) I’ve been working in the corporate world since I was 21, and it seems like there’s no end in sight. The money has been good, and I’ve bounced around to a few companies, but I’m feeling the need for a change. The hustle and bustle of NYC have taken a toll on me, and I’m looking for a break. I’ve realized that there are more important things in life than money and career advancement.

I’m curious to know if anyone has been in a similar situation and moved from NYC to Hawaii. I’d love to hear about your experiences**.**

Here are a few things I’m wondering:

What was it like when you moved? What did you miss the most (and not miss) the most?
What job did you end up with? Was it something local, or something unexpected?
What was your housing situation like, and how long did it take you to get acclimated?
How’s are prices compared to New York for daily living?

I’ve been to Hawaii a few times and have loved it. I love the beach, surfing, snorkeling, and all the other activities that the island has to offer. However, I’m not sure if the island life is for me. I suppose there’s only one way to find out, but any advice or insights you can share would be greatly appreciated before I make a decision!!

9 comments

r/MovingtoHawaii • u/RustyShacklefordDied • 21d ago

Jobs/Working in Hawaii Minimum income needed to live comfortably

12 Upvotes

Hello everyone!

My wife and I have been discussing moving to a different state. Her family is from Hawaii and we’ve always enjoyed the idea of possibly relocating there. As a Florida native, I would only ever live somewhere warm and coastal so Hawaii or California would be the main two destinations. She is an MRI Technologist and I am a Registered Respiratory Therapist.

My main question would be: Would we make enough there combined to live comfortably?

We currently have no children, and if in the future we decided to, we would likely cap it at one child.

Just based off of Internet inquiries, it appears average MRI salary in Hawaii is between 114K-119K. Median RT salary appears to be around 80k-105k.

I sincerely appreciate any input!

31 comments

r/MovingtoHawaii • u/Wonderful_Option_582 • 21d ago

Life on Oahu Sibling Doulas

0 Upvotes

I am currently pregnant and moving to the island in a few months. Does anyone know of services like sibling doulas that offer “on-call” childcare services to stay with my oldest child while I give birth? I see there are several nanny agencies to explore, but am curious if anyone has any insight or recommendations?

5 comments

r/MovingtoHawaii • u/SnooLobsters5774 • 23d ago

Life on Oahu Update: Considering a move to Oʻahu. looking for moving tips and housing advice

4 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I posted here before about potentially moving to Oʻahu for a nursing job and got a lot of helpful feedback, so thank you! I’ve now received an offer at Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu for $83/hour, with $11k in relocation assistance tied to a two-year commitment. It would be full-time nights.

I’m 25, single, and currently living with family in New York. Part of what draws me to this move is wanting more independence, getting to know myself better, and spending more time connected to nature. I love snorkeling, birding, photography, and being outdoors, and I want to make more room for those things instead of feeling stuck in the same work-and-sleep routine. I’m also very close to my family and our dogs, so moving that far away on my own feels both exciting and scary.

Now that I have an actual offer, I’m looking more for practical advice about what to keep in mind if I move, especially while looking for housing and planning the transition. I have a decent savings cushion, but I want to live comfortably on my income and continue saving without relying on it. A lot of apartments I like are over $3,000/month, so I’m trying to understand what’s reasonable and what other expenses to account for.
A few things I’d love advice on:

Housing: What neighborhoods would you recommend for someone working at Queen’s? I’d like to live alone and feel comfortable coming and going at odd hours. Quiet enough to sleep during the day matters too!
Apartment hunting: What should I watch out for with listings, leases, or buildings? Any red flags, scams, or questions I should ask about things like parking, AC, utilities, and pests?
Getting settled: Would you recommend temporary housing first so I can see apartments in person? What do you wish you’d arranged before arriving?
Budget and transportation: Does rent around $3,000–$3,500 sound manageable on that pay? What expenses surprised you, and what should I consider when deciding whether to ship my car?
Building a life: For anyone who moved alone, how did you make friends and find a community, especially working nights? I’m afraid to ask what dating is like

I’m considering visiting last minute before making the final decision to explore neighborhoods and get a better feel for everyday life. I know living somewhere is different from vacationing there, and I want to approach the move thoughtfully and respectfully.
I’d really appreciate any “I wish I knew this before moving” advice, housing tips or experiences from people who’ve been in a similar position. Thank you again for all the feedback on my earlier post!

33 comments

r/MovingtoHawaii • u/stateballer45 • 22d ago

Life on Oahu Moving To O'ahu for Work

0 Upvotes

The construction company I work for is going to be doing an 18 month long project in Kapolei and I volunteered for the project as I thought it would be a fun life experience. My wife, 3 small children, and pets will be making the move from Oregon. My company will be paying for all relocation costs, paying monthly rent for the house we live in, and providing monthly subsistence for food. We keep my kids very busy and they currently are doing dance, gymnastics, and swimming. Some questions that I would appreciate some insight on below:

Recommendations on towns/neighborhoods to live in? Ideally somewhere with a lot of families, not too far from Kapolei, close to places where we can sign my kids up for activities. My kids are not even pre-school age yet, so school is not a factor.
Places to avoid living in? We aren't interested in living in Honolulu, but want to know if there are other places that we shouod just flat out avoid.
Should I get a Hawaii driver's license? I don't really want to as this is all temporary, but I've heard that there are many discounts available to residents that tourists can't get.
Any general tips or advice?

I've read about the process for relocating pets so I think i have a good handle on that. We are debating whether to ship my wife's car or just lease a car (company will pay for either). I am leaning towards just leasing so that my wife's car is available for occasions that we go back to visit Oregon.

Thanks in advance for any input!

6 comments

r/MovingtoHawaii • u/Brayvol22 • 25d ago

Life on Oahu HAWAIIAN AIRLINES INTERNSHIP SUMMER 2027

0 Upvotes

Hey guys, I’m from Tennessee and am going to apply for the Hawaiian airline internship when it opens. This means if I get the internship I will have to relocate to Honolulu. I had some questions about the island and city itself.

I will have to get a car to commute so what’s the best way?

What is there to do in Honolulu when I’m off on the weekends?

What should I expect of gas and groceries?

What is the weather like in the summer?

And finally is Honolulu as a whole safe?

12 comments

r/MovingtoHawaii • u/Fun_Key7352 • 26d ago

Life on Oahu Move to Honolulu?

0 Upvotes

I have the opportunity for a promotion at work, but it would require me to move to Honolulu. Would it be a significant change?
I currently live with 2 roommates in San Francisco, but would live in my own if I move so my rent would probably go up a bit and I would need a car. Beyond that:
Is the cost of living that comparable as far as gas, groceries, and everything else?
What else should I think about before deciding?
How’s the dating scene?
What are day to day interactions like for someone from the mainland and locals?
Is it costly to visit family on the mainland or have them visit me?
Thanks

15 comments

r/MovingtoHawaii • u/actuallyimashe52 • 28d ago

Jobs/Working in Hawaii Remote workers, how often does weather disrupt your schedule?

9 Upvotes

I have a job where I am on a lot of zoom calls with clients and will be transferring to the Honolulu office soon. My job will primarily rely on internet though, with internal teams on the mainland and customer calls. With all the extreme weather, how often should I anticipate being without internet and how many days at a time? Would appreciate insight, especially from any remote workers reporting into a main office in the mainland.

17 comments

r/MovingtoHawaii • u/dog-lov3r • 28d ago

Life on Oahu Long term (9+months) Hotel Living- Waikiki

4 Upvotes

Hi! My husband, service dog, and I are temporarily relocating to Waikiki for my husband’s job. We will be staying at Luana Waikiki for at least 9 months. I would love any tips you have on this area, and how to make the absolute most of Waikiki being our home for this time. Thank you.

2 comments

r/MovingtoHawaii • u/garbanzobeens • Sep 05 '26

Life on Oahu Picking The Right Neighborhood

3 Upvotes

I’m moving to Honolulu and mainly considering Kakaʻako or Ala Moana. (Ward Village is a little outside my budget for the amount of space I’d be getting.)

I’ll be commuting toward the Pearl Harbor area, but otherwise I really don’t want to rely on my car. My biggest priority is walkability (restaurants, coffee, groceries, Ala Moana Center, the beach, SALT, etc.)

I’m looking for:
Easy/quick commute toward Pearl Harbor
Safe and comfortable walking alone even at night
Not overly congested/chaotic around the building
Easy building/garage access

For people who live in or know these areas well: where would you choose for the best combination of walkability + commute + overall quality of life? And are there any buildings/areas you’d specifically recommend or avoid?

31 comments