Thinking About Moving to Hawaii? Here's What You Need to Know
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If you are considering a relocation to Hawaii, there are a ton of questions you probably want answered before this inspiration becomes a reality. Life moves at a different speed on the islands, and while it is certainly enchanting and idyllic, there are many factors to consider, such as:
Which island would be the best fit for you?
What can you expect in terms of cost of living?
Are there any potential drawbacks to moving to Hawaii?
Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of making the move to Hawaii a reality. These are questions I researched before I made my own move to Oahu in January 2021, things I wish I had known beforehand, and information I learned over the course of a year as an islander.
Everything You Need To Know Before Moving to Hawaii
Would Hawaii Be a Good Fit For You?
First, why would you move to Hawaii? Would it be a good fit for you?
Maybe you are still a little on the fence about making the giant leap across the Pacific Ocean.
The advantages of moving to Hawaii lie in the otherworldly beauty of its natural landscape and oceanfront, its endless potential for outdoor activities (such as surfing and hiking), the friendliness and openness of its locals, laidback “aloha” lifestyle, and the concentration of world-famous cuisine, culture, and nightlife. Hawaii maintains a rich history to respect and learn about and a sacred reverence for its land and culture. You’ll feel like you’re constantly on the go, meeting new people, having new experiences—if you embrace the lifestyle. And luckily, Hawaii makes it super, super easy to embrace. The islands generally attract super open and inviting people.
Those who move to Hawaii usually have the following in common:
They are passionate about the outdoors and outdoor adventures
They are looking for a fresh start
They are open-minded and courageous enough to move halfway across the Pacific
They are friendly and inclusive
There is a wide variety of people there: military, college students, remote workers, long-time residents, families, and Hawaiian locals, or a mix of all the above.
Moving to Hawaii would be a good fit for you if you can handle a great distance between you and the rest of the world (Hey, maybe you’d even welcome it!), if you are good at putting yourself out there socially, and welcome a laissez-faire lifestyle.
Is it safe to live in Hawaii?
Yes! It is safe. Like most places, there are certain neighborhoods to avoid alone after dark and it is wise to take certain precautions about securing your belongings in public places, such as at trailheads or on beaches. A lot comes down to common sense. Like many major cities, Honolulu has a homeless population. I felt safe living on Oahu, but there still are certain neighborhoods I would prefer not to live in or would not recommend.
On the island of Oahu specifically, I would not recommend living in the neighborhoods of Chinatown, Kalihi, Makaha, Waipahu, or near the airport. Crime rate is high in these areas, and it is not safe to walk around at night alone.
Once you have selected an island to live on, it is best to do research from there and, better yet, scope out neighborhoods in person before picking one to settle in for good.
What is the weather like?
You really can’t ask for better weather than here in Hawaii! Think eternal, year-round summer. It has highs in the 70s and low 80s, tons of sunshine, and frequent rain showers to keep the islands green. It never seems to get too hot, it is rarely muggy or humid, and if it does rain, it is usually short and leaves a rainbow. Rainstorms and downpours are common during the “winter” season (Joke! I felt that there was only one season from January through December.)
Which island would be the best for you?
There are actually 137 islands in the state of Hawaii. Whoa, right? However, only eight are considered to be somewhat major and, of those, the four islands you will probably want to consider are Kauai, Maui, the island of Hawaii (more commonly called the Big Island), and Oahu.
Life moves at different speeds on each of these islands, as similar as they may appear. They are all beautiful and offer similar outdoor opportunities, but the social community differs from island to island, so you will have to evaluate what kind of lifestyle you are looking to build.
Hawaii (The Big Island)
The Big Island, i.e. the island of Hawaii, i.e. also the biggest island in the state of Hawaii (confused yet?) is 4000 square miles and could fit all of the other islands combined. (And, it is growing, thanks to ongoing volcanic activity.) The Big Island’s landscape sets itself apart from the other islands, due to its landmark blackened and drying lava fields and black sand beaches. It is also home to one of the only four green sand beaches in the world. 200,000 residents call it home and it attracts more than 1 million tourists annually. Life is generally quiet here, with rural communities and beach towns.
Kauai
Kauai attracts families, honeymooners, retirees, and those trying to get off the beaten path. It is quiet, rural, and not for those looking to party. It hosts 72,000 residents and approximately 1 million tourists a year. Nicknamed the “Garden Island,” it is a restful must-visit island and would be a good fit for those looking to really get away from the rest of the world.
Maui
Maui is the second busiest and biggest of the Hawaiian islands. It hosts double the amount of tourism of Kauai, with more than 2 million annual visitors, and 160,000 residents. Maui offers a nice balance between quiet and social life, as it is resort-heavy and has the infrastructure for the most tourism besides Oahu. If you want a step down from the crazy Oahu, Maui might be a good option to look at.
Oahu
Oahu is Hawaii’s hub. It has the most housing, work opportunities, and a vibrant social sphere. If you don’t want to lose some aspects of a fast-paced life, if you enjoy nightlife, if you like to be where the action is, if you haven’t secured a job yet, Oahu offers basically everything. The only thing it lacks—I’ll say after a year of being there—is enough privacy and peace (at least to my liking). It is home to 75% of the state’s population and has the infrastructure to accommodate 10 million visitors a year. Oahu is so much fun, and I would say in eight out of ten cases, I would recommend moving to this island, at least at first.
Photo credit: Eric Angerer
How Much Does It Cost to Live in Hawaii?
Cost of living is significantly higher in Hawaii than most places in the United States, and you do need to be prepared for higher costs. Groceries and gas are expensive, rent is high, and Hawaii has the highest electricity rates in the country. According to Rentdata.com, the average rent for a two-bedroom home in Hawaii is $1798. The average gas price in 2021 was $4.30/gallon and a gallon of milk often costs up to $8 or $9. (I said goodbye to dairy in 2021 and instead, drank my tears of sadness)
The cost of living differs greatly, whether you are moving as an individual or with your family. The average studio on Oahu is $1000-1600, (plus utilities) which is usually at least $150 a month. If you are looking to bring costs down, I would recommend looking for a shared apartment and a roommate. But, on other islands, such as on Big Island, renting cost may be half of that on Oahu. (If you want a more in-depth breakdown of cost of living, I recommend checking out this post from REAL).
In 2021, I was paying between $900 and $1300 a month for rent in a shared apartment in a prime location in Waikiki. I had friends paying as low as $500 in neighborhoods set back from the coast; I also had friends paying $3000 for a studio right on the shoreline. Prices increase closer to the coastline, so if you are willing to live further from the beach, rent will drop accordingly. Being honest, I broke even living in Hawaii and was not able to save. That being said, if you look for good deals on apartments and ways to wisely save in your daily lifestyle, living in Hawaii is feasible on a budget. I believe you can make it work no matter the budget, depending on how much effort you put in and what sacrifices you are willing to make.
What do you pack for a move to Hawaii?
Your packing list may be dependent on the work you plan to do on the island, but in your free time, your packing list should be centered around whatever clothes and gear you would want for a summer break. Shorts, sandals, swimsuits, sun dresses, your hiking boots... At night during December through February, sweatshirts or a light blanket may be called for.
Don’t bother lugging along replaceable products on your move, because you will want the space in your luggage for the essentials and your favorites that you know you can’t live without! After all, only so much can go with you over the Pacific Ocean, so don’t waste your space on the journey over.
What should you expect for transportation in Hawaii?
Buying a used car, buying a moped, relying on public transport (and friends with cars), and being content with renting a car every so often are all very common. Renting locals’ cars on Turo is very accessible, uncomplicated, and affordable on several of the more major islands (except during high tourist season).
There is also a bus system on most of the islands, which provides a very affordable option to get from Point A to Point B. Uber and Lyft are readily available on many of the islands, but can get pricey quickly, as there is a high demand. Many people live without their own form of transport, invest in a bike and use their own two feet to get around.
Personally, when I lived on Oahu, my transportation fluctuated throughout the year. I was happy to walk and bike the majority of the time. I occasionally grabbed an Uber or snagged a ride with a friend during the first part of my year, before borrowing a car for a few months (which exponentially opened up the island to me). Then, I bought a moped for the last few months, which is a great and fun choice for local transport, but is not legally allowed on highways—so important to note that a moped does not give you access to other parts of the islands.
Many people (the more established business people and families) ship their cars over. The high cost of shipping your car to the islands basically equals the cost of a used car in Hawaii, so I would consider selling your car before you come out to Hawaii.
Are there any drawbacks to consider before moving to Hawaii?
Traveling off the island is often expensive. That means you’ll be seeing your friends and family less frequently, and the time difference is between 3 and 7 hours, depending on the part of the country you’re from and what time of year it is.
Island fever can become real. As beautiful and distracting as paradise is, the Hawaiian islands are small, and some begin to feel a bit “stuck” by the small circumference of land at their disposal. I personally got island fever around month seven on Oahu. Then again, there are people who move out there, never feel this sort of mental discomfort, and are content to be on their little slice of paradise, even after ten years. If you are used to traveling all of the time to different landscapes, love road tripping, and prefer wide-open and remote spaces, (as remote as Hawaii appears to be..), then you may also eventually experience island fever.
As I already discussed, there is a high cost of living on the islands. On the flip side, adventure and the beauty of the beaches and mountains are free!
Depending on the island or city you choose, you may be living in the midst of tourism and vacationers. If you haven’t lived in a tourist destination before, you may not have experienced the feeling of making a home in a place that others call a vacation.
Living in a tourist destination has some downsides. You are sharing your home with many strangers coming and going that may not have the same respect for the land and culture that you do; there may be long wait times at restaurants and bad traffic; and usually tourist destinations go hand in hand with an inflated cost of living.
How do you look for an apartment?
Apartments.com, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist are good places to start to look for rentals. Apartments do go fast once listed, but there is usually a constant flux, and you shouldn’t be struggling to find a place. If you are just looking for a room or a roommate, there are facebook groups for every island to join and usually are safe (exercise caution, of course)! That worked for me multiple times.
You could also get a short term rental via Airbnb or VRBO, and then once you have those first few weeks secured, you can explore neighborhoods in person and find the part of the island you love most.
What are things that may surprise you when you move to Hawaii?
The population rises and falls dramatically depending on the tourist flow. On holidays, spring break, and in summer months—when tourism is at an all-time high—the islands will feel crowded, particularly Oahu. Once you are there for a few months, you will start rolling your eyes at the high tourist influx on holidays and wishing for the beach real estate to open back up.
Unless you get a place close to the beach, you may not find yourself hitting up the beach every single day after work as you imagined. I know it looks like the beach is a few steps away from every single point on Google Maps, but it can take time to actually get there in real time. So, if you want to surf or suntan every single day, look up the exact driving, biking, and walking time from your house to the nearest beach.
The lifestyle is far more laidback, inclusive, and friendly than I had planned or experienced before. If you have an open mindset, it is very easy to meet new people and make friends—literally anywhere—especially at the beach, just by going up to a group of volleyballers. Everyone is from somewhere else and there to have a good time. This aspect was one of the greatest, most attractive elements of moving to Hawaii. I doubt you can find a place—in the United States—that is more open and conducive to making new, real friends than in Hawaii.
A final word…
Book that ticket!
More Hawaii travel guides
Oahu
Maui
Kauai