Peter Kay Living in Hawaii : My husband and I are retired. We are selling our home and everything we own. Even things that have been handed down in the family that are valuable. It’s just stuff. I still have the memories. Everything goes! Then we are moving to Hawaii. Going from a large beautiful home to a tiny condo. We are ready to live simple and start a new chapter. Your video was very informative. Thanks. 😊
I find myself crying watching this. I know these roads, I know these beaches and I miss it all so much. Praying that I could finally transfer through my job back to O’ahu. Can’t stand living on the mainland. I’m tired of the very hot summers and the very cold winters. Hawai’i has the best weather in the nation for someone like me who is miserable in the winter and snow, but loves the ocean and water sports... and hiking without having to deal with too much heat or humidity. Miss my paradise. I couldn’t watch past 12 minutes. It’s too emotional 😭
Aloha Peter. I lived on Oahu from February of 1988 until July of 1996. I was stationed there with the Army for about half that time, and married to a local girl from about 1990 until I left in 96. I worked at Sports Authority on Ward Avenue after leaving the military and lived in a studio apartment on Namahana street off Kuhio Avenue and rode a bike to work everyday. I have been back to Oahu on vacation with my current wife 3 times, the most recent trip being in October of 2018 to see my son who is stationed there right now. There isn't a day that I don't think about my life in the islands. The food, the weather, the Aloha spirit. I love your videos, but I think you are on an impossible mission. There just is no way to put into words how wonderful living in the islands is. It isn't any one thing, and you can't experience it by visiting for a week, or even a month on vacation. Hawaii is just -different. Yep, it costs more there, a lot more, but people live there right now, so it's "do-able". Like you said, you just have to decide where your priorities lie. I have a nice home with over 10 acres in the country in Southern Indiana, and my pay goes a long way, but the weather here is absolutely horrid. You have a 2 month "window" to do outside things before it becomes too hot, too rainy, or too cold. You don't see people outside here. -Straight from the house, to the car, to walmart, or mall, or wherever. Even if you were rich here, what is the quality of life? How many "spiritual" outdoor experiences can you really have if you are hiding from the elements, and the crime, and the boredom everyday? You have to ask yourself- what is your soul worth? I am not a religious person. I'm talking about when you are on your death bed, will you be able to say to yourself, I lived a full life. Will you be able to, or did you sit in front of the computer or tv everyday watching life go by? The Islands are priceless. By that I mean being there is worth whatever it takes to do so. Sell all that crap you've accumulated. Move to the islands. Share a studio apartment with someone if you have to, eat ramen every day, ride the bus or a bike everyday like I did when I left the Army there. It is ALL worth it! You may have to make concessions, but at least you will wake up every-single-day filled with excitement for life and filled with the aloha spirit.My current wife and I are already making our "escape plan" to Oahu when I retire in 2 years and my youngest 2 children are off to college, so maybe you and I will be sitting on a bench at Ala Moana beach park someday having this very same conversation. Until then, keep "fighting the good fight" Peter. Mahalo for your time sir.P.S. Based on my decade-long island experience, this is your best video so far for helping folks decide why or why not to make the move to the islands. Dave K.
Huge mahalos Dave for you taking the time to write this! So well put! I"m going to repost your comments on the blog post. Wow! I offer only one correction: Meet you at Makapuu!
@@KevinNordstrom Valid question Kevin. I don't think it would be responsible for anyone to basically "abandon" their family just to make themselves happy. We all make decisions and choices in life and should stand by them, good or otherwise until their situation changes. But, if someone raises their children to adulthood, and in some cases even pays for their college, then once that child is out and in the world "doing their thing", then yes, the parents have done everything that could be expected of them, and deserve to enjoy their "golden years" as they see fit. Having lived in the islands myself, I think that some folks have a misperception that the islands are about as far from the rest of the U.S. as the moon, when in fact, it's just a 6 to 8 hour flight, so you could easily get back to your family in an emergency, and conversely, they can get to you in an emergency. And let's not forget, they'll always have a good excuse for an awesome vacation as well!
@@campindave1 I agree man. After the kids are gone....the only thing is most cases life doesn't happen the way we want it too in 15-30 years from now. As we age, and get closer to death....we want to be near our children. Don't get me wrong my plan is your plan. Once my two daughters are moved out, then it's our time to move away... I just always think to myself that it's probably going to change because life almost always never works out the way we want it too when looking out 20 years from now.
It's very important to think about what you said here. Most people may be materialistic because our society (in America & Europe mostly) is like this, teaching us to live this way like there is no other way. Only when you're grown up & mature enough, you make decisions based on your experiences, beliefs, values and... spirituality. Your priorities change and you value different things than you did before. Thanks a lot for this video. It will take me at least a few years to prepare for Hawaii living but I absolutely believe it's worth it. My name is Agness and I'm from Poland. I've lived in a few different places in the world, incl. the US and GB, now I'm back in Poland, getting ready to make my greatest dreams come true (there are goals and there is a plan), including moving to Hawaii. I learn a lot, read a lot... and I've just joined the community. :) Now catching up with the rest of your videos. Aloha!
Your point about Materialist vs Spiritualist is quite good. I have to give that more thought for me personally, but my instincts tell me you are spot on.
Peter Kay Living in Hawaii - great question. We moved here Jan 2011 from Washington State after a 3 year plan to prepare and make the move sustainable. The 3 year plan included paying off all debt and our house so we moved completely debt free. I think your measurement is very accurate - double expenses and cut pay 25%. Is it worth it? I am debating that. I think if I owned a house it might be, but I won’t over-leverage myself to get into a house that I could live in - in a neighborhood that is haole friendly. Owning a condo was not a good experience because that is a rigged game. That’s a whole different conversation though. At this point I am debating if it is still worth it. I am in the prime of my life for my income and I can’t buy a house without completely over-leveraging myself. Not going to take that risk because there are too many factors that could ruin my financial future. As a result that means I can only save so much, and I am not get the advantage of paying off a mortgage and building equity over the long term. This situation will impact my life in retirement, and for that I have some serious things to consider. I could easily continue to enjoy the spiritualistic and surfing life here, but I feel like I will also be robbing my comfort level in retirement.
Peter Kay Living in Hawaii - so, the real question is - can you effectively plan for the retirement you want and have the expense of living in Hawaii not significantly impact that. Because if living here impacts your future - is that worth it to you?
Wow, well at least I can't accuse you of easy questions! :-) having a comfortable retirement has always been one of my priorities. So, I also want to live in Hawaii. Therefore, I figured out a way to make it work :-)
Thank you for the longer video! I loved it. I think I’m a spiritual person. My husband and I have cut our spending my 67% to save for Hawaii and we are probably happier now! Can’t wait to move in April!
It will be so worth it! I am working on this dream now for the last 2 years and will move there Fall 2020! Found a remote job so I can work from anywhere and are just straightening out my finances.
This is pretty much your best video yet. So many Americans' lives are complicated with debt, kids, family, etc. For those of us that live a more simple life, spiritual if you will, then Hawaii is perfect. We're into our 6th year, facing some health issues but life has never been better and it's because we live here.
@@livehawaii Most crucial thing is not Materialism or Spiritualism; it is how good are you with change. If you try to carry the mainland with you everything is hard in here. Just try to fit in permit new habits instead of olds. Change your lifestyle for this land. Coming Hawaii is not just moving one state to another, it is changing country, culture, and traditions if you get that life is priceless in Hawaii.
@@livehawaii Our health care here on Kauai is exemplary. I"m having surgery in January by one of the leading orthopedic surgeons on the planet. I know I'm in the best of hands. My cardiologist is also top-notch. All this and paradise, too!
It seems a lot of prices are being compared to mainland US prices. If you compare to other countries, some things in Hawaii are actually way cheaper (gas/petrol, for instance, is double the price per litre in Europe) while other things cost just as much as in Europe or Australia!! Having lived in both these continents and various countries, the only thing that scares me about Hawaii money-wise is the real estate.
It use to drive me crazy comparing my little condo (800 sq.ft) to homes that cost the same from where I’m from ( upstate NY ). Every time I’d go visit, I’d think wow I could have a 3 bed, 2 bath w/land! Now, some 25 yrs later....I don’t find myself comparing. I live on Maui just a block from the beach and my still very little condo ( with small yard ) is paid for🌺
Ive been poor most of my life. I know what it is to live and eat on a tight budget. Ive also had a time where i was making good enough money to pretty much do, buy, eat whatever i wanted within reason. Sure i enjoy having nice things but at the end of the day, what brings me the most joy is the connections with good people and nature. Ive already worked my ass off for things i really dont need. Id give up all those material things and live on a tighter budget like im already used to for a simpler life in a community of warm compassionate people in such a beautiful place any day! I love hiking, i love being in or around water. I love just cruising down the road on a car or bicycle. I love watching the sun rise and set. I love the sounds of nature. If i moved to an area in hawaii with no mall or club, i probably wouldnt even know till someone tells me. If i lived there i would probably really only miss my friends and family, and my electric bill lol. Even a smaller space doesnt bother me, im japanese, tell me more about cramped living spaces lol. You think i could make enough money as a sushi chef there? If so, i think itd be absolutely worth it to live there.
I went to some cost of living site and concluded that I live with my family on half of estimated costs. So is for most people in my country. Like in Hawaii, just we dont have beautiful ocean, breath taking nature and hot spring all year long. I could live there and be happy. Thanks for the video
For most, it's not worth it. I agree, living with less is a good thing, but there's a difference between that and deprivation. Paradise isn't paradise if you are just one thing away from getting behind in a bill. I don't care who you are, you aren't getting ahead in Hawaii. You're just surviving. That's not living. I'm not materiistic anymore. Paid off cars. No credit cards. We are debt free and our home paid off. We could afford to cut half our Income and move to Hawaii......but for what? To just survive? Just to see the ocean and some Mountains? most of the mainland you can get ahead. You can live comfortably. You can travel wherever even international and not worry about money. Ever. Even on a moderate to lower income. If you don't own your own business, or make 80k or more, or have a few hundred thousand in the bank, don't move to Hawaii. Just don't do it. You will become homeless or be working two or three jobs and burn out. 80k a year on the mainland is 40-50k in Hawaii. Be happy wherever you are. Live simple wherever you are. Live with less wherever you are...You cannot run from yourself or your life to be happy. Hawaii is pretty , ......but it's just a place. So many other great and gorgeous places in America where deprivation isnt a necessity
well said. In the context of the video, I'd say you do not place a high priority on the spiritual. Again, nothing wrong with that, but see @campindave1 comment above for a different view. Like I said, if you're not a spiritualist, Hawaii just isn't worth it. But if you are, it's a bargain.
I didn't say you had to be. I did say though, that in order to fully enjoy Hawaii, you have to place a higher value on the spiritual versus the material
That's why I'm going to Hawaii... I want to reduce the material stuff I've gotten so used to over my life. Hoarding stuff I never use, buying food I don't need, Etc.
I'ts because were all greedy, shame on us that live that way instead of appreciating love , life and the simple things that can make us happier but......
Peter, As always, thank you for taking the time to make such excellent videos. I had told you that I was moving to Maui, for a one year work opportunity. I ended up declining the job. Not only was the pay 30% less, but I did not feel like I was being treated/negotiated with fairly. That, much more than the pay cut, led me to decline. I will continue working on the mainland for now, saving money. Have a condo on Kauai, working as a vacation rental. Will spend much more time there soon. Warmest Aloha to you and your family, Pete
I’m from Oahu, born and raised there. My dad was from Hawaii, his family all still live there, all my cousins all from Kaneohe. It doesn’t sound like I can afford to come home to live there again, the way the prices have skyrocketed. It’s always been expensive yeah, my family always worked two jobs to make ends meet. My grandpa was originally from Oahu also, but moved to Maui back in the days. He lived in a little town named Pukalani at the base of Haliakala. My dream has always been to come back home, I just don’t think it’s possible now. I live in So. CA now, and it’s expensive enough. I just wish there were places for those born & raised to come back to that weren’t so expensive to come retire to.
Every video I watch just feels like further confirmation. I can live on very little and be happy and have done it most of my adult life. I just recently started thinking bigger, allowing myself to believe I can live in Hawaii. It's the spiritual experience, the nature and the culture that is drawing me in and just like you said in the video, money is simply a tool to help me get there. I had a goal that I recently reduced by 25% before ever even seeing this video because I realized how little time I would have if I had that many clients so I'm literally already practicing this advice 😂👏I 100% value time and experiences over money and things. I don't need a big house or fancy car etc I feel so grateful right now because I feel so aligned with the values and culture of Hawaii. This Haule still has a lot to learn but I'm ready ❤ 🌺🙏❤
Feeling IS mutual and agree with what you said, living in New York you have to be budget conscious so Hawaii will be no problem, thanks for the wonderful encouragement ♥️
Great topic. Affordability depends on life style. To live comfortable in a 4 bed 3 bath house in everywhere (may be not certain part of the big island), be ready to pay the amount.
Good video. You provided good point here and you are correct. I'm a spiritual person. I prefer more outdoor activities than being indoors. I went from a one bedroom apartment to a studio and I'm happy where I'm at. I had a car, and I gave it up just to move here in Oahu. I don't even need a car. Where I live, I'm close to everything. I barely take the public transportation. But, I'm okay with it and happy. Thanks for sharing this video.
11:19 it started before 2019 but yes, record high born and raised hawaii citizens have left for the mainland, even more left in last year and now. Cost of living in hawaii is officially for the rich post 2018 I wanna say. It was a fun run.
Good poin. I like trader joe and quality grocery store. Whish they are there. At least there are costco. Also I love the fresh air and beautiful beaches in HI. Being healthy is saving a lit of money. I love to enjoy my life in the paradise soon.
I love Hawaii simply because of how beautiful the island and the beaches are and specially the real Hawaiian people cause in my opinion they are the nicest people i ever met.
I am totally full in love with Hawaii since I was there the first time in 1992. Been there now many many times and everytime I am so surprised how expensive it is. A bread there is 6 dollars, In my country a bread cost 1 dollar. But I would stop buying anything and eat just a pea a day if I can finally go live there. I am not at all a materialist. I could get a job as a dentist in 92 but I totally had to get my degree again and I couldnt do it. Now I am disabled and am still wanting to finally go tgere. To me it CERTAINLY IS WORTH IT!! But I have a severly ill son of 18 years old and he doesnt want to go with me and Icannot leave him now. But I hope there won’t be a burden everytime before I die. I WANT TO LIVE IN HAWAII. I AM IN LOVE!!!!!!!
If you have no rent or mortgage to pay, I’d say you need around $2500-3000 Net/month to live comfortably Also, you cannot sacrifice everything in the name of living in Hawaii, it is not a well managed/run state. Most people have 2 jobs here in order to make ends meet and don’t have the luxury of going surfing every day.
My wife and I have a plan to move our family to Hawaii in 2-3 years. We are realizing that living the rat race is not worth it. I know people probably think we are crazy, but we just want to lead a simple life. A small house in the big island rain forest. Your videos make us all that more determined to make our dreams become true. Thank you!
@@livehawaii Thank you for your videos, they are really nice to watch. In your other video I left you my story and why I want to go to Hawaii. Again thank you, love the videos. Liked and subed
If you live on Oahu vs Maui as a military retiree, it is significantly cheaper to live in Oahu due to commissary/base privileges? Also if you are a nurse practitioner or RN, the pay is significantly more on Oahu and in Oahu, more than most states on the mainland. Maui pays less. Is it worth it to live in Maui when compared to Oahu?
I experienced living on O'ahu for 2 years it was great on Alamona BLVD BIG SURF apartments. Had a good time and great people. I left in 2013 , I had an efficiency apartment for $ 900 a month , in 2021 that same apartment was $1400 a month and it's very small . Hawaii is great but expensive .had a car there so I paid a monthly fee at a parking garage. You have to do that unless the place you live at has a place to park . People are leaving Hawaii because it's just getting to expensive to live there .
You just "shamed" me into subscribing, Peter! But, you didn't have to twist my arm. Really enjoyed your thoughts. We will be returning back home in 3-5 years. Can't wait!
What would you say a 1 bdrm apartment goes for there or even a large studio? I have Section 8 and when I called the housing office in Oahu she told me the allotment was $1700 for a 1 bdrm
Loved this presentation. Right on. I moved to HI in '87. I still have my '90 Miata that I bought there--30 years old this June and still going strong. Lived in Hawaii Kai and then Waikiki. I would do this drive every week out to Waimanalo. I've traveled the world and the beauty of HI is unsurpassed. I loved the spiritual connection with the aina and with the People. I was unable to afford a home there and so rented condos. I'm an animal lover and no places allowed pets, which I really missed. So now I'm back on the mainland with a nice home (with pets) and a vacation home. Along with my HI Miata, I have a my "workhorse" SUV with 4 wheel drive should I desire to drive north to the snowy mountains in winter. So, in the end, I guess material things meant more to me but I sure miss the beauty that is HI. I went back to visit friends a few years ago. I went to the store to buy some basics (coffee, cigarettes, milk, cereal). The cost of one bag of groceries there would fill up four bags here, if not more. Thanx again for the ride up the windward side. Really enjoyed.
I have dreamt of living in Hawaii for many years, ever since I've even heard about Hawaii, which I believe I was in my teens then, yet, my budget is not enough for even a plane ticket, let alone moving there, I know no one there either, I wouldn't be leaving much of anything behind, I don't own a car, anyways, I live off of S.S.I. But I really think Hawaii is the place for me to be, so, what should I do, for even a visit there? Just curious.
I'm 69 years old, healthy, a 9 year resident of Kailua-Kona, Big Island. I've never lived in a home bigger than about 900 sq ft since I was in high school and living with my parents. My wife and I owned a home in Napa Valley for 26 years, and it was just 900 sq ft. on a quarter acre. From the sale of the California property I bought a building lot here at the edge of coffee country (in a lush, green semi-rural neighborhood, with wild chickens and wild turkeys running around, a forest nearby), and finally I will be having a small house built on it. It won't be much bigger than 900 sq ft and my mortgage (at today's rates) will be under $1,000 a month. So that will be my Hawaii housing cost for the next 30 years. Hawaii has the lowest property taxes in the nation. I'll be on nearly a half acre, in an older, established safe neighborhood, 14 minutes drive from downtown, 11 minutes drive to one of the best beaches in Hawaii, 1100 feet up a mountain above the ocean with sweeping sunset ocean views and a secluded, private tropical garden with all the papayas and bananas I can eat. At this elevation I'll leave my house windows open all year, night and day. No heat or A/C will ever be needed. Most perfect climate on earth. I still work. I will have a small internet-related business when I retire from my paycheck job. I live modestly but very well on $1500 a month Social Security plus $2000 a month net pay from my job. My "materialism" is collecting used books and music CDs -- maybe $20 a month. After COVID, I'll spend maybe another $50 a month on restaurants and live music events. And -- clothing budget! -- Hawaiian shirt, $9 from local thrift shop and $10 a year at Long's Drugs on flip-flop sandals when my current ones wear out. THWAP-THWAP! My neighbors are a mix of locals and transplants, but I live in the "real" semi-rural Hawaii. It is NOT isolated from culture and social life! I lived in Mexico as a youth and I'm fluent in Spanish, I love Latin America, but for retirement, Hawaii is the best place on earth -- if you can figure out how to make it. If you want it badly enough, you can. If you care about Hawaiian culture and aloha, you very likely will. This is the spirituality of ohana, of sharing.
I’m currently transitioning from the military and plan on using my Gi Bill to go to college there, I plan to sell 2, if not all 3 of my vehicles. 2 of which are paid off, putting my house up for rent and selling what isn’t necessary. My sister lived in Waimea for about 4 years on the big island. And plans on moving back once her kids are 18. I love the feeling while I’m there, the entire culture there fits me. However, my concern is this, I’m stuck between getting into a radiology program so I can work almost anywhere, and try and make a go of it in the big island. I would prefer it so much more than the others. Or I can go after my Zoology degree, a career that I’ve always dreamed about. But essentially not be able to live in the place I adore. Even after get my schooling done. Would it be better to go after my dream job and probably never live in Hawaii? or to settle for a job I’m not sure about in Radiology but make a go of it on the big island? Long time viewer, I apologize I worded that strangely. - Austin
Tough question, though those aren't the only two possibilities. Don't limit yourself that way. Find another possibility. It exists but only you can find it.
*So Peter, I have a question*, would you recommend this lifestyle to someone who's a "crazy nut" that enjoys talking to her garden? I love gardening, definitely interested in acreage and space. Is being interested in personal acreage for garden something you'd define as "material" or "spiritual"? I wanna say I'm a spiritualist, especially in the sense of being a "fairy" 😅😅, but what would be the perspective / opinion of native / local Hawaiians?
I really like the perspective on materialist vs spiritualist. I have been planning our move to Hawaii for over a year and the negative comments regarding the cost of living and how I am being ignorant is getting very frustrating. It is as though people assume that having a large amount of disposable income is such a high priority. I have been living frugally for over 3 years now despite making a very respectable income. I feel that I am very much spiritualist with the reasons for our move including a better quality of life, sustainable living, and a lifestyle that aligns with our values. Being fully aware of the cost of living, in our case the move would allow us to pay cash for a home and eliminate our very large mortgage requiring both of us to work full time. Increasing family time and slowing down to teach our children that these relationships hold more value than making large amounts of money at the expense of happiness. 18 mos to go til we are Big Island bound
I'm so glad that this video has helped you. let me know if you need help in finding a place to buy on the big island. I have the very best people who can help you.
My dream also to retire in Maui! Two more years and I am going to make it happen no matter what. My youngest son Jozsef wants to attend the University of Honolulu so if I am able to afford a small Condo on Maui he can visit anytime. We have a great house in California so my wife will look after that until she retires. My Dream is to live in Maui 6 months out of the year and spend the summer months in California and eventually live full time in Maui. Do you think this is a good idea? Please give me your feedback. Happy new year 2020
Hello Peter. I would like to ask you a very specific question. I do not expect you to know the answer of that question as it is a very specific question. The surf instructors working in Hawaii do they all have to work with a registered surf school. Or can they also work as sole trader, being self-employed. Meaning if they advertise online and get students to teach them without having to register their own school? Because i am from all the way from the United Kingdom. And in my country it works very differently that the surf instructors have to work with a surf school and they cannot legally just operate entirely alone. Even if they would like to operate entirely alone they have to legally register their own school first and then if they have good luck they are self-employed through this way alone. I was curious to find out how the system works in the state of Hawaii?. I look forward to hear from you.
That's a good question. Thank you should do some research with the department of commerce and consumer affairs. My general guess is that there is less regulation here than there would be in the United kingdom but I'm not sure.
I have a good job offer in Maui and my wife should be able to get a good paying job as well. Between both of us we would make about 230k/year. Not much for Maui but I think it's still ok. We do have two small kids which makes everything more difficult. The main reason I probably won't accept the job offer is because the vacation benefit for the company will be only two weeks for the next ten years (then a third week until fifteen years). I can deal with the materialistic lifestyle change but if I'm gonna be stuck at work all the time, what's the point?
Ironically you're making my point of this video which is why Maui won't work for you: you're not really making the move based on a spiritualist world view.
@@livehawaii I don't understand your point. How can you enjoy everything Maui has to offer if I'm stuck at work all the time? This has nothing to do with materialistic view.
Perhaps if you can explain to me how your justification (of why you're not going to accept the position) is coming from a spiritualist perspective that might help you understand.
You can have beauty in America main land. I live five minutes to the gulf of Mexico with white sandy beaches and low cost of living! Guess I've got the best of both worlds. Thanks for helping me see that!
Mr. Kay, thank you for the advice. Double your expenses and 25% pay cut, Spiritualist vs. Materialist, etc. make good primary filters on a decision to move. Also enjoy the format of listening to commentary while on the open road (spiritualist tree-hugger here). Do you have videos while walking through residential neighborhoods, downtowns, business zones?
Aloha kākou āpau! Great video! Nice to see and hear another American praise the kind of life I love. Right now I live in southeastern Florida (Florida has two different climate zones - one mainland and one Caribbean - I live in Floribba). So our weather is a little hotter in the summer (hottest 2 months are August and September) and the rest of the year pretty stable except for hurricanes. We live in an expensive area of tourism (1 lb stewing beef = $12.99, skid row type motel room without pool for 1 night - $79 - beach side hotels START at $179 so like near the beach but facing toward the land). In the winter prices climb due to tourism. So I get the picture. And I live for nature here. We run a small AirB&B and I have my SocSec retirement - own house here free and clear and we own 2 houses abroad, now rented out, also free and clear. So even if we move to Hawaiʻi the rent we get abroad will stay the same, my SocSec will stay the same and my pension from Europe in Euros will stay the same. We would like to run an AirB&B somewhere mauka in Oʻahu. I am studying the Hawaiian language and the culture/philosophy of Polynesia (greed is one of the biggest sins - never take more than you need - share all with ʻohana). Where on O;ahu can I find some proximity to Native Hawaiians mauka where we could run a B&B? Last time in Hawaiʻi we stayed in Hilo, ate local foods - it was one of our cheapest vacations. But now I have cancer (manageable but I need to be on an island with good hospitals therefore Oʻahu). I have lived near the beach now for 30 years and now would like to live in the mountains with a view, somewhere really GREEN. I love the warm rains in Hawaiʻi and here in Florida. Never carry an umbrella since I am not made of sugar, hehe.
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Thanks for the beautiful drive brought back a lot of fond memories. You also gave very honest and correct information. I’ve always had a more spiritual outlook than a materialistic one. I know I could give up all my toys and luxuries and move back to Hawaii. It would be well worth the trade for the spiritual rewards I’d gain. The only thing you didn’t mention would be to have everyone ask themselves, “Are you willing to possibly having to leave your family and friends behind?” I know that’s pretty much a no brainer but I’m some people don’t contemplate that enough. That’s the only thing that keeps me here on the mainland for now. 😁
My husband and I want to move there and will probably have get a fixer upper. I live in Michigan and want to know if the prices at Home Depot are the same as other states?
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Hey Peter, Ive been watching your videos about moving to Hawaii for a while now. Great videos man! Im a Colorado native and moving to Hawaii has always been my dream. Im not a materialistic type of person nor do I crave Big City life. Ive been in the landscaping industry for about 22 years now. I own a small sprinkler repair business here in Boulder County. Im wondering if my line of work is going to be enough income wise When (not if lol) I move there. I react really badly to stuff like poison ivy snd was wondering if there is anything like that out there. And was hoping you could do a video about that and what dangerous creatures are out there as well. I run into rattlesnakes while working among other things, but from what I hear there's not a lot of those things out there. My brother asks if there is hunting of any kind out there, and how dangerous if the ocean on the beaches. I know those are Multiple questions, but Im trying to be out the in about 30 months. Anyway, love the show, keep up the good work, hope everyone is happy & healthy. Aloha!
Aloha Wesley! Lots of great questions! Get on my newsletter here and you'll get updates on our live show that comes every other week where we take live Q&A. www.livinginhawaii.com/about/subscribe-to-our-weekly-dose-of-aloha-newsletter/
Moved away with the family to Texas. Born and raised big island hawaii 90s kid all childhood all the way into teenhood. I had 2 straight decades of aloha spirit, but mark my words. I'll return some day, the only real question is, to Hilo or Mililani.
thank you for the video really cool and honest. what do you recommend for me I'm at least a couple of years out to make the move with my family that is my wife and 2 kids. I'm doing my research now and Oahu is probably where I would go using your videos as my guidance.
Make sure you click on the description and sign up for the newsletter. This will keep you up to date with everything. There is a ton of content on the website that will help you as well. watch all the other RU-vid videos, especially the one about family. That's a really important one
Hi Peter. I just subscribed to you channel and learning so much from you content! My husband and I are materialist when it comes to health and wellness including food quality. An example would be that here on the mainland we try to source our food locally including grass fed and finished beef. We also supplement our health with vitamins and minerals and like to purchase locally. Does Hawaii offer these sorts of options. Thank you so much!
Hard to say because everyone's personal preferences differ. We do have Whole Foods and lots of vegan options. as far as locally produced vitamin supplements, I have no idea
I agree with your point about materialist vs spiritualist. I see myself as about 50/50. Does it change my mind about moving to Hawaii? No, it actually re-emphasizes all your other videos. Visit the islands first. See yourself living like that. Is that what you want every day? I see myself living in a 500 sq. ft. condo in Hawaii, with a good job and the chance to go to the beach or on a hike any day of the week, and I'm okay with that. It would be a totally different lifestyle for sure, but it sounds great!
Moved here 14 months ago and it’s not worth it. The weather you start to take for granted. The beaches get old and all the hikes look the same after a while. Although I hate cold winters I need a change of seasons I’ve learned. Christmas in Hawaii is only cool if you’re a visitor. Ultimately for my wife and I (no kids) spend about $4000 more per month to live here than we would on the mainland when you account for a sizable down payment on a house and a much smaller one at that. Put simply, Hawaii is an experience of diminishing returns. $4000 more per month is simply not worth it for sunshine and going to the beach a few times a month. It just isn’t. Do it, you’ll see. All my coworkers say the same thing. And Island fever is real. It takes about a year but you will get bored with the same roads and sights day in and out.
I'm so glad you shared your experience. it is a real world example of the contrast I made in this video between a materialist view and a spiritualist view. Neither is right or wrong or better or worse. They are just different.
Hi. Thinking of buying and building on the big island. No mortgage as we are retiring and own our home. Does your cut expenses in half and income by 25% still apply? Mahalo!
@@claudiaconner3659 then I would say the rule of thumb definitely applies because you'll likely experience a huge increase in expenses. Click on the link in the description and get on my newsletter if you want to live in Hawaii.
Do you live in Aina Haina? My family used to have a home there, but made the biggest mistake ever by selling it 2 decades ago. I could have been able to live there, but not anymore. Sad to see what I could of had- a retirement in Hawaii.
Health and happiness and a stress free life and doing with out all the fancy things in life to me is worth it. Hawaii has always tugged at my sole and my heart! I have always felt a deep connection with the 🌴 islands. I am going to unload my expensive things payoff all my bills and things that are just things and make it happen somehow. I am with you! The wind and the ocean are for me, the fish, turtles 🐢 and the birds are what I love. When I am swimming in the ocean I feel reborn again. I am in pain most of the time but when I am in the Ocean swimming, enjoying nature I feel completely free.
It will cost $2-4k to ship so it's a matter of deciding if your car is right for Hawaii, it's value, wrist you can sell it for and the cost of replacement etc.
Thank you for trying to help us figure it out. 🙏. I will have to continue soul searching and reach an answer whether I can live on 25% less income and 50% less living space.
that is exactly the right attitude to take. Best of luck to you. I think you will find this a useful exercise regardless of what you end up doing with respect to Hawaii
Hmm. Hawaii just doesn't seem twice as expensive at the mainland. Home and car insurance is cheaper. Groceries at Costco are maybe 25-50% more expensive. You can live with a medium-range electric car like a Nissan Leaf pretty easily on Oahu or Maui, and power them with solar panels. I ran a budget using the most detailed numbers I could find, and heavily inflating the rest, and I found that I could slightly increase my material living standards (mostly getting a nicer house in a more central neighborhood) while increasing my expenses by about 30%. My utilities would even go down because the less extreme weather would require a LOT less electricity. The difference is, it requires a roughly $200k upfront investment in a house down payment and solar panels / batteries to combat that rising electric cost. Upshot for me is that I make $200k/year already working remotely. I won't need to drive much at all, I can live near the beach and costco. IMO, it all depends on how your life is set up.
I hope to move to the big island at some point and get a motorcycle for touring the islands and camp. Are the drivers on the islands better or worse than on the mainland ? ps ... Great video !!! I have been thinking about this question for a while and I think you are spot on w/r/t the whole spiritual vs material question. I think also that if one prefers outdoor activity to indoor life one is better off in Hawaii than elsewhere ... why stay indoors and worry about material things in a place that has so much to offer in nature.
Is there a way to contact you outside of these comments? I was stationed in Hawaii from Jan 98 - Dec 2000, and I’d do anything to go back, but the increased costs worry me. I know Oahu fairly well (as far as where to go/not go for housing, shopping, etc..) I have access to military bases too, to save a fortune on items. My concern is utilities and such on a 3bd place. I don’t want to put my income here though.
click on the link in the description. Sign up for the newsletter. My son went out every week. You can then reply which goes directly to me. either that or go to the website, click on the contact link, and fill out the contact form. That works as well.
How do I convince my wife, who is sooo atached to her family here in washington, to move to hawaii?? Housing wont take you unless you can prove you have a Job, cant get a job unless you can prove you have housing in hawaii
I have lived in Japan since '84. One does not need a lot of space to live well. Plus there is much less to vacuum. I visit Hawaii a lot. A relative works for Hawaiian air so I travel first class cheaply. I love Hawaii but it is not paradise. The restaurant scene is not very good, and the amount of food your receive per order is worse than the mainland. It just creates obesity. If you love geology and the surf, Hawaii is a great place to see much of it and do the surf daily. I do surf and love it. Surfing in Japan is ace also as you have seasons and can go extreme with the weather all year round from going South to North. Traveling by car on toll roads is expensive and so is the bullet train. If you own a car...I don't anymore, you must pay for the yearly checkups and parking, but it is cheap to live in Japan. I felt so Island locked in my 6 visits for weeks at a time to Hawaii. It is nice though to run into so many happy and friendly Americans speaking the same language. I do have Japanese down though so no problem for me here with that. As far as food goes, the cost of food here is so much cheaper and the variety is amazing. I thought Hawaii was very limited in food choices, but the cost of Costco gasolene was awesome. If you have a decent college degree, consider moving to Japan. Every day is like visiting Disney Land. I like your videos PeterK. You seem honest and straight forward. Keep them up. I might start doing some from Japan but would use my bicycle rather than a Porche. Smiles. I am flying in again in February or March. When I do I will let you know and maybe go out for lunch.
@@livehawaii Will definitely do. Meeting up for lunch and a beer would be ace as long as you are not driving. Even one beer driving in Japan can really make a mess of your life.
I'm assuming you are using the RU-vid app on your iPad. You can look at the description of any video and in the description you will see comments. Every video has this. It works on iPad
Great rule of thumb. But, what new people should be asking is what is their idea of life in Hawaii? What are they expecting to eat, what kind of sports will they take part in? Or not. What kind of entertainment are they used to? Going to the opera? Ballroom dancing? Salsa? Will they get into the Polynesian culture..take up Hawiian Hula and even Tahitian Hula (there's a difference)? Do they expect to be driving a certain type of car (e.g. Ferrari like Magnum PI :) Lamborghini?)...if they move to Maui there are no Ferrari dealers, NO Lamborghini dealers...just 1 Mercedes dealer iirc...as a matter a fact i think there is only 1 Porsche dealer in Hawaii (Oahu), 1 Ferrari dealer (Oahu), 1 Lamborghini dealer (Oahu)...etc. Are they used to that kind of life? Feel the need to be a "poser" and show every one how wealthy they are? Personality won't fit. :) Might as well stay in LA. Where it is about that. Being fake and superficial. Looking after #1--"me first" attitude. Which isn't to say ALL Californians are superficial. Always the exceptions. In any big city. but the prevailing attitude is opposite to being a true Hawaiian.
I am curious, and I am what you would consider a spiritual person. So what would be approximately the cost of let's say a 500 sq ft or less simple hut or home on the big island in a decent area? All I need is a decent bathroom (with shower), small kitchen, and a place to lay my head. I'm wondering if I sell my house on the mainland if I'll have enough money to buy a place outright...no mortgage payments. In other words, if I can stay basically clean, eat healthy but simply, that is about all I care about in regards to a home. Of course, enough land to have a garden would be ideal. A little bit out in the country would be just fine with me too. God bless!! Lady Penelope
@@livehawaii Well, I'm fairly sure that Maui and Oahu might prove to be far too expensive for me, as far as buying a house without financing (cash), and I'm not into overly crowded areas. Thus why I asked about the cost of a very small place on the big island. I figured that you must have a pretty good idea of what real estate actually cost in that regard? I should mention that I am blind, on a fixed income, but I do own my house in WA outright, and it is valued at well over 200K. So you see, because I am blind, can't look at real estate pics, etc, I desired to ask somebody I consider an expert, on what an OK little place might cost? To be more specific, I would prefer something on the edge or near the edge of a small town. Again, why I would consider the big island, small towns, not too crowded. I also like mostly dry weather. I might bring my sighted son with me, but that would be up to him. He has a good HVAC job here, and I'm not sure he would like to leave the mainland, nor if he'd like HA once he is there for a while. He might miss family and friends back here, but I'm fairly sure he'd love Hawaii, the surf, the people, and of course all the beauty. He is an outdoors person, and loves the mountains and fishing here. TMI?? :) Sorry about that. So could you just give me a vague idea of what a nice small little place might cost? Cheers, Penelope
@@penelopeannecreighton2684 thank you for that detailed response! You should expect to pay about $500k for a "nice small little place". You could find some for $200k but really can't tell if you would like those places. What I recommend you do is join us on our live show coming up this and every other Friday where I have the top real estate experts from 3 different islands offer their expertise and take your questions live. Join us!
This problem can be fixed anyone charging more than 5 hundred dollars a month should be paying all the taxes, there isn't a house on the planet that's worth more than 5 hundred dollars a month, it's ridiculous, and I have built many homes people are making big money at 5 hundred a month let them pay all the taxes if they charge more.
well what are you waiting for, then? build hundreds of homes in Hawaii and charge $499/mo for them. You'll have people lined up for miles with money ready to sign over to you.
Aloha Peter Kay. I live as a financial Minimalist, and I prefer to have very few material things. Would that be a spiritualist? Not just for Hawaii, but anywhere. Thank you!
I do beilieve I would be a Spiritualist, as I see Money only as a Neccessary Tool, for (Food, Gas, Housing, Bills, Etc.) And the only material thing I would value is cars, which could also be a neccessity. (Transportation). And Love your videos driving around the Island!
