Hawaii?

[benDASHDASH]

So I got to thinking...

I'm 18, I've still got years before the whole settle down / marriage deal. RIght now I live with my parents. Why not move to Hawaii? I'm finishing up my AA degree next quarter. I know its not much, but I should be able to find work there... hopefully enough to live off of. If not that then I could possibly join the volunteer fire dept or start my own landscape business. I've been to oahu once before and I really love it there. And that's just oahu. This is where I have questions for you Hawiians... I know the cost of living is high there. How bad is it? Would a job at McDonald's be enough to live off of (not that I'm planning on it)? I know there is a ton of money in landscaping where I am. I used to do it. How 'bout there? Do you see a lot of landscaping companies? Most people don't notice, but if you have any input that would be cool. Same goes for anyone, If you have any comments or "Are you out of your mind??" remarks feel free to post as well. Gracias.

[Jand3rson]

I've known several people around my age that moved there, and after about a year or so, all came back. They all said the same thing, that it's a blast to live there for about a year, and then it just gets really boring. Not telling you not to do it, but I can for sure count at least 8-10 friends who did the same thing, and all came back for the same reasons.

[benDASHDASH]

Sweet! I'm thinking 6 months-2 years would be about right. It would be in my best interest to go to a 4-year school one of these days... How hard was it for your friends to find work?

[Jordan]

for what its worth cost of living is really high there.

think about it..

everything you eat and drink is mostly flown or boated in.

No bazillion 18 wheelers running back and forth all day (those trucks make this country)

I was there for 2weeks years ago and i was amazed at how expensive food etc was.

[chuckybob]

dont forget to factor in the cost of a pickup for the landscape buisness

[DarkWing6]

Buy an open ended round trip ticket. Fly there and live as long as you can knowing that if you ever run out of money you can always get home.

My dad did that after he graduated from college. I think he lasted about 6 months or so, but I think he enjoyed it. I bet you could find work.

[benDASHDASH]

I visited Oahu a while back and loved it. I know the price of living is way up there, but if everyone else can afford it then so can I.

Derek, for what reason did your dad move back?

dont forget to factor in the cost of a pickup for the landscape buisness

dont worry, eta's are cheap. and sawzalls are cheaper :P

[DarkWing6]

He was having hard time finding a real job there. He sold pearls on the beach for a day and things like that. He never really found a job he liked. I think he really ended up living mostly on what $$ he had when he moved over there. I don't think he ever planned on staying. It was like an extended vacation after he graduated. Just kinda have some fun and see how long it lasts.

Just get the open ended ticket and take enough money to live for 3 months and then it wont be a total loss if you don't get a stable job. It will give you enough time to get settled in and find a job that will work for you without rushing you.

[benDASHDASH]

That would be ideal...

[SchnellerVert]

unemployment is high there according to cenus reports. Oahu has to be the most expensive of the islands in comparision to the big island.

[Addissimo]

Sounds like a blast!

Make sure you have a decent cash stash, and just go. go to www.travelzoo.com and subscribe to their weekly emails- they have $150 tickets to hawaii all the time.

In all truth, if I were to do something like that, I'd probably go to Thailand or Indonesia- if you get certified for ESL before you go, you can make enough money to live comfortably doing that.

I've been to 70% of the states- after this summer I should have been through all except alaska- thats when I start exploring other countries. I know you can rent a really nice beach house in thailand for $300/month- or stay at random hostels and hotels for $8 a day. If you eat like the Thai people do- $2/day in food. If you eat american(ish) food $5-8 a day.

That sounds like the best plan to me :)

-Addis

[808BMW]

Everywhere is expensive. Did you have any certain island in mind? Anything other than Oahu will bore most people out of their mind (unless your from the country or something).

87 gas is $3, daily lunch would run me about $10, rent is usually 1k-1.5k/mo for something shitty.
eta's aren't cheap here, and mcdonalds definately will not cut it.

I dunno about oahu, but over here landscaping or construction is big money. theres alot of other people, so you really have to be willing to work hard or the next guy will, but if you stick it out the pay is usually 15-20/hour

Main thing is if you want a kick back country life, or a city life with lots of rendom beautiful women to have sex with (thats why any young person wants to move here, nice weather and hot bitches)

EDIT: forgot to add, my experience comes from living on the big island... every island is pretty different, but any outer island is basically slow paced. also, schooling really isn't top notch IMO, although I have no college plans so it's not really in my realm of expertise. Also AFAIK the state has 3 e30 m3's, all on oahu.

[chuckybob]

move to africa with $10k and live like a king. and hire guards, cause people over there are crazy in some parts.

[Anthrsckmnd]

unemployment is high there according to cenus reports. Oahu has to be the most expensive of the islands in comparision to the big island.

Actually, Hawaii has the lowest unemployment rate in the US:

http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/state_unemployment/

Also, Oahu is the cheapest, cost-of-living wise compared to the other islands, because everything that is shipped here arrives on Oahu first, then is shipped to the other islands. Pretty much everything 808BMW said is accurate, the absolute cheapest places on Oahu go for $700/month for a studio in a pretty ghetto area. If you have any construction experience, you could pickup a $15-20 / hr job depending on your skills. Oahu's has decent public transportation, but if you know where to look you could probably pick up a work truck for about $1,000. Oahu's got nice beaches and has somewhat of a nightlife (Waikiki), but you will definately be living a modest lifestyle. How much money will you have saved up before coming here? Another idea, is the Norwegian Cruise Line interisland cruise. I heard the pay is decent and you live on the boat part time, it would be a good cheap way to see the islands, good luck...

[808BMW]

Oahu's has decent public transportation, but if you know where to look you could probably pick up a work truck for about $1,000.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention that. If you go to an outer island, look for a vehicle quickly, because there is no public transportation.