Our dream of moving to Hawaii is an expensive one. Not only is the cost of living high in Hawaii, but the cost of physically moving to the islands will be much higher than a move across state or across the continental U.S. We will have to pay the airfare for all of us, have to ship household goods, and have to ship our car over (an expense of around $1000). Once we arrive, housing and utilities will be more expensive, and groceries and gas will cost more too.
However, we have been pleasantly surprised to find that our Hawaii dream is helping us to save and earn money right now:
- Most of what we’ve read about moving to the islands tells you to bring along as little as possible; that is, get rid of your stuff before you come (except for your car) because it costs so much to move and many items will not work in Hawaii because of the climate. So, not only does the goal of downsizing have more of a purpose now, it’s also helping us earn money toward our move and paying down our debt. We are taking a close look at everything we own and asking ourselves, “Do we want to move this?” If the answer is no, it goes on Craigslist or eBay. We plan to sell our house in 2013 and move the bare minimum at that time, and then will whittle that down once again when we head for the islands. We are embracing minimalism with open arms.
- IKEA currently has the sofa of my dreams, the creamy white leather Stockholm for an affordable price. I have been wanting a new sofa for ages, and one like this in particular (I love modern), and for a couple of months have been telling myself that it would be perfect for our Hawaiian lifestyle. Perfect that is, until I read that leather can develop mold and mildew in Hawaii. It’s best to wait and purchase something after we’re there, something that’s better suited to tropical weather. So for now, I’m telling myself we’ve saved $1500.
- Mr. Losing It and I are not buying any more cold-weather clothing. No sweaters, coats, jeans, shoes, etc. We will use what we already own for the next two years and then donate it to Goodwill. Savings: Who knows how much? The girls will get new (or new to them) clothes for school, but they’ve agreed to recycle and share more for the next two years.
- We have thought about buying a new refrigerator/freezer to replace the one that gave out year before last; it would save us now to be able to put away more food. And, having a second fridge and freezer is recommended in Hawaii for stocking up when items go on sale. We’ve decided however that while it would be nice to have now, a second fridge or freezer is just something else we’d have to ship. We’ll save our money and make do with our small side-by-side freezer. We can buy a second refrigerator from Craigslist or at Costco after we arrive in Hawaii and get settled.
- The reality that it may cost us as much as 25% more than we’re paying now to live in Hawaii is helping us hone our frugal and simple living skills even more. We are closely watching what we spend on utilities, gas and food not just because it saves us now, but because that is how we’re going to have to live after our move. We are always thinking of what we need to change or adjust and what we can do without. We have read one too many sad stories about families that moved to Hawaii only to become overwhelmed by the cost of living because they couldn’t adjust. We don’t intend to be one of those families!
I’m sure as time goes on we will find more things we’re either willing to delay or go without in order to make our dream come true!
Good for you to realize that these things need to happen before your move. I believe that to many people move without researching into costs associated and feel lost on the other end. We have moved alot but always reseached the areas before hand including electricity rates.
My inlaws are in Hawaii and my husband was born and raised there.
Rice is a big deal and cheap to buy in 20 pound sacks. Part of every meal. They have a costco. They almost never use a clothes dryer. Electricity is just too expensive.
The bad. Bugs. They just don’t die off like on the mainland. A perfectly clean house may have cockroaches. Food storage is a big deal. You want to protect your savings on sale items. Freezer is a good idea. They even stored the cereal they bought for our visit for our toddler in the freezer. Garbage goes straight out to the trash.
They visit the mainland often to see family and do the majority of their shopping there. But not too much to cost extra luggage fees. Some online stores won’t ship to HI or will charge extra. Alaska too.
It can be closterphobic for people who have lived on the mainland who move to the island. Plan some room in the budget for inter island or mainlaind vacations.
It can get pretty cool at night depending on the season. Not winter coat cool. Bring long sleeve PJ’s.
You garden so it’s great you can get more than one growing season in HI.
Good luck.
Thank you for all the wonderful advice. Happy to hear about the rice – we eat a LOT of it (more than bread).
We lived in Key West for two years back in the 1980s – it sounds very similar in some ways (the bugs, geckos and claustrophobic). We loved living on an island, never got tired of it, or felt like we had to get away, although we did go to Miami 3-4 times during our stay. The cockroaches in KW were immense and could eat through plastic bags to get at your food. Everything had to go into plastic containers, and trash went out every night. Anyway, I think we will be OK with all of it.
My husband and I are really looking forward to visiting and living there. Plus, we will live closer to our son and his family in Japan and will hopefully get to see them more often!
Japan sounds like a better change of scenery than the mainland US.
I forgot about the lizards.
It’s a shame it’s hard to make a living there. My husband doesn’t miss it. I find that odd. I have always lived in the midwest. Our family would fit in well there though. We are not Asian and our son is from China. No one bats an eye we are his parents there cause in Hawaii mutlicultural families are the majority. The first thing someone thinks approaching you is what is your background? It was a strange concept for me to understand that this is not offensive but a genuine interest and habit. Maybe in retirement he will want to escape from the snow?
One other odd expense if I may. Sometimes my in laws have to go to Honolulu from Big Island for medical procedures. Have no idea if it’s a preference or if some things they need done aren’t done on the island. They often stay with relatives over night for this. And I’m not certain if insurance covers the inter island flight and if so under what circumstances. Course depending on which island you pick to live on it may not be an issue. Or what medical issues you may have come up.
We are fortunate that we won’t have to work if we move there, although both my husband and I will probably try to find something part-time. Kauai is at the top of our list of which island to live on.
One of the reasons for Hawaii being at the top of our list is the medical facilities on Oahu. We are retired military and will have access to Tripler and other facilities if necessary. We also have good health insurance in the meantime. And it’s at the top of our list because of the diversity, someplace our girls and our family will fit into easily. The weather, of course, is the main reason we want to live there. We also want closer access to Japan to see our son and family, and for them to come and see us more.
OK, you know I have to ask where your son is from. All three of our girls are from Hunan province – we had three wonderful trips there.
This post is so exciting to me…it echoes exactly what we’re doing! I hadn’t really thought about winter clothing, and how little we shall need…although it does get cold(ish) in Portugal in the Winter so we’ll need a few items.
What a great goal! My cousin lived in Hawaii for a year, but he wasn’t nearly as smart about his cash (sorry, Moe!). He moved back to the mainland rather quickly. Good job having a great head on your shoulders!