Any CF brahs live there? Is it a good place to live, or is it more like Vegas where it's just cool for a few days before you need to evacuate/take a 3hr shower? I've only been on vacation but am considering a move.
If you like a relaxed atmosphere without having to be concerned with the cost of living increase, Maui is a great choice. If you go there with a open mind, and accept that you're on an island in the middle of the Pacific, then it will be paradise. If you are attached in any way to the mainland, you will get island fever and will want to leave the island once the honeymoon period wears off. I lived on Oahu, and Maui for 8 years. I loved it and would go back in a heartbeat. I just couldn't make a good living there though with my current career. Everything is more expensive there obviously. Utilities and general cost is a lot higher compared to Houston.
Thanks for the advice, but keep in mind my cost of living is already astronomical compared to most places (NorCal Bay Area). Just wondering about the living aspect of it, which sounds like you were content with.
this. people there call it 'the rock' that they live on. I was doing work there and one of the ladies there was going on vacation to oklahoma. think about that for a second. There's something about wide open plains and the mainland. That being said if you can do it you will remember those years forever. Key is going there and enjoying it. I would go with the idea of it 'being a few years' to me that doesnt seem endless and takes away that 'stuck' feeling. With that in mind I think maui over time would be more enjoyable vs. oahu. kona has its thing maybe. Big island maybe.. Kuai is too slow for my taste. That would be like roughing it to be there for too long. One can only take so much teriyaki. I say maui maybe oahu. Both have their things. Honolulu does have a bit of that 'city' ..'people'.. feeling but I dont know. Its not all that. So yeah probably maui is my vote. go for it. Post pics. that would be awesome man.
Also, if you so choose to visit the other islands, you can get plane tickets for 50-100 bucks. Each island offers its own unique atmosphere and can be mini weekend vacations so to speak if you so choose a change. Overall though, I love it there and would go back in a heartbeat. If you're white, you will get the reverse discrimination until the locals get to know you. They can smell out a tourist from across the room, but once you become one of them, they will accept you with open arms. Overall though the people there are very nice and welcoming. I just got back from a 7 day trip to Maui and Kauai (my favorite island aside from Molokai) and I am going back next week again for 10 days. If you have any other questions let me know.
I am born and raised and still live on Oahu. I would never leave here ever. The air/water/scenery/food is the best thing about living here. You basically take 3 hour showers in Dasani water. Do you know what its like to drive and look at the blue ocean everyday? Also no one can compete with the different cultures of food here. Perhaps that's why Hawaii is super overweight! Whenever I go to the mainland my lips get very chap and my wife's skin gets dry and she has to purchase moisturizer. Oahu has basically every you can think of. The best looking women, The best Bus Transportation, Beaches, Many outdoor activities (fishing/hiking/biking/jet skiing/sky diving/water parks etc), Tons of shopping, Bars/Clubs open til 6am, a lot of cheap real estate on the Westside. The only thing we don't have is gambling casinos and a theme park (roller coasters). Maui is basically Oahu-lite. Same stuff but a lot less crowded and a ton more tourists. I would never live there since everything closes at 10pm and most people who grow up there end up moving to Oahu to make a living. The only downside to living in Hawaii is that it is very expensive but there are a lot of cheap apartments and as long as you don't splurge you should be ok.
