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Seeking Hobbes · 01-18-2014, 07:59 AM

Thanks to everyone for the advice...

Needless to say, I'm still debating the pros & cons between Hawaii & California as an ultimate destination. I've been on Zillow & Trulia A-LOT.

Regarding the risks of finding an occupation in Hawaii... I never really intended to go back to work (other than volunteering, possibly). So, putting it quite simply, my only j*b will be to enjoy life (within a budget).

Presently, I'm still in the possession-purging mode which will be followed by the home-prep stage... getting things ready for a sale. In the meantime, I hope to be taking some scouting trips.

Ironically, I don't surf (though I'm keen on learning)... and not a huge fan of swimming around in the ocean. So the water temp may not be a huge factor. That said, I could sit and watch the ocean for hours at a time. Ideally, I'd like a home with an elevated view of the water, close enough to visit easily with the dogs, but not right on the beach. (My brother had a house on the beach in California and I saw first hand how the salt air can add to home/car maintenance.)

Thanks for your offer "SVHoper"... I just might be taking you up on that! A move to California is certainly more convenient when it comes to renting in one location while scouting for others up & down the Cali coast. I have to imagine it would be difficult to (for example) rent in Kauai and scout on Oahu, Maui, or the Kona Coast.

Keep the advice coming (it's much appreciated) & meanwhile I'll slowly but surely work my way through this transition.

**MichaelB** · 01-18-2014, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seeking Hobbes

Thanks to everyone for the advice...

Needless to say, I'm still debating the pros & cons between Hawaii & California as an ultimate destination. I've been on Zillow & Trulia A-LOT.

These sources may be more helpful narrowing the options once you've chosen a city or region, but there is no substitute to living in an area for half a year to see how well it fits.

hs2inparadise · 01-18-2014, 08:54 AM

I moved to Kauai about four years ago living in San Diego for about 35 years.

Here are some thoughts on what other posts have mentioned.

Rain: the annual rain totals are deceptive. The north shore gets about 200 inches a year, but a lot comes at night and it tends to come in big chunks where a storm brings 15" over a few days. It's also a warm rain and it's not like you get trapped by it for several days very often.

That said, we do get trapped for a day or two for any one of a number of reasons (usually weather related, but not always) a few times a year. Storm preparation, tsunami warning(s), flood closes the road, transformer blows so island has no power for 8 hours, traffic accident closes the road. Since I don't w*rk, most of these have been minor annoyances that involve a change of plans.

I call it an "ex-pat lite" experience living here. It's still the US, but it is NOT as simple as living on the mainland. It's a different culture here which definitely keeps things interesting, but it does require flexibility, a sense of humor and patience. And while making acquaintances is easy, lasting friendships are harder because of the transient population.

Huston55 · 01-18-2014, 08:54 AM

Suggest you read Darrow Kirkpatrick's blog stories on moving. Not a move to Cali or HI but, very useful for helping you plan.

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