PPT said:
"Local Scene" implies you understand will fit in with the locals. The OP stated they have never been to Hawaii.
I don't know any other way to retire here than to fit in with the locals. My parents-in-law tried living here without fitting in and fled after five-plus years. But that's why I recommended that Tommy visit here and consult with the others.
I know that I can go down to Waikiki, struggle to find parking, pay huge prices for frosty beverages, and strain to see/hear through the crowds. But I can do a lot better at La Mariana Sailing Club, where the staff lets you linger through lunch and has live music most nights. I don't have to worry about "fitting in", either, even on Ke'eamoku Street or in Chinatown. Even Aloha Tower Marketplace or Ward Warehouse or Restaurant Row are better prices than Waikiki, let alone places like "The Shack". The most "local" place I know, the Waialua Sugar Bar, was happy to have my business even though I'm a 5'10" blond-haired WASP without a Hog. Most businesses are concerned only about the color of your money, and you need a lot less of it when you get away from Waikiki.
PPT said:
$4500 is not being on Tricare/Delta Dental and having the ability to shop at the NEX Exchange/AF BX and Commissary.
Whenever I see that snippy comment it makes me think that the commenter feels that there's a huge price difference, like being in a secret grocery club with low low costs. I've mentioned that I'm clueless on health insurance but I know a couple neighbors who work at Kaiser and can help if Tommy's curious. I don't carry dental insurance either and I wouldn't recommend it for most retirees. But we don't do all our shopping at the commissaries & exchanges because they're not always the best deal. As I said, Costco/Wal-Mart have done a lot to erode the price difference.
I've pointed out that we're raising a teenager here, too, so Tommy'll have to figure out his own grocery budget. Here's some Costco prices from last week for Mainland comparison. Except for the oatmeal, everything on this list is a bit cheaper in Costco's bulk than at the commissary-- even after paying Costco's 4.5% excise tax.
Macaroni $5.79/10 lbs
Semi-sweet chocolate chips $7.99/72 oz
Raisins $5.99/4.5 lbs (admittedly a bit much for most families)
Oatmeal $7.69/9 lbs (5.3 cents/oz vs 5.2)
Dawn dishwashing liquid $7.59/90 oz
Tide HE laundry detergent $11.89/263 oz (half the price)
5W-30 motor oil $1.69 quart.
Costco's loss-leader milk is also cheaper than the commissary, but not every week. Milk on neighbor islands is more expensive, and I've seen $7/gal milk in upcountry Maui.
3 Yrs to Go said:
I figure once I'm no longer bound to a location by work, I might try on a few destinations to see how they fit. Hawaii is obviously beautiful, but the location also makes exploring Asia a whole lot more convenient then here on the east coast.
"Wealth Manager" ranks the states on tax friendliness, and IIRC Hawaii was #1 in 2005 or 2006 for retirees. No tax on pensions is a huge help. Renters don't get a break on property taxes but homeowners pay only 3.65 mils and there's talk of lowering that or handing out rebates.
Exploring Asia... well, I guess it's better than starting from the east coast but it could be better. A heckuva lot of flights go to Japan (~8 hours) but getting to Bangkok is a royal PITA due to the layover at Narita. I would think there'd be a big business in charter flights direct from HNL to BKK. When spouse wanted a flight to Guam it actually worked out cheaper to go through San Francisco. I've never flown to Singapore or Hong Kong from here, but when we're empty nesters then I'm willing to learn!