How do you live cheap (okay cheaper) on Oahu?

zenman · Sep 23, 2004

My wife and I plan move to Oahu, if and when she graduates from CRNA school. The plan is to live on her CRNA salary, and to save my RN salary (I hope to find ICU or home healthcare work). From a practical standpoint we think that Oahu is the only island that offers a realistic chance at finding employment.

Overall, I think Oahu is the best island to live on, even if the rush hour traffic is bad. Traffic is also bad on some other islands as the roads turn into 2 lanes and can't handle the traffic, either. Has your wife checked out jobs? There are no CRNAs at my hospital. No NPs either. I work with an FNP in management who said he couldn't find a job. I know Kaiser has some NPs.

Here's what I plan to do to keep cost of living reasonable. Perhaps you can add some items:
1. Drive only used cars. Right now we have a 1994 Toyota Corolla with 300K miles, and a 2000 Chrysler Concorde with about 100K miles. If and when we move to Oahu I plan to buy two used Corollas with about 150K miles apiece (that hopefully can pass your emission standards). Also, I've read that Oahu has an Island wide bus system. Could I take the bus to work if I allowed about two hours each way (good nap and reading time)?

Good plan. I only buy used cars now. Plus, if you look around there are always people looking to get rid of cars (cheap) when they head back to the mainland, or elsewhere. The bus system is one of the best in the nation.

2. We want to live on the North, or at least the NE side of the island. I hope to find a place to rent (two bedroom since we have a four year old son) for no more than about $2,000 per month ($1,500 per month would be better). If this is not possible we could probably make do with a one bedroom (heck our son sleeps in our bed most nights anyway). I doubt that we will ever be able to afford to own a home or Condo on Oahu.

Well, you're not getting the cheapest part of the island. Just remember your home place will not be as fancy as on the mainland for the same price. If you're both nurses you can afford $300k or more. The banks work with you here. Now that I bought a place the housing market is leveling off so they will be even more willing to work with you. You can see what I got for $305K here http://www.laughinghara.com/waianae.htm

3. We will do most of our shopping at the local Sams club or an Aldi's if you have them. I've also heard that there are food pantries around the colleges where you can sometimes get certain dry goods.

Never heard of Aldi's but we do have Sam's Club and Costco.

4. We will cut our current "eating out schedule" from almost every night (at a cost of about $40.00 per day, plus we still spend about $150.00 per week on groceries) to maybe once a week.

Eating out will kill your pocketbook.

5. Our son will go to the local State University (if he wants us to help pay) rather than a private college.

Education here sucks. A new private school just went up for those people from the mainland who suffered reality shock!

By the way why doesn't Hawaii seem to have mobile home parks? I suggested to my wife that we could save money by living in one but they don't seem to have any. I also suggested living in a nice camper at a private campground, but there don't seem to be any of those either. I suggested living in a tent at state campgrounds and moving every two weeks, but she said that would be out of the question.

I think mobile homes are illegal here, plus the cost of shipping one would be crazy. I seen just a few of the construction site mobile home shacks but that's it. Many (too many) homeless people live on the beach. They are trying to build a shelter now to help with the problem, nut I see the same tents up every day when I go to work. Police pass by every now and then and move people on but they have no place else to go. No RV parks...there are no RVs! We have moved three times in the 2 years I've been here to be closer to the schools my wife teaches at. She is a contract special ed teacher. My next plan is to get a sailboat so all I have to do is move the boat. You might want to think about that if you like sailing. The cost of boats does not vary like houses do.

Roland · Sep 24, 2004

I've actually seen a few CRNA jobs on Gasjobs, I think mainly at Kaiser. I'm not sure why there don't seem to be more maybe it's a union thing or perhaps MDA's have been more successful than elsewhere in excluding CRNA's from practice ( or alternatively as is the case in many locations CRNA's often keep a low profile with most of the placement being done through private agencies). Here in Indianapolis CRNA's are also not widely used, but there are always ten or more jobs advertised if you know where to look (gasjobs.com being one of the better places). In fact my wife's Cesarian was done by a CRNA, and the only reason I know this is that I was allowed to watch the procedure and asked after she was out on the table.

Also, while we are on the issue what has been the impact of unions for Hawaii's nurses? I think that you are one of a very few states to have one. How has it impacted job pay, availibility, and benefits (for instance around here few if any hospitals have pensions for their nurses). I get the feeling that there is more homogenuity in pay on Oahu. Around here (Indiana) you will find one nurse who works three days per week earning $22.00 per hour (day shift). However, you will also meet nurses who work weekend, night programs (Fri, Sat, Sun third shift especially in ICU's) earning $38.00 per hour! In addition, I know one person who does this and then works an additional two shifts during the week earning $34.00 per hour to supplement her income further (she earns well over 100K and still has the energy to run and volunteer about ten hours per week). Is this possible in Hawaii or do the "rules" make it difficult to have these side jobs (perhaps by requiring time and half pay or something).

As I said above I doubt that we will buy. Certainly not for many years (at least five). This is especially true if we can find a two bedroom under about $2,000 per month (my wife wants to spend more like $2,500, and I want to live in a tent or as a walking nomad so we will proably meet somewhere in the middle or in divorce court). We also plan to homeschool our son with my mother in law (who has a master's degree and sleeps on our couch having left her hubby about five years ago) being his primary teacher. We will supplement his education ourselves, and with specialty tutors for the math and sciences as needed.

I would love to live on a boat, but my wife hates the water. Indeed, my dream is to save up enough money so that around age fifty five (I'm now 35) I can buy a fifty or sixty foot used sailboat or cabin cruiser and explore not only Hawaii's Islands, but also the South Pacific. I figure that maybe by then I'll be a sufficiently skilled FNP or ACNP (with a strong interest in alternative medicine) that I can ply my trade (on various South Pacific Islands) for enough money to keep my boat in gas, and my belly full of food (if no one will pay me for doing NP/alternative med type work then maybe I can take tourists on cheap charters for some cash).

Are there no private campgrounds on Oahu that will rent you a small lot (for a tent since there don't appear to be campers) for five or six hundred a month?

Overall, I think Oahu is the best island to live on, even if the rush hour traffic is bad. Traffic is also bad on some other islands as the roads turn into 2 lanes and can't handle the traffic, either. Has your wife checked out jobs? There are no CRNAs at my hospital. No NPs either. I work with an FNP in management who said he couldn't find a job. I know Kaiser has some NPs.
Good plan. I only buy used cars now. Plus, if you look around there are always people looking to get rid of cars (cheap) when they head back to the mainland, or elsewhere. The bus system is one of the best in the nation.
Well, you're not getting the cheapest part of the island. Just remember your home place will not be as fancy as on the mainland for the same price. If you're both nurses you can afford $300k or more. The banks work with you here. Now that I bought a place the housing market is leveling off so they will be even more willing to work with you. You can see what I got for $305K here http://www.laughinghara.com/waianae.htm
Never heard of Aldi's but we do have Sam's Club and Costco.
Eating out will kill your pocketbook.
Education here sucks. A new private school just went up for those people from the mainland who suffered reality shock!
I think mobile homes are illegal here, plus the cost of shipping one would be crazy. I seen just a few of the construction site mobile home shacks but that's it. Many (too many) homeless people live on the beach. They are trying to build a shelter now to help with the problem, nut I see the same tents up every day when I go to work. Police pass by every now and then and move people on but they have no place else to go. No RV parks...there are no RVs! We have moved three times in the 2 years I've been here to be closer to the schools my wife teaches at. She is a contract special ed teacher. My next plan is to get a sailboat so all I have to do is move the boat. You might want to think about that if you like sailing. The cost of boats does not vary like houses do.

zenman · Sep 24, 2004

Also, while we are on the issue what has been the impact of unions for Hawaii's nurses? I think that you are one of a very few states to have one. How has it impacted job pay, availibility, and benefits (for instance around here few if any hospitals have pensions for their nurses). I get the feeling that there is more homogenuity in pay on Oahu. Around here (Indiana) you will find one nurse who works three days per week earning $22.00 per hour (day shift). However, you will also meet nurses who work weekend, night programs (Fri, Sat, Sun third shift especially in ICU's) earning $38.00 per hour! In addition, I know one person who does this and then works an additional two shifts during the week earning $34.00 per hour to supplement her income further (she earns well over 100K and still has the energy to run and volunteer about ten hours per week). Is this possible in Hawaii or do the "rules" make it difficult to have these side jobs (perhaps by requiring time and half pay or something).

The union went on strike right before I got here. I think it was poorly organized and the nurses got screwed. They were told the hospital would cave in after a few days, however it lasted 6-7 weeks. One hospital has not recovered financially but they probably have poor management anyway, IMO. Several of the union leaders have now left or been kicked out. There is a lawsuit(s) with one side, I think the CBO, suing the other over "misplaced" funds. The union money from the nurses now goes to a third party who doles it out to pay bills, etc. The nurses salary is good and staffing probably better than most hospitals on the mainland.

I would love to live on a boat, but my wife hates the water. Indeed, my dream is to save up enough money so that around age fifty five (I'm now 35) I can buy a fifty or sixty foot used sailboat or cabin cruiser and explore not only Hawaii's Islands, but also the South Pacific. I figure that maybe by then I'll be a sufficiently skilled FNP or ACNP (with a strong interest in alternative medicine) that I can ply my trade (on various South Pacific Islands) for enough money to keep my boat in gas, and my belly full of food (if no one will pay me for doing NP/alternative med type work then maybe I can take tourists on cheap charters for some cash).

Wife hates the water? Did you show her a map of Hawaii so that she knows it's surrounded by water?? :)

Are there no private campgrounds on Oahu that will rent you a small lot (for a tent since there don't appear to be campers) for five or six hundred a month?

Haven't seen any. Everyone grabs a spot and camps on the parks/beaches starting Friday night.

Roland · Sep 24, 2004

Actually, her dislike of water has to do more with being on it, than surrounded. By the way your house looks awesome! I can't believe that you were able to get something on the WATER for 300K. Seriously, I've seen houses like that in the Florida Panhandle on the beach go for a million (and Florida is not known as a high property value state). Did you say that the North side of the island was alot more expensive? I'm most interested in living in Haleiwa, Waialua, Waimea, Kawela or Laie. I was thinking that the two hour commute to Pearl City/ Honolulu would help keep the rental/ housing prices down a little (a relative term since it's all expensive). Also, I want to surf again, and also think I would like the comparitively "rural" culture of that part of the Island. Hopefully, we could find work in Pearl City taking SR 83 to SR 99 to H2 (that's not the highway that cursed by the way is it?)

As I stated before I was stationed on Oahu in the early 1990's. Just about the only thing I DIDN'T like about the place was that I was sometimes treated rudely by locals (most people were very nice, but a few made mean New Yorkers seem like amish, Wall-Mart greeters). On one occassion I was walking on the beach just after sunset near Diamond head and was nearly accosted by a group of teenagers who yelled "Haoli go home". I think that I would have been toast, but for the fact three other Navy guys happened to come on the scene from the other direction at about the same time(I'm kind of a puss when it comes to fighting) Does this still happen much? In any case I was thinking that the North side of the Island might have less risk of "assault" type crime. After all unlike Indiana I don't think it's very easy to get a permit to carry a fire arm. Also, you said the camp sites fill up on Friday's. However, don't you have to make reservations long in advance?

This is a big deal to us (okay me) since being able to move back to Oahu (or one of the other islands) is one of the biggest reasons I went back to school to become a nurse (knowing that the job market is always rough in Hawaii, I felt that it would offer one of the best opportunities for finding gainful employment).

By the way what does a good, seaworthy boat go for there (one that you could in theory take on a South Pacific tour). Also, what are your feeling concerning sailing vessels verses cabin cruisers (I know sail boats are more peaceful, but also require more skill, and are slower). Which type tends to sink easier?

Finally, have you ever been to Kauai? I've heard it is even more beautiful than Oahu. Do they have any nursing jobs on that island? Are there any other good businesses we could open to support ourselves (assuming we had saved up a nice chunk of cash)?

blee1 · Sep 24, 2004

Ok, first of all tell your wife I'm jealous of her already (My dream is to be a CRNA). Second, if she does graduate, you'll definitely have no problems finding a place to stay here in the islands (My friends a CRNA who makes ~$150K with overtime). The prices for homes can't compare to the mainland though (well, I guess depends where on the mainland). If you do find a place on the north shore, be prepared a long drive esp. if you will be working in town somewhere. Sorry if your questions were answered already, I didn't read the whole thread...:imbar Aloha...

Roland · Sep 24, 2004

If I ever get wealthy I'm going to buy about two hudred acres in Oahu's interior (or lease since I'm not sure you can actually buy land on much of the island) and rent camping spots for about $300.00 per month. I'll offer a bath house, small store, and emergency shelter (for Typhoons), and optional cable access. This will hack off all the wealthy elitests who want to keep Hawaii "only for the wealthy" and all of the liberals/nativists who think that only those from Hawaii should be living there. I say take Hawaii back for the common man! I would support the federal government spending a few hundred million (or several billion) to replant trees and vegetation on Kahoolawe Island and setting that aside as sort of a seperate enclave/nation for any native, Hawaiian individuals who wanted to live there. I also wouldn't have a problem with Niihau being a part of any such project/set aside (heck I could probably even be persuaded to throw in Molokai.

zenman · Sep 25, 2004

Actually, her dislike of water has to do more with being on it, than surrounded. By the way your house looks awesome! I can't believe that you were able to get something on the WATER for 300K. Seriously, I've seen houses like that in the Florida Panhandle on the beach go for a million (and Florida is not known as a high property value state).

I'm not right on the beach but can walk to it. The road in my area runs right next to the beach so there are few houses right next to the beach. One is for sale now at 1.9 million if you hurry.

Did you say that the North side of the island was alot more expensive?

I have some friends living right on the beach on the North Shore and they are renting a cinder block 2 BR shack for $1,500 a month. You can get on the web and check out home prices with the major people like Coldwell Banker.

As I stated before I was stationed on Oahu in the early 1990's. Just about the only thing I DIDN'T like about the place was that I was sometimes treated rudely by locals (most people were very nice, but a few made mean New Yorkers seem like amish, Wall-Mart greeters). On one occassion I was walking on the beach just after sunset near Diamond head and was nearly accosted by a group of teenagers who yelled "Haoli go home". I think that I would have been toast, but for the fact three other Navy guys happened to come on the scene from the other direction at about the same time(I'm kind of a puss when it comes to fighting) Does this still happen much? In any case I was thinking that the North side of the Island might have less risk of "assault" type crime.

Well, this has been a bad week. One male tourist was beaten up by some guys apparently just out looking for trouble. Another Japanese tourist had her blouse set on fire by a stupid teenager. He was caught and will probably see the inside of a jail. A liquor store clerk was beaten to death and a homeless man was beaten to death in a park; they suspect by another homeless man.

I've never had any trouble, however, I do not have a "victim posture." I'm 6'3" and a martial artist so pretty much aware of what's going on around me. I even walk through locals to practice in a park. I also dress like the locals. I even live in a town that most white people would not even visit! Even the locals in Honolulu go "you live where!" I just walk around like I own the place...you know how Texans are!

After all unlike Indiana I don't think it's very easy to get a permit to carry a fire arm.

Gun laws here are a little more restrictive. I sold my Mossberg 590 12 gauge with 9 shot magazine before I left Texas. I do carry a legal knife.

Also, you said the camp sites fill up on Friday's. However, don't you have to make reservations long in advance?

No campsites, just the beach. People just claim a spot and set up their tent. The people that are in the rent a tent/shelter business here must do pretty good. They are always setting up big tents on most beaches every weekend.

By the way what does a good, seaworthy boat go for there (one that you could in theory take on a South Pacific tour). Also, what are your feeling concerning sailing vessels verses cabin cruisers (I know sail boats are more peaceful, but also require more skill, and are slower). Which type tends to sink easier?

I hate power boats. They both sink. Here's some links http://www.yachtworld.com and http://www.yachtworld.com/alawai

Finally, have you ever been to Kauai? I've heard it is even more beautiful than Oahu. Do they have any nursing jobs on that island? Are there any other good businesses we could open to support ourselves (assuming we had saved up a nice chunk of cash)?

Wilcox hospital is there plus some other small hospital. Wilcox is nice. Put "hawaii hospitals" in google and you'll find them all. Tourist type businesses are usually ok...at least most of the time. I still think that overall, if you only had one island to live on or visit, that you would get the most bang here.

Roland · Sep 26, 2004

Do you think that it would be cheaper on the North Shore if you were willing to live further from the beach (say up to about two miles?) Frankly, I've looked in the classified section of most of your newspapers and don't find much to rent period (at any price) in the North Shore area. I suspect that the rentals are there, but use different "venues" to advertise.

Why do you hate powerboats? Other, than the obvious high use of gasoline and constant sound, they would seem to have certain advantages. Also, sail boats take a higher degree of skill which can take years to develop. In any case how much money is a nice fifty to sixty foot boat in your experience (one could probably save a great deal of money by buying a boat on the West Coast or better yet Mexico and sailing or powering it to Hawaii). I wonder how much dock fees run, I would wager at least $300.00 plus a month.

Other than being awesome at karate do you have any other advice concerning not getting beat up? Here in Indiana, I will sometimes go on two day hikes in the Hoosier National Forest and have never feared violence (and I carry my licensed, 357magnum just in case). Could I feel the same way with a day long hike on the North Shore or say in the Koolau Mountains on the North side of the island?

zenman · Sep 26, 2004

Do you think that it would be cheaper on the North Shore if you were willing to live further from the beach (say up to about two miles?) Frankly, I've looked in the classified section of most of your newspapers and don't find much to rent period (at any price) in the North Shore area. I suspect that the rentals are there, but use different "venues" to advertise.

Most are probably word of mouth.

Why do you hate powerboats? Other, than the obvious high use of gasoline and constant sound, they would seem to have certain advantages.

I prefer the peace and quiet of wind power.

Also, sail boats take a higher degree of skill which can take years to develop. In any case how much money is a nice fifty to sixty foot boat in your experience (one could probably save a great deal of money by buying a boat on the West Coast or better yet Mexico and sailing or powering it to Hawaii). I wonder how much dock fees run, I would wager at least $300.00 plus a month.

Sailing is easy to learn. Depending on the builder of the boat, 100-200k in that size range used. Here's some rental fees at the best marina

http://www.koolinamarina.com/slips.htm

Other than being awesome at karate do you have any other advice concerning not getting beat up? Here in Indiana, I will sometimes go on two day hikes in the Hoosier National Forest and have never feared violence (and I carry my licensed, 357magnum just in case). Could I feel the same way with a day long hike on the North Shore or say in the Koolau Mountains on the North side of the island?

I think you'd be safe. I just always stay alert at all times.

RedBait · Sep 26, 2004

My wife and I plan move to Oahu, if and when she graduates from CRNA school. The plan is to live on her CRNA salary, and to save my RN salary (I hope to find ICU or home healthcare work). From a practical standpoint we think that Oahu is the only island that offers a realistic chance at finding employment. Here's what I plan to do to keep cost of living reasonable. Perhaps you can add some items:
1. Drive only used cars. Right now we have a 1994 Toyota Corolla with 300K miles, and a 2000 Chrysler Concorde with about 100K miles. If and when we move to Oahu I plan to buy two used Corollas with about 150K miles apiece (that hopefully can pass your emission standards). Also, I've read that Oahu has an Island wide bus system. Could I take the bus to work if I allowed about two hours each way (good nap and reading time)?
2. We want to live on the North, or at least the NE side of the island. I hope to find a place to rent (two bedroom since we have a four year old son) for no more than about $2,000 per month ($1,500 per month would be better). If this is not possible we could probably make do with a one bedroom (heck our son sleeps in our bed most nights anyway). I doubt that we will ever be able to afford to own a home or Condo on Oahu.
3. We will do most of our shopping at the local Sams club or an Aldi's if you have them. I've also heard that there are food pantries around the colleges where you can sometimes get certain dry goods.
4. We will cut our current "eating out schedule" from almost every night (at a cost of about $40.00 per day, plus we still spend about $150.00 per week on groceries) to maybe once a week.
5. Our son will go to the local State University (if he wants us to help pay) rather than a private college.
By the way why doesn't Hawaii seem to have mobile home parks? I suggested to my wife that we could save money by living in one but they don't seem to have any. I also suggested living in a nice camper at a private campground, but there don't seem to be any of those either. I suggested living in a tent at state campgrounds and moving every two weeks, but she said that would be out of the question.

Don't forget to look at CRNA employment at Tripler. The fed gov pays the highest prevailing wage and on Oahu, a 25% cost of living allowance that is fed tax free (for me, that adds about 35% to my usable income). Tripler hires RN's direct. When you are ready, email me privately and I'll give you the name of the person to call, it changes periodically.

I live in a very big house that I could not afford to buy, but I can afford to rent (about $1000 a mo/$260K of market value). I live on the East side of the island and up on a ridge with a view of both ocean and mountain and cool evening breezes. I'm a former Chicagoan, so I value the mountain view...well, it's a mountain to me! I also can see Diamond Head in the distance.

The bus system is truly fab. It goes everywhere and many can take advantage of the Express Bus. I work nights and weekends (night diff at Tripler is 10% and weekend diff is an additional 25% of base) so traffic is only half the issue for me that is for others. The morning commute home is pretty bad coming through downtown, but I go Windward where the traffic is nominal in my direction and the beauty is endless (or am I high on tired?). It takes me the same amount of time but is safer for me than the slow stop and go of the downtown route.

Costco and Sam's are here, but you will find the farmers' markets a very good value, and the fish and produce in the Chinatown area are good and cheap (relatively speaking). Fuel is leveling out at $2.25 for reg.

Home schooling is popular here and you can connect to many families that do it. The haoli issues exist, I've not had trouble on the street (but I'm a pretty harmless looking grandmother) or the beach. I have friends who have been made to feel very unwelcome as RN's in some hospitals, but Tripler is not local. The military has issues with the locals (I take care of some of the worst ones in Tripler ICU), but drunk is always part of it.

There is lots more, when you're ready, please email me.

Charlene Taymor

[email protected]

christinac · Sep 27, 2004

What about ER/trauma/flight nurse? Thats me. My husband currently owns his own company and will be selling it along with our real estate. He wants to utilize his comercial helicopter pilot license there. My husband and I are coming actually next week to house hunt.

Roland, we are moving from MIami. Oahu cannot be anymore exspensive than here. Plus miami has one of the lowest pay rates in the country. We are looking to downsize and "decompress". The locals and crime cannot be any worse than here with 80% hispanic and about 4million people! Houses, To get a zero-lot line 3bed cookie-cutter is 300K and up!

My husband should be ok, he is also 6'3", big, bald and dark skinned. My son is also 7yrs old and tan (they are hispanic) and they both are martial arts. my son is a green belt in kenpo. Youngest in the class. We are quiet laid back people though. Thats why we are trying to leave miami.

We are doing the same thing. Taking our paid for cars with us.

Maybe we can share info. We are also looking at moving to the north. Like I said, we are going next week to house hunt and also fly to the big island to take a look over there.