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.
One of the tourist helicopters crashed into the side of a mountain the other day on Kauai and killed all 5 on board. That company might want another pilot! I went up with one pilot on Kauai who commutes daily from Oahu.
Make sure you have your cars evaluated for their emissions prior to having them transported. It's my understanding that Hawaii has emission inspection standards even tougher than California and that many cars shipped to the MidWest and South wouldn't cut it there (and it can cost hundreds/thousands for the modifications). With your husbands skill you might have the luxery of living on any of the Islands that suit your liking including Maui, and Kauai.
zenman
1 Article; 2,806 Posts
One of the tourist helicopters crashed into the side of a mountain the other day on Kauai and killed all 5 on board. That company might want another pilot! I went up with one pilot on Kauai who commutes daily from Oahu.