Looking for an updated (realistic) budget for HNL

[tiezto]

Hi, if anyone can help me out on breaking down the avg costs of living in the HNL area are I would greatly appreciate it. I will be living on 2 RN salaries w/ no kids/pets in a 1-bed apt downtown. I'm just looking to see ballpark figures for planning purposes. Of most interest to me are:

1.) Food

2.) Utilities

3.) Gasoline

4.) Insurance (auto)

5.) Taxes (state, city)

6.) Union fees

Thanks again

[blahblah56]

1.) Food - around $100 a week on groceries

2.) Utilities - if youre good on conserving, ive gotten as little as $50 a month for electric, if not probably $80-100. cable costs $50 for standard

3.) Gasoline - right now is about $3.30 a gallon

4.) Insurance (auto) - i go through progressive which isnt local and pay around $1000 a year full coverage

5.) Taxes (state, city) 4.714%

6.) Union fees ???

[petunia2016]

Do you already have a place to live? Rent in town is pretty expensive. Although my sister did find a teeny tiny one bedroom (more like a studio, with no kitchen) for a thousand when she first moved here, through a friend of a friend. Do you already have jobs ready or are you moving, then looking?

[petunia2016]

And don't forget the cost of parking if you do have a job downtown.

[tiezto]

1.) Food - around $100 a week on groceries

2.) Utilities - if youre good on conserving, ive gotten as little as $50 a month for electric, if not probably $80-100. cable costs $50 for standard

3.) Gasoline - right now is about $3.30 a gallon

4.) Insurance (auto) - i go through progressive which isnt local and pay around $1000 a year full coverage

5.) Taxes (state, city) 4.714%

6.) Union fees ???

Thanks, that was most helpful! I put Union fees on there assuming that I would have to pay them as I've heard many hospitals in HI have unionized nsg staff. The State tax is separate from the General Excise tax? Many thanks.

[tiezto]

And don't forget the cost of parking if you do have a job downtown.

Thanks, I heard parking @ several of the downtown hospitals was around $60/mo. Does that sound accurate? My Fiancee and I have jobs, but are trying to make the long move as smooth as possible. Thanks for your advice!

[petunia2016]

Thanks, I heard parking @ several of the downtown hospitals was around $60/mo. Does that sound accurate? My Fiancee and I have jobs, but are trying to make the long move as smooth as possible. Thanks for your advice!

I was told one of the hospitals (not quite in downtown) runs at about seventy a month for parking. If you work at the same place you might be able to share a parking pass.

[WindwardOahuRN, RN]

If you plan on parking on-site at any of the hospitals in town you'd better find out whether it's available at all, at any price.

There is a waiting list of at least SEVEN YEARS for a parking pass for the Queens parking garages. The monthly fee is over $100, IIRC. And no, you can't share the pass. If they catch you they'll revoke it.

Night shift staff at Queens can park for free if there are any spots available---and that's a big "if."

Check out the situation at the place you'll be working so there won't be any unpleasant surprises.

Union dues are about $43/month.

I don't know which hospital you'll be working at, of course, but did you inquire about how that hospital handles staffing during times of low census? That might inspire you to keep a tight rein on your budget for at least the first year that you're here.

Anyway, enough of the gloom and doom. :)

Congratulations on both of you finding jobs here---that's quite a coup! Hope all goes well for you!

[Slobgob]

You will have NO problem under your circumstances...

Two RN salary would average 150-200K a year... and you don't seem to have any expenses.

Parking? You'll be downtown... walk, bus, moped... whatever, don't drive if you're that close.

Rent? Actually, its coming down and will be reasonable.

Gas? You won't drive to work and the island is small. This won't matter.

Union dues? 1 hour salary per month. (They don't even deserve that.)

Parking at your apartment? Will probably only be one spot... I would just stay a one car family.

Food? Well, that one could be tough... so many easy dining options... but just commit yourself to cook some.

Let us know if you have any questions about where you'll be working or thinking about living.

[WindwardOahuRN, RN]

>>Union dues? 1 hour salary per month. (They don't even deserve that.)

Oh really? Do you realize what the hospitals here WANTED to give us during the last few contract negotiations?

Not only what they wanted to give us but what they wanted to take away.

Now please don't tell me that non-union hospitals here pay the same as Union hospitals. The only reason they do is because of the threat of unionization.

I suggest anyone who has issues with the gains the Unions have negotiated simply refuse to accept the benefits (including the tremendous increases in wages) that union efforts have made possible and, instead, insist upon accepting only what management would have liked to settle on.

There ya go.

[Slobgob]

Although we are getting slightly off topic...

I do realize what hospitals were offering... I was present at my hospital's last contract negotiations. But I also witnessed the ineptitude of our union at the same time.

My sentiments were not towards unionization in general... just ours. =)

[Lisa From Maui]

Just went food shopping today. 16 oz strawberries. $5.00 at the farmer's market. It's more expensive at the supermarket. But... stuff from the supermarket often tastes.... yucky! No flavor. Goes bad quickly.

We live in an 800 sq foot condo. that's a 20ft x 40 ft box. Not in the best or worst area of Maui, in average area of Maui. $1300/month rent. Includes water & trash. Our landlord takes our $ 1300, pays $ 400 to the homeowner's association, then pays $900 towards his mortgage. Yep, $ 400 to the association, to pay insurance, landscapers, to keep it pretty, and to send out notices of violation.

Electric bill $ 105 (each month) for 3 months in winter -- $ 125 for 6 months -- $ 150 for 3 months, middle of summer

basic cable + internet + home telephone (all long distance free) $ 115/month. I just looked at the bill.

Verizon cell phone, 300 minutes/mo + free nights after 9pm + free week-ends. $ 45/month.