Not really a Paradise
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5/1/2007
When I was vacationing in Oahu for the first time a couple of years ago, I just had to move here because it was so beautiful. The weather was great and the islands are so relaxing.
Well I did move and I found out that vacationing in Hawaii and living in Hawaii are two completely different things. My boyfriend lives here and I thought that it would be a great opportunity to experience the islands.
The pros about Hawaii is the weather and its beauty. There is none like it!
The cons are that living in Hawaii is so expensive! It's comparable to SF, LA or NYC. Renting a small apartment in a safe neighborhood could cost you $1900 a month. Houses can sell for $800,000. Food and utilities are also much higher than the Mainland as well.
But yet income is about 20 -30% less than what you make in the Mainland. It doesn't make any sense. No wonder people work 2 or 3 jobs just to make ends meet. There really isn't any jobs here unless you work in the tourism industry. I work in IT and jobs are scare.
People are friendly but not many want to be friends. It seems like locals don't want to make friends with people from the mainland. I am friendly and keep myself open to the culture and the people and yet locals are "stand-offish".
In comparison there is really nothing to do here unless you are an outdoor type of person. There's the beach and tons of hiking places. But as for culture like museums, plays, and concerts, there is not much to do. Plus being in the island can be quite clausterphobic because there is no where to go.
The beauty and weather is great but I am leaving because I can't afford to live here with the low salary and the high cost of living.
Abhd | East Honolulu, HI