Reviews & Comments
Kapaa, HI
Take the Good with the Not So Good -
4/23/2023I have lived on Kaua'i, Hawai'i for about two years now, with about 20 years of prior vacationing (up to 1 month). Living here is much different than vacationing here, as described below.
Housing: Long-term residential housing is very limited and very expensive. Animals are mostly not allowed in most rentals. Any type of ocean front or view housing is likely not going to happen here because they are all vacation rented, so you will likely be further inland. When you get into residential neighborhoods, it it tough to find anything that doesn't have other rentals either attached or in the yard (yes, these are legal, but make for crowded housing). Buying is an option of course but there is usually very limited inventory. Buying something you do not love would likely have to happen first, and then along the way you can upgrade when something else comes available.
Food: There is good food here, but much of it is either too expensive or out of a food truck, if you don't mind eating in your car or hoping for a seat at a picnic table. My husband and I eat out often and lunch for two with a beer each is about $60-80 and dinner about $200. Most restaurants buy their ingredients at Costco so most food tastes the same. Most dinner restaurants only take reservations, so if you're hungry for a burger one night in the summer, hopefully you somehow anticipated that and made a reservation a month earlier. Also, if there is a rental available, there are likely over 100 responses and no one will probably get back to you.
Outdoor: This is why you move here, right? Hiking is amazing but there are not any "easy" hikes and few "moderate" hikes. This is a steep island and thus "difficult" hikes are aplenty. There are many rescues taking place because of this. The beaches are amazingly beautiful with warmer water starting in about April and all the way through November or December (warmer = in the 70s). Kapa'a bike bath is awesome . . . I find it tough to do with zero gears, at least try to have a 3-speed. It's fun to bike to a food truck and eat at the beach during your ride. There's also many beaches off the bike path that have no one at them (lock your bikes up because the path is a homeless destination and/or a place where adults hang out partying together).
Work: You will either work in the food industry or open your own business (also in the food industry). You would likely make tons of money, even if it's not that good. Most county jobs are taken by "locals" but there is a high unemployment rate, so it's easy to get a job. The hotels also have vast openings. The problem will be finding a place to live. I am a real estate agent and my husband a chiropractor . . . both self-employed.
Social: This town closes down around 8, maybe 9 if it's busy in town. There is one place with live music every now and then (Paniolo's), which has some dancing. Now Big Wave Dave's has music and a little dancing too. Some other small venues have the same groups here and there. There is absolutely zero nightlife on this island (try Kona on the Big Island, they have a lot of dancing and music until 12 or 1 am).
Income: You will make more here but it is off-set by the high cost of everything.
Travel: I've never traveled so much in my life as I have since I moved here. I leave every couple months to satisfy my food cravings, see people I miss, take a long drive, or shop for things that are not available here, and that includes traveling to other islands.
If you want to move, just do it! It's a fun experience living here and I'll never regret it. : )