There are dozens of reasons to consider moving to Hawaii. For example, did you know that moving there increases your life expectancy by an average of three years for both genders?
It’s a beautiful place with breathtaking scenery, diverse and amiable people, and gorgeous properties just waiting to be snatched up. But there are a few big roadblocks in the way of your island paradise.
Money
Cash is probably the number one complaint from people looking to relocate to Hawaii. Tourism and agriculture are the largest industries in Hawaii and they are both notorious for paying very low wages. You want to make absolutely sure that your career plans are stabilized before you move so you don’t have to move back.
The cost of living in Hawaii is quite high due to import costs. Gasoline rarely dips below $4 per gallon. Also, be aware that if your favorite department store is out of an item that has to be imported, then you probably won’t see it again for a few days or weeks.
You probably want an average income of about $50,000 per year if you want to live comfortably. It’s possible to find a good home with less money if you have a good realtor on your side, but $50,000 will make the transitioning process much simpler.
Possessions
Hawaii is a pretty long way from the U.S. mainland. This means that all travel to and from the islands are either by plane or by boat. If you’re moving to Hawaii to stay then you need to decide whether the expense of moving all of your things is worth it.
Transporting a normal sized vehicle can run you thousands of dollars. Sometimes it’s to the point where you’re better off buying a new car on the islands.
Housing
Prices vary a great deal depending on which Island you live on and a good realtor will be able to direct you to the best place for your needs.
Generally speaking Oahu is the most metropolitan of the islands. So it’s a good place to look if you’re moving to Hawaii for the first time. It’s also much easier and cheaper to move around once you’re already in Hawaii.
Pets
Hawaii prides itself on being completely free of animal-based diseases like rabies. Due to the unique ecosystem, the local government has some stringent procedures in place to ensure that it keeps that reputation.
If you have carnivorous pet like a cat or dog, they are required to be placed in a 120-day quarantine before your move to the state. This quarantine is entirely paid for by the pet owner (you) and costs $1,080.